School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering

C&ENVENG 3001, 7058

STRUCTURAL MECHANICS IIIA
Semester I, 2014

Course Coordinator and Lecturer

Dr Terry Bennett
Office: N140a (Engineering North)
Terry.bennett@adelaide.edu.au

Assessments
Homework Assignments 25%
A total of 10 homework assignments will be given. The homework problems will be
uploaded on MyUni at the end of every week (Friday) starting from Week 2 and
you will get 1 week time to solve these problems. The submission is to be made to
the submission box in front of school office on next Friday before 4.00 pm.
One Quizzes 5% (50 minutes, closed book)
(Week 7, Thursday, 11.00 am 12.00 pm Chapman Lecture Theatre)
Group Project (Microstand) 10%
(You have to work in a group of 4 to analyse a structures using a computer
software package. Project problems will be uploaded on MyUni after Week 9.)
End of Semester Examination 60% (3 Hours, closed book)
Pass Hurdle:
You have to pass the final examination separately to pass the course

Learning Resources:
Text Book: Structural Analysis, Pearson
R.D. Hibbeler
Lecture Slides: Will be available on MyUni

Topics:
Introduction and Member Forces Chapter 4
Deflections of statically determinate structures - Chapter 8
(Method of Integration and Moment Area Method)

Deflections statically determinate structures using Energy Methods - Chapter 9

(Unit Load Method/Complementary Virtual Work Method, Castiglianos Theorem)

Statically indeterminate structures by Force Method - Chapter 10

(Unknowns are forces)

Statically Indeterminate structures by Displacement Method:

(Unknowns are displacements)

Slope deflection method - Chapter 11

Moment distribution method - Chapter 12
Matrix method of structural analysis Chapter 14, 15
(Computer based method, General, Statically determinate and indeterminate structures,
Small and large structures)

Influence Lines for statically determinate structures - Chapter 6

INTERNAL MEMBER FORCES

(STRESS RESULTANTS)

Axial Force (Tension/Compression)

Shear Force

Bending Moment

Torsion (Twisting Moment)

Take an example
Draw its Shear
Force Diagram

2m

30 kN

4m

Y A 20 kN

YB

10 kN

V
20 kN

10 kN
30 kN

V
20 kN

20 kN
10 kN

10 kN

Draw its Bending

Moment (M) Diagram

2m

30 kN

4m

B
20 kN

20 kN 2 m 40 kNm

V
20 kN

10 kN

10 kN 4 m 40 kNm
10 kN
M

40 kNm
40 kNm

M
40 kNm
40 kNm
M
40 kNm

30 kN

2m

4m

4m

A
20 kN

10 kN

20 kN 2 m 40 kNm

30 kN

2m

B
10 kN

20 kN

10 kN
20 kN

20 kN
10 kN

V
20 kN

10 kN 4 m 40 kNm

10 kN

M
40 kNm

40 kNm

Take an example of a cantilever beam

100 kN

100 kN

4m

4m
100 kN

100 kN

V
100 kN

100 kN

100 kN

100 kN

100 kN 4 m 400 kNm

M
400 kNm

M
400 kNm

M
400 kNm

M 100 kN 4 m 400 kNm

Take an example of a beam with moments

100 kNm

100 kNm

5m

0 kN

2m

30 kN

4m

0 kN

20 kN

10 kN

The beam has no Shear Force

20 kN

10 kN
M

100 kNm

100 kNm

40 kNm
M

100 kNm

100 kNm

100 kNm
100 kNm

V
40 kN

5m

40 kN

40 kNm

40 kNm

Take an example of a continuous beam

20 kN

5 kN

20 kN

MB

10 kN

50 kN

MC

Door Hinge

Hinge support

Hinge joint
Roller support
Roller support

This link is a strut (compression) or tie (tension) member (two force member)
which can be idealized as a roller support as shown

This beam is supporting the roof truss where this beam may be treated as a roller support
of the truss. The beam will usually supply an upward reaction to the truss but it can also
provide a downward reaction (if needed, may be under wind action) through the steel plate
connected to the beam and the truss.

