Shear Forces and Bending Moments

Planar (2-D) Structures:

All loads act in the same plane and all deflections
occurs in the same plane (x-y plane)

Associated with the shear forces and bending

moments are normal stresses and shear stresses.

Types of Beams, Loads, and Supports

Procedure for determining shear force and bending moment

Determine the reactions using the equilibrium
conditions of the overall structure

Cut the beam at the cross section at which

shear force and bending moment are to be
determined. Draw a free-body diagram

Set up equilibrium equations of the F.B.D. to

determine shear force and bending moment
at the cross section
Draw the shear force and bending moment
diagrams

Sign Convention

Sign conventions for shear force V and bending moment M.

Find the shear force and the bending

moment at cross sections to the left
and to the right of the midpoint.
Reactions

F = 0 = R

+ RB P = 0

L
M A = 0 = RB (L ) P 4 M O = 0
P M
3P M O
RB = + O
RA =

4
L
4
L
To the left of the midpoint:

F = 0 = RA P V = 0

V =

P MO

4
L

L
L
0
M
R
P
=
=

+M =0
L2
A
2
4
PL M O
M=

8
2

To the right of the midpoint:

F = 0 = RA P V = 0

V =

P MO

L
4

L
L
=
=

+
M
R
P
0

+ M MO = 0

L2
A
2
4
PL M O
+
M=
8
2
The shear force does not change (because the vertical force acting on the free body do not
change) but the bending moment increases by an amount equal to MO.

To the left of the load P

F = 0 = RA V = 0

V=

P MO

L
4

L
=
=

M
R
0
+M =0
L4
A
4
PL M O

M=
16
4

3P M O

L
4

PL M O
+
8
2

PL M O

16
4

PL M O

8
2

P MO

L
4

qO L
2
Find the shear force and bending moment at a
distance x from the free end of the beam.
2
L
3

Reactions at B (concentrate the distributed

load)

qO L
q L
RB = O
=0
2
2
qO L 2 L
(
)
0
M
R
L
=
=

+ MB = 0
A
B
2 3

F = 0 = RB
qO L2
MB =
6

At a distance x
Intensity of the distributed load.

qO x
q=
L

V(x)

qO L
2

M(x)
qO L2

Find the shear force and bending

moment at a distance x=15ft from A.

Reactions (concentrate the

distributed load)

F = 0 = R

+ RB 14000lb (200lb / ft )(24 ft + 6 ft ) = 0

RA + RB = 20000lb

= 0 = RB (24 ft ) (14000lb )(9 ft ) (200lb / ft )(30 ft )(15 ft ) = 0

RB = 9000lb

RA = 11000lb

Shear Forces and bending moments:

From A to the concentrated load P: 0<x<9ft

F = 0 = 11000 200 x V = 0
V = 11000 200 x

 x
(
)
M
0
M
200
x
=
=
+
11000( x )

2
M = 100 x 2 + 11000 x
From the concentrated load P to B: 9<x<24ft
x

F = 0 = 11000 200 x 14000 V = 0

V = 3000 200 x
x
(
)
M
0
M
200
x
=
=
+
+ 14000( x 9 ) 11000( x )

2
M = 100 x 2 3000 x + 126000
x
Then for x=15ft

V = 3000 200(15) = 6000lb

M = 100(15) 3000(15) + 126000 = 58500lb ft
2

Relationships between Loads, Shear

Stresses and Bending Moments
Distributed Loads

Vertical

= 0 = V qdx (V + dV ) = 0

dV
= q
dx

Bending Moment (ccw as positive)

dx
M = 0 = M qdx 2 (V + dV )dx + (M + dM ) = 0

Vertical

= 0 = V P (V + V1 ) = 0

dM
=V
dx

V1 = P

The concentrated loads cause abrupt changes in the

shear force wherever they are located.
As the differentials are small, the bending
dx
(
)
(
)
M
M
P
V
V
dx
M
M
=
0
=

+
+
+
=
0

1
1
moment does not change as we
2
pass through the point of
dx
M 1 = P + Vdx + V1dx
application of a concentrated load.
2

Loads in the form of couples:

Vertical

= 0 = V (V + V1 ) = 0

V1 = 0
The shear force does not change at the point
of application of a couple.

