ME 2406: Strength of Materials

Shear & Bending moment Diagrams

Dr. Faraz Junejo

 Shear & Moment Diagrams
• Members that are slender and support loadings
applied perpendicular to their longitudinal axis are
called beams
 Shear & Moment Diagrams (contd.)

 Because of the applied loadings, beams develop

internal shear (V) force and bending moment (M).

 In order to design a beam, it is necessary to

determine the maximum shear and moment in the
beam

 This could be done through the shear force and

bending moment diagram.
Shear & Moment Diagrams (contd.)
 Shear & Moment Diagrams (contd.)

 The internal shear and bending moment will be discontinuous at

points where distributed load changes or when concentrated
load or couples are applied.

 Because of this shear and bending moment must be determined

for each region of the beam located between any two
discontinuities of loadings.
 Shear & Moment Diagrams (contd.)

• Shear and bending-moment functions must be

determined for each region of the beam between
any two discontinuities of loading
• x1: describes the variation of V and M in the region from A to B.

• x2 : describes the variation of V and M in the region from B to C.

• x3 : describes the variation of V and M in the region from C to D.

 Shear & Moment Diagrams (contd.)

• Express V and M as functions of arbitrary position

x along axis.

• These functions can be represented by graphs

called shear and moment diagrams

• Engineers need to know the variation of shear and

moment along the beam to know where to
reinforce it
 Sign Conventions for Bending and Shear
Positive directions are: the load acting upward on the beam; the
internal shear force causes clockwise rotation of the beam
segment on which it acts. Loadings that are opposite to these are
considered negative
 Summary

• Beams are long straight members that carry loads

perpendicular to their longitudinal axis. They are
classified according to how they are supported

• To design a beam, we need to know the variation of the

shear and moment along its axis in order to find the
points where they are maximum.

• Establishing a sign convention for positive shear and

moment will allow us to draw the shear and moment
diagrams
 Procedure for analysis

Support reactions

 Determine all reactive forces and couple moments

acting on beam

 Resolve all forces into components acting

perpendicular and parallel to beam’s axis
 Procedure for analysis

Shear and moment functions

Specify separate coordinates x having an origin at

beam’s left end, and extending to regions of beam
between concentrated forces and/or couple moments,
or where there is no discontinuity of distributed
loading
 Shear and moment functions
 Section beam perpendicular to its axis at each
distance x

 Draw free-body diagram of one segment

 Make sure V and M are shown acting in positive

sense, according to sign convention

 Sum forces perpendicular to beam’s axis to get shear

 Sum moments about the sectioned end of segment to

get moment
 Shear and moment diagrams

 Plot shear diagram (V vs. x) and moment

diagram (M vs. x)

 If numerical values are positive, values are

plotted above axis, otherwise, negative values
are plotted below axis

 It is convenient to show the shear and moment

diagrams directly below the free-body diagram
Example: 1
 Example: 1 (contd.)

Using statics analysis

Example: 1 (contd.)
Example: 1 (contd.)
Example: 2
 Example: 2 (contd.)

Using statics analysis

 Example: 2 (contd.)
From the free-body diagram of the left segment, we apply
the equilibrium equations,
 Example: 2 (contd.)
Left segment of the beam extending a distance x within
region BC is as follow,
Example: 3
Example: 3 (contd.)
Example: 3 (contd.)
Example: 3 (contd.)
 Example: 4
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for beam
shown below.
 Example: 4 (contd.)
• Free body diagram
 Example: 4 (contd.)
Support reactions: Shown in free-body diagram.
Shear and moment functions
Since there is a discontinuity of distributed load and
also a concentrated load at beam’s center, two regions
of x must be considered.
≤ x1 ≤ 5 m,

+↑  Fy = 0; ... V = 5.75 N --- Eq:1

+  M = 0; ... M = (5.75x1 + 80) kN·m --- Eq:2

 Example: 4 (contd.)
Shear and moment functions
m ≤ x2 ≤ 10 m,

+↑  Fy = 0; ... V = (15.75  5x2) kN --- Eq:3

+  M = 0; ... M = (2.5x22 + 15.75x2 +92.5) kN·m

--- Eq:4
Check results by applying w = dV/dx and V = dM/dx.
 Example: 4 (contd.)
Shear and moment
diagrams are obtained by
plotting Eq: 1 through Eq: 4
 Exercise: 1
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for beam
shown below.
 Exercise: 2

