Moving Loads and Influence Lines for Beams 103

. !!!IN~TR:.;;,.;O_D_U_C_TI_O_N
5,1 -
e loads acting o~ a beam may be bro~dly classified as dead loads and live loads. Dead l~ads
'fh those loads ~hich do not change _their posi~ion during the life of the beam, e.g., self:we1ght
the beam, we'.~ht of t~e slab c_amed by the beam, finishing load, etc. And loads which can
challge their posi~ion dunng .the hfe of th_e be~s are called live loads, e.g., weight of persons
fbea11l, weight of furmtures, etc. Bndge girders carry loads which roll over them from one
on slab d' R d C . . .
dt other. The In ian oa ongress m its code of practice for road bridges, section ll specifies
:tfe;nt types_of vehicular ~oads to be _conside~ed by giving wheel loads. Similarly, railway engine
d train loadmgs are specified by railway bndge rules framed by the Ministry of Railways.
an A designer analyses the beams for v~rious positions of loads so as to get maximum shear force
d bending moment values due to movmg loads. To identify the positions of loads for maximum
:ear force and bending mon_ient a_t specified se~tions, influence line diagrams can be used. In this
ter the term Influence Line Diagram (ILD) 1s explained and used for finding maximum values
cofbapshear' force and bend'mg moment va1ues.

S.2 INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAMS

Influence line diagrams are drawn for various stress resultants like reaction, shear force, bending
moment, torsion at specified points. Influence line diagram for a stress resultant is the one in
which ordinate represent the value of the stress resultant for the position of unit load at the
corresponding abscissa. For example if Figure 5.1 represents influence line diagram for moment at
section C in the beam AB, then the ordinate O represents the_value of bending moment at C when
a unit load is acting at section 1-1.

L----+
0~

Figure 5.1 ILD for moment at C

Influence line diagrams are used to identify the position of moving loads for maximum value
of stress resultants and for finding its maximum value.

5.3 INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAMS FOR SIMPLY ·suPPORTED BEAMS

1n·this article influence line diagrams for reactions at support A, supp~~ B and shear force and
bending moment at a section a distance z from the end A are drawn. Positive senses of shear force
· and bending moment are shown in Figure 5.2.
104 Structural Analysis-I
dx
lJ
A--_j~-----------:---
i___ _ _-1-..L---L
positive shear force

(Z
positive movement

Figure 5.2 Positive senses of SF and BM

ILD for reaction RA:

.t

Figure 5.3(a) Beam with unit load

A B

Figure 5.3(b) ILD for RA

A
B

Figure 5.3(c) ILD for Re

L-z
T

Figure 5.3(d) ILD ',or Fe

 Moving Loads and Influence Lines for Beams 105

Figure 5.3(e) ILD for Mc

Let the unit load be at a distance x from support A as shown in Figure 5.3(a).

Now, RA -_ l(L L- (t
x) = -Lx) , 1mear
. . . .h
vanatlon wit x

when x = O; RA = I
when x = L; RA = O
Hence, ILD for RA is as shown in Figure 5.3(b).
ILD. for · re4'ctlon Re
Referring to Figure 5.3(a).

Ra = LX , linear variation
• At x = O; Ra = 0
At x = L; Ra= 1
Hence, ILD for Ra is as shown in Figure 5.3(c)
ILD for shear force at C
Let C be the section at a distance z from A as shown in Figure 5.3(a).
(a) When x < z

F c = -Ra= -~ linear variation,

L'
when x = O; F = 0
z
when x = z; F = --
L
(b) When x > z
L-x . . .
Fe= RA= - - , 1mear vanat1on
L
L-z
when x = z,· Fc = -L-

when x = L; Fe = 0
Therefore, ILD for shear force at C is as shown in Figure 5.3(d).
ILD for moment Mc at C
(a) When x < z
Mc= Ra (L - z)
= X (L - z) linear variation with x,
L .
 106 Structural Analysis-I
when x = O; Mc=O
_ (z(L-z))
when x = z; Mc-
L
(b) When;> z

Mc = RAz = (LL-x) ··
z ; linear vanat1on w1"th x

z(L-z)
when x,;,, z; Mc=·
L
when x = L; Mc = 0
Hence, ILD for moment at C is as shown in Figure 5.3(e).

