INFLUENCE LINES

FOR STATICALLY
DETERMINATE
STRUCTURES
CHAPTER 6
ENGR. NESLYN L. PRINCIPIO, MSCE

The Shard, London, ht 310 meters

Learning objectives
22. Interpret the theory and application of the influence line
in a structure. (CO1)

23. Illustrate the influence line for beams with the

corresponding coordinates based from derived formula.
(CO1)

24. Calculate the maximum shear and moment of the beam

subjected to loads using the derived influence line. (CO1)

25. Apply the concepts on constructing the influence line of

a structure qualitatively. (CO1)
influence lines
influence line for beams
qualitative influence lines
INFLUENCE LINES
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS
PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS
PROBLEM 1
Construct the influence line for the vertical
reaction at A of the beam.

10 m
 1

x=0

Ax x x=10
10 m
Ay By
1. Place a one unit load at any point of the beam at distance “x”
from A. Set A as x = 0 and B as x = 10
2. Since we are ask to illustrate the influence line for Ay, derive the
equation of Ay as a function of x by taking moment about B.

𝟏𝟎 − 𝒙 𝒙
+↺ ෍ 𝑀𝐵 = 0: −𝐴𝑦 10 + 1 10 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑨𝒚 = =𝟏−
𝟏𝟎 𝟏𝟎
3. Illustrate the influence line using the derive equation.
𝒙 x Ay (ordinate at I.L.)
𝑨𝒚 = 𝟏 −
𝟏𝟎 0 1 – (0/10) = 1
10 1 – (10-10) = 0
x=0

x=10
10 m Note: for statically
determinate
1 structures, the curve
would be always in 1st
degree (straight line).
0
I.L. for Ay
PROBLEM 2
Construct the influence line for the vertical reaction at B

of the beam.
1. Place a one unit load at any point of the beam at distance “x” from A. Set A as x =
0 and the other end of the beam as x = 10
2. Since we are ask to illustrate the influence line for By, derive the equation of By as
a function of x.
3. Illustrate the influence line using the derive equation.

You can set the value x, say every 2m, 3m or 5m. Or simply you can set
the value of x at end-to end of the beam and location/s of support/s.
PROBLEM 3
Construct the influence line for the shear at point C of
the beam.

2.5m

10m
 1
x
x=0
x=10
Ax
2.5m
10 m By
Ay
1. Place a one unit load at any point of the beam at distance “x”
from A. Set A as x = 0 and B as x = 10
2. Since we are ask to illustrate the influence line for Vc, derive the
equation of Vc as a function of x by getting the internal shear at
point C. It means that we should cut at point C; then solve Vc by
summing forces along y. But before doing this, make sure the
reaction/s concern In cut section is solve.
 A B
1
x
x=0
x=10
Ax
2.5m
10 m By
Ay
A B
• Recalling the Lecture 7, you can consider sec A-A OR sec B-B. But
just choose ONE only. Say we will consider SEC A-A.

• In considering the sec A-A, we need to solve first Ax and Ay. From
Problem 1 (the same beam), Ay = 1 – x/10; and Ax = 0.
 A
1 SCENARIO 1: the unit load is before C (𝟎 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟐. 𝟓)

x 𝑥
x=0 +↑ ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 1 −
10
− 1 − 𝑉𝑐 = 0
Vc
𝑥
Ax=0 𝑉𝑐 = −
10
(𝟎 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟐. 𝟓)
2.5m

Ay = 1-x/10
A

• When we cut on a certain point, say point C, internal loadings moment, shear and
axial appears. Solve Vc as a function of x. Kindly follow positive sign of convention.
 A
1

x
x=0
Vc
Ax=0 SCENARIO 2: the unit load is after C (𝟐. 𝟓 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏𝟎)
2.5m
𝑥
+↑ ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 1 − − 𝑉𝑐 = 0
10
Ay = 1-x/10 𝑉𝑐 = 1 −
𝑥
(𝟐. 𝟓 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏𝟎)
A 10

• As seen in the equation, the unit load is no longer included since it already passes
point C.
 3. Illustrate the influence line using the derive equation.
𝑥
𝑉𝑐 = − (𝟎 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟐. 𝟓) x Ay (ordinate at I.L.)
10
𝑥 0 – (0/10) = 0
𝑉𝑐 = 1 − (𝟐. 𝟓 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏𝟎) 2.5 (left) – (2.5/10) = -0.25
10
2.5 (right) 1 – (2.5/10) = 0.75
10 1 – (10/10) = 0

Notice in all influence

0.75 lines, the ordinate at
supports is always zero
except if the influence
line is constructed for a
0 2.5 10 certain support.