• The engine crane is used to support the engine, which has a

weight of 1200 lb. Draw the shear and moment diagrams of
the boom ABC when it is in the horizontal position shown
 Exercise: 3
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for beam
shown below.
 Exercise: 4
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for beam
shown below.
 GRAPHICAL METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING
SHEAR AND MOMENT DIAGRAMS
 When a beam is subjected to several different loadings,
determining V and M as a function of x, and then
plotting these equations can be quite tedious.
 There exist, a simpler method to construct shear and
moment diagram, that is based on two differential
relations:
 one that exist among distributed load and shear, and

 the other between shear and moment

 Graphical Approach

• Shear force and bending moment diagrams

can be constructed graphically by following
few basic rules.
• It provides a much faster way of constructing
these diagram as it eliminates the need to
derive shear force and bending moment
equations for each segment of the diagram.
Rules for constructing Shear Force Diagram

Rule 1

• Concentrated forces causes a jump (i.e.

discontinuity) in the shear diagram at the
location of the force.

• This jump is in the same direction as the

concentrated force arrow.
 Example: 1

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3.5m, (ii) x = 8.5m
 Example: 1 (contd.)
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that Concentrated forces causes a jump (i.e.
discontinuity) in the shear diagram at the location of the force. This jump is in
the same direction as the concentrated force arrow.

At x = 3.5m,
V = -9 kN
And
At x = 8.5m,
V = -27 kN
 Example: 2

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x = 2.5m, (ii) X = 4.5m
 Example: 2 (contd.)
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that Concentrated forces causes a jump (i.e.
discontinuity) in the shear diagram at the location of the force. This jump is in
the same direction as the concentrated force arrow.

At x = 2.5m,
V = -9 kN
And
At x = 4.5m,
V = 5 kN
 Example: 3

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x = 5m, (ii) x = 11m
 Example: 3 (contd.)
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that Concentrated forces causes a jump (i.e.
discontinuity) in the shear diagram at the location of the force. This jump is in
the same direction as the concentrated force arrow.

At x = 5m,
V = 2.7kN
And
At x = 11m,
V = -35.3 kN
 Example: 4

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x = 3m, (ii) x = 8m
 Example: 4 (contd.)
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that Concentrated forces causes a jump (i.e.
discontinuity) in the shear diagram at the location of the force. This jump is in
the same direction as the concentrated force arrow.

At x = 3m,
V = 18.8kN
And
At x = 8m,
V = -29.2 kN
Rules for constructing Shear Force Diagram

Rule 2

• The change in the shear force between any two

locations is equal to the area under the

distributed load diagram.

 Example: 1

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 2m, (ii) x = 3.5m
 Example: 1 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the change in the shear

force between any two locations is equal to the area under the
distributed load diagram.

At x = 2m,
V = -10 kN
And
At x = 3.5m,
V = -17.5 kN
 Example: 2

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3m, (ii) x = 10m
 Example: 2 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the change in the shear

force between any two locations is equal to the area under the
distributed load diagram.

At x = 3m,
V = -9 kN
And
At x = 10m,
V = -38 kN
 Example: 3

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 2m, (ii) x = 12m
 Example: 3 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the change in the shear

force between any two locations is equal to the area under the
distributed load diagram.

At x = 2m,
V = 30kN
And
At x = 12m,
V = -20 kN
 Example: 4

• Determine the internal shear force ‘V’ that exists in

the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3m, (ii) x = 7m
 Example: 4 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the change in the shear

force between any two locations is equal to the area under the
distributed load diagram.

At x = 3m,
V = -4.7kN
And
At x = 7m,
V = 7.3kN
Rules for constructing Shear Force Diagram

Rule 3

• The slope of the shear diagram at any location

is equal to the distributed load value (both

magnitude and sign) at that location

 Regions of distributed Load
dV
= w(x) --- Eq:1
dx

Slope of shear = distributed load intensity at

diagram at each point
each point

Equation 1 states that at a point the slope of the

shear diagram equals the intensity of the
distributed loading
 Example: 1

• Use the slope of the shear diagram to determine x

location where Shear force ‘V’ is zero:
 Example: 1 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 3 which states that the slope of the shear

diagram at any location is equal to the distributed load value
(both magnitude and sign) at that location.

V = 0, at
x = 53.3/10
= 5.33m
 Example: 2

• Use the slope of the shear diagram to determine x

location where Shear force ‘V’ is zero:
 Example: 2 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 3 which states that the slope of the shear

diagram at any location is equal to the distributed load value
(both magnitude and sign) at that location.

