1.

ANALYSIS OF BEAMS
1.1. Definition:

■A beam is a structural member which carries loads. These loads are most often
perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, but they can be of any geometry.

■A beam supporting any load develops internal stresses to resist applied loads.

Fig.1.1:A simply supported beam with brief details.

1.2. Classification:

(i)Simply supported beam: supported on roller support at one end, and on

hinged support at the other end (Fig.1.2a).

(ii)Cantilever beam: supported with fixed support at one end only, and

hanging freely at the other end (Fig.1.2b).

(iii)Overhanging beam: if one or both ends of a simply supported beam extend

beyond one/both supports and hang freely (Fig.1.2c).

(iv)Compound beam: supported on more than two simple supports and having
one or more internal hinges (Fig.1.2d).
a
b
c

Fig.1.2: Beam Classification

Fig.1.3:

1.3. Support Reactions

■The reaction forces at supports can be determined in magnitude and direction

by using equations of static equilibrium.

■Support reactions in compound beams are determined by considering the

beam as discontinuous at internal hinge, and applying equations of equilibrium
for each part individually.

1.4. Types and Form Of Loading On Beams

■ Loads applied to the beam may consist of a concentrated load (load applied at
a point), uniform applied couple or moment load, uniformly varying load.

Fig.1.4.: Types of Loads on Beams

1.5. Internal Forces

Internal forces are generated within loaded structural elements. They are ■
generated within every type of element; if they were not developed, the
structure would fail.
■These are known as Shear, Moment, and Normal Forces. The normal force is
found in columns and beams with an axial load. Shear and moment are found
.in beams and frames

■Shear (V) is the tendency for one part of a beam to slide past another part. The
magnitude of the shear at any section is equal to the algebraic sum of loads and
reactions acting perpendicular to that section.

■The Moment (M) within a beam is a representation of the magnitude of the

internal couple found within the beam at any given point.

1.5.1. The Sign Conventions

1.5.2. Shear Force and Bending Moment in Simply Supported Beam

■The shear force diagram (SFD) is simply constructed by moving a section

along the beam from the left origin and summing the forces to the left of the
section. The equilibrium condition states that the forces on either side of a
section balance and therefore the resisting shear force of the section is obtained
by this simple operation.
■On the other hand, bending moment diagram (BMD) is obtained in the same
way except that the moment is the sum of the product of each force and its
distance of x from the section either left or right.
■Distributed loads are calculated by summing the product of the total force (to
the left of the section) and the x distance of the distributed load from centroid.
 ■The basic procedure for determining the shear and moment is to determine
the values of V and M at various sections along the beam and plotting the
results from point to point. By doing so, we will be able to determine critical
sections within the beam where a critical or maximum stress might occur:

 Section of Maximum Shear – Since the shear, V, at any transverse section

of the beam is the algebraic sum of the transverse forces to the left of the
section, the shear, in most cases can be estimated at a glance.
 Section of Maximum Moment – It can be obtained mathematically, that
when the shear force is zero or changes sign; the bending moment, M
will be either a maximum or relative maximum.

Fig.1.6: Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams in simply supported

beam with two different loads.

20kN 20kN 20kN Fig.1.7: Shear force and B.M Diagrams inٍ
Cantilever Beam with three concentrated
A B C D
240kNm

Loads
40kNm
120kNm

2 2 2

60kN 40kN
20kN
V M
 Fig.1.8: Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams in cantilever beam with
two different loads.

1.6. Relation between Load, Shear Force, and Bending Moment

■To derive the basic differential relationships that exist between the loads, the
shears, and the bending moments, consider a beam subjected to an arbitrary
loading, as shown in Fig. 1.9(a).
■All the external loads shown in this figure are assumed to be acting in their
positive directions.
y

