SHEAR AND MOMENT CONCEPT

 Shear force is the internal force on a member when force is not applied at the axis.
Shearing force is the force divided by the cross-sectional area (shear stress = F / A ¿. On
the other hand, moment is the force trying to rotate the member. Moment is the
perpendicular distance from the force axis multiplied by the force (M = rF).

Shear and Moment Diagrams

Definition of a Beam
A beam is a bar subject to forces or couples that lie in a plane containing the longitudinal section of the
bar. According to determinacy, a beam may be determinate or indeterminate.
 
Statically Determinate Beams
Statically determinate beams are those beams in which the reactions of the supports may be determined
by the use of the equations of static equilibrium. The beams shown below are examples of statically
determinate beams.
Statically Indeterminate Beams
If the number of reactions exerted upon a beam exceeds the number of equations in static equilibrium, the
beam is said to be statically indeterminate. In order to solve the reactions of the beam, the static equations
must be supplemented by equations based upon the elastic deformations of the beam.
 
The degree of indeterminacy is taken as the difference between the umber of reactions to the number of
equations in static equilibrium that can be applied. In the case of the propped beam shown, there are three
reactions R1, R2, and M and only two equations (ΣM = 0 and ΣFv = 0) can be applied, thus the beam is
indeterminate to the first degree (3 - 2 = 1).
 Types of Loading
Loads applied to the beam may consist of a concentrated load (load applied at a point), uniform load,
uniformly varying load, or an applied couple or moment. These loads are shown in the following figures.

Consider a simple beam shown of length L that carries a uniform load of w (N/m) throughout its
length and is held in equilibrium by reactions R1 and R2. Assume that the beam is cut at point C a distance
of x from he left support and the portion of the beam to the right of C be removed. The portion removed
must then be replaced by vertical shearing force V together with a couple M to hold the left portion of the
bar in equilibrium under the action of R1 and wx.

The couple M is called the resistingmoment or moment and the force Vis called the resisting
shear or shearThe sign of V and M are taken to be positive if they have the senses indicated above.
 INTERPRETATION OF VERTICAL SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT

 The vertical shear at any section of the beam is the vertical component of all forces that
act on the beam to the left of the section. The vertical shear is positive when upward and
negative when downward.. This is represented by R1 x - P2 (x - a) – P2 (x – b)
 Bending moment is the reaction induced in a structural element when an external force
or moment is applied to the element causing the element to bend. The algebraic sum of the
moments of the external forces to one side of the section D about an axis through D is called the
bending moment at D. The most common or simplest structural element subjected to bending
moments is the beam. Beams can also have one end fixed and one end simply supported.

Positive shear force:

Negative shear force:

Positive bending
moment:

Negative
bending moment:
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOAD, SHEAR AND MOMENT
The vertical shear at C in the figure shown in below is taken as:
VC=(ΣFv)L=R1−wx
 
where R1 = R2 = wL/2
 
Vc=wL2−wx

 The moment at C is
MC=(ΣMC)=wL2x−wx(x2)
MC=wLx2−wx22

 
If we differentiate M with respect to x:
dMdx=wL2⋅dxdx−w2(2x⋅dxdx

dMdx=wL2−wx=shear

 
thus,
dMdx=V

 
Thus, the rate of change of the bending moment with respect to x is equal to the shearing force, or the
slope of the moment diagram at the given point is the shear at that point.
Differentiate V with respect to x gives:
dVdx=0−w

 
thus,
dVdx=Load

 
 Thus, the rate of change of the shearing force with respect to x is equal to the load of the
shear diagram at a given point equals the load at that point.

Properties of Shear and Moment Diagrams

The following are some important properties of shear and moment diagrams:
1. The area of the shear diagram to the left or to the right of the section is equal to the
moment at that section.

2. The slope of the moment diagram at a given point is the shear at that point.

3. The slope of the shear diagram at a given point equals the load at that point.

4. The maximum moment occurs at the point of zero shears. This is in reference to
property number 2, that when the shear (also the slope of the moment diagram) is zero, the
tangent drawn to the moment diagram is horizontal.

5. When the shear diagram is increasing, the moment diagram is concave upward.

6. When the shear diagram is decreasing, the moment diagram is concave downward.

Sign Convention
The customary sign conventions for shearing force and bending moment are
represented by the figures below. A force that tends to bend the beam downward is said
to produce a positive bending moment. A force that tends to shear the left portion of the
beam upward with respect to the right portion is said to produce a positive shearing
force.
 

 
An easier way of determining the sign of the bending moment at any section is that
upward forces always cause positive bending moments regardless of whether they act to
the left or to the right of the exploratory section.
Problem number 1:

Determine the values and draw the diagrams for shear force and bending moment due to the
imposed load on overhanging beam shown in figure below.

Solution:

The overhanging beam is a beam which has unsupported on one or both sides.

