Shear Force and Bending Momentss

Engineering Mechanics – Statics For 1st Year Students – Mechanic Department
th

29 Week By : Eng . YOUNIS FAKHER 2010 ‐ 2011
Shear Force and Bending Moments

Part 1
Example Problem
A beam is loaded and supported as shown
in Fig. 1. For this beam
a. Draw complete shear force and

bending moment diagrams.
b. Determine the equations for the
shear force and the bending
moment as functions of x.
Fig. 1
Solution
Overall Equilibrium
We start by drawing a free-body

diagram (Fig. 2) of the beam and
determining the support reactions.
Summing moments about the left end of
the beam
MA = 7RC - 2 [ 4 × 10 ]
(1a) Fig. 2
- 4(16) - 9(19) = 0
gives
RC = 45 kN (1b)
Then, summing forces in the vertical direction
F = RA + RC - 4 × 10 - 16 - 19 = 0 (2a)
gives
RA = 30 kN (2b)
1

th

Drawing the Shear Force Diagram
Sometimes we are not so much interested in the equations for the shear
force and bending moment as we are in knowing the maximum and minimum
values or the values at some particular point. In these cases, we want a quick
and efficient method of generating the shear force and bending moment
diagrams (graphs) so we can easily find the maximum and minimum values.
That is the subject of this first part of the problem.
Concentrated Force
The 30-kN concentrated force

(support reaction) at the left end of the
beam causes the shear force graph to
jump up (in the direction of the force)
by 30 kN (the magnitude of the force)
from 0 kN to 30 kN.
Fig. 3
2

th

Distributed Load
The downward distributed load causes

the shear force graph to slope downward
(in the direction of the load). Since the
distributed load is constant, the slope of
the shear force graph is constant (dV/dx
= w = constant).
The total change in the shear force

graph between points A and B is 40 kN
(equal to the area under the distributed
load between points A and B) from +30
kN to -10 kN.
Fig. 4
We also need to know where the shear force becomes zero. We know that
the full 4 m of the distributed load causes a change in the shear force of 40
kN. So how much of the distributed load will it take to cause a change of 30
kN (from +30 kN to 0 kN)? Since the distributed load is uniform, the area
(change in shear force) is just 10 × b = 30, which gives b = 3 m. That is, the
shear force graph becomes zero at x = 3 m (3 m from the beginning of the
uniform distributed load).
Concentrated Force
The 16-kN concentrated force at B

causes the shear force graph to jump
down (in the direction of the force) by
16 kN (the magnitude of the force) from
-10 kN to -26 kN.
Fig. 5
3

th

No Loads
Since there are no loads between

points B and C, the shear force graph is
constant (the slope dV/dx = w = 0) at -26
kN.
Fig. 6
Concentrated Force
The 45-kN concentrated force

(support reaction) at C causes the shear
force graph to jump up (in the direction
of the force) by 45 kN (the magnitude
of the force) from -26 kN to +19 kN.
Fig. 7
4

th

No Loads
Since there are no loads between

points C and D, the shear force graph is
constant (the slope dV/dx = w = 0) at +19
kN.
Fig. 8
Concentrated Force
The 19-kN concentrated force at D

causes the shear force graph to jump
down (in the direction of the force) by
19 kN (the magnitude of the force) from
+19 kN to 0 kN.
Fig. 9
5

Engin
neering M Mechanics – Statics FFor 1st Yea
ar Studentts – Mech hanic Depa artment
th

29 Wee ng . YOUN
ek By : En NIS FAKH
HER 22010 ‐ 20111
Dra
awing the
e Bendin
ng Moment Diagrram
Since there are no concentrat

S c ted momen nts acting on this be
eam, the
bendding momeent diagram m (graph) will be continuous (no
( jumps) and it will
starrt and end at zero.
Dec
creasing Shear Force
F
The bendin
T ng momentt graph sta arts out at
zeroo and with a large po
ositive slope (since
the shear force starts out with a large
positive value and dM/d dx = V ). As
A the
sheaar force decreases,
d so does the
t slope of o
the bending moment
m graaph. At x = 3 m the
sheaar force becomes
b ze
ero and thhe bendingg
momment is at a local maximum (dM/dx = V =
0 ) For
F values of x grea ater than 3 m (3 < x <
4 m)) the shea
ar force is negative and the
bendding momeent decrea ases (dM/d dx = V < 0).
The shear force graph is linea

