MAKERERE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

CIV 2101 Theory of Structures I (3 CU)

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Theory of Structures I

Lecture # 06

Influence Lines
The Concept of the Influence Lines
Construction of IL for SD Beams and Frames
Applications of IL

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Load Position Causing Max. Effect
 Muller Breslau Principle (M.B.P)
A simplified and rapid method for constructing I.Ls
Developed by German Scientist Muller-Breslau –1886
The principle states that the influence line for a response function (reaction, shear or moment) is to the
same scale as the deflected shape of the structure when acted upon by the response function.
Deflected shape is easily drawn by removing the capacity of the structure to
resist the response function when it is applied.
 Procedure for constructing ILs for Reaction, Shear or Bending Moment
using M.B.P
Consider a simply supported beam of span, L(m).
Draw the influence lines for the vertical reactions at A and C and shear and
bending moment at B located a distance, a from the left end of the beam

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Construction of IL for Reaction – M.B.P
 Vertical Reaction, Ay at A
1. From the given structure, remove the restraint corresponding to the response
function whose IL is desired to obtain the release structure.
Replace the pin with a roller support

2. Apply a force in the positive direction that causes a unit displacement in the
direction of the response function

3. Draw the deflected shape of the released structure to obtain the general shape
of the IL

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Construction of IL for Reaction – M.B.P
 Vertical Reaction, Cy at C
1. From the given structure, remove the restraint corresponding to the response
function whose IL is desired to obtain the release structure.
Remove the roller support

2. Apply a force in the positive direction that causes a unit displacement in the
direction of the response function

3. Draw the deflected shape of the released structure to obtain the general shape
of the IL

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Construction of IL for Shear – M.B.P
 Shear Force, SB at Point B
1. At the point where the response function is desired, cut a section or introduce a
roller

2. Apply a shear force at the cut section that causes a relative unit transverse
displacement of the two portions of the beam keeping the other constraints intact.

3. Draw the deflected shape of the released structure to obtain the general shape
of the IL

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Construction of IL for Moment – M.B.P
 Bending Moment, MB at Point B
1. At the section where the response function is desired, remove the moment
restraint at the section by introducing an internal hinge
Internal hinge

2. Apply a moment at the section that causes a relative unit rotation of the two
portions of the beam keeping the other constraints intact.

3. Draw the deflected shape of the released structure to obtain the general shape
of the IL

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Example 1: IL for Reaction, Shear and Moment
Draw the influence lines for the vertical reaction at supports A, C and E, the
shear just to the right of support C and the bending moment at point B of the
beam shown using MBP

1) Vertical Reaction, AY at A

AY
1 0.5

-1
Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Example 1: IL for Reaction, Shear and Moment
Draw the influence lines for the vertical reaction at supports A, C and E, the
shear just to the right of support C and the bending moment at point B of the
beam shown using MBP

2) Vertical Reaction, CY at C

CY 2.0

1.0
0.5

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Example 1: IL for Reaction, Shear and Moment
Draw the influence lines for the vertical reaction at supports A, C and E, the
shear just to the right of support C and the bending moment at point B of the
beam shown using MBP

3) Vertical Reaction, EY at E

EY
1.0

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Example 1: IL for Reaction, Shear and Moment
Draw the influence lines for the vertical reaction at supports A, C and E, the
shear just to the right of support C and the bending moment at point B of the
beam shown using MBP

4) Shear Force, SC just to the right of C

SC

SC
1.0
1.0

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
Example 1: IL for Reaction, Shear and Moment
Draw the influence lines for the vertical reaction at supports A, C and E, the
shear just to the right of support C and the bending moment at point B of the
beam shown using MBP

4) Bending Moment, MB at B

MB MB

1.0

-2.0
Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Application of Influence Lines
 Once the influence line for the response function has been constructed, live
loads can now be positioned on the structure to produce maximum value of
response function.
 Two types of loads: Concentrated and Uniformly distributed moving loads
 Moving Concentrated Loads –
-Single moving concentrated load
-A series of moving concentrated load
 Single Moving Concentrated Loads
- The value of a response function due to any single concentrated load is
obtained by multiplying the magnitude of the load by the ordinate of the
response function influence line at the position of the load.
- For maximum positive value of response function - load is placed at the
location of the maximum positive ordinate of the influence line
- For maximum negative value of response function - load is placed at the
location of the maximum negative ordinate of the influence line.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Single Moving Concentrated Load: Example
For the beam shown below determine the maximum upward reaction at support C
and A due to a 50kN concentrated live load