For the beam shown above, there are three reaction components; Ax , Ay , and Cy

Solving:

Step 1:

ΣFx = 0; Ax=0 (eq.1)

ΣFy = 0; Ay + Cy – 10(4)– 20 = 0; Ay + Cy = 60kN; (eq.2)

Considering z-axis passing through A, and taking moment of all forces about z-axis

ΣMz = 0; Cy (8) – 20(10) – 10(4)(2) = 0 (eq.3)

Solving equation 3 we can get: Cy = 280/8 = 35kN

Substituting the value of Cy in eq. 2 : Ay = 25kN

Shear force calculations:

FA-left = 0

FA-right = 25kN

FB = 25 – 10(4) = -15kN

Fc-left = -15kN

Fc-right = 25-40+35 = 20kN

FD-left = 20kN

FD-right = 20-20 = 0
Bending moment calculation:

MA = 0;

MB = 25(4) – 10(4)(2) = 20kNm

Mc = 25(8) -10(4)(6) = -40kN

 Problem number 2:

Without writing shear and moment equations, draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beams
specified in the following problems. Give numerical values at all change of loading positions and at
all points of zero shear.

To determine the unknown values, take moment at several points

Step 1:
Take moment at point C to get the value of R1

ΣMC=0
12R1=100(12)(6)+800(3)
R1=800lb

Step 2:
Take the moment at point A to get the value of R2
 
ΣMA=0
12R2=100(12)(6)+800(9)
R2=1200lb

To draw the Shear Diagram

1. VA = R1 = 800 lb
2. VB = VA + Area in load diagram
VB = 800 - 100(9)
VB = -100 lb
VB2 = -100 - 800 = -900 lb
3. VC = VB2 + Area in load diagram
VC = -900 - 100(3)
VC = -1200 lb
4. Solving for x:
x / 800 = (9 - x) / 100
100x = 7200 - 800x
x = 8 ft

To draw the Moment Diagram

1. MA = 0
2. Mx = MA + Area in shear diagram
Mx = 0 + ½(8)(800) = 3200 lb·ft;
3. MB = Mx + Area in shear diagram
MB = 3200 - ½(1)(100) = 3150 lb·ft
4. MC = MB + Area in shear diagram
MC = 3150 - ½(900 + 1200)(3) = 0

5. The moment curve BC is downward parabola with vertex at A'. A' is the location of zero shear
for segment BC.

Problem number 3:
Determine the values and draw the diagrams for shear force and bending moment due to the
imposed load on cantilever shown in figure below.

Solution:

Cantilever is a beam which has one end free and the other is fixed. All the reaction components will be
experienced only on the fixed end. In the case above, there is no horizontal force and hence the fixed
support will have only two reaction components.

Solving: the support reactions of cantilever can be easily determined by applying the equations of static
equilibrium shown below.

ΣFy = 0

Dy – 2 – 4 (2) = 0 thus: Dy = 10kN

Considering the z-axis through D and taking moment of all the forces about point D:

ΣMz= 0

2(4)+4(2)(1+1) – MD = 0; therefore: MD = 24kNm

Shearing force calculations:

FA-left = 0

FA-right = -2kN

FB = -2kN

Fc = -10kN

FD = -10kN

Shear force diagram shown above, shows constant value of shear from A to B and thereafter it
increases with a constant rate up to C and then from C to D it is again constant.

Bending moment calculations:

Bending moment diagram shown above, shows that it is a straight line, from A to B, parabolic
from B to C and again starlight line from C to D.

MA = 0

MB = -2(1) = -2kNm

MC = -2(3) – 4(2)(1) = -14kNm

MD = -2(4) – 4(2)(1+1) = -24kNm

Problem number 4:

Determine the values and draw the diagrams for shear force and bending moment due to the
imposed load on simple supported beam shown below.

The simple supported beam is a beam which has one end hinged and the other roller supported. Hinged
support will have two reactions, vertical and horizontal and roller will have (vertical). In the case of the
beam shown above, there is no horizontal force and hence, the hinge support will have only one
reaction. The given beam has two unknown reaction components.

Solution:

Applying equations of static equilibrium

ΣFx = 0; Ax = 0; (eq. 1)

ΣFy = 0; AY + By – 10 – 20 (4) = 0 (eq. 2)

AY + By = 90kN;

Considering z-axis through A, and taking moment of all the forces about z-axis

ΣMZ = 0; BY (10) – 10 (8) – 20 (4) (2) = 0 (eq. 3)

By = 24kN

Substituting the value of BY in equation 2 gives AY = 66kN

Shearing force values:

FA (left) = 0

FA (right) = 66kN

FC = 66 – 20 (4) = -14kN

FD (left) = 66 – 20 (4) = -14kN

FD (right) = 66 – 20 (4) - 10 = -24kN

FB (left) = -24kN

FB (right) = 0
Bending moment values:

Ma = 0

MC = 66(4) – 20 (4) (2) = 264 – 160 = 104kNm

MD = 66(8) – 20 (4) (6) = 528 – 480 = 48kNm

MB = 0
Problem number 5:

Without writing shear and moment equations, draw the shear and moment diagrams for the
beams specified in the following problems. Give numerical values at all change of loading
positions and at all points of zero shear.