w(x) P M0
/ x
O
A B C D
x dx
))a
M w M+dM P M M+dM
M M+dM
a M0

V dx V+dV dx
V dx V+dV
))b ))c ))d
Fig.1.9
 (1) Uniformly distributed load:
■Next, we consider the equilibrium of a differential element of length dx,
isolated from the beam by passing imaginary sections at distances x and x + dx
from the origin O, as shown in Fig. 1.9(a).
w
M M+dM
■Applying the equilibrium equation ∑Fy = 0
(FIG.1.9b), we obtain: a
V + w dx –( ًV + dV)=0
dV =w dx (1.1)
V dx V+dV
dV ⁄dx =w (1.2) ))b
in which dV⁄dx represents the slope of the shear diagram.
Thus, Eq. (1.2) can be expressed as
slope of shear diagram = intensity of distributed
at a point load at that point (1.3)
■To determine the change in shear between points A and B along the axis of the
member (see Fig. 1.9(a)), we integrate Eq. (1.1) from A to B to obtain
dV=VB–VA=∫ wdx (1.4)
in which ً)VB – VA)represents the change in shear between points A and B. Thus,
Eq. (1.4) can be stated as
change in shear = area under the distributed load
points A and B diagram between points A and B (1.5)
■Applying the moment equilibrium equation to the free body of the beam
element shown in Fig. 1.9(b), we write
∑ Ma=0: –M + wًdx(dx ⁄2)– ً(V+ dV)dx ً+(M + dM) = 0
a

we obtain:
dM =V dx (1.6), dM ⁄ dx = V (1.7)
in which dM⁄dx represents the slope of the bending moment diagram.
Thus, Eq. (1.7) can be stated as
slope of bending moment
diagram at a point = shear at that point (1.8)
■ To obtain the change in bending moment between points A and B(see Fig.
1.9(a)), we integrate Eq. (1.6) to obtain
ً ∫ dM = MB –MA =∫ Vdx (1.9)
in which ً(MB –MA) represents the change in bending moment between points A
and B and ∫ Vdx represents the area under the shear diagram between points A
and B. Thus, Eq. (1.9) can be stated as
change in bending moment = area under the shear diagramP
M M+dM
between points A and B between points A and B (1.10)
(2)Concentrated Loads:
■The free-body diagram of this element is shown in Fig. 1.9(c).
Applying the equilibrium equation∑ Fy = 0 V dx V+dV
+↑∑Fy = 0, dV= P (1.11) which can be stated as: ))c
change in shear at the point of magnitude of
application of a concentrated load = the load (1.12)
(3)Couples or Concentrated Moments:
■Applying the moment equilibrium equation, we write –M –M 0+( ًM+ dM= ( 0
 M M+dM

M0
dM = M0 (1.13)
which can be stated as dx
change in bending moment at the magnitude))d
of the(1.14)
point of application of a couple = moment of the couple
.The free-body diagram of these elements is shown in Fig. 1.9(d)

:Summary of Properties of Shear Force and Moment Diagrams .1.7 

In beam segments without distributed loading, the shear force is constant and the
.bending moment is linearly varying

In regions with a uniformly distributed load the shear force varies linearly and the
bending moment is a quadratic parabola. In general, if the distributed load is of order n,
the functions for shear force and bending moment are of order n+1 and n+2,
.respectively

At points where a concentrated force(a reaction force or an externally applied force)is
applied the shear force is discontinuous. It jumps downward or upward according to the
direction of the force. The moment function has a change in slope at that point but is
.continuous

An external moment causes a jump in the bending moment. It does not change the
.slope of the moment function, nor does it affect the shear force at that location

The shear force is the derivative of the bending moment. Hence the moment function is
one degree higher than the shear force function. When the shear force is zero, the
bending moment takes on its maximum.
P
w ML
A B
L

RA + wL
V

P RB
M
linear linear
+
ML
linear
No change linear
in slope quadratic change in
Mmax
Fig. 1.10 No change slope
in slope
 1.8. Examples:

1.8.1.Draw the shear and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown in Fig.
1.8(a).
265kN 245kNm 30kN⁄m
Fig.1.8.1 (a)
3m 3m 3m 3m
Reactions See Fig. 1.8.1(b).∑Fx=0: HA=0
∑MD=0: –RA(9)+265(6)+245+30(6)(0)=0
RA=203.89kN↑ 265kN
245kNm
a
∑Fy=0: 203.89–265–30×6+R =0 b d 30kN⁄m
D c
RD=241.11kN↑ A
(b) E
B C D
x x1
a c d
b
x x1
R =203.89kN R D
=241.11 kN
Shear Diagram: ATo determine the equation for shear in segment AB of the
beam, we pass a section a-a at a distance x from support A, as shown in Fig.
1.8.1(b). Considering the free body to the left of this section, we obtain
V = 203.89 kN for: 0 ≤ x < 3 m
Next, by using section b-b (Fig. 1.8.1(b)), we determine the equation for shear in
segment BC as
V = 203.89 – 265 = –61.11 kN for: 3 m < x≤6 m
To determine the equations for shear in the right half of the beam, it is
convenient to use another coordinate, x1, directed to the left from the end E of
the beam, as shown in Fig. 1.8.1(b). The equations for shear in segments ED and
DC are obtained by considering the free bodies to the right of sections d-d and
c-c, respectively. Thus,
V = 30x1 for: 0<x1 < 3 m and
V= 30x1 – 241.11 for: 3 m < x1≤6 m
These equations indicate that the shear increases linearly from zero at E to 90
kN at an infinitesimal distance to the right of D; it then drops abruptly to
–151.11 kN at an infinitesimal distance to the left of D; and from there it
increases linearly to –61.11 kN at C.
This information is plotted on the shear diagram, as shown in Fig. 1.8.1(c). Ans.
203.89
90
D E
A B C
61.11–
(c) Shear 151.11–
Diagram (kN)
Bending Moment Diagram :Using the same sections and coordinates employed
previously for computing shear, we determine the following equations for
bending moment in the four segments of the beam. For segment AB:
 M =203.89x for 0<x≤3 m
For segment BC:
M =203.89x – 265ً(x – 3)= –61.11x +795 for 3 m x 6 m
For segment ED:
M = –30x1( x1 ⁄ 2)=15x12 0 x ≤3m
For segment DC:
M = –15x21+241.11(x1–3)= –15x21+241.11x1–723.33 for 3 m  x1 < 6 m
The first two equations, for the left half of the beam, indicate that the bending
moment increases linearly from 0 at A to611.67 kN-m at B; it then decreases
linearly to 428.34 kN-m at C, as shown on the bending moment diagram in Fig.
1.8(d). The last two equations for the right half of the beam are quadratic in x1.
The values of M computed from these equations are plotted on the bending
moment diagram shown in Fig. 1.8(d).

8.01m
135–
A B E
D
183.33
428.34
611.67
Note that at C, the bending moment drops abruptly by an amount 428.34–245
=183.33 kN-m, which
(d) Bending Momentis Diagram
equal to(kN.m)
the magnitude of the moment of the
counterclockwise external couple acting at this point. A point at which the
bending moment is zero is termed the point of inflection.
To determine the location of the point of inflection F (Fig. 1.8.1(d)), we set M =0
in the equation for bending moment in segment DC to obtain 241.11 x1 –
723.33=0 . from which x1 =3.99 m; that is, point F is located at a distance of 3.99
m from end E, or 12 –3.99 =8.01 m from support A of the beam, as shown in Fig.
1.8.1(d).
1.8.2..Analyze the compound beam shown in Fig.1.8.2.Draw the shear force and
moment diagrams.
10kN/m
100kN
A B D
G E F C
2 3 2 3 2 4
Solution Fig.1.8.2

Support reactions:

-The beam is disconnected at E and F, and the beam segment EF is considered as simply
supported beam.
 -RE=RF=wl/2=10×3/2=15kN(upward)

-On the beam segments AE and FD, a force of 15kN is acting downward at E an DF.

-Beam segment ABE:∑MA=0 → –100×2–15×7+5RB=0

10kN/m
-RB=305/5=61kN(upward)
E
F

100kN 10kN/m
15kN 15kN C
A B E F D

54 kN 61 kN 67.5 kN
15kN 7.5 kN
15kN

-∑Fy=0 → RA+RB=100+15=115kN: RA=115–61=54kN

-Beam segment FCD: ∑MD=0→–15×6–10×6×3+4RC=0

-RC=270/4=67.5kN(upward)

-∑Fy=0→–15–10×6+RC+RD=0

-RD=7.5kN(upward)
100kN 10kN/m
C
A B D
G E F
54 kN 61 kN 67.5 kN 7.5 kN

Shear force diagram

-We start , as usual, by plotting the end shear at A and D

-Using the equation dV/dx=-w between A and G, the slope of the shear is

discontinuous, since there is a concentrated load of 100kN there.

