Fourth Edition

CHAPTER MECHANICS OF
MATERIALS
Ferdinand P. Beer, E. Russell Johnston, Jr., John T. DeWolf

Lecturer: Nazarena Mazzaro, Ph.D.

Aalborg University Analysis and Design
of Beams for Bending
Denmark
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Analysis and Design of Beams for Bending

Part 1: 45 min Part 2: 30 min

Introduction Design of Prismatic Beams for
Shear and Bending Moment Bending
Diagrams Sample Problem 5.8
Example 5.01 Singularity Functions
Sample Problem 5.1 Example 5.05
Sample Problem 5.2
Relations Among Load, Shear, and
Bending Moment
Example 5.03
Exercises
Sample Problem 5.3
Sample Problem 5.5

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-2

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Introduction
• Objective - Analysis and design of beams

• Beams - structural members supporting loads at

various points along the member

• Transverse loadings of beams are classified as

concentrated loads or distributed loads

• Applied loads result in internal forces consisting

of a shear force (from the shear stress
distribution) and a bending couple (from the
normal stress distribution)

• Normal stress is often the critical design criteria

My Mc M Elastic Flexure
σx = − σm = =
I I S Formulas
Requires determination of the location and
magnitude of largest bending moment

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-3

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Introduction

Classification of Beam Supports

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-4

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

• Determination of maximum normal and
shearing stresses requires identification of
maximum internal shear force V and
bending couple M.

• Shear force and bending couple at a point are

determined by passing a section through the
beam and applying an equilibrium analysis on
the beam portions on either side of the
section.

• Sign conventions for shear forces V and V’

and bending couples M and M’ -> positive

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-5

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Example 5.01

Draw the shear and bending-moment diagrams for a simply

supported beam AB of span L subjected to a single concentrated
load P at it midpoint C

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-6

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Example 5.01

•Determination of the reactions RA=RB=1/2P

•Cut the beam at D and plot free body diagrams with

positive V and M. Equilibrium equations:

∑ Fy = 0; R − V = 0;V = R = 1 / 2 P
A A

∑ M = 0;− R x + M = 0; M = R x = Px / 2
D A A

∑ Fy = 0; R + V = 0;V = − R = −1 / 2 P
B B

∑ M = R ( L − x) − M = 0; M = P( L − x) / 2
E B

V is constant between concentrated loads and M

varies linearly

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-7

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Sample Problem 5.1
For the timber beam and loading
shown, draw the shear and bend-
moment diagrams and determine the
maximum normal stress due to
bending.
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU
Beer • Johnston • DeWolf
SOLUTION:
• Treating the entire beam as a rigid
body, determine the reaction forces
• Section the beam at points near
supports and load application points.
Apply equilibrium analyses on
resulting free-bodies to determine
internal shear forces and bending
couples
• Identify the maximum shear and
bending-moment from plots of their
distributions.
• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to
determine the corresponding
maximum normal stress.
5-8
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.1

SOLUTION:
• Treating the entire beam as a rigid body
∑ Fy = 0 = −20 + R − 40 + R ⇒ R =60 − R
B D D B

∑ M = 0 = 20 × 2,5 − 40 × 3 + R × 5 ⇒ R = 14
B D D

RD = 14; RB = 46

• Section the beam and apply equilibrium analyses

on resulting free-bodies
∑ Fy = 0 − 20 kN − V1 = 0 V1 = −20 kN
∑ M1 = 0 (20 kN )(0 m ) + M1 = 0 M1 = 0

∑ Fy = 0 − 20 kN − V2 = 0 V2 = −20 kN
∑ M2 = 0 (20 kN )(2.5 m ) + M 2 = 0 M 2 = −50 kN ⋅ m

V3 = +26 kN M 3 = −50 kN ⋅ m
V4 = +26 kN M 4 = +28 kN ⋅ m
V5 = −14 kN M 5 = +28 kN ⋅ m
V6 = −14 kN M 6 = 0
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5-9
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.1

• Identify the maximum shear and bending-
moment from plots of their distributions.
Vm = 26 kN M m = M B = 50 kN ⋅ m

• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to

determine the corresponding
maximum normal stress.
S = 16 b h 2 = 16 (0.080 m )(0.250 m )2