This is a strut (compression) or tie (tension) member (two force

member) which can be idealized as a roller support as shown

Or

The value of this support

reaction may be positive or
negative (both are feasible)
depending on the nature
(tension/compression) of axial
force in the two force member

cable
As cable can take tension
only, one of them will be
active in any situation.
The action of these two
cables can be idealized as
a roller support

If the column is sufficiently

strong compared to the beam,
the column can be treated as a Brick wall
fixed support of the beam.
RC column

RC beam
If the column is not sufficiently strong and
having small rotational resistance capacity, it
can be treated as a hinge support of the beam.

The horizontal resistance

provided by the wall to
the beam due to friction
may be small - it can be
neglected.
Similarly the rotational
resistance due to the wall
width may be small it
can be neglected.
Thus the wall may be
treated as a roller support
of the beam and the roller
can provide upward or
downward reaction.

End of the small beam

may be treated as hinge

Take an example of a continuous beam

20 kN

5 kN

20 kN

MB

10 kN

50 kN

MC

Shear Force
2m

30 kN

4m

20 kN

Cut at 1-1
20 kN

Cut at 3-3

20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

20 kN

3
3

10 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN
20 kN

20 kN

30 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN
30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN

10 kN

30 kN - 20 kN
10 kN

Good joint at 1-1

Bad joint at 1-1

10 kN

Shear Force at 2-2

Good joint at 2-2

Axial Force
20 kN

10 kN

50 kN

1
1

20 kN

50 kN 10 kN - 20 kN
40 kN

20 kN

50 kN

10 kN

40 kN

3
50 kN 10 kN - 40 kN 20 kN
20 kN

20 kN

50 kN

20 kN

10 kN

40 kN

50 kN 10 kN - 40 kN 20 kN
50 kN 10 kN - 40 kN 20 kN
20 kN

40 kN

10 kN

50 kN

20 kN 50 kN 10 kN 40 kN
20 kN

50 kN

10 kN

40 kN

20 kN 50 kN 10 kN 40 kN
20 kN 50 kN 10 kN 40 kN

40 kN

40 kN

40 kN

20 kN

1
1

50 kN

10 kN

R 40 kN

The axial force at any section of a member is the summation of all the forces
along the member (including any reaction, if any) acting on the left side of the
section or on the right side of the section.
You can choose the forces on the left side of the member or on the right of the
beam based on your convenience.
If you choose tension as positive (+ve) axial force i.e.
The sign of a force acting on the left side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
towards left and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts towards right.

Example (Axial force at 2-2): N 2 20 kN - 50 kN 30 kN

The sign of a force acting on the right side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
towards right and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts towards left.

Example (Axial force at 2-2): N 2 10 kN - 40 kN 30 kN

The Axial Force at 2-2 is -30 kN (tension) i.e. the section is subjected to 30
kN compression

20 kN

1
1

50 kN

2
2

10 kN

R 40 kN

If you choose compression as positive (+ve) axial force i.e.

The sign of a force acting on the left side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
towards right and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts towards left.

Example (Axial force at 2-2): N 2 20 kN 50 kN 30 kN

The sign of a force acting on the right side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
towards left and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts towards right.

Example (Axial force at 2-2): N 2 10 kN 40 kN 30 kN

The Axial Force at 2-2 is +30 kN (compression) i.e. the section is subjected
to 30 kN compression

Shear Force
2m

30 kN

4m

20 kN

Cut at 1-1
20 kN

Cut at 3-3

20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

20 kN

3
3

10 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN
20 kN

20 kN

30 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN
30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN

10 kN

30 kN - 20 kN
10 kN

Good joint at 1-1

Bad joint at 1-1

10 kN

Shear Force at 2-2

Good joint at 2-2

Shear Force
2m

30 kN

4m

20 kN

Cut at 1-1
20 kN

3
3

10 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN

Cut at 3-3

20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

20 kN

20 kN

20 kN

30 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN
30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN

Joint at 1-1: Option 1

10 kN

Joint at 1-1: Option 2

2m

30 kN

4m

20 kN

10 kN

The shear force at any section of a member (beam) is the summation of all the
forces perpendicular to the member (including any reaction, if any) acting on
the left side of the section or on the right side of the section.
You can choose the forces on the left side of the beam or on the right of the
beam based on your convenience.
If you choose positive (+ve) shear force like this:
The sign of a force acting on the left side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
upward and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts downward.

