Beams

Beams-External effects
• Beams are structural members which offer resistance to bending
due to applied loads.
• Beams are the most important of all structural bars so it is
important to understand the basic theory underlying their design
• Analyzing the load-carrying capacities of beam, first establish the
equilibrium requirements of the beam as a whole and any portion
of it considered separately
• Second, establish the relations between the resulting forces and
the accompanying internal resistance of the beam to support these
forces
• First part of analysis requires principles of statics
 Beams
Types of beams
• Beams supported so that their external support
reactions can be calculated by methods of statics
along are called statically determinate beams
• Beams which has more supports than needed to
provide equilibrium is statically indeterminate
• To determine the support reactions for statically
indeterminate beam one must consider its load-
deformation properties in addition to the equations of
static equilibrium
 Beams
Classification of Beam Supports
 Beams
D E

A (b)
C B
(a) Figure 2
•Beams may also be identified by the type of external loading they
support.
•The beam in figure 2 (a) is supporting concentrated loads, whereas
the beam in figure 2 (b) is supporting distributed load
•The intensity ω of a distributed load may be expressed as force per
unit length of beam, and may be constant or variable, continuous or
discontinuous
 Beams
Distributed loads
• Loading intensities which are
constant or which vary linearly are
easily handled. Figure 3 illustrates
the three most common cases and
the resultants of the distributed
loads in each case
• In cases (a) and (b) of figure 3, the
resultant load R is represented by
the area formed by the intensity ω
(force per unit length of beam) and
the length L over which the force is
distributed. Figure 3
 Beams
Distributed loads…
• In part c of figure 3, the trapezoidal area
is broken into a rectangular and a
triangular area, and the corresponding
resultants R1 and R2 of these sub-areas
are determined separately
• For a more general load distribution, Figure 4
figure 4, it required to start with a
differential increment of force dR = ω dx.
The total load R is then the sum of the
differential forces, or
R = ʃ w dx
 Beams
Distributed loads…
• The resultant R is located at the centroid of the area
under consideration.
• The x-coordinate of this centroid is found by the
principle of moments
 Beams
Examples
1. Determine the equivalent concentrated
load(s) and external reactions for the simply
supported beam which is subjected to the
distributed load shown
 Beams
Solution
• The area associated with the load
distribution is divided into the
rectangular and triangular areas.
• The concentrated-load values are
determined by computing the areas,
and these loads are located at the
centroids of the respective areas.
• Once the concentrated loads are Using principles of
determined, they are placed on the equilibrium,
free-body diagram of the beam along RB = 984 lb and
the external reactions at A and B RA = 696 lb
 Beams
2. Determine the reaction at the support A of the
loaded cantilever beam
 Beams
Solution
• The constants in the load distribution are found to be ω o
= 1000 N/m and k = 2 N/m4. The load R is then

• The x-coordinate of the centroid of the area is found by

 Beams
• From free-body diagram of the beam, taking moment
summation at A and sum of forces at y-axis, then MA
= 45100 Nm and Ay= 10048 N
 Beams
Internal beam effects
• Apply principles of statics to calculate the internal
shear force and bending moment as functions of
location along the beam
Shear, bending and torsion
• In additional to supporting tension or compression, a
beam can resist shear, bending and torsion. These three
effects are illustrated in figure 5. The force V is called
the shear force, the couple M is called the bending
moment, and the couple T is called a torsional moment
 Beams
• Shear, bending and torsion
effects represent the vector
components of the resultant
of the forces acting on the
transverse section of the
beam as shown in the lower
part of the figure

Figure 5
 Beams
• Consider the shear force V and bending
moment M caused by the forces applied to
the beam in a single plane. The conventions
for positive values of shear V and bending
moment M shown in figure 6 are the ones
generally used
• It is frequently impossible to tell without
calculation whether the shear and moment at
a particular section are positive or negative Figure 6
• So it is advisable to represent V and M in
their positive directions on the free-body
diagrams and let the algebraic signs of the
calculated values indicate the proper
directions.
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• The variation of shear force V and bending moment M over
the length of a beam provides information necessary for the
design analysis of the beam.
• In particular, the maximum magnitude of the bending
moment is usually the primary consideration in the design
or selection of a beam, and its value and position should be
determined.
• The variations in shear and moment are best shown
graphically, and the expressions for V and M when plotted
against distance along the beam give the shear-force and
bending moment diagrams for the beam
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• The first step in the determination of the shear and
moment relations is to establish the values of all
external reactions on the beam by applying the
equations of the equilibrium to a free-body diagram of
the beam as a whole
• Next, is to isolate a portion of the beam, either to the
right or to the left of an arbitrary transverse section,
with a free-body diagram, and apply the equations of
equilibrium to the isolated portion of the beam.
₋ These equations will yield expressions for the shear
force V and bending moment M acting at the cut
section on the part of the beam isolated
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
₋ The part of the beam which involves the smaller number of
forces either to the right or to the left of the arbitrary
section, usually yields the simpler solution
₋ It is required to avoid using a transverse section which
coincides with the location of a concentrated load or couple;
as such a position represents a point of discontinuity in the
variation of shear or bending moment.
• Finally, it is important to note that the calculations for V and
M on each section chosen should be consistent with positive
convention illustrated in figure 6.
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• For any beam with distributed loads certain general
relationships can be established which will aid greatly in
the determination of the shear and moment distributions
along the beam. Figure 7 represents a portion of the loaded
beam, where an element dx of the beam is isolated.