= 833.33 × 10− 6 m3

MB 50 × 103 N ⋅ m
σm = =
S 833.33 × 10− 6 m3

σ m = 60.0 ×106 Pa
V1=-20, M1=0; V2=-20, M2=-50; V3= 26, M3=-50;
V4=26, M4= 28; V5=-14, M5=28, V6=-14, M6=0

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 10

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Sample Problem 5.2
The structure shown is constructed of a
W10x112 rolled-steel beam. (a) Draw
the shear and bending-moment diagrams
for the beam and the given loading. (b)
determine normal stress in sections just
to the right and left of point D.
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU
Beer • Johnston • DeWolf
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.
• Section the beam at points near the
support and load application points.
Apply equilibrium analyses on
resulting free-bodies to determine
internal shear forces and bending
couples.
• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to
determine the maximum normal
stress to the left and right of point D.
5 - 11
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.2

SOLUTION:
• Replace the 10 kip load with equivalent force-
couple system at D. Find reactions at B.
• Section the beam and apply equilibrium
analyses on resulting free-bodies.
From A to C :
∑ Fy = 0 − 3x − V = 0 V = −3 x kips
∑ M1 = 0 (3x )(12 x )+ M = 0 M = −1.5 x 2 kip ⋅ ft

From C to D :
∑ Fy = 0 − 24 − V = 0 V = −24 kips
∑ M 2 = 0 24( x − 4) + M = 0 M = (96 − 24 x ) kip ⋅ ft

From D to B :
V = −34 kips M = (226 − 34 x ) kip ⋅ ft

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 12

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.2

• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to
determine the maximum normal stress to
the left and right of point D.
From Appendix C for a W10x112 rolled
steel shape, S = 126 in3 about the X-X axis.
To the left of D :
M 2016 kip ⋅ in
σm = = σ m = 16.0 ksi
S 126 in 3
To the right of D :
M 1776 kip ⋅ in σ m = 14.1 ksi
σm = =
S 126 in 3

• Concentrated loads: V constant

M varies linearly
• Distributed load: V varies linearly
M parabola

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 13

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment

• Relationship between load and shear:
∑ Fy = 0 : V − (V + ∆V ) − w ∆x = 0
∆V = − w ∆x
dV
= −w
dx
xD
VD − VC = − ∫ w dx
xC

• Relationship between shear and bending

moment:
∑ M C′ = 0 : (M + ∆M ) − M − V ∆x + w∆x ∆x = 0
2
∆ 1
∆M = V ∆x − 12 w (∆x ) ⇒
2 M
= V − w∆x
∆x 2
dM
∆x → 0; =V
dx
xD

M D − MC = ∫ V dx
xC

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 14

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Example 5.03
Draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for the
simply supported beam and determine the maximum value
of the bending moment.

SOLUTION:
•RA=RB=wL/2
•Determination of V and M at any distance from A:
x
V − VA = − ∫ w.dx = − wx
0

1 1
V = VA − wx = wL − wL = w( L − x)
2 2
x
M − M A = ∫ V .dx; M A = 0
0

wL2
x
1 1
M = ∫ w( L − x)dx = w( Lx − x ) ⇒ M max
2

0
2 2 8

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 15

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.3

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body,
determine the reactions at A and D.

• Apply the relationship between shear and

load to develop the shear diagram.

Draw the shear and bending • Apply the relationship between bending
moment diagrams for the beam moment and shear to develop the bending
and loading shown. moment diagram.

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 16

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.3

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body, determine the
reactions at A and D.
∑MA = 0
0 = D(24 ft ) − (20 kips )(6 ft ) − (12 kips )(14 ft ) − (12 kips )(28 ft )
D = 26 kips
∑ Fy = 0
0 = Ay − 20 kips − 12 kips + 26 kips − 12 kips
Ay = 18 kips

• Apply the relationship between shear and load to

develop the shear diagram.
dV
= −w dV = − w dx
dx
- zero slope between concentrated loads
- linear variation over uniform load segment

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 17

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.3

• Apply the relationship between bending
moment and shear to develop the bending
moment diagram.
dM
=V dM = V dx
dx
- bending moment at A and E is zero
- bending moment variation between A, B,
C and D is linear
- bending moment variation between D
and E is quadratic
- net change in bending moment is equal to
areas under shear distribution segments
D
M D − M C = ∫ V .dx
C

- total of all bending moment changes across

the beam should be zero (108-16-140+48=0)
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 18
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.5

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body,
determine the reactions at C.

• Apply the relationship between shear

and load to develop the shear diagram.

Draw the shear and bending moment • Apply the relationship between
diagrams for the beam and loading bending moment and shear to develop
shown. the bending moment diagram.