V = 0, at
x = 7 + 18.2/4
= 11.55m
 Example: 3

• Use the slope of the shear diagram to determine x

location where Shear force ‘V’ is zero:
 Example: 3 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 3 which states that the slope of the shear

diagram at any location is equal to the distributed load value
(both magnitude and sign) at that location.

V = 0, at
x = 2 + (81.7-48)/10
= 5.37m
 Example: 4

• Use the slope of the shear diagram to determine x

location where Shear force ‘V’ is zero:
 Example: 4 (contd.)

• Remember, Rule 3 which states that the slope of the shear

diagram at any location is equal to the distributed load value
(both magnitude and sign) at that location.

V = 0, at
x = 5 + 44/13
= 8.38m
 Exercise: 1
Draw the shear diagram for the beam shown
below.
Exercise: 1 (contd.)
 Exercise: 2
• A reinforced concrete pier is used to support the stringers for a
bridge deck. Draw the shear diagrams for the pier when it is
subjected to the stringer loads shown. Assume the columns at A
and B exert only vertical reactions on the pier.
 Exercise: 3
Draw the shear diagram for the beam shown
below.
 Rules for constructing Bending Moment
Diagram

Rule 1

• The change in moment between any two

locations is equal to the area under the shear

diagram.
 Example: 1

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 6m, (ii) x = 13m
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that the change in moment
between any two locations is equal to the area under the shear
diagram. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
At x = 6
M = 21.1 * 6
= 126.6 kN-m

At x = 13
M = 126.6 +
{6.1 * 7}
= 169.3 kN-m
At x = 18
M = 169.3 +
{ -33.9 * 5}
= 0 kN-m
 Example: 2

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3m, (ii) x = 6.5m
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that the change in moment
between any two locations is equal to the area under the shear
diagram. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
At x = 3m
M = ½ {-24 * 3}
= -36 kN-m

At x = 6.5m
M = - 36 +
{-24 * 3.5}
= -120 kN-m
At x = 9m
M = - 120 +
{-49 * 2.5}
= - 242.5 kN-m
 Example: 3

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3m, (ii) x = 7m
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that the change in moment
between any two locations is equal to the area under the shear
diagram. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
At x = 3m
M = {49.1* 3}
= 147.3kN-m

At x = 7m
M = 147.3+
{-15.9 * 4}
= 83.7 kN-m
At x = 9m
M = 83.7 +
{ -15.9 * 2} +
{1/2(-52 * 2)}
= 0 kN-m
 Example: 4

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 6m, (ii) x = 13m
• Remember, Rule 1 which states that the change in moment
between any two locations is equal to the area under the shear
diagram. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
At x = 6m
M = {1/2(-24* 6}
= -72 kN-m

At x = 13m
M = -72 +
{1/2(28* 7)} +
{18.7* 7}
= 156.9 kN-m
At x = 21m
M = 156.9 +
{ 18.7* 8} +
= 306.5 kN-m
At x = 26m
M = 306.5 +
{ -61.3* 5} +
= 0 kN-m
 Rules for constructing Bending Moment
Diagram
Rule 2
• The slope of the moment diagram at any location is equal
to the shear force at that location.

• Please note that maximum moment occurs when the slope

of the Moment diagram is zero.

• Therefore, to determine location and magnitude of

maximum moment, we need to compute x location where
shear force V = 0
 Regions of distributed Load
dM
= V --- Eq: 2
dx
Slope of moment = shear at each point
diagram at each
point

Equation 2 states that at a point the slope of the

moment diagram is equal to the shear.
 Example: 1

• Determine the location and magnitude of the

maximum positive moment
• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the slope of the moment
diagram at any location is equal to the shear force at that
location. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
• Since, maximum moment occurs when the slope of the Moment
diagram is zero. Therefore, to determine location and magnitude of
maximum moment, we need to compute x location where shear force
‘V = 0’

V = 0, at
x = 6 + 10.3/4.5
= 6 + 2.29
= 8.29m
x = 8.29
• Now we can draw the bending moment diagram and can compute
magnitude of maximum positive moment at x = 8.29m

At x = 8.29,
Mmax = { 10.3 * 6} +
{ ½(10.3 * 2.29}
= 73.58 kN-m
 Example: 2

• Determine the location and magnitude of the

maximum positive moment
• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the slope of the moment
diagram at any location is equal to the shear force at that
location. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
• Since, maximum moment occurs when the slope of the Moment
diagram is zero. Therefore, to determine location and magnitude of
maximum moment, we need to compute x location where shear force
‘V = 0’