M = 0 = M + M
M1 = M O

(V + V1 )dx + (M + M 1 ) = 0

The bending moment changes abruptly at the point of

application of a couple.

Revisit the following example : Find the shear

force and bending moment at a distance x
from the free end of the beam.

qO x
q=
L

qO x
dV
qO x
q=

= q =
L
dx
L
qO x
qo x 2
dV =
dx V =
+ C1
L
2L
For __ x = 0 __ then __ V( 0 ) = 0 C1 = 0
qo x 2
V =
2L

dM
qO x 2
qo x 3
= Vx =
M =
+ C2
dx
2L
6L
For _ x = 0 _ then _ M ( 0 ) = 0 C2 = 0
qo x 3
M =
6L

Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams

Finding the reactions:

Shear-force and bending moment diagrams for a simple beam with several concentrated loads.

Reactions

Simple beam with a uniform load over part of the span.

The maximum bending moments occurs at

the location where the shear force is zero

Cantilever beam with two concentrated loads.

Cantilever beam with a uniform load.

dV
= q
dx

dM
=V
dx

V = qdx = qx + C1

For x=0 then V(x=0)=0

V = qx

M = Vdx = ( qx )dx
q
M = x 2 + C2
2
q 2
M = x
2
For x=L then

For x=0 then M(x=0) =0

qL2
M =
2

dV
= q
dx
V = qdx = qx + C1
qL
V = qx +
2

For x=0 then V(x=0) =RA

dM
=V
dx
qL

M = Vdx = qx +
dx
2

q
qL
M = x2 +
x + C2
2
2
q
qL
M = x2 +
x
2
2

For x=0 then M(x=0) =0

For x=L/2 then M=qL2/8

dV
= q = 0
dx

0 x a1 C1 = RA
a1 x a2

V = qdx = C a x a
2
3

a3 x a4

C2 = RA P1
C3 = RA P1 P2
C4 = RA P1 P2 P3

dM
=V
dx

M = Vdx = (C )dx
M = Cx + D
0 x a1 C1 = RA M x = RA x + D1 D1 = 0
M x = RA x
a1 x a2

C2 = RA P1 M x = RA x P1 x + D2 D2 = P1a1

M x = RA x P1 x + P1a1
a2 x a3 C3 = RA P1 P2 M x = RA x P1 x P2 x + D3
D3 = P1a1 + P2 a2 M x = RA x P1 x P2 x + P1a1 + P2 a2

a3 x a4

C4 = RA P1 P2 P3

M x = RA x P1 x P2 x P3 x + D4

x = L M L = 0 D4 = (RA P1 P2 P3 )L

M x = RA x P1 x P2 x P3 x (RA P1 P2 P3 )L

Beam with an overhang.

Reactions

F
M

Vertical
C

= RB + RC (1.0)(4) = 0

= (1.0)(4)(18) RB (16 ) + 12.0 = 0

RB = 5.25k
RC = 1.25k

Reactions
FVertical = RA + RB (2)(5.0kN / m)(2m) = 0

Simple beam

@B

= (5.0)(2 )(7 ) 2(10 )(1) + (5.0 )(2 )(1) RA (8) = 0

RA = 7.5kN

dV
= q
dx

RB = 12.5kN

dM
=V
dx

For 0<x<2 then For x=0 then V(x=0)=RA

V( x ) = qdx = 5 x + C1
M ( x ) = 2.5 x 2 + 7.5 x + C2
7.5kN

M ( x = 0 ) = 0 C2 = 0

-2.5kN

M ( x ) = 2.5 x 2 + 7.5 x

20.0kN-m
-12.5kN
15.0kN-m

For 2<x<4 then V(x)=-2.5kN

5.0kN-m

M ( x = 2 ) = 5kN m C3 = 10
0.0kN-m

For 4<x<6 then

V(x)=-2.5kN
M(x)=20kN-m

V(x=0)=0 for x=1.5 then

MMax=5.625kN-m

M ( x =1.5 ) = 5.625kN m
M ( x = 2.0 ) = 5.0kN m

M ( x ) = 2.5 x + C3

5.6kN-m

0kN-m

V( x ) = 5 x + 7.5

M ( x ) = 2.5 x + 10 M ( x = 4 ) = 0

M ( x ) = 2.5 x + C4
M ( x = 4 ) = 20kN m C4 = 30
M ( x ) = 2.5 x + 30 M ( x = 6 ) = 15kN m

For 6<x<8

V( x ) = 5 x + C5 V( x = 6 ) = -2.5
V( x ) = 5 x + 27.5

M ( x ) = 2.5 x 2 + 27.5 x + C6
M ( x =8 ) = 0 C6 = 60
M ( x ) = 2.5 x 2 + 27.5 x 60

Method of Superposition

This can be treated as the superposition of four simple cases.