To determine the unknown values, take moment at several points

Step 1:
Take moment at point C to get the value of R1

ΣMc=0
5R1+2(750)=3000
R1=300lb

Step 2:
Take the moment at point A to get R2
 
ΣMA=0
5R2+3000=7(750)
R2=450lb

 
 To draw the Shear Diagram
1. VA = R1 = 300 lb
2. VB = VA + Area in load diagram
VB = 300 + 0 = 300 lb

3. VC = VB + Area in load diagram

VC = 300 + 0 = 300 lb
VC2 = VC + R2 = 300 + 450 = 750 lb
4. VD = VC2 + Area in load diagram
VD = 750 + 0 = 750
VD2 = VD - 750 = 750 - 750 = 0
To draw the Moment Diagram
1. MA = 0
2. MB = VA + Area in shear diagram
MB = 0 + 300(2) = 600 lb·ft
MB2 = VB - 3000
MB2 = 600 - 3000 = -2400 lb·ft
3. MC = MB2 + Area in shear diagram
MC = -2400 + 300(3) = -1500 lb·ft
4. MD = MC + Area in shear diagram
MD = -1500 + 750(2) = 0
 MOVING LOADS

Moving Loads
From the discussion about the relationship between load, shear and moment, we see
that the maximum moment occurs at a point of zero shears. For beams loaded with
concentrated loads, the point of zero shears usually occurs under a concentrated load
and so the maximum moment.
 
Beams and girders such as in a bridge or an overhead crane are subject to moving
concentrated loads, which are at fixed distance with each other. The problem here is
to determine the moment under each load when each load is in a position to cause a
maximum moment. The largest value of these moments governs the design of the
beam.
 
Single Moving Load
For a single moving load, the maximum moment occurs when the load is at the
midspan and the maximum shear occurs when the load is very near the support
(usually assumed to lie over the support).
 

Mmax=PL4andVmax=P

Two Moving Loads

For two moving loads, the maximum shear occurs at the reaction when the larger
load is over that support. The maximum moment is given by
 
 Mmax=(PL−Psd)24PL

where Ps is the smaller load, Pb is the bigger load, and P is the total load (P = Ps + Pb).
 
Three or more moving loads
In general, the bending moment under a particular load is a maximum when the
center of the beam is midway between that load and the resultant of all the loads
then on the span. With this rule, we compute the maximum moment under each
load, and use the biggest of the moments for the design. Usually, the biggest of these
moments occurs under the biggest load.
 
The maximum shear occurs at the reaction where the resultant load is nearest.
Usually, it happens if the biggest load is over that support and as many a possible of
the remaining loads are still on the span.
 
In determining the largest moment and shear, it is sometimes necessary to check the
condition when the bigger loads are on the span and the rest of the smaller loads are
outside.
 

Problem number 1:

A tractor weighing 3000 lb, with a wheel base of 9 ft, carries 1800 lb of its load on the rear
wheels. Compute the maximum moment and maximum shear when crossing a 14 ft-span.
R=Wr+Wf
3000=1800+Wf
Wf=1200lb
Rx=9Wf
3000x=9(1200)
x=3.6ft
9−x=5.4ft

R1=R2=12(1800)
R1=900lb

Maximum moment under Wr

MTotheleftofrearwheel=7R1
MTotheleftofrearwheel=7(900)
MTotheleftofrearwheel=6300lb⋅ft

ΣMR1=0
14R2=4.3R
14R2=4.3(3000)
R2=921.43lb

 MTotherightoffrontwheel=4.3R2
MTotherightoffrontwheel=4.3(921.43)
MTotherightoffrontwheel=3962.1lb⋅ft
Mmax=MTotheleftofrearwheel
Mmax=6300lb⋅ft answer
 

The maximum shear will occur when the rear wheel (wheel of greater load) is directly over the support.

ΣMR2=0
14R1=10.4R
14R1=10.4(3000)
R1=2228.57lb

 
Vmax=2228.57lb answer
Problem number 2:

Three wheel loads roll as a unit across a 44-ft span. The loads are P 1 = 4000 lb and P2 = 8000 lb separated
by 9 ft, and P3 = 6000 lb at 18 ft from P2. Determine the maximum moment and maximum shear in the
simply supported span.
 

