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L L W/2 W/2 W: Free Body 1 Q M

This document discusses sign conventions for shear forces and bending moments. It introduces the concept that a surface is positive if its outward normal points in the x-direction and negative if opposite x. Shear forces and bending moments then have two signs - their directional sign and the sign of the relevant surface. If the signs are both positive or both negative, the force/moment is positive, and if one is positive and one negative, it is negative. Using this convention, examples of shear forces and bending moments are shown to both be positive. The sign convention ensures the internal forces are equal and opposite across free body surfaces.

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jodaki
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75 views

L L W/2 W/2 W: Free Body 1 Q M

This document discusses sign conventions for shear forces and bending moments. It introduces the concept that a surface is positive if its outward normal points in the x-direction and negative if opposite x. Shear forces and bending moments then have two signs - their directional sign and the sign of the relevant surface. If the signs are both positive or both negative, the force/moment is positive, and if one is positive and one negative, it is negative. Using this convention, examples of shear forces and bending moments are shown to both be positive. The sign convention ensures the internal forces are equal and opposite across free body surfaces.

Uploaded by

jodaki
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SIGN CONVENTIONS IN BENDING The Problem Look at shear force in three-point bend.

L W/2
free body 1 W/2 x

L W/2

M Q

Shear force Q = W/2 M free body 2

W W/2

Q + W - W/2 = 0 Q = -W/2

Is Q positive or negative?

Now look at bending moment in same system

L W/2
free body 1 W/2 x M Q

L W/2

Anticlockwise bending moment M - xW/2=0 M=Wx/2 M W free body 2 Q

W/2

M - (L - x)W + (2L - x)W/2 = 0 M = -Wx/2

Is M positive or negative?
2

We resolve the problem by introducing the concept of the sign of a surface. The surfaces concerned are those we expose when we create a free body. For beams the horizontal x axis is in the conventional direction:

x
A surface is positive when its outward normal is along the x direction. It is negative when the outward normal is in the direction opposite to the x axis. We also introduce a y direction which is vertically downwards:

y
Thus, a shear force has two signs associated with it; one defined by its direction, and one by the sign of the surface. If they are both positive or both negative, the shear force is positive. If one sign is negative and the other positive, the shear force is negative. Using this convention, the shear forces obtained for the two free bodies in the shear force problem above are both the same, i.e. positive:

We can do a similar thing for bending moment if we adopt the anticlockwise direction as the positive rotation angle. Then, the moment has the sign associated with its direction, and the sign of the relevant surface, associated with it. The bending problem above is thus resolved:

Note that whenever we create free bodies we expose surfaces at which the opposed forces and moments are equal and opposite in direction. However, use of the sign convention ensures that the shear forces and bending moments are equal. It therefore makes sense to speak of positive and negative bending.

Now look again at the cantilever example it is in negative bending. Forces and moments are drawn as if they are positive. The sign which comes out from the algebra is then the sign of the force or moment both negative.

W
shear force

W Q + W = 0; Q = - W
bending moment

Q
M x

Wx + M = 0 M = - Wx

EXAMPLES (1)

(2)

SUPERPOSITION PRINCIPLE Textbook diagram

Another example

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