Thetotalshearforcediagramisthesumoftheindividualshear forcediagramsforeachcase.
Thetotalbendingmomentdiagramisthesumoftheindividualbendingmomentdiagrams
foreachcase.

RA = 7.5kN

Reactions

RB = 12.5kN

0 x2
2 x4
Vx =
4 x6
6 x8
0 x2

2 x4
Mx = 4 x 6

6 x8

Vx =

Mx =

Vx = 7 . 5 5 x
Vx = 2.5
Vx = 2.5

Vx = 2.5 5( x 6 )
M x = 7.5 x 2.5 x 2

M x = 7.5 x (5)(2 )( x 1) = 2.5 x + 10.0

M x = 7.5 x (5)(2 )(x 1) = 2.5 x + 10.0
(x 6)
M x = 7.5 x (5)(2 )( x 1) (5)( x 6 )

2
M x = 2.5 x 2 + 27.5 x 80.0

0 x2
2 x4

Vx = 0
Vx = 0

4 x6
6 x8

Vx = 0
Vx = 0

0 x2
2 x4

4 x6
6 x8

M x = 20
M x = 20

Mx = 0
Mx = 0

Vx =

0 x2

2 x4

4 x6
6 x8

Vx = 2.5
Vx = 2.5 5( x 6)

0 x2

2 x4
Mx = 4 x 6

6 x8

Vx = 7.5 5 x
Vx = 2.5
Vx =

M x = 7.5 x 2.5 x 2

M x = 7.5 x (5)(2 )( x 1) = 2.5 x + 10.0

M x = 7.5 x (5)(2 )( x 1) = 2.5 x + 10.0
(x 6)
M x = 7.5 x (5)(2 )( x 1) (5)( x 6 )

2
M x = 2.5 x 2 + 27.5 x 80.0

0 x2
2 x4
Vx =
4 x6
6 x8

Vx = 7.5 5 x

Vx = 2.5

Vx = 2.5
Vx = 2.5 5( x 6 )

Mx =

0 x2

Vx = 0

2 x4
4 x6
6 x8

Vx = 0
Vx = 0
Vx = 0

Mx =

0 x2
2 x4

Mx = 0
Mx = 0

4 x6

M x = 20

6 x8

M x = 20

0 x2

M x = 7.5 x 2.5 x 2
M x = 2.5 x + 10.0
M x = 2.5 x + 30.0

2 x4
4 x6

6 x8

M x = 2.5 x 2 + 27.5 x 60.0

RB = 5.25k

Reactions

RC = 1.25k
Vx = 0
0 x4

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = RB = 5.25kN
12 x 20 V = R = 5.25kN
x
B

Mx = 0
0 x4

M x = 4 x 12 M x = RB ( x 4 ) = 5.25 x 21
12 x 20 M = R ( x 4 ) = 5.25 x 21
x
B

0 x 4 Vx = qx = x

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = q (4 ) = 4
12 x 20 V = q (4 ) = 4
x

qx 2
x2
=
Mx =
0 x4
2
2

M x = 4 x 12 M x = q(4 )( x 2 ) = 4 x + 8
12 x 20 M = q(4 )( x 2 ) = 4 x + 8
x

0 x 4 Vx = 0

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = 0
12 x 20 V = 0
x

Mx = 0
0 x4

M x = 4 x 12
Mx = 0
12 x 20 M = 12
x

Vx = 0
0 x4

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = RB = 5.25kN
12 x 20 V = R = 5.25kN
x
B

0 x 4 Vx = qx = x

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = q(4 ) = 4
12 x 20 V = q(4 ) = 4
x

Vx = x
0 x4

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = 5.25 4 = 1.25
12 x 20 V = 5.25 4 = 1.25
x