T ar (1st orde
er
ction of x ), so the bending
func b mooment
grap
ph is a parrabola (2 order fun
nd
nction of x
).
Fig. 10
The change
T e in the be
ending mom ween x = 0 m and x = 3 m is eq
ment betw qual
to the area unnder the shear
s grap
ph between wo points. The area of
n those tw
the triangle iss
M = (1/2))(30 × 3) = 45 kN·m
So the
t value ofo the bennding moment at x = 3 m is M = 0 + 45 = 45 kN·m.. The
chan
nge in the bending moment
m etween x = 3 and x = 4 m is alsso equal to
be o the
area
a under th
he shear grraph
M = (1/2))(-10 × 1) = -5 kN·m
So the
t value of
o the ben nding moment at x = 4 m is M = 45 - 5 = 40 kN·m.
6

Engin
neering M Mechanics – Statics FFor 1st Yea
ar Studentts – Mech hanic Depa artment
th

29 Wee ng . YOUN
ek By : En NIS FAKH
HER 22010 ‐ 20111
Con
nstant Sh
hear Forrce
Although the
A t bendin ng moment graph is
conttinuous at x = 4 m, the
t jump in n the shea
ar
ce at x = 4 m causess the slope
forc e of the
bendding mome ent to change suddeenly from
dM/d
/ x = V = -10
- kN·m/m m to dM/d
dx = -26
kN·mm/m.
Since the shear

S s forc
ce graph iss constantt
betwween x = 4 m and x = 7 m, thee bending
momment graphh has a connstant sloppe betweeen
x = 4 m and x = 7 m (dM/dx = V = -26
kN·mm/m). Thaat is, the bending
b mooment
grap
ph is a stra
aight line.
The change
T e in the be
ending momment
ween x = 4 m and x = 7 m is eq
betw qual to thee
Fig. 11
area
a under thhe shear grraph betwween those e
two points. Th
he area of angle is just M = (-26
f the recta ( × 3) = -78 kN·m
m. So
the value of the
t bendin ng moment at x = 7 m is M = 40 - 78 = -338 kN·m.
Con
nstant Sh
hear Forrce
Again the bending

A b moment graaph is
conttinuous at x = 7 m. The
T jump ini the
sheaar force at x = 7 m causes the
e slope of
the bending moment
m to change su
uddenly
m dM/dx = V = -26 kN·m/m
from k o dM/dx =
to
+19 kN·m/m.
Since the shear

S s forc
ce graph iss constantt
betwween x = 7 m and x = 9 m, thee bending
momment graphh has a connstant sloppe betweeen
x = 7 m and x = 9 m (dM/dx = V = +19
kN·mm/m). Thaat is, the bending
b mooment
grap
ph is a stra
aight line.
The change
T e in the be
ending mom
ment
ween x = 7 m and x = 9 m is eq
betw qual to the
e
Fig. 12
area
a under th
he shear grraph betw
ween those e
7

th

two points. The area of the rectangle is just M = (+19 × 2) = +38 kN·m. So
the value of the bending moment at x = 7 m is M = -38 + 38 = 0 kN·m.
Determining the Shear Force and Bending Moment Equations
Sometimes we are not so much interested in the graphs of the shear

force and bending moment as we are in knowing the equations. In particular,
we need to integrate the equation for the bending moment to determine the
shape of beam and how much the beam will bend as a result of the loads.
That is the subject of the second part of this problem.
8

th

Shear Force and Bending Moments

Part 2
Solution (Cont.)
Determining the Shear Force and Bending Moment Equations
The easiest way to get the equations for the shear force and bending
moment as functions of the position x is to use equilibrium.
0 m < x < 4 m
Figure 13 shows a free-body diagram of the left end of

the beam to an arbitrary position, 0 m < x < 4 m. The right-
hand portion of the beam that has been discarded exerts a
shear force and a bending moment on the left-hand portion
of the beam as shown. Summing forces in the vertical
Fig. 13
direction
F = 30 - (10x ) - V = 0 3a
gives
V = 30 - (10x ) kN (0 m < x < 4 m) 3b
Summing moments about a point on the "cut end" of the beam