Figure 7
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

• The loading ω represents the force per unit length of

beam. At the location x the shear V and moment M
acting on the element are drawn in their positive
directions.
• On the opposite side of the elements where the
coordinates is x + dx, these quantities are also shown in
their positive directions
• They must be labeled V + dV and M + dM, since V and
M change with x
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

• Equilibrium of the element requires that the sum of the

vertical forces be zero
………(1)
• From equation (1)above, it seems that the slope of the
shear diagram must everywhere be equal to the negative
of the value of the applied loading.
• Equation (1) holds on either side of a concentrated load
but not at the concentrated load because of the
discontinuity produced by the abrupt change in shear.
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Equation of shear force V can be expressed in terms
of the loading by integrating equation (1)

or V = V0 + (the negative of the area under the

loading curve from x0 to x)
• Equilibrium of the element in figure 7 also requires
that the moment sum be equal to zero. Summing
moments about the left side of the element gives
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• The two M’s cancel, and the terms ω(dx)2/2 and dVdx
may be dropped, since they are differentials of higher
order than those which remain. This leaves
………(2)

• Equation (2) expresses the fact that the shear

everywhere is equal to the slope of the moment curve.
• Equation (2) holds on either side of the concentrated
couple but not at the concentrated couple because of
the discontinuity caused by the abrupt change in
moment
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Moment M can be expressed in terms of shear V by
integrating equation (2). Thus,

or M = M0 + (area under the shear

diagram from x0 to x

• In this expression M0 is the bending moment at x0 and M

is the bending moment at x. For beams where there is no
externally applied moment M0 at x0 = 0 , the total
moment at any section equals the area under the shear
diagram up to that section.
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Equation (1) and (2) may be combined to yield
• Thus, if ω is a known function of x, the moment M can be
obtained by two integrations, provided that the limits of
integration are properly evaluated each time. This method
is usable only if ω is a continuous function of x.
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
Examples
1. Determine the shear and moment distributions produced
in the simple beam by a 4-kN concentrated load
Solution

From the free-body diagram of the

entire beam, the support reactions
are R1 = 1.6 kN and R2 = 2.4kN
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• A section of the beam of length x
is next isolated with its free-body
diagram shows the shear V and
bending moment M in their
positive directions. At equilibrium

• The values of V and M apply to

all section of the beam to the left
of the 4-kN load
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• A section of the beam to the right of the 4-kN load is next isolated with
its free-body diagram on which V and M are shown in their positive
directions. At equilibrium

• These results apply only to sections of the beam to the right of the 4-kN
load
• The values of V and M are plotted as indicated, and maximum bending
moment occurs where the shear changes direction
• Note: Be careful not to take the section at the concentrated load (such as
x = 6m) since the shear and moment relations involve discontinuities at
such positions
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

Example
2. Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams
for the loaded beam and determine the maximum
moment M and its location x from the left end
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
SOLN
• The first interval of the beam is analyzed
from the free body diagram of the section
for 0< x < 4 ft. A vertical summation of
forces and moment summation about the
cut section yield

• These values of V and M hold for 0 < x<

4ft and are plotted in the shear and
moment diagrams shown
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• From the free body diagram of the section for which 4 < x < 8
ft, equilibrium in the vertical direction and moment sum about
the cut section give

• These values of V and M are plotted on the shear and moment

diagrams for the interval 4 < x < 8 ft
• The analysis of the remainder of the beam is continued from
the free body diagram of the portion of the beam to the right of
a section in the next interval.
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• A vertical force summation and a
moment summation about the
section yield V = -353 lb and M =
2930-253x
• These values of V and M are plotted
on the shear and moment diagrams
for the interval 8 < x < 10 ft.
• The last interval may be analyzed by
inspection. The shear is constant at
+ 300 lb , and the moment follows a
straight line relation beginning with
zero at the right end of the beam
 Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• The maximum moment occurs at x = 4.47 ft, where
the shear curve crosses the zero axis and the
magnitude of M is obtained for this value of x by
substitution into the expression for M for the second
interval. The maximum moment is M = 732 lb-ft
• As before, note that the moment M at any section
equals the area under the shear diagram up to that
section. For instance, forx x < 4 ft,
M   Vdx; M    247  12.5x 2 dx
 
0
 M  247 x  4.17 x 3
 EXAMPLE 3
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as free-body,
calculate reactions at A and B.
• Determine equivalent internal
force-couple systems at sections
cut within segments AC, CD, and
Draw the shear and bending DB.
moment diagrams for the beam
AB. The distributed load of 40 • Plot results.
lb/in. extends over 12 in. of the
beam, from A to C, and the 400
lb load is applied at E.
EXAMPLE 3
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body,
calculate reactions at A and B.
MA  0:
B y 32 in.  480 lb6 in.  400 lb22 in.  0

B y  365 lb
MB  0:
480 lb26 in.  400 lb10 in.  A32 in.  0
A  515 lb

 Fx  0 : Bx  0

• Note: The 400 lb load at E may be

replaced by a 400 lb force and 1600 lb-
in. couple at D.
EXAMPLE 3
• Evaluate equivalent internal force-couple systems
at sections cut within segments AC, CD, and DB.

From A to C:
 Fy  0 : 515  40 x  V  0
V  515 40 x

 M1  0 :  
 515x  40 x 12 x  M  0
M  515x  20 x 2
From C to D:

 Fy  0 : 515  480  V  0
V  35 lb

 M 2  0 :  515x  480x  6  M  0
M  2880  35x  lb  in.
EXAMPLE 3
• Evaluate equivalent internal force-
couple systems at sections cut within
segments AC, CD, and DB.
From D to B:

 Fy  0 : 515  480  400  V  0

V  365 lb

M2  0:
 515x  480x  6   1600  400x  18  M  0
M  11,680  365x  lb  in.
EXAMPLE 3
• Plot results.
From A to C:
V  515 40 x
M  515x  20 x 2

From C to D:
V  35 lb
M  2880  35x  lb  in.

From D to B:
V  365 lb
M  11,680  365x  lb  in.