Shear and

Moment in Beams
P R E P A R E D B Y :
M A R I A C Y N T H I A D O N I T A M .
V I L L A S E N C I O
C I V I L E N G I N E E R
A S S I S T A N T P R O F E S S O R 1
U N I V E R S I T Y O F S O U T H E A S T E R N
P H I L I P P I N E S
Introduction
The term beam refers to a slender
bar that carries transverse
loading; that is, the applied forces
are perpendicular to the bar.

The study of beams, however, is complicated by the fact that the shear force and the
bending moment usually vary continuously along the length of the beam.
Introduction
Introduction
The internal forces give rise to two kinds of stresses on a transverse section of a
beam: (1) normal stress that is caused by the bending moment and (2) shear stress
due to the shear force.

This chapter is concerned only with the variation of the shear force and the bending
moment under various combinations of loads and types of supports. Knowing the
distribution of the shear force and the bending moment in a beam is essential for the
computation of stresses and deformations, which will be investigated in subsequent
chapters.
Supports and Loads
Beams are classified according to their supports. A
simply supported beam, shown in Fig. 4.1(a), has a
pin support at one end and a roller support at the
other end. The pin support prevents displacement
of the end of the beam, but not its rotation. The
term roller support refers to a pin connection that is
free to move parallel to the axis of the beam;
hence, this type of support suppresses only the
transverse displacement.
Supports and Loads
A cantilever beam is built into a rigid support at one
end, with the other end being free, as shown in Fig.
4.1(b). The built-in support prevents displacements
as well as rotations of the end of the beam.

An overhanging beam, illustrated in Fig. 4.1(c), is

supported by a pin and a roller support, with one or
both ends of the beam extending beyond the
supports.
Supports and Loads
A concentrated load, such as 𝑃 in Fig. 4.1(a), is an
approximation of a force that acts over a very small
area. In contrast, a distributed load is applied over
a finite area.

If the distributed load acts on a very narrow area,

the load may be approximated by a line load. The
intensity 𝑤 of this loading is expressed as force per
unit length (lb/ft, N/m, etc.).
Supports and Loads
The load distribution may be uniform, as shown in
Fig. 4.1(b), or it may vary with distance along the
beam, as in Fig. 4.1(c). The weight of the beam is
an example of distributed loading, but its magnitude
is usually small compared to the loads applied to
the beam.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
The determination of the internal force system acting at a given section of a beam is
straightforward: We draw a free-body diagram that exposes these forces and then
compute the forces using equilibrium equations.

However, the goal of beam analysis is more involved—we want to determine the
shear force 𝑽 and the bending moment 𝑴 at every cross section of the beam.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
To accomplish this task, we must derive the expressions for 𝑉 and 𝑀 in terms of the
distance 𝑥 measured along the beam. By plotting these expressions to scale, we
obtain the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam.

The shear force and bending moment diagrams are convenient visual references
to the internal forces in a beam; in particular, they identify the maximum values of 𝑉
and 𝑀.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
For consistency, it is necessary to adopt
sign conventions for applied loading,
shear forces, and bending moments. We
will use the conventions shown in Fig. 4.3,
which assume the following to be positive:

• External forces that are directed

downward; external couples that are
directed clockwise.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
For consistency, it is necessary to adopt
sign conventions for applied loading,
shear forces, and bending moments. We
will use the conventions shown in Fig. 4.3,
which assume the following to be positive:

• Shear forces that tend to rotate a beam

element clockwise.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
For consistency, it is necessary to adopt
sign conventions for applied loading,
shear forces, and bending moments. We
will use the conventions shown in Fig. 4.3,
which assume the following to be positive:

• Bending moments that tend to bend a

beam element concave upward (the
beam ‘‘smiles’’).
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
The following is a general procedure for obtaining shear force and bending moment
diagrams of a statically determinate beam:

• Compute the support reactions from the FBD of the entire beam.

• Divide the beam into segments so that the loading within each segment is
continuous. Thus, the end-points of the segments are discontinuities of loading,
including concentrated loads and couples.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
Perform the following steps for each segment of the beam:

• Introduce an imaginary cutting plane within the segment, located at a distance 𝑥

from the left end of the beam, that cuts the beam into two parts.

• Draw a FBD for the part of the beam lying either to the left or to the right of the
cutting plane, whichever is more convenient. At the cut section, show 𝑉 and 𝑀
acting in their positive directions.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
Perform the following steps for each segment of the beam:

• Determine the expressions for 𝑉 and 𝑀 from the equilibrium equations obtainable
from the FBD. These expressions, which are usually functions of 𝑥, are the shear
force and bending moment equations for the segment.

• Plot the expressions for 𝑉 and 𝑀 for the segment. It is visually desirable to draw
the 𝑉-diagram below the FBD of the entire beam, and then draw the 𝑀-diagram
below the 𝑉-diagram.
Shear and Moment Equations and
Diagrams
The bending moment and shear force diagrams of the beam are composites of the
V- and M-diagrams of the segments. These diagrams are usually discontinuous
and/or have discontinuous slopes at the end-points of the segments due to
discontinuities in loading.
Example No. 1:

The simply supported beam in Fig. (a)

carries two concentrated loads. (1)
Derive the expressions for the shear
force and the bending moment for each
segment of the beam. (2) Draw the shear
force and bending moment diagrams.
Neglect the weight of the beam.
Example No. 2:

The overhanging beam ABC in Fig.(a)

carries a concentrated load and a
uniformly distributed load. (1) Derive
the shear force and bending moment
equations; and (2) draw the shear
force and bending moment diagrams.
Neglect the weight of the beam.
Practice Problem:

The cantilever beam in Fig. (a) carries a triangular load, the intensity of which varies
from zero at the left end to 360 lb/ft at the right end. In addition, a 1000-lb upward
vertical load acts at the free end of the beam. (1) Derive the shear force and bending
moment equations, and (2) draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams.
Neglect the weight of the beam.
Area Method for Drawing Shear and
Moment Diagrams
Useful relationships between the loading, shear force, and bending moment can be
derived from the equilibrium equations. These relationships enable us to plot the
shear force diagram directly from the load diagram, and then construct the bending
moment diagram from the shear force diagram.

This technique, called the area method, allows us to draw the shear force and
bending moment diagrams without having to derive the equations for 𝑉 and 𝑀. We
first consider beams subjected to distributed loading and then discuss concentrated
forces and couples.
Area Method for Drawing Shear and
Moment Diagrams
Area Method for Drawing Shear and
Moment Diagrams
Area Method for Drawing Shear and
Moment Diagrams
Example No. 3:

Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the

cantilever beam shown. Use the area-method.
Example No. 4:

The overhanging beam in Fig. (a) carries two

uniformly distributed loads and a concentrated
load. Using the area method, draw the shear
force and bending moment diagrams for the
beam. Neglect the weight of the beam.