Solution Steps: 1
Construct IL for vertical reaction at C, Cy
2.0

1.0
0.5

2. Place the 50 kN load at the hinge location, a position of maximum ordinate of

the influence line 50kN

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Single Moving Concentrated Load: Example
Solution Steps: 3
Multiply the magnitude of the load by maximum positive value of influence line
ordinate to obtain maximum upward vertical reaction at C,
Cy = 50 (2.0) = 100kN
For Ay
1. Use IL for Ay constructed earlier

2. Place the 50kN load at the support location, a position of maximum positive
ordinate of the influence line i.e. maximum positive ordinate 1.0
Therefore:
3. Ay = 50 (1.0) = 50kN

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Uniformly Distributed Loads
 The value of a response function due to a uniformly distributed load applied
over a portion of the structure is obtained by multiplying the load intensity by
the net area under the corresponding portion of the influence line.
 For maximum positive or negative value of response function - load is placed
over those portions of the structure where the influence line is positive (or
negative)
 Example
For the beam shown below, determine the maximum positive and negative shears
and moments at point C due to a 90kN concentrated live load, a 40kN/m
uniformly distributed live load and 20kN/m uniformly distributed dead load

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example: Uniformly Distributed Live Load
For the beam shown below, determine the maximum positive and negative shears
and moments at point C due to a 90kN concentrated live load, a 40kN/m
uniformly distributed live load and 20kN/m uniformly distributed dead load

Solution Steps: 1
Construct IL for shear and bending moment at Point C

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example: Uniformly Distributed Live Load
Solution Steps: 2
a) Maximum Positive Shear at C
- For 90kN CL; place the load just to the right of C where maximum positive ordinate of
2/3kN/kN occurs
- For 40kN/m UDL- Live; apply the load over the portion of beam with positive ordinate
- For 20kN/m UDL – Dead; apply the load over the entire beam span i.e. DL cannot be varied
b) Maximum Negative Shear at C
- For 90kN CL; place the load just to the left of C where maximum negative ordinate of
1/3kN/kN occurs
- For 40kN/m UDL- Live; apply the load over the portion of beam with negative ordinate
- For 20kN/m UDL – Dead; apply the load over the entire beam span i.e. DL cannot be varied

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example: Uniformly Distributed Live Load
Solution Steps: 2
c) Maximum Positive Moment at C
- For 90kN CL; place the load at C where maximum positive ordinate of 2.0kN-m/kN occurs
- For 40kN/m UDL- Live; apply the load over the portion of beam with positive ordinate
- For 20kN/m UDL – Dead; apply the load over the entire beam span i.e. DL cannot be varied
d) Maximum Negative Moment at C
- For 90kN CL; place the load at A where maximum negative ordinate of -2.0kN-m/kN occurs
- For 40kN/m UDL- Live; apply the load over the portion of beam with negative ordinate
- For 20kN/m UDL – Dead; apply the load over the entire beam span i.e. DL cannot be varied

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example: Uniformly Distributed Live Load
Solution Steps: 3
a) Maximum Positive Shear at C
 For 90kN CL:

Total= 60+100+40 = 200kN

 For 40kN/m UDL- Live:

 For 20kN/m UDL – Dead:

b) Maximum Negative Shear at C

 For 90kN CL: = - 30kN

Total= -30+-20+40 = -10kN
= - 20kN
 For 40kN/m UDL- Live:

= - 30kN
 For 20kN/m UDL – Dead:

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example: Uniformly Distributed Live Load
Solution Steps: 3
a) Maximum Positive Moment at C
 For 90kN CL: = 180kN-m
Total= 180+3600+120 = 660kN-m
 For 40kN/m UDL- Live: = 360kN-m

 For 20kN/m UDL – Dead: = 120kN-m

b) Maximum Negative Moment at C

 For 90kN CL: = - 180kN-m

Total= -180-120+120 = -180kN-m
= - 120kN-m
 For 40kN/m UDL- Live:

 For 20kN/m UDL – Dead: = 120kN-m

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
For the beam shown below, determine the maximum positive shear and bending
moment at point B due to a series of three moving concentrated live loads shown

Solution Steps: 1
Construct the influence line for shear, SB and bending moment, MB at point B

5/2

1/2

-1/2
a) Influence line for shear, SB b) Influence line for moment, MB

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
Solution Steps: 2
 Select the direction in the which the load series will be moved on the structure.
 If the series is moved from right to left, then the load at the left end of the
series is taken as the first load and vice versa.
 Number the loads sequentially beginning with the first load as 1, 2, 3,…etc.
Direction of load movement

Solution Steps: 3
Position the given series of concentrated loads on structure with the first load at
the location of maximum ordinate of the influence line. Do this for all loads.
125kN 100kN 50kN

Loading position One

2m 3m
Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
125kN 100kN 50kN 125kN 100kN 50kN

2m 2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Loading Position Two Loading Position Three