Example (Shear force at 2-2): V2 20 kN - 30 kN 10 kN

The sign of a force acting on the right side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
downward and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts upward.

Example (Shear force at 2-2): V2 10 kN

2m

30 kN

4m

20 kN

10 kN

If you choose positive (+ve) shear force like this:

The sign of a force acting on the left side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
downward and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts upward.

Example (Shear force at 2-2): V2 20 kN 30 kN 10 kN

The sign of a force acting on the right side of the section will be positive (+ve) if it acts
upward and the sign of the force will be negative (ve) if it acts downward.

Example (Shear force at 2-2): V2 10 kN

In the previous case, Shear force at 2-2: V2 10 kN

Where the sign convention for positive shear force was taken as:

Additional Slides

Next 7 slides are added to clarify the previous concept further

Joint at 1-1 to resist shear force

2m

30 kN

4m

1
30 kN

1
Option 1

Better
20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

1
Option 2
20 kN

Option 1 - Better

10 kN

Option 2

Shear Force
2m

30 kN

4m

20 kN

Cut at 1-1
20 kN

3
3

10 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN

Cut at 3-3

20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

20 kN

20 kN

20 kN

30 kN

30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN
30 kN - 10 kN 20 kN

Joint at 1-1: Option 1

10 kN

Joint at 1-1: Option 2

Axial Force
20 kN

10 kN

50 kN

1
1

20 kN

50 kN 10 kN - 20 kN
40 kN

20 kN

50 kN

10 kN

40 kN

3
50 kN 10 kN - 40 kN 20 kN
20 kN

20 kN

50 kN

20 kN

10 kN

40 kN

50 kN 10 kN - 40 kN 20 kN
50 kN 10 kN - 40 kN 20 kN
20 kN

40 kN

10 kN

50 kN

20 kN 50 kN 10 kN 40 kN
20 kN

50 kN

10 kN

40 kN

20 kN 50 kN 10 kN 40 kN
20 kN 50 kN 10 kN 40 kN

40 kN

40 kN

40 kN

Load transfer mechanism

30 kN

4m

2m

30 kN

15 kN

45 kN
45 kN

Compression

45 kN

15 kN

45 kN

15 kN

45 kN

15 kN

15 kN

Tension

Truss Member Forces

D

FCE
FED

FCB

FEB

25 kN

Joint : E

Joint : C

3m

3m

3m

FCE

Member CE will carry a

tensile force if FCE is positive

25 kN

FCE

E
FCE

3m
FCE

3m

3m

FCE

C
25 kN

200 kN

2m

Frame Structure
2m

Calculate Shear Force at 1-1

and Axial Force at 2-2

20 kN

3m

Shear Force at 1-1 (considering

loads from A to 1-1):

1
2

40 kN

V1 Ax 40 kN

(60 kN) 40 kN 20 kN
3m

Ax
60 kN

Alternatively, Shear Force at 1-1

(considering loads from B to 1-1):
A
Ay 40 kN

F
F

V1 20 kN

B y 160 kN

Ax 40 kN 20 kN 0 Ax 60 kN

40 kN 3 m 20 kN 6 m 200 kN 2 m - B y 4 m 0 B y 160 kN

Ay B y 200 kN 0 Ay 2000 kN - B y 2000 kN - 160 kN 40 kN

Frame Structure

Calculate Shear Force at 1-1 and Axial Force at 2-2

200 kN

2m

2m

20 kN

3m

Axial Force at 2-2 (considering loads

from A to 2-2):
1

N1 40 kN - 200 kN 160 kN

1
2

40 kN

Alternatively, Axial Force at 2-2

(considering loads from B to 2-2):