The value of the shear just right from G can be found by sectioning the beam at this
point: VG=+54–100=–46kN.

-The shear force at B is -46+61=+15kN, and it is constant up to point E. Between E and

C and from C to D, the variation of shear is linear.

32.5
54 15
S.F.D 7.5
35
46
 Bending moment diagram
120kN
-The beam is divided into three segments: ABE, EF, and ECD. The value of moment at
the internal hinges (E, F) isAzero. C D B
1.8 1.8 1.8
-For the segment ABE the distribution of moment is linear, with maximum positive
Fig.1.9.1
value equal to 54×2=108kNm, and negative value at B equal to –15×2= –30kNm.

-The segment EF is considered as simply supported beam, its maximum positive

moment is:wl2/8=10×32/8=11.25kNm.

- The value of moment at C is: –15×2–10×2×1= –50kNm

-Value of positive moment in CD is: 7.5×0.75–10×0.752/2=2.81kNm

B.M.D –50kNm
–30kNm

11.25 2.81

108

1.9. Problems:

1.9.1. Determine the reactions on the beam shown in Fig.1.9.1, and value of shear and
moment at point D .
 1.9.2. The cantilever beams shown in Figs.1.9.2 and 1.9.3 are subjected to concentrated
load.
10kN 10kN 4kN
A A
2 2 1.2 4.2
Fig.1.9.3
Fig.1.9.2
(i) Determine the vertical reaction and fixed end moment on all the three beams.

(ii)Draw the shear force and moment diagrams on the beam in Fig1.9.3.

1.9.3.The beam in Fig.1.9.4 is loaded on its total span with uniformly distributed load,
and a single concentrated load at the mid span, whereas the beam in Fig.1.9.5. is loaded
only on its right half span.
6kN
2kN⁄m
A B
Fig.1.9.4
4 4
2kN/m
A B
Fig.1.9.5
4 4
)a)Determine the reactions at supports on all the beams.

(b)Determine the value of shear force at point C, which is located just right of the 6kN
load in Fig1.9.4.

( c)Draw the shear force diagram on the beam shown in Fig1..9.5.

(d)Draw the moment diagrams for the two beams.

1.9.4.The simply supported beams in Figs.1.9.6 and 1.9.7 are loaded with external
moment at different points on their span length.

♦ Determine the reactions at supports on all the beams.

♦ Draw the shear force diagram for the beams in Figs.1.9.6 and

♦ Draw the moment diagram for the beam in Fig.1.9.7.

10kNm
Fig.1.9.6 A B
8

30kNm B
Fig.1.9.7 A
C 2
4
 1.9.5. Determine the vertical reaction and fixed end moment, and draw the shear force
and moment diagrams on the beam given in the figure 1.9.8 .
2kN⁄m
A
Fig.1.9.8
2 2 1

1.9.6. The overhanging beams shown in the figures 1.9.9 is subjected to uniformly
distributed load.

♦ Determine the reactions at supports A and B.

♦Draw the shear force diagram and locate the point of zero shear force.

2kN/m
A B
Fig.1.9.9
2 3 3
1.9.7.Determine the reactions at supports of the beams on Figs.1.9.10 and 1.9.11.
Finally, draw the S.F and B.M. diagrams on the beams .
6kN 2kN/m
A
Fig.1.9.10
2 B 3
3
4kN
3kN
20kNm B 2kN/m
A
2 3 4
Fig.1.9.11

1.9.8. The compound beams in Figs. 1.9.12 is fixed supported at A, and supported by
roller support at B.

♦ Determine the vertical reactions at supports A and B.

♦ Determine the value of fixed end moment at A.

60kN
A C B
Fig.1.9.12
3 3 6
 1.9.9.. The compound beam given in Figs.1.9.13 and 1.9.14 are supported at A on
hinged support, and at B, C, and d on roller support. If there are internal hinges at E and
F, determine the reactions at A, B, C, and D.

♦ Draw the shear force diagram for the part ABE(Fig.1.9.13).

♦ Draw the shear force and B.M.diagrams for the part ABE(Fig.1.9.14).
120kN 150kN
A B E F C D

2 2 2 2 2 2 4

Fig.1.9.13
5kN 6kN/m
B F
A C D
E
1.5 1.5 1 3 1 3
Fig.1.9.14