-2.5 I.L. for Vc

PROBLEM 4
Construct the influence line for the shear at point C of
the beam.
1. Place a one unit load at any point of the beam at distance “x”
from A. Set A as x = 0 and the other end as x = 12
2. Since we are ask to illustrate the influence line for Vc, derive the
equation of Vc as a function of x by getting the internal shear at
point C. It means that we should cut at point C; then solve Vc by
summing forces along y. But before doing this, make sure the
reaction/s concern In cut section is solve.
3. Then, illustrate the I.L. for Vc by getting the ordinates at
boundaries and location/s of supports.
 SCENARIO 2: the unit load
SCENARIO 1: the unit load is after C (4≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏𝟐)
is before C (0≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟒)

For x: determine the ordinates

in all boundaries and location
of supports (at support B, x=8)
PROBLEM 5
Construct the influence line for the moment at point C
of the beam.
1. Place a one unit load at any point of the beam at distance “x”
from A. Set A as x = 0 and the other end as x = 12
2. Since we are ask to illustrate the influence line for Mc, derive the
equation of Mc as a function of x by getting the internal moment
at point C. It means that we should cut at point C; then solve Mc
by summing moment about point C. But before doing this, make
sure the reaction/s concern In cut section is solve.
3. Then, illustrate the I.L. for Mc by getting the ordinates at
boundaries and location/s of supports.
SCENARIO 1: the unit load SCENARIO 2: the unit load
is before C (0≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟒) is after C (4≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏𝟐)

For x: determine the ordinates

in all boundaries and location
of supports (at support B, x=8)
PRACTICE PROBLEM 1
Construct the influence line for the moment at point C
of the beam.

5m

10m
5m
10m

2.5

Influence line Mc
INFLUENCE LINES FOR
BEAMS
CONCENTRATED FORCE
the value of the function
can be found by multiplying
the ordinate of the influence
line at the position x by the
magnitude of F
UNIFORM LOAD
the value of a function caused
by a uniform distributed load is
simply the area under the
influence line for the function
multiplied by the intensity of
the uniform load
Important note:
 For dead load or self weight uniform load – it should
be applied to the whole beam (both positive and
negative)

 On the other hand, live uniform load should be

applied on a specific area only. Say positive –
positive area only and negative – negative area
only.

 Live and moving load is the same; it means live load

or live uniform load.
PROBLEM 8
The frame structure shown is used to support a hoist for
transferring loads for storage at points underneath it. It is
anticipated that the load on the dolly is 3 kN and the beam
CB has a mass of 24 kg/m. Assume the dolly has negligible size
and can travel the entire length of the beam. Also, assume A
is a pin and B is a roller. Determine the maximum vertical
support reactions at A and B and the maximum moment in the
beam at D.
 1kN

1m 3m

Ay By
𝟒 𝒙
+↺ ෍ 𝑀𝐵 = 0: −𝐴𝑦 3 + 1 4 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑨𝒚 = −
𝟑 𝟑
4 𝑥 𝒙 𝟏
+↑ ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0: − − 1 + 𝐵𝑦 = 0 𝑩𝒚 = −
3 3 𝟑 𝟑
Take note: on illustrating the influence line, disregard all the loads but
considers a unit load only as discussed in previous slides.
 1kN

1m 3m
𝟒 𝒙 𝒙 𝟏
𝑨𝒚 = − 𝑩𝒚 = −
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑 𝟑

x Ay By
0 4/3 =1.33 -1/3
1 1 0
4 0 1
Illustrate the influence line for support A and B using methods
discussed in previous slides.
• Apply the concentrated load 3 KN (3000
N) at highest ordinate
• Apply uniformly distributed load 24 kg/m
3000N to the entire area since it represent as
dead load: mass or self weight of the
beam.

24kg/m x 9.81m/s2
• Apply the concentrated load 3 KN (3000 N) at highest ordinate which is positive 1.
• Apply uniformly distributed load 24 kg/m to the entire area since it represent as
dead load: mass or self weight of the beam.

3000N
24kg/m x 9.81m/s2
3000N

24kg/m x 9.81m/s2
PRACTICE PROBLEM 2
Determine the maximum positive live shear that can be
developed at point C in the beam shown due to a
concentrated moving load of 4 KN and a uniform
moving load of 2 KN/m. (ans. +Vc = 4.5 kN)
END ☺
Next topic:
Double-integration method