3m
Ax
60 kN

N1 160 kN
A
Ay 40 kN

B y 160 kN

Moment (Couple, Equilibrium)

10 kN

5m

50 kNm

10 kN

10 kN

5m
10 kN

10 kN

5m

1m

10 kN

10 kN
M 10 kN 6 m - 10 kN 1 m
10 kN (6 m - 1 m) 10 kN 5 m 50 kNm

10 kN - 10 kN 0

M 10 kN 5 m 50 kNm 0

M Pl

A System of forces with zero Resultant Force but nonzero Resultant Moment
y

S
R

Fx1 Fx 2 Fx 3 0

Fy1 Fy 2 Fy 3 0

R
P

M F

x1

y1 Fx 2 y2 Fx 3 y1 Fy1 x1 Fy 2 x2 Fy 3 x1 0

Note: In this situation, the resultant moment will have same value at any point

Treatment of support moment and other moment in moment equilibrium equation

4 kN

5m

R 4 kN 10 kN 0
A

RB

R 6 kN

M 4 kN 2 m - 10 kN 5 m 0

Alternatively:

RA

10 kN

R 6 kN

42 kNm

R A RB 30 kN 0

M 42 kNm

M 6 kN 5 m - 4 kN 3 m 0

30 kNm

M 42 kN

100 kNm

130 kNm

A 2m

R 0

4m

30 kN

2m

2m

B
5m

R0

M 30 kNm 100 kNm 0

M 130 kNm

Bending
Moment

2m

30 kN

4m
1

3m

20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

Cut at 1-1

2m

10 kN

1m

A
20 kN

30 kNm
2

2
30 kNm

3m

B
10 kN

30 kN - 20 kN 10 kN

Moment produced by the forces acting on the right part of the beam: M 10 kN 3 m 30 kNm
(This is anticlockwise and you can get it by taking moment about B, 1-1 or any other point)
Moment produced by the forces acting on the left part of the beam:
Moment about A (clockwise): M 30 kN 2 m - 10 kN 3 m 30 kNm
Alternatively, moment about 1-1 (clockwise): M 20 kN 3 m - 30 kN 1 m 30 kNm
It is practically the moment produced by the externally applied forces (including reaction, if
any) on one side of the section (here it is 1-1) about the section (1-1).

30 kN

2m

4m
1

3m

20 kN

10 kN

30 kN

2m

10 kN

30 kNm
2

1m

20 kN

30 kNm

10 kN

30 kN - 20 kN 10 kN

Cut at 2-2

2m

1m

10 kN

10 kN

30 kNm

A
20 kN

3m

30 kNm

30 kNm

30 kN - 20 kN 10 kN

Sagging moment

30 kNm

3m

B
10 kN

30 kN - 20 kN 10 kN

Hogging moment

2m

A
20 kN

30 kN

4m
1

3m
10 kN

The bending moment at any section of a member (beam) is the summation of

moments produced by all the externally applied forces perpendicular to the
member (including any reaction, if any) acting on the left side of the section or
on the right side of the section.
You can choose the forces on the left side of the beam or on the right of the
beam based on your convenience.
If you choose positive (+ve) bending moment like this (sagging):
The sign of the moment at a section produced by a force acting on the left side of the
section will be positive (+ve) if the moment is clockwise and the sign of the moment
will be negative (ve) if it is anticlockwise.

Example (Bending moment at 1-1): M 1 20 kN 3 m - 30 kN 1 m 30 kNm

The sign of the moment at a section produced by a force acting on the right side of the
section will be positive (+ve) if the moment is anticlockwise and the sign of the moment
will be negative (ve) if it clockwise.

Example (Bending moment at 1-1): M 1 10 kN 3 m 30 kNm

2m

A
20 kN

30 kN

4m
1

3m
10 kN

If you choose positive (+ve) bending moment like this (hogging):

The sign of the moment at a section produced by a force acting on the left side of the
section will be positive (+ve) if the moment is anticlockwise and the sign of the moment
will be negative (ve) if the moment is clockwise.