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 19

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.5

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body,
determine the reactions at C.
∑ Fy = 0 = − 12 w0 a + RC RC = 12 w0 a
⎛ a⎞ ⎛ a⎞
∑ M C = 0 = 12 w0 a⎜ L − ⎟ + M C M C = − 12 w0 a⎜ L − ⎟
⎝ 3⎠ ⎝ 3⎠
Results from integration of the load and shear
distributions should be equivalent.
• Apply the relationship between shear and load
to develop the shear diagram.
a
a
⎛ x⎞ ⎡ ⎛ x 2 ⎞⎤
VB − V A = − ∫ w0 ⎜1 − ⎟ dx = − ⎢ w0 ⎜ x − ⎟⎥
⎜ 2a ⎟⎠⎥⎦
0 ⎝ a⎠ ⎢⎣ ⎝ 0
VB = − 12 w0 a = − ( area under load curve)
- No change in shear between B and C.
- Compatible with free body analysis
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 20
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.5

• Apply the relationship between bending moment
and shear to develop the bending moment
diagram.
a
a⎛ ⎛ x 2 ⎞⎟ ⎞⎟ ⎡ ⎛ x 2 x3 ⎞⎤
⎜ ⎜
M B − M A = ∫ − w0 x − dx = ⎢− w0 ⎜ − ⎟⎥
⎜ ⎜ 2a ⎟⎠ ⎟⎠ ⎜ 2 6a ⎟
0⎝ ⎝ ⎢⎣ ⎝ ⎠⎥⎦ 0
M B = − 13 w0 a 2

( )
L
M B − M C = ∫ − 12 w0 a dx = − 12 w0 a(L − a )
a
a w0 ⎛ a⎞
M C = − 16 w0 a(3L − a ) = ⎜L− ⎟
2 ⎝ 3⎠

Results at C are compatible with free-body

analysis

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 21

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending

• The largest normal stress is found at the surface where the
maximum bending moment occurs.
M max c M max
σm = =
I S

• A safe design requires that the maximum normal stress be

less than the allowable stress for the material used. This
criteria leads to the determination of the minimum
acceptable section modulus.
σ m ≤ σ all
M max
S min =
σ all

• Among beam section choices which have an acceptable

section modulus, the one with the smallest weight per unit
length or cross sectional area will be the least expensive
and the best choice.
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 22
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending

• Determine σall (If σall is the same for tension and compresion then
follow 1,2,3 – Otherwise consider 4 in step 2)
• 1-Draw shear and bending-moment diagrams and determine |M|max
• 2-Determine Smin
• 3-Find the dimentions of the beam to use: b, h for S>Smin

• 4-Select the beam section so that σm<= σall for tensile and
compressive stresses.

Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 23

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Sample Problem 5.7
60 kN/m 20 kN/m 90 mm
2.4 m 1.2 m
A 3.6 m-long overhanging timber
beam AC is to be designed to support
the distributed and concentrated loads
shown. Knowing that timber of 100-
mm nominal width (90-mm actual
width) with a 12 MPa allowable stress
is to be used, determine the minimum
required depth h of the beam.
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU
Beer • Johnston • DeWolf
SOLUTION:
• Considering the entire beam as a free-
body, determine the reactions at A and
B.
• Develop the shear diagram for the
beam and load distribution. From the
diagram, determine the maximum
bending moment.
• Determine the minimum acceptable
beam section modulus. Find the value
for the h.
5 - 24
MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.7

14.4 kN
20 kN • Considering the entire beam as a free-body
∑M A = 0 = B(2.4 m ) − (14.4 kN )(1.2 m ) − (20 kN )(3.6 m )
B = 37.2 kN = Vc
2.4 m 1.2m
∑F y = 0 = Ay + 37.2kN − 14.4 kN − 20 kN
Ay = −2.8 kN = VA

20 • Plot shear diagram and determine Mmax.

kN
VB − VA = −(area under load curve) = −(6kN / m)(2.4m) = −14.4kN
(+24)
VB = VA − 14 − 4 = −2.8kN − 14.4kN = −17.2kN
VB = −17.2 kN
-2.8 (+24)
kN • MA=Mc=0, Between A and B, M decreases an
amount equal to area VAB, and between B and
-17.2 kN
C in increases the same amount. Thus the
|M|max= 24 kN.m
M 24kN .m
S min = max
= = 2 ×10 6 mm 3
σ all 12 MPa
1 2 1
bh ≥ S min ⇒ (90mm)h 2 ≥ 2 ×10 6 mm 3 ⇒ h ≥ 365.2mm
6 6
Nazarena Mazzaro, AAU 5 - 25