R=P1+P2+P3
R=4k+8k+6k
R=18kips
R=18,000lbs

 
xR=9P2+(9+18)P3
x(18)=9(8)+(9+18)(6)
x=13ft the resultant R is 13 ft from P1
 

Maximum moment under P1

ΣMR2=0
44R1=15.5R
44R1=15.5(18)
R1=6.34091kips
R1=6,340.91lbs

 
MTotheleftofP1=15.5R1
MTotheleftofP1=15.5(6340.91)
MTotheleftofP1=98,284.1lb⋅ft

Maximum moment under P2

ΣMR2=0
44R1=20R
44R1=20(18)
R1=8.18182kips
R1=8,181.82lbs
MTotheleftofP2=20R1−9P1
MTotheleftofP2=20(8181.82) −9 (4000)
MTotheleftofP2=127,636.4lb⋅ft

Maximum moment under P3

ΣR1=0
44R2=15R
44R2=15(18)
R2=6.13636kips
R2=6,136.36lbs

 
MTotherightofP3=15R2
MTotherightofP3=15(6,136.36)
MTotherightofP3=92,045.4lb⋅ft

Mmax=MTotheleftofP2
Mmax=127,636.4lb⋅ft
Mmax=127,636.4lb⋅ft answer

The maximum shear will occur when P1 is over the support.
ΣMR2=0
44R1=31R
44R1=31(18)
R1=12.6818kips
R1=12,681.8lbs

Vmax=12,681.8lbs answer
Problem number 3:

A truck and trailer combination crossing a 12-m span has axle loads of 10, 20, and 30 kN separated
respectively by distances of 3 and 5 m. Compute the maximum moment and maximum shear developed in
the span.
 

R=10+20+30
R=60kN

 xR=3(20)+8(30)
x(60)=3(20)+8(30)
x=5m

Maximum moment under 10 kN wheel load

ΣMR2=0
12R1=3.5R
12R1=3.5(60)
12R1=210
R1=17.5kN

 
MTotheleftof10kN=3.5R1
MTotheleftof10kN=3.5(17.5)
MTotheleftof10kN=61.25kN⋅m

 
Maximum moment under 20 kN wheel load
ΣMR2=0
12R1=5R
12R1=5(60)
R1=25kN

 
MTotheleftof20kN=5R1−3(10)
MTotheleftof20kN=5(25)−30
MTotheleftof20kN=95kN⋅m

 
Maximum moment under 30 kN wheel load
When the centerline of the beam is midway between reaction R = 60 kN and 30 kN, the 10 kN comes off the span.
R=20+30
R=50kN
 
xR=5(30)
x(50)=150
x=3m
x=3m from 20 kN wheel load
 
ΣMR1=0
12R2=5R
12R2=5(50)
R2=20.83kN

 
MTotherightof30kN=5R2
MTotherightof30kN=5(20.83)
MTotherightof30kN=104.17kN⋅m

 
Thus, the maximum moment will occur when only the 20 and 30 kN loads are on the span.
Mmax=MTotherightof30kNMmax=MTotherightof30kN

Mmax=104.17 kN⋅m           answer
 
Maximum Shear

The maximum shear will occur when the three loads are on the span and the 30 kN load is directly over
the support.

457-maximum-shear.gif ΣMR1=0

12R2=9R

12R2=9(60)

R2=45kN

Vmax=45 kN answer
Problem number 4:

A truck with axle loads of 40 kN and 60 kN on a wheel base of 5 m rolls across a 10-m span. Compute
the maximum bending moment and the maximum shearing force.

R=40+60=100kN
xR=40(5)
x=200/R
x=200/100
x=2m

ΣMR2=0
10R1=3.5(100)
R1=35kN

MTotheleftof40kN=3.5R1
MTotheleftof40kN=3.5(35)
MTotheleftof40kN=122.5kN⋅m

 
 ΣMR1=0
10R2=4(100)
R2=40kN
MTotherightof60kN=4R2
MTotherightof60kN=4(40)
MTotherightof60kN=160kN⋅m
Mmax=160kN⋅m answer
 

ΣMR1=0
10R2=100(8)
R2=80kN
 Vmax=80kN answer

Problem number 5:

Repeat (problem no. 4) using axle loads of 30 kN and 50 kN on a wheel base of 4 m crossing an 8-m span.

R=30+50=80kN
 
xR=4(30)
x=120/R
x=120/80
x=1.5m

ΣMR2=0
8R1=2.75(80)
R1=27.5kN
MTotheleftof30kN=2.75R1
MTotheleftof30kN=2.75(27.5)
MTotheleftof30kN=75.625kN⋅m

ΣMR1=0
8R2=3.25(80)
R2=32.5kN
MTotherightof50kN=3.25R2
MTotherightof50kN=3.25(32.5)
MTotherightof50kN=105.625kN⋅m
Mmax=105.625kN⋅m answer

 
ΣMR1=0
8R2=6.5(80)
R2=65kN

Vmax=65kN answer