Mcut = M + (10x )(x/2) - 30x = 0 4a
gives
M = 30x - (5x 2) kN·m (0 m < x < 4 m) 4b
4 m < x < 7 m
Figure 14 shows a free-body diagram of the left

end of the beam to an arbitrary position, 4 m < x < 7
m. The right-hand portion of the beam that has been
discarded exerts a shear force and a bending
moment on the left-hand portion of the beam as
shown. Summing forces in the vertical direction
Fig. 14
9

th

F = 30 - (10 × 4) - 16 - V = 0 5a
gives
V = -26 kN (4 m < x < 7 m) 5b

Mcut = M + (10 × 4)(x - 2) + 16(x - 4) - 30x = 0 6a
gives
M = 144 - 26x kN·m (4 m < x < 7 m) 6b
7 m < x < 9 m
Figure 15 shows a free-body diagram of the

left end of the beam to an arbitrary position,
7 m < x < 9 m. The right-hand portion of the
beam that has been discarded exerts a shear
force and a bending moment on the left-hand
portion of the beam as shown. Summing forces
in the vertical direction
Fig. 15
F = 30 - (10 × 4) - 16 - 45 - V = 0 7a
gives
V = 19 kN (7 m < x < 9 m) 7b

Mcut = M + (10 × 4)(x - 2) + 16(x - 4) - 30x - 45(x - 7) = 0 8a
gives
M = 171 - 19x kN·m (7 m < x < 9 m) 8b
It is easily verified that these equations have the appropriate character

to match the shear force and bending moment diagrams developed in the
first part of this problem. It is also easily verified that these equations
match the previous graphs at the points x = 0 m, x = 3 m, x = 4 m, x = 7 m,
and x = 9 m.
Finally, note that these equations satisfy the load-shear force-bending

moment relationships
dV/dx = w
dM/dx = V
10

th

Shear Force and Bending Moment

Diagrams
What is shear force?
Below a force of 10N is exerted at point A on a beam. This is an external force. However because the
beam is a rigid structure,the force will be internally transferred all along the beam. This internal force is
known as shear force. The shear force between point A and B is usually plotted on a shear force
diagram. As the shear force is 10N all along the beam, the plot is just a straight line:
The idea of shear force might seem odd, maybe this example will help clarify. Imagine pushing a 10cm
cube along a kitchen table, with a 10N force. Even though you're applying the force only at one point on
the cube, it's not just that point of the cube that moves forward. The whole cube moves forward, which
tells you that the force must have transferred all along the cube, such that every atom of the cube is
experiencing this 10N force.
Another way to think about shear force: If you slice the cube in half halfway up, you can push the top
half off. The shear force is the force that must be applied by glue if you want to stick it back together.
Basic shear diagram

What if there is more than one force, as shown in the diagram below, what would the shear force
diagram look like then?
11

th

The way you go about this is by figuring out the shear force at points A,B,C,E (as there is an external
force acting at these points). The way you work out the shear stress at any point, is by covering (either
with your hand or a piece of paper), everything to right of that point, and simply adding up the external
forces. Then plot the point on the shear force diagram. For illustration purposes, this is done for point D:
Shear force at D = 10N - 20N + 40N = 30N
Now, let's do this for point B. BUT - slight complication - there's a force acting at point B, are you going
to include it? The answer is both yes and no. You need to take 2 measurements. Firstly put your piece of
paper, so it's JUST before point B:
12

th

Shear force at B = 10N
Now place your paper JUST after point B:
Shear force at B = 10N - 20N = -10N
13

th

(B' is vertically below B)
Now, do point A, D and E, and finally join the points. your diagram should look like the one below. If
you don't understand why, leave a message on the discussion section of this page (its at the top), I will
elaborate on the explanation:
Notice how nothing exciting happens at point D, which is why you wouldn't normally analyse the shear
force at that point. For clarity, when doing these diagrams it is recommended you move you paper from
left to right, and hence analyse points A,B, C, and E, in that order. You can also do this procedure
covering the left side instead of the right, your diagram will be "upside down" though. Both diagrams
are correct.
Basic bending moment diagram

Bending moment refers to the internal moment that causes something to bend. When you bend a ruler,
even though apply the forces/moments at the ends of the ruler, bending occurs all along the ruler, which
indicates that there is a bending moment acting all along the ruler. Hence bending moment is shown on a
bending moment diagram. The same case from before will be used here:
14

th

To work out the bending moment at any point, cover (with a piece of paper) everything to the right of
that point, and take moments about that point. (I will take clockwise moments to be positive). To
illustrate, I shall work out the bending moment at point C:
Bending moment at C = 10x3 - 20x2 = -10Nm
Notice that there's no need to work out the bending moment "just before and just after" point C, (as in
the case for the shear force diagram). This is because the 40N force at point C exerts no moment about
point C, either way.
Repeating the procedure for points A,B and E, and joining all the points:
15