5.4 INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAMS FOR CANTILEVER BEAMS

_ __ _ __ , , ; ; . . . ; _ . ;_ _ ,. ; ; ; . ; ; ; . ; , ;;;;.;..;
. ;..,;,;;;;;..;;....;.....- ~ , • Q . ..

Consider a cantilever beam of span L as shown in Figure 5.4(a). Influence line diagrams fi
force and bending moments at fixed end A and at section C are to be determined. Let a shea:
nu lo~
t
1t=x
act at a distance x from the free end B.

•I
C

Al
)( B

L
z •
:/
Figure 5.4(a) Cantilever with unit load
ILD for FA
FA= 1, constant
Hence, ILD for FA is as shown in Figure 5.4(b).

A~~'--------'--+_v_e_ _ _ _ _ _Jl B

Figure 5.4(b) ILD for FA

ILD for MA

MA= - (L - x); Linear variation,

when x = 0 MA = - L
when x =L. MA = o
This LLD for MA is shown in Figure 5.4(c)
A

T L

Figure 5.4(c) . ILD for MA

l
.
 Moving Loads and Influence Lines 1cirtBeams 107
;_'II
ILD for Fe
when x < z Fe= 1 (constant)
when x > z Fe= 0 ·
ILD for Fe is as shown in Figure 5.4(d)

A r-1 ---::-r-+
-ve _ _ _ JB

Figure 5.4(d) l~D for Fe

ILD for Mo
For x S z Mc= - 1 (z - x), Linear variation
when x = O; Mc=-z
when x = z; Mc=O
For x > z Mc = 0, constant
Hence, ILD ~or Mc is as shown in Figure 5.4(e).

A---cc~~-ve- BT .
~1
Figure 5.4(e) ILD for Mc
I

5.5 INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAMS FOR OVERHANGING BEAMS

A typical overhanging beam is shown in Figure 5.5(a) for which ILD for the following are drawn:
1. Reaction at support A
2. Reaction at support B
3, Shear force at section D
4. Bending moment at section D
5. Sht~ar force at section E and
6. l3ending tr.t0met1~ at section E
. Figures 5.5(b). (c) and (d) show positions .of unit loads and origin for measuring their
distance x. ·

Figure 5.5(a) A typical overhanging beam

I08 Structural Analysis-I

Ar---x==iI
T"---~cE-::D-------.f-B-*-H.E=----c
RA Rs

Figure 5.5(b) Beam with unit load between A and B

·f.
t
X E
C
tB
)(
)(
D
Ra
'RA
Figure 5.5(c) Beam with unit load between D and B

)(lLx---,c
t
'RA
Figure 5.5(d) Beam with load between B and C
tB
Rs
·E

+ve
C
A
'-------------===--=--------.
-ve ..!!...
L

/ Figure 5.5(e) ILD for RA

. .
.. . 1 L+a ,' .
__
.. L ,_

A . B ·· c
Figure 5.5(f) ILD for R8
L-z
T
D +ve
A
L
L
Figure 5.5(g) ILD for F0

A .!Lz
L

figure 5.5(h) ILD for .Mo .

 Moving Loads and Influence Lines for Beams 109

A
+v• I_r
E C

Figure 5.5(1) ILD for FE

A r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~c
E~ z1

Figure 5.50) ILD for ME

!LO for RA
When unit load is in portion AB (Figure 5.S(b)).
L-x
RA = L ,linear variation
when x = O; RA = l
when x = L; RA = o
When unit load is in portion BC (Figure 5.5(d))
· a-x
RA = - L, i.e., RA is downward linear variation
when x = O; RA = - all
when x = a; RA =0
ILD for RA is as shown in Figure 5.S(e).
ILP for RiJ
When unit load is in portion AB (Figure 5.S(b)).