0 x 4 Vx = 0

Vx = 4 x 12 Vx = 0
12 x 20 V = 0
x

Mx = 0
0 x4

M x = 4 x 12 M x = RB ( x 4 ) = 5.25 x 21
12 x 20 M = R ( x 4 ) = 5.25 x 21
x
B

qx 2
x2
=
Mx =
0 x4
2
2

M x = 4 x 12 M x = q(4 )( x 2 ) = 4 x + 8
12 x 20 M = q(4 )( x 2 ) = 4 x + 8
x

Mx = 0
0 x4

M x = 4 x 12
Mx = 0
12 x 20 M = 12
x

qx 2
x2
=
Mx =
0 x4
2
2

M x = 4 x 12
M x = 5.25 x 21 4 x + 8 = 1.25 x 13
12 x 20 M = 5.25 x 21 4 x + 8 12 = 1.25 x 25
x

Reactions

F
M

Vertical
@B

= 0 = RA 4kN (2 )(3kN ) RA = 10kN

= 0 = M A + (RA )(4 ) (4 )(3) (6 )(1) M A = 22kN m

Loading
x=0
P = 10kN M O = 22kN m
x = 1m
P = 4kN
x = 2m qO = 3kN / m

MA
RA

0 x 1
10kN
V = 1 x 2
10kN 4kN = 6kN
2 x 4 6kN (3kN / m )( x 2 ) = 12 3 x
V (0 ) = 10....V (1 ) = 10....V (1+ ) = 6...V (2) = 6....V (4) = 0

0 x 1
M = 1 x 2

22 + 10 x

22 + 10 x (4 )( x 1) = 18 + 6 x

2 x 4 18 + 6 x 1.5( x 2 ) = 24 + 12 x 1.5 x 2
2

M (0 ) = 22....M (1) = 12....M (2) = 6....M (4) = 0

The structure shown is constructed of a W10x112 rolled-steel beam. Draw the

shear and bending-moment diagrams for the beam and the given loading.
Solution

Replace the 10 kip load with an equivalent

force-couple system at D. Find the reactions at
B by considering the beam as a rigid body.

F = 0 = R (8)(3) 10 = 0 R = 34kips
M = 0 = (8)(3)(12) + 20 (5)(10) + M B = 0
B

M B = 318kips ft
dV
= q
dx

0 x8

dM
=V
dx

11 x 16

8 x 11

dV
= q = 3 V = 3x + C1
dx
V(0) = 0 C1 = 0 Vx = 3x

dV
= 0 V = C2
dx
V(8) = 24C2 = 24V = 24

dV
= 0 V = C3 V(11) = 24
dx
V(11+) = 34C3 = 34V = 34

Mx = 1.5x2 + C4

Mx = 24x + C5

M( x) = 34x +C6

M(0) = 0 C4 = 0 Mx = 1.5x2 M(8) = 96C5 = +96Mx = 24x + 96 M(11+) = 168+ 20C6 = 226M( x) = 34x + 226

0 x8
3x
V = 8 x 11
3(8) = 24
11 x 16 24 10 = 34
V (0 ) = 0....V (8) = 24....V (11 ) = 24...V (11+ ) = 34....V (16) = 34

0 x8

1.5 x 2

M = 8 x 11
24( x 4 )
11 x 16 24(x 4 ) + 20 10( x 11)
M (8) = 96....M (11 ) = 168....M (11+ ) = 148...M (16 ) = 318

Draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown.
dV
= q
dx

dM
=V
dx

wo a
wa
+ RC RC = o
2
2
w a
a
w a
a
= 0 = o L + MC = 0 MC = o L
2
3
2
3

Vertical

MA

@C

=0=

0 xa
RC

wx = wo

wo x
a

dV
wo x
wo x 2
= wx = wo +
Vx = wo x +
+ C1
dx
a
2a
wo x 2
V(0 ) = 0 C1 = 0 Vx = wo x +
2a
w0 x 2 wo x3
Mx =
+
+ C2
2
6a
w0 x 2 wo x3
M (0 ) = 0 C2 = 0 M x =
+
2
6a
wa
VB = o
2

wo a 2
MB =
3

axL
dV
= 0 V = C3
dx
woa
woa
woa
V(a) = C3 = Vx =
2
2
2
wa
Mx = o x + C4
2
woa2
woa2
woa woa2
M(a) =
C4 = +
Mx = x +
3
6
2
6

wo a
VC =
2

wo aL wo a 2
+
MC =
2
6