Example (Bending moment at 1-1): M 1 20 kN 3 m 30 kN 1 m 30 kN

The sign of the moment at a section produced by a force acting on the right side of the
section will be positive (+ve) if the moment is clockwise and the sign of the moment will
be negative (ve) if the moment is anticlockwise.

Example (Bending moment at 1-1): M 1 10 kN 3 m 30 kNm

In the previous case, Bending moment at 1-1: M 1 30 kNm
Where the sign convention for positive bending moment was taken as:

Steps for Calculating Internal Member Force (Axial Force) at a Section

1
20 kN

10 kN

5 kN 25 kN
1

Step 1: Determine the support reactions taking FBD of the whole body (if needed)
1
20 kN

R = 50 kN

10 kN

5 kN 25 kN
1

Step 2: Draw or imagine an element under +ve axial force (T or C)

Step 3: Calculate internal member force at section 1-1 as

N 20 5 25 40 kN - The sign of these forces will be decided by

(summation of all the forces acting on the left side of section1 - 1)
Or, N 10 50 40 kN - The sign of these forces will be decided by
(summation of all the forces acting on the right side of section1 - 1)
Step 1 is needed for this case because the forces will include the support reaction (R)

Steps for Calculating Shear Force at a Section

P1

P2

P3

P4

P5

R1

R2

Step 1: Determine the support reactions taking FBD of the whole body (if needed)
Step 2: Draw or imagine an element having +ve shear forces
Step 3: Calculate shear force at section 1-1 as

V R1 P1 P2 - The sign of these forces will be decided by (+ve upward)

(summation of all the forces including reactions acting on the left side of section1 - 1)
Or, V R2 P3 P4 P5 - The sign of these forces will be decided by (+ve downward)
(summation of all the forces including reactions acting on the right side of section1 - 1)

Steps for Calculating Bending moment at a Section

P2

P1

l3

R1

l2

l1

r2
1
1

P3

P4

P5

r3
r4

r1

R2

Step 1: Determine the support reactions taking FBD of the whole body (if needed)
Step 2: Draw or imagine an element having +ve bending moments
Step 3: Calculate bending moment at section 1-1 as

M R1l1 P1l2 P2l3 - The sign of these moments will be decided by (+ve clockwise)
(summation of moments about 1 - 1 due to all the forces including
reactions acting on the left side of section1 - 1)
Or, M R2 r1 P3r2 P4 r3 P5r4 - The sign of these moments will be decided by
(summation of moments about 1 - 1 due to all the forces including
reactions acting on the right side of section1 - 1)

Shear Force at a Section Distributed Load

P1

R1

P3

P4

P2

( a b) / 2

Q q ( a b)

P5

R2

The uniformly distributed load over its entire length (a+b) should be considered as point
load Q = q(a+b) acting at the mid point of (a+b) in Step 1 - Used for evaluating the support
reactions taking FBD of the whole body.
If the shear force at Section 1-1 is calculated considering forces on the left side of Section
1-1, the portion of distributed load on this side (a length of a) will only be taken.

V 11 R1 P1 P 2 qa
This is similarly applicable for the right side of Section 1-1. Do not simply take Q.

V 11 R 2 P 5 P 4 P 5 qb

Shear Force at a Section Concentrated Moment (applied as load)

l1
l2

P2

P1

P3

l5

P5

P4

q
B

M1

R1

Q q ( a b)

b
lQ

R2

The concentrated moment must be considered in reaction calculations (Step 1) when an

equilibrium equation for moment equation is used.