th

Normally you would expect the diagram to start and end at zero, in this case it doesn't. This is my fault,
and it happened because I accidentally chose my forces such that there is a moment disequilibrium. i.e.
take moments about any point (without covering the right of the point), and you'll notice that the
moments aren't balanced, as they should be. It also means that if you're covering the left side as opposed
to the right, you will get a completely different diagram. Sorry about this...
Point moments
Point moments are something that you may not have come across before. Below, a point moment of
20Nm is exerted at point C. Work out the reaction of A and D:
Force equilibrium: R1 + R2 = 40
Taking moments about A (clockwise is positive): 40·2 - 20 - 6·R2 = 0
R1 = 30N , R2 = 10N
If instead you were to take moments about D you would get: - 20 - 40·4 + 6·R1 = 0
I think it's important for you to see that wherever you take moments about, the point moment is always
taken as a negative (because it's a counter clockwise moment).
So how does a point moment affect the shear force and bending moment diagrams?
Well. It has absolutely no effect on the shear force diagram. You can just ignore point C when drawing
16

th

the shear force diagram. When drawing the bending moment diagram you will need to work out the
bending moment just before and just after point C:
Just before: bending moment at C = 3·30 - 1·40 = 50Nm
Just after: bending moment at C = 3·30 - 1·40 - 20 = 30Nm
Then work out the bending moment at points A, B and D (no need to do before and after for these
points). And plot.
Cantilever beam
Until now, you may have only dealt with "simply supported beams" (like in the diagram above), where a
beam is supported by 2 pivots at either end. Below is a cantilever beam, which means - a beam that
rigidly attached to a wall. Just like a pivot, the wall is capable of exerting an upwards reaction force R1
on the beam. However it is also capable of exerting a point moment M1 on the beam.
Force equilibrium: R1 = 10N
Taking moments about A: -M1 + 10·2 = 0 → M1 = 20Nm
17

th

Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL)

Below is a brick lying on a beam. The weight of the brick is uniformly distributed on the beam (shown
in digram A). The brick has a weight of 5N per meter of brick (5N/m). Since the brick is 6 meters long
the total weight of the brick is 30N. This is shown in diagram B. So as you can see there are 2 different
diagrams to show the same thing. You need to be able to convert from a type A diagram to a type B
To make your life more difficult I have added an external force at point C, and a point moment to the
diagram below. This is the most difficult type of question I can think of, and I will do the shear force
and bending moment diagram for it, step by step.
Firstly identify the key points at which you will work out the shear force and bending moment at. These
will be points: A,B,C,D,E and F.
As you would have noticed when working out the bending moment and shear force at any given point,
sometimes you just work it out at the point, and sometimes you work it out just before and after. Here is
a summary: When drawing a shear force diagram, if you are dealing with a point force (points A,C and
F in the above diagram), work out the shear force before and after the point. Otherwise (for points B and
D), just work it out right at that point. When drawing a bending moment diagram, if you are dealing with
a point moment (point E), work out the bending moment before and after the point. Otherwise (for
points A,B,C,D, and F), work out the bending moment at the point.
After identifying the key points, you want to work out the values of R1 and R2. You now need to convert
to a type B diagram, as shown below. Notice the 30N force acts right in the middle between points B
and D.
18

th

Force equilibrium: R1 + R2 = 50
Take moments about A: 4·30 + 5·20 + 40 - 10·R2 = 0
R1 = 24N , R2= 26N
Update original diagram:
Shear force diagram
point A:
19

th

point B:
Notice that the uniformly distributed load has no effect on point B.
point C:
Just before C:
Now convert to a type B diagram. Total weight of brick from point B to C = 5x4 = 20N
Shear force before C: 24 - 20 = 4N
Shear force after C: 24 - 20 - 20 = -16N
20

th

point D:
Shear force at D: 24 - 30 - 20 = -26N
point F:
(I have already converted to a type B diagram, below)
Finally plot all the points on the shear force diagram and join them up:
21

th

Bending moment diagram
Point A
Bending moment at A: 0Nm
Point B
Bending moment at B: 24·1 = 24Nm
point C:
22

th

Bending moment at C: 24·5 - 20·2 = 80Nm
point D:
Bending moment at D: 24·7 - 30·3 - 20·2 = 38Nm
point E:
23

th

point F:
Bending moment at F: 24·10 - 30·6 - 20·5 + 40 = 0Nm
Finally, plot the points on the bending moment diagram. Join all the points up, EXCEPT those that are
under the uniformly distributed load (UDL), which are points B,C and D. As seen below, you need to
draw a curve between these points. Unless requested, I will not explain why this happens.
24