· RB = -X , 1·mear vanat1on
..
L
At x = O; RB= 0
At X = L; RB= l
When the unit load is in portion BG (Figure 5.5(d))
L+a-x . . .
RB = - - - , 1mear vanatton,
L
_ L+a
At X = O; RB - - -
L
At x = a; RB= 1
ILD for Ra is as shown in Figure 5.5(1).
ILD for Fo
When unit load is in portion AD

F0 = - RB= - ~, linear variation

L
At X = O; F0 =0
z
At x = z; Fo=--
L
 110 Structural Analysis-I

"
1
For portion DB (Refer Figure S.S(c))
L-x . · ..
Fo = RA = ----Z-, 1mear vanatton
[

when x = z; Fo=--
L-z
L
when x = L; F 0 =O
When um·t 1o ad is in portion BC (Refer Figure 5.5(d))
a-x
Fo=RA = - - -
L

when x = O; a
Fo= - -
L
when x = a; F0 =O
Hence, ILD for Fo is as shown in Figure 5.S(g).
ILD for Mo
When unit load is in portion AD (Figure 5.S(b))
. , 'X
Mo= RB (L - z) = L (L - z ), linear variation
At x = O; M0 = 0

z(L-z)
At x = z;
Mo= - - -
L
When unit load is in portion DB (Figure 5.S(c)).

M,o = Rz = .(. LL-x)z,

A
.
1mear . .
vanatton.

At x = z; Mo= ( L
L-z) z

At x = L; M0 = 0
When unit load is in portion BC (Figure 5.5(d)).

M,n = RAz = - ( L a-x) .

z, 1mear . .
vanatton

a
At X = O; Mn= --xz
L
At x = a; M0 = 0
ILD for Mn is as shown in Figure 5.5(h)
ILD for Fe .
Referring to Figure 5.S(b), when unit load is in portion AB
FE= 0
When the load is µi portion BE,
FE= 0
 Moving Loads and Influence Lines for Beams 111
When the load is in portion EC Figure 5.5(d).
FE = 1, constant
Therefore, ILD for FE is as shown in Figure 5.5(i)

ILD tor M,.

When the load is in portion AB and BE
ME= 0
When the load is in portion EC (Figure 5.S(d))
ME= - l (z 1 - x), linear variation
At X = O; M =- Z1

At x = z1; ME = 0
ILD for ME is as shown in Figure 5.S(j).

5.1 INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAM FOR DOUBLE OVERHANGING BEAM

The typical double overhanging beam is shown in Figure 5.6. Influence line diagrams for RA, RB,
shear and bending moment at E are to be found. So far, the detailed procedure for finding influence
line diagrams was explained, now a short-cut procedure is presented. Note that influence line
diagram for all stress results discussed so far are varying linearly.

Figure ,.6(1) A typical double overhanging beam

?~D
C A B <..:::::::::::J f

Figure 5.6(b) ILD for RA

L+b
L

Figure 5.6(c) ILD for R8

 112 Structural Analysis-I

L- z
-l-

+ve
E
- z
T

Figure 5.6(d) ILD for Fe

C A~ . ---.....:::,~-- . D
E · . B
a (l -z)
.L

Figure 5.6(e) ILD for Me

ILD for RA
When unit load is at C,

RA= L+a
L
Load at A, RA = 1
Load at B, RA = 0
b
and load at D , RA = - -
L
The variation is linear, Hence, ILD for RA is as shown in Figure 5.6(b).
ILD for R8
When load is at C,

a
Rs=
L
Load at A, Rs= 0
Load at B, R8 = 1 .

Load at D, L+b
Rs=
L
ILD for R8 is shown in Figure 5.6(c).
ILD for FE
When load is at C,

a
FE= -RB= -
L
Load at A , FE= -RB= 0
 Moving Loads and Influence Lines for Beams 113

Load at E, just to the left of E, FE = _ Re = _ .:.

L

Load at E, just to the right of E, FE = RA = L- z

L
Load at B,

h
Load at D, FE= RA= --
l
ILD for shear force at E, is as shown in Figure 5.6(d).
ILD for Me
When load is at C,

ME = Re (L - z) = - !!._ (L - z)
L
Load at A, ME= RB (4- z) = 0.. <

z
Load at E, ME = RB (L - z) = - (L - z)
L
Load at B,

b
Load at D, ME = RA z = -- X z
L
Variation is linear througho~t.
Therefore,
. ILD for heading moment at Eis as shown in Figure 5.6(e) .

5.7 INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAM IN A BALANCED CANTILEVER BEAM- --- - It ufil ?1"i&1r.

A typical balanced cantilever beam is shown in Figure 5.7(a) and (b). It is to be noted that points
C and D are subjected only to shear and not to moment. Influence line diagrams are drawn for
reaction at A, moment at G and moment at B.