+ve

MB 0

R1l P1l1 P2l2 P3l3 P4l4 P5l5 QlQ M 1 0

R1 ( P1l1 P2l2 P3l3 P4l4 P5l5 QlQ M 1 ) / l

Shear Force at 1-1 (consider forces on the left side of 1-1): V11 R1 P1 P2 qa
The concentrated moment will not be considered in summing up the forces to calculate
shear force at that section

Bending Moment at a Section Distributed Load and Concentrated Moment

P1

M1

R1

P2

P3

P4

q P5

Q q ( a b)

+ve

R2

The uniformly distributed load over its entire length (a+b) should be considered as a point
load Q = q(a+b) acting at the mid point of (a+b) in Step 1 - Used for evaluating the support
reactions taking FBD of the whole body.
If any concentrated moment (e.g. M1) acts at any point of the beam, it will be considered in
Step 1 for the moment equilibrium equation.
If the bending moment at Section 1-1 is calculated considering forces on the left side of 1-1,
the effect of the portion of distributed load on this side (a length of a) will only be taken.
As the concentrated moment (M1) is acting on this side, it will be considered and it will
simply be added to the moments produced by the forces on this side.
This is similarly applicable for the right side of Section 1-1 where the concentrated moment
will not be considered.

Example 1: Calculate the shear force and bending moment at section 1-1

1m

RA

RB

Take the FBD of the beam to calculate support reactions

Summation of moment about A (equilibrium equation ):

RB 6 (9 2) (2 / 2) 30 0

RB 2 kN

The concentrated moment (30 kN-m) is included and the entire distributed load is taken
Summation of vertical forces (equilibrium equation ):

Fy 0

RA RB 9 2 0 RA 20 kN

The concentrated moment is not included but the entire distributed load is taken

1m

20 kN

2 kN

Calculate shear force at 1-1:

+ve
If you consider forces on left side of 1-1:

V1 20 9 1 11 kN
Distributed force over 1m of length on the left side of 1-1 is taken
Alternatively, if you consider forces on right side of 1-1:

V11 (2) 9 1 11 kN
Distributed force over 1m of length on the right side of 1-1 is taken and the concentrated
moment is not included

1m

20 kN

2 kN

Calculate bending moment at 1-1:

+ve

If you consider forces on left side of 1-1: M 1 20 1 (9 1) (1 / 2) 15.5 kNm

Distributed force over 1m of length on the left side of 1-1 is taken
Alternatively, if you consider forces on right side of 1-1:

M 1 (2) 5 (9 1) (1 / 2) 30 15.5 kNm

Distributed force over 1m of length on the right side of 1-1 is taken and the concentrated
moment (30kN-m) is included

Example 2: Calculate shear force and bending moment at A, B and section 1-1

1
2m
RA

RB

Take the FBD of the beam to calculate support reactions

Summation of moment about A (equilibrium equation ):

MA 0

RB 3.6 (40 2.4) (2.4 / 2) 25 15 0 RB 29.22 kN

The concentrated moments are included and the entire distributed load is taken
Summation of vertical forces (equilibrium equation ):

Fy 0

RA RB 40 2.4 0 RA 66.78 kN

The concentrated moments are not included but the entire distributed load is taken

+ve

2m
1

66.88 kN

Shear force at A:

VA 66.88 kN
M A 25 kNm

Bending moment at A:
Shear force at B:

29.22 kN

+ve

VA 29.22 kN

Bending moment at B:

M A 15 kNm

Shear force at 1-1 (considering left of 1-1):

Bending moment at 1-1:

V11 66.88 40 2 13.12 kN

M 11 66.88 2 (40 2) (2 / 2) 25 28.76 kNm

Example 3: Calculate shear force and bending moment at A, B and 1-1

3 kN/m

MA

2m

1
4.0 m

RA

Take the FBD of the beam to calculate support reactions

Summation of moment about A (equilibrium equation ):

M at A 0

M A (3 4) ( 4 / 2) 0 M A 24 kNm

Summation of vertical forces (equilibrium equation ):

Fy 0

RA 3 4 0 RA 12 kN

3 kN/m
+ve

1
24 kNm

12 kN
Shear force at A:
Bending moment at A:
Shear force at B:
Bending moment at B:

2m

1
4.0 m

+ve

VA 12 kN
M A 24 kNm
VB 0
MB 0

Shear force at 1-1 (consider load on right side of 1-1): V11 3 2 6 kN

3(2) 2
6 kNm
Bending moment at 1-1: M 11
2