Solution Steps: 4
Evaluate the influence line ordinates corresponding to the loads of the series and
determine the value of the response function by algebraically summing the
product of the load magnitudes and the respective influence line ordinates.
Maximum Positive Shear
Loading position one: 125kN (0.5) = 62.5kN
100kN (0.3) = 30kN Total= 62.5 + 30 + 0 = 92.5kN
50kN (0) = 0kN

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
125kN 100kN 50kN 125kN 100kN 50kN

2m 2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Loading Position Two Loading Position Three

Solution Steps: 4
Evaluate the influence line ordinates corresponding to the loads of the series and
determine the value of the response function by algebraically summing the
product of the load magnitudes and the respective influence line ordinates.
Maximum Positive Shear
Loading position Two: 125kN (-0.3) = -37.5kN
100kN (0.5) = 50kN Total= -37.5 + 50 + 10 = 22.5kN
50kN (0.2) = 10kN

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
125kN 100kN 50kN 125kN 100kN 50kN

2m 2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Loading Position Two Loading Position Three

Solution Steps: 4
Evaluate the influence line ordinates corresponding to the loads of the series and
determine the value of the response function by algebraically summing the
product of the load magnitudes and the respective influence line ordinates.
Maximum Positive Shear
Loading position Three: 125kN (0) = 0kN
100kN (-0.3) = -30kN Total= 0 + -30 + 25 = -5kN
50kN (0.5) = 25kN

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
125kN 100kN 50kN 125kN 100kN 50kN

2m 2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Loading Position Two Loading Position Three

Solution Steps: 4
Evaluate the influence line ordinates corresponding to the loads of the series and
determine the value of the response function by algebraically summing the
product of the load magnitudes and the respective influence line ordinates.
Maximum Positive Moment
Loading position one: 125kN (2.5) = 312.5kN-m
100kN (1.5) = 150kN-m Total= 312.5 + 150 + 0 = 462.5kN-m
50kN (0) = 0kN-m

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
125kN 100kN 50kN 125kN 100kN 50kN

2m 2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Loading Position Two Loading Position Three

Solution Steps: 4
Evaluate the influence line ordinates corresponding to the loads of the series and
determine the value of the response function by algebraically summing the
product of the load magnitudes and the respective influence line ordinates.
Maximum Positive Moment
Loading position Two: 125kN (1.5) = 187.5kN-m
100kN (2.5) = 250kN-m Total= 187.5 + 250 + 50 = 487.5kN-m
50kN (1.0) = 50kN-m

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
125kN 100kN 50kN 125kN 100kN 50kN

2m 2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 5m
Loading Position Two Loading Position Three

Solution Steps: 4
Evaluate the influence line ordinates corresponding to the loads of the series and
determine the value of the response function by algebraically summing the
product of the load magnitudes and the respective influence line ordinates.
Maximum Positive Moment
Loading position Three: 125kN (0) = 0kN-m
100kN (1) = 100kN-m Total= 0 + 100 + 125 = 225kN-m
50kN (2.5) = 125kN-m

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 A Series Moving Concentrated Loads
Solution Steps: 5
Compare the magnitudes of the response function determined for all the positions
considered and obtain the maximum value of the response function
Shear: By comparing the values for SB determined for the three loading positions,
maximum positive shear at B occurs for the first loading position i.e. when the
125kN load is placed at position of maximum positive IL ordinate.
Moment: By comparing the values for MB determined for the three loading
positions, maximum positive Moment at B occurs for the second loading position
i.e. when the 100kN load is placed at position of maximum positive IL ordinate.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Tutorial Problems
1. Draw the influence lines for the vertical reactions at B and D and shear and
bending moments at C and E of the beam shown Using Muller Breslau Principle

2. Draw the influence lines for the vertical reactions at A and E and the reaction
moment at support E of the beam shown using Muller Breslau Principle

3. For the beam shown below, determine the maximum positive shear at B and
bending moment at D due to a series of four moving concentrated loads.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example for Trusses
 Determine the maximum axial force in member BC of the Warren truss due
to the series of four moving concentrated loads.