Figure 5.7(a) A typical balanced cantilever beam-line diagram

G :k
Figure 5.7(b) A typical balanced cantilever beam-structure diagram
 Moving load
It is varying linearly. s and Influence lines for Beams 119

At X:: a Al _ - az+sa2
•
1
na---:.:.._ _ a
_ L - L (5a - z)
- 0.2 (L - z) s·
, mce, Sa "' L
At x "' 0, M. "' R 3az
G A Z"'-
L "' 06
. z
Hence, ILD for Ma is as shoWn · p·
in 1gure 5.8(g).

5 g , USE OF INFLUENCE LINE DI

. = AGRAMs
Using influence diagrams for shear force d b---:---
. · l · an ending
section lOr any given oading can be fio d . moment at a section SF and BM at that
un easily. '
W1
A
B

L- - - - - - - J
Figure 5.9(a) A simply supported beam .
SUbJected to four concentrated loads

Figure 5.9(b) ILD for Fe

I yl

A C 4~ - - ~B

Figure 5.9(c) ILD for Mc

· Figure 5.9(a) shows a simply supported beam subjected to four concentrated loads W , w ,
1 2
W3 and W4. Let y 1, y 2, y 3 and y 4 be ordinates of influence line diagram for shear force at section
Cat load points Wi, W2, W3 and W4 , respectively. (Refer Figure 5.9(b)). Then, shear force at C due
to given loadings,

Fe= W1 Y1 + W2 Y2 + W3 Yl + W4 Y4
Similarly, if Yi'+ Yi'+ y{ and y 4' are the ordinates of ILD for Mc (Figure 5.9(c)). Then,
Mc= W1 y 1'+ W2y{+ W3y{+ W4y4'
Figure 5.1O(a) shows a simply supported beam subjected to uniformly distributed load w/unit
length. If an elemental length dx i~ considered referring to Figure 5.10(b),
 120 Structural Analysis-I
w

~ dx

f
a-•_ -
=--==x,---J
/c::i.-; =_
C

x2-=----•t_--+l.) t
Figure 5.1 O(a) A simply supported beam subjected to Ud/

Lla~

Figure. 5.10(b) ILD for Fe

Ye

Figure. 5.10(c) ILD for Mc

S.F. at C due to elemental load w dx = y w dx

1
:. S.F. at C due to udl from x 1 to x2 = y w dx

= w x x Area of shaded portion in ILD for F.

C
Similarly, bending moment at C due to uniformly distributed load is equal to the intensi~i'
load times the area under the load in ILD for Mc (Figure 5. I0(c))
r '

Example 5.1 Using influence line diagrams determine the shear force and bending momen1
1
section C in the simply supported beam shown in Figure [Link](a).

Solution S.F. at C: Influence line diagram for shear force at C is as shown in Figure 5.11~(

Fe.= - 40 x 'i - f [-}+ f]

IO x x 2+
10
2
xl U+~] 2 + 60 x i,goxi
= 51.43 kN

Figure 5.11 (a) Example 5.1

 Moving Loads and Influence Lines for Beams · 121

A
B

Fl gure 5·11 (b) ILD for shear force at c

, Ye
· Y3
Y4

A D C E F G B

Figure S.11(c) ILD for bending moment at c

ILD for bending moment at C is as shown in Figure 5.1 l(c)

Maximum ordinate, 4(14-4) 20

Ye= --'---..:.. - -
14 7

10 8 20 16
Yt = -,y2 = - X - = -
7 · 10 7 7

6 20 12
Y3 = -X-=-
10 7 7

4 20 8
Y4 = -'--X-=-
10 7 7

10 IO X l[lO 20 20 16]
Mc= 40x -+-- - + - +- + - 2 + 60 x -12 + 80 x -8
7 2 7 7 7 7 7 7

= 345.71 kN-m

5.10 MAXIMUM S.F. AND B.M. VALUES DUE TO MOVING LOADS

A designer finds the position of moving loads for which shear force and bending moment values
are maximum. Influence line diagrams are used for this purpose. In this article, the following types
of loads on simply supported girder are considered:
l. Single point load
2. Unifonnly distributed load longer than the span
3. Uniformly distributed load shorter than the span
4. A train of point' loads.