Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

INTERNAL FORCES IN A BEAM

Before a structural element can be designed, it is necessary to determine the
internal forces that act within the element. The internal forces for a beam
section will consist of a shear force V, a bending moment M, and an axial
force (normal force) N. For beams with no axial loading, the axial force N is
zero.

Sign Convention (considering a small segment of the member):

Shear Force V:
Positive shear tends to rotate the segment clockwise.

Moment M:
Positive moment bends the segment concave upwards.
(so as to ‘hold water’)

Axial Force N:
Tension is positive.

An important feature of the above sign convention (often called the beam
convention) is that it gives the same (positive or negative) results regardless
of which side of the section is used in computing the internal forces.
V
M M
N N

POSITIVE SIGN CONVENTION

N Axial Force N

V
M M
Shear Force Bending Moment

Page 2-1
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

PROCEDURES FOR FINDING V, M AND N AT A BEAM SECTION

1. Identify whether the beam is a determinate or an indeterminate

structure. (This chapter focuses on the analysis of determinate beam
only. Indeterminate structure requires the consideration of
compatibility condition, i.e. the deformation of the structure).

2. Compute the Support Reactions

Make use of the equilibrium equations and the equations of condition if
any.

3. Draw a Free-Body Diagram of the Beam Segment

Keep all external loading on the member in their exact location.
Draw a free-body diagram of the beam segment to the left or right of the
beam. (Although the left or right segment could equally be used, we
should select the segment that requires the least computation).
Indicate at the section the unknowns V, M and N. The directions of
these unknowns may be assumed to be the same as their positive
directions.

4. Use the Equations of Equilibrium to Determine V, M & N.

If the solution gives a negative value for V, M or N, this does not mean
the force itself is NEGATIVE. It tells that actual force or moment acts
in the reversed direction only.

5. Check the Calculations using the Opposite Beam Segment if

necessary.

Page 2-2
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 1

Determine the shear force V and the bending moment M at the section P of
the overhanging beam shown.

10 kN 15 kN
4 kN/m

A B P C D
HB
VB VC
2m 4m
10m 3m

Solution:

No. of reactions = no. of equations of equilibrium

 This is a determinate beam.

Determine reactions HB, VB and VC.

X = 0, HB = 0

Take moment about B,

M = 0, 4*10*(10/2) + 15*13 – 10*2 – VC*10 = 0
VC = 37.5 kN

Y = 0, VB + VC = 10 + 4*10 + 15
VB = 27.5 kN

Page 2-3
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Determine V and M at P (using left free-body)

10 kN
4 kN/m
MP
A B P HP
HB VP
VB
2m 4m

X = 0, since HB = 0,  HP = 0

Y = 0, VB + VP = 10 + 4*4
27.5 + VP = 26
 VP = -1.5 kN
(This implies that Vp acts in downwards direction )

Take moment about P,

10*6 + 4*4*4/2 + MP = VB*4
MP = 27.5*4 – 60 – 32 = 18 kNm

Determine V and M at P (using right free-body)

15 kN
4 kN/m
MP
HP
P
VP VC
6m 3m

Page 2-4
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

X = 0, HP = 0,

Y = 0, VC + VP = 15 + 4*6
37.5 + VP = 39
 VP = +1.5 kN
(This implies that Vp acts in upwards direction  as assumed)

Take moment about P,

15*9 + 4*6*6/2 + MP = VC*6
MP = 37.5*6 – 135 – 72 = 18 kNm
(This implies that MP acts in the direction as indicated in the
free-body diagram.)

Page 2-5
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 2

Determine the shear force V and the bending moment M at section P of the
cantilever beam.

40 kN

MA A 5 kN/m
HA
4m B P C
VA 3m 3m

Solution:

Determine the support reactions

X = 0, HA= 0,
Y = 0, VA = 5*6 + 40 = 70 kN

Take moment about A,

40 * 3 + 5*6*6/2 – MA =0
MA = 210 kNm

Determine V and M at P (using left free-body)

40 kN

A 5 kN/m P M
210 kNm P
4m B HP
70 kN V
P

X = 0, HP= 0,
Y = 0, VP + 70 = 40 + 5*4
VP = -10 kN

Page 2-6
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Take moment about P,

40*1 + 5*4*4/2 + 210 – 70*4 - Mp = 0
MP = 10 kNm

Determine V and M at P (using right free-body)

MP 5 kN/m
HP
P C
VP 2m

X = 0, HP= 0,
Y = 0, VP = 5*2 = 10 kN

Take moment about P,

5*2*1 – Mp = 0
MP = 10 kNm

*Both the left free-body and the right free-body can be used to obtain the
results. However, it is noted that by using the right free-body will greatly
simplified the calculations. This shows importance of choosing the
appropriate free-body.