V = 0, at
x = 13.7/2.5
= 5.48m
x = 5.48
• Now we can draw the bending moment diagram and can compute
magnitude of maximum positive moment at x = 5.48m

At x = 5.48,
Mmax =
{ ½(13.7 * 5.48}
= 37.54 kN-m
 Example: 3

• Determine the location and magnitude of the

maximum positive moment
• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the slope of the moment
diagram at any location is equal to the shear force at that
location. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
• Since, maximum moment occurs when the slope of the Moment
diagram is zero. Therefore, to determine location and magnitude of
maximum moment, we need to compute x location where shear force
‘V = 0’

V = 0, at
x = 5 + 5/2.5
= 7m
x=7
• Now we can draw the bending moment diagram and can compute
magnitude of maximum positive moment at x = 7m

At x = 7m,
Mmax =
{ ½(5 * 5} +
{ ½(5 * 2}
= 17.5 kN-m
 Example: 4

• Determine the location and magnitude of the

maximum positive moment
• Remember, Rule 2 which states that the slope of the moment
diagram at any location is equal to the shear force at that
location. So, we need to draw shear force diagram first
• Since, maximum moment occurs when the slope of the Moment
diagram is zero. Therefore, to determine location and magnitude of
maximum moment, we need to compute x location where shear force
‘V = 0’

V = 0, at
x = 4 + 5 + (42-28)/6

= 11.33m
x = 11.33
• Now we can draw the bending moment diagram and can compute
magnitude of maximum positive moment at x = 11.33m

At x = 11.33m,
Mmax = { 42 * 4}
{ (14 * 5} +
{ ½(14 * 2.33}
= 254.3 kN-m
 Rules for constructing Bending Moment
Diagram
Rule 3
• Concentrated external moments cause a jump (i.e.
a discontinuity) in the internal bending moment at
the point of application.

• A clockwise (CW) external moment causes the

moment diagram to jump up.
 Example: 1

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3m, (ii) x = 5m
• Remember, Rule 3 which states that Concentrated external moments cause a
jump (i.e. a discontinuity) in the internal bending moment at the point of
application. A clockwise (CW) external moment causes the moment diagram to
jump up
At x = 3
M=5*3
= 15 kN-m
At x = 5
M = {5 * 5} +
( – 50) (b/c
CCW external
moment)
= -25 kN-m
 Example: 2

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 3.5m, (ii) x = 9.5m
• Remember, Rule 3 which states that Concentrated external moments cause a
jump (i.e. a discontinuity) in the internal bending moment at the point of
application. A clockwise (CW) external moment causes the moment diagram to
jump up
At x = 3.5
M = -6 * 3.5
= -21 kN-m

At x = 9.5
M = {-6 * 9.5 } +
24 + 48 (b/c CW
external moment)

= 15kN-m
 Example: 3

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 2m, (ii) x = 4m
• Remember, Rule 3 which states that Concentrated external moments cause a
jump (i.e. a discontinuity) in the internal bending moment at the point of
application. A clockwise (CW) external moment causes the moment diagram to
jump up At x = 2
M = {60 * 2 } + (-300)
(b/c CCW external
moment)
= -180 kN-m
At x = 4
M = {60 * 2 } + {40 * 2 }
+ (-300) (b/c CCW
external moment)
= -100 kN-m
 Example: 4

• Determine the internal bending moment ‘M’ that

exists in the beam at the following locations:
(i) x= 4m, (ii) x = 8m
• Remember, Rule 3 which states that Concentrated external moments cause a
jump (i.e. a discontinuity) in the internal bending moment at the point of
application. A clockwise (CW) external moment causes the moment diagram to
jump up At x = 4
M = {-18 * 4 } + (80)
(+VE sign b/c CW
external moment)
= 8 kN-m
At x = 8
M = {-18 * 8 } + (80)
((+VE sign b/c CW
external moment)
= -64 kN-m
 Exercise: 2 (contd.)
• A reinforced concrete pier is used to support the stringers for a
bridge deck. Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the pier
when it is subjected to the stringer loads shown. Assume the
columns at A and B exert only vertical reactions on the pier.
 Exercise: 3 (contd.)
Draw the moment diagram for the beam shown
below.
 Exercises

Mechanics of Materials 8th Edition by R.C. Hibbeler

 Q 6.1 – Q 6.3

 Q 6.5 – Q 6.7