INTERNAL LOADINGS IN

STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
SIGN CONVENTION FOR INTERNAL LOADS
CUT MEMBER
V V

N N
M

POSITIVE DIRECTIONS
N = NORMAL
N N V = SHEAR
M = MOMENT
TEND TO ELONGATE
M M

V V

CLOCKWISE DIRECTION BEND UPWARD

Example 1 : Determine the internal shear and
moment acting in the cantilever beam shown at
sections passing through points C and D.

5 kN 5 kN 5 kN 5 kN 5 kN

1m 1m 1m 1m 1m
B 20 kN-m

C
D
A
 5 kN 5 kN 5 kN
Solution :
MC 1m 1m 1m
20 kN-m
NC Segment CB
VC C

+↑ Σ Fy = 0 : VC – 5 – 5 – 5 = 0
VC = 15kN (ans)

+ ΣMC = 0 : MC + 5(1) + 5(2) + 5(3) + 20 = 0

MC = -50kN-m (ans)
 5 kN 5 kN
5 kN 5 kN

MD 1m 1m 1m
20 kN-m
ND Segment DB
VD D

+↑ Σ Fy = 0 : VD – 5 – 5 – 5 – 5 = 0
VD = 20kN (answer)

+ ΣMC = 0 : MD + 5(1) + 5(2) + 5(3) + 20 = 0

MD = -50kN-m (answer)
Note: This illustrates that the shear force is different on either side of the
concentrated force , while the moment remains the same. It is ambiguous
therefore to determine the shear directly under a concentrated force.
Example 2 : Determine the internal shear and
moment acting at a section passing through
point C in the beam shown.
45 kN/m

A B
C
2m
6m

Answer: VC = 30 kN
MC = 80 kN-m
Example 3: Determine the internal normal force,
shear force, and moment at point C of the
beam.

400 N/m
200 N/m
A B
C
3m 3m

Answer: VC = 50 N
MC = 1.35 kN-m
NC = 0
Seatwork 1: Determine the internal shear, axial
force and bending moment in the beam at
points C and D. Assume the support at B is a
roller. Point D is located just to the right of the
50-kN load. 50kN

37.5kN-m A B 37.5kN-m
C D
3m 3m 3m
Seatwork 2: Determine the internal shear, axial
load, and bending moment at point C, which is
just to the right of the roller at A, and point D,
which is just to the left of the 15-kN
concentrated force.
15 kN
12.5 kN 1.25 kN/m

C D B
A
1.8m 3.6m 0.6m
Seatwork 3 : Determine the internal shear, axial
force and bending moment at point C. Assume
the support at A is a pin and B is a roller.
1.0 kN/m

1.2 kN 1.2 kN

A C B

1.2m 2.7m 2.7m 2m

Assignment: Determine the internal shear, axial
load and bending moment at point C. Assume
the support at A is a pin and B is a roller.
50 kN 12 kN/m 40 kN

A C B

2m 4m 4m 2m