th

Note: The diagram is not at all drawn to scale.
I have drawn 2 curves. One from B to C, one from C to D. Notice that each of these curves resembles
some part of a negative parabola.
Rule: When drawing a bending moment diagram, under a UDL, you must connect the points with a
curve. This curve must resemble some part of a negative parabola.
Note: The convention used throughout this page is "clockwise moments are taken as positive". If the
convention was "counter-clockwise moments are taken as positive", you would need to draw a positive
parabola.
Hypothetical scenario
For a hypothetical question, what if points B, C and D, were plotted as shown below. Notice how I have
drawn the curves for this case.
25

th

If you wanted to find the peak of the curve, how would you do it? Simple. On the original diagram (used
at the start of the question) add an additional point (point G), centrally between point B and C. Then
work out the bending moment at point G.
That's it! If you have found this article useful, please comment in the discussion section (at the top of the
page), as this will help me decide whether to write more articles like this. Also please comment if there
are other topics you want covered, or you would like something in this article to be written more clearly.
• 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)
26

th

Normal stress is often the critical design criteria
Requires determination of the location and magnitude of largest bending moment
27

th

Classification of Beam Supports
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Determination of maximum normal and shearing stresses requires identification of maximum

internal shear force and bending couple.
28

th

• 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’
29

th

Sample Question
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.
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.
Treating the entire beam as a rigid body, determine the reaction forces
Section the beam and apply equilibrium analyses on resulting free-bodies
30

th

31

th

Identify the maximum shear and bending-moment from plots of their distributions.
Apply the elastic flexure formulas to determine the corresponding maximum normal stress.
32

Shear Force and Bending Momentss

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Shear Force and Bending Momentss

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Engineering Mechanics – Statics For 1st Year Students – Mechanic Department

Shear Force and Bending Moments

a. Draw complete shear force and

We start by drawing a free-body

Drawing the Shear Force Diagram

The 30-kN concentrated force

The downward distributed load causes

The total change in the shear force

The 16-kN concentrated force at B

Since there are no loads between

The 45-kN concentrated force

Since there are no loads between

The 19-kN concentrated force at D

Since there are no concentrat

The shear force graph is linea

Since the shear

Again the bending

Since the shear

Determining the Shear Force and Bending Moment Equations

Sometimes we are not so much interested in the graphs of the shear

Shear Force and Bending Moments

Figure 13 shows a free-body diagram of the left end of

Summing moments about a point on the "cut end" of the beam

Figure 14 shows a free-body diagram of the left

Summing moments about a point on the "cut end" of the beam

Figure 15 shows a free-body diagram of the

Summing moments about a point on the "cut end" of the beam

It is easily verified that these equations have the appropriate character

Finally, note that these equations satisfy the load-shear force-bending

Shear Force and Bending Moment

Basic shear diagram

Shear force at D = 10N - 20N + 40N = 30N

Shear force at B = 10N

Now place your paper JUST after point B:

Shear force at B = 10N - 20N = -10N

(B' is vertically below B)

Basic bending moment diagram

Bending moment at C = 10x3 - 20x2 = -10Nm

Taking moments about A (clockwise is positive): 40·2 - 20 - 6·R2 = 0

Just before: bending moment at C = 3·30 - 1·40 = 50Nm

Just after: bending moment at C = 3·30 - 1·40 - 20 = 30Nm

Force equilibrium: R1 = 10N

Taking moments about A: -M1 + 10·2 = 0 → M1 = 20Nm

Uniformly Distributed Load (UDL)

Update original diagram:

Shear force diagram

Notice that the uniformly distributed load has no effect on point B.

Shear force before C: 24 - 20 = 4N

Shear force after C: 24 - 20 - 20 = -16N

Shear force at D: 24 - 30 - 20 = -26N

(I have already converted to a type B diagram, below)

Bending moment diagram

Bending moment at A: 0Nm

Bending moment at B: 24·1 = 24Nm

(I have already converted to a type B diagram, below)

Bending moment at C: 24·5 - 20·2 = 80Nm

(I have already converted to a type B diagram, below)

Bending moment at D: 24·7 - 30·3 - 20·2 = 38Nm

(I have already converted to a type B diagram, below)

(I have already converted to a type B diagram, below)

Bending moment at F: 24·10 - 30·6 - 20·5 + 40 = 0Nm

Note: The diagram is not at all drawn to scale.