Beam Formula

If I am given a formula and I am ignorant of its

meaning, it cannot teach me anything; but if I
already know it, what does the formula teach
me?
- Saint Aurelius Augustine
Beam Formula

• Shear and moment diagrams

• Simple beam (uniformly distributed load)
– Reaction force formula
– Maximum moment formula
• Simple beam (concentrated load at center)
– Reaction force formula
– Maximum moment formula
Beam Formulas
• Similar loading conditions = similar shear
and moment diagrams
• Standard formula can represent the
magnitude of shear and moment based on
loading condition
• Magnitude of shear and bending moment
depend on
– Span length of beam
– Magnitude of applied load
– Location of applied load
Shear and Moment Diagrams
Simple Beams (Uniformly Distributed Load)

Uniform load = 1000 lb/ft Uniform load = 1200 lb/ft

L = 20 ft L = 35 ft
Reaction Force Formula

w
A B
L
Beam Diagram
Reaction Force Formula

A B
RA RB
L

∑=M B 0 RLwLR
−⋅+⋅+⋅=
AB
()
L
2
00
Reaction Force Formula
w
B
A
RA RB
L

+
∑ F=0 y

Since
Maximum Moment Formula
w
A B

Shear

Moment
Beam Formula
Simple Beam (Uniformly Distributed Load)

w
A B
L
Beam Diagram
(at center)

(at center)
Your Turn
Simple Beam (Concentrate Load at Center)

Find a formula for the end reaction forces

and for the maximum moment for a simply
supported beam with a single
concentrated load, P, applied at center
span. P

L
Your Turn
Simple Beam (Concentrate Load at Center)

∑ M=0
A

∑ F=0
y
Your Turn
Simple Beam (Concentrate Load at Center)
Beam Formula
Simple Beam (Concentrated Load at Center)

(at point of load)

(at point of load)

Beam Formula

• Shear and moment diagrams

• Simple beam (uniformly distributed load)
– Reaction force formula
– Maximum moment formula
• Simple beam (concentrated load at center)
– Reaction force formula
– Maximum moment formula