Step 1
 Construct influence line for axial force in member BC

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example for Trusses
Step 2
 Move the load series from right to left, successively placing each load of the
series at point B, where the maximum ordinate of the influence line for FBC is
located
Load Position 1

 The maximum force in BC is thus calculated as

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example for Trusses
Step 2
 Move the load series from right to left, successively placing each load of the
series at point B, where the maximum ordinate of the influence line for FBC is
located
Load Position 2

 The maximum force in BC is thus calculated as

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example for Trusses
Step 2
 Move the load series from right to left, successively placing each load of the
series at point B, where the maximum ordinate of the influence line for FBC is
located
Load Position 3

 The maximum force in BC is thus calculated as

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example for Trusses
Step 2
 Move the load series from right to left, successively placing each load of the
series at point B, where the maximum ordinate of the influence line for FBC is
located
Load Position 4

 The maximum force in BC is thus calculated as

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 Example for Trusses
Step 3
By comparing the values of FBC for the four loading positions, we conclude that
the magnitude of the maximum axial force that develops in member BC is FBC =
198.03 kN (tension). This maximum force occurs when the second load of the
series is placed at joint B of the truss

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
 Determination of both the location of point in a structure and position of the
loading on the structure
 A graph showing the variation of maximum value of response function as a
function of the location of the section – Envelope of the maximum value of
response function.
 Single Concentrated and Uniformly Distributed Loads
Consider a simply supported beam of length, L (m). Determine the absolute
maximum shear and moment due to;
a) A single concentrated load of magnitude P and
b) A uniformly distributed load of intensity w.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
 Recall that we obtained influence lines for shear and bending moment at a
distance a from support A as shown below.

a) IL for shear b) IL for moment

 Recall also, it was stated that to obtain the maximum value of shear and
moment at the same location;
Single Concentrated Load
Maximum Shear
i. Positive = product of load magnitude, P and max. positive ordinate, 1- a/L;
Thus max. positive shear = P (1 – a/L)
ii. Negative = product of load magnitude, P and max. positive ordinate, 1-a/L;
Thus max. negative shear = P (- a/L)
These show a linear variation of maximum values of shear with distance a
Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
 A plot of positive and negative maximum values of shear gives the envelope
of the maximum value of response function as shown below.

 From the plot above, it is seen that the absolute maximum shear develops at
sections just inside the supports and has a value of magnitude P
Maximum Moment
Positive = product of load and max. positive ordinate i.e. P a(1 – a/L).
 A plot of maximum bending moment values give the envelope of the
maximum value of response function as shown below.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE


Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
Maximum Moment
Positive = product of load intensity and area of bending IL i.e. wa (L – a).
 A plot of maximum bending moment values give the envelope of the
maximum value of response function as shown below.

 It can seen that the absolute max. shear develops at sections just inside the
supports and has a of magnitude wL2/8

A Series of Concentrated Loads

The envelope of is constructed by evaluating the maximum values of response

function at a number of points along the length of the structure – Due
considerable effort used, always done using computer.

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
Absolute Maximum Shear
Like in the case for single concentrated and uniformly distributed loads, for a
series of single concentrated loads, absolute maximum value occurs at sections
just inside the supports.
 Positive – place as many loads of the series as possible on portion of the
beam for which IL is positive
 Negative - place as many loads of the series as possible on portion of the
beam for which IL is negative
Note: As the position of a (from the example) is shifted towards the left (i.e.
support A), the value of the maximum positive shear will increase i.e. the length
and ordinate of the positive IL increases whereas those for negative portion will
decrease. The reverse is true when a is shifted towards support C.
 The absolute maximum value of shear (positive or negative) will occur when
the position a is just to the right of support A (i.e. for positive) and when
position a is just to the left of support C (i.e. for negative)

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE


Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
Absolute Maximum Bending Moment
A Simplified Approach for Simply Supported Beams is adopted.
Step 2
 Assume the absolute maximum value occurs under load P2 (in this example),
and determine its position x from mid-span of the beam (most important!)
a) Apply equilibrium equation about support B, and using the load resultant,
obtain the vertical reaction Ay.

Thus bending moment under load P2 is given by

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
Absolute Maximum Bending Moment
For M2 to be maximum, its derivative wrt x must be zero, thus

From above we obtain

Conclusion
For a simply supported beam subjected to a series of concentrated loads,
maximum bending moment occurs under a load when the mid-span of the
beam is located halfway between the load and the resultant of all the loads
on the beam

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
Absolute Maximum Bending Moment - Example
Determine the absolute maximum bending moment in a 15 m long simply
supported beam due to a series of concentrated loads shown below.

Solution
Step 1: Obtain the resultant of the loads and its position
Resultant, PR
PR = 48 + 48 + 12 = 108 kN
Position of PR, ẍ (Hint: use condition of moment of a resultant about a point)
108 ẍ = 48(2.8) + 48(6.8)
ẍ = 4.27m (from 12 kN load)

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RESPONSE
Absolute Maximum Bending Moment – Example
108kN

48kN 48kN 12kN

Ay By
4.23m 2.53m 2.8m 3.96m
0.74m 0.74m

Vertical Reaction Ay
Moments about By and using the resultant
Thus Ay = 59.26 kN
Absolute maximum moment, M2
M2 = 59.26 (8.24) – 48 (4)
M2 = 296 kN-m

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda
End

Eng.Tony
MalekMeri C
Abuwarda