Page 2-7
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAMS

By the methods discussed before, i.e. by using free-body diagrams, the

magnitude and sign of the shear forces and bending moments may be
obtained at many sections of a beam. When these values are plotted on a
base line representing the length of a beam, the resulting diagrams are called,
respectively, the shear force diagram and the bending moment diagram.

Shear force and bending moment diagrams are very useful to a designer, as
they allow him to see at a glance the critical sections of the beam and the
forces to design for. Draftmanlike precision in drawing the shear force and
bending moment diagrams is usually not necessary, as long as the
significant numerical values are clearly marked on the diagram.

The most fundamental approach in constructing the shear force and bending
moment diagrams for a beam is to use the procedure of sectioning. With
some experience, it is not difficult to identify the sections at which the shear
force and bending moment diagrams between these sections are readily
identified after some experience and can be sketched in.

Page 2-8
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 3

Draw the shear force and the bending moment diagrams for the beam
shown.

8 kN

2 kN/m
A C
B
HA
VA VC
5m 3m

Solution:

X = 0, HA = 0
Take moment about A,
2*8*8/2 + 8*5 – VC*8 = 0
VC = 13 kN

Y = 0, VA + VC = 2*8 + 8
 VA + 13 = 2*8 + 8
 VA = 11 kN

2 kN/m HX
M
X
11 kN V
x X

For 0  x  5m

X = 0, HX = 0
Y = 0, VX + 2x = 11,  VX =11 - 2x

Take moment about the “cut”,

Page 2-9
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

11x – 2x(x)/2 – Mx = 0, Mx = 11x – x2

8 kN

2 kN/m HX
M
B X
11 kN VX
5m
x

For 5  x  8m

X = 0, HX = 0
Y = 0, VX + 11 = 2x + 8,  VX = 2x - 3

Take moment about X,

11x – 2x(x)/2 – 8*(x-5) - Mx = 0, Mx = 11x – x2 –8x + 40

Mx = 3x – x2 + 40

X (m) 0 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8
V 11 9 7 5 3 1 -7 -9 -11 -13
(kN)
M 0 10 18 24 28 30 30 22 12 0
(kNM)

Page 2-10
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

8 kN

2 kN/m
A C
B
11 kN 13 kN
5m 3m

+ve
11
9 7 5 Shear Force (kN)
3
1B
A C

-7
-9
-11
-13
A B
C
0 0
10 12
+ve 18
24 22
28 30
Bending Moment (kNm)

Page 2-11
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 4

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for a cantilever beam
carrying a distributed load with intensity varies linearly from w per unit
length at the fixed end to zero at free end.

w kN/m
wx
l
MA
HA
VA B
X

Solution:

At any section distance x from the free end B,

2
 wx  x  wx
Vx =    
 l  2  2l
 wx 2  x  wx 3
Mx =      
 3 
 2l  6l

Page 2-12
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

w kN/m
wx
l
M
HA A
VA B
X
wx
l
Mx
Hx
x
Vx

Vx = wx2/2l
Shear Force Diagram
wl/2

-wl /6 Bending Moment Diagram

Mx = -wx3 /6l

Page 2-13
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 5

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam subjected
to a concentrated moment M* at point C.

A C M* B
HB
VA VB
a b
L

Solution:
X = 0, HB = 0

Take moment about A,

VB * L = M*,  VB = M*/L ()

Y = 0, VB – VA = 0,  VA = M*/L ()

Take the left free-body (for 0  x < a)

HX
A M
X
V
M*/L X
x

X = 0, HX = 0

Y = 0, VX = M*/L

Take moment about the cut section,

(M*/L)*(x) = MX (hogging moment)

Take the left free-body (for a < x  L)

Page 2-14
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

A C M* M
X
VX
M*/L
a
x

Y = 0, VX = M*/L

Take moment about the cut section,

(M*/L)*(x) + MX = M*
MX = M* - (M*/L)*(x)  MX = M*(L – x)/L

Page 2-15
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

A C M* B

M* /L M* /L
a b
L

Shear Force Diagram

-M*/L

-M*a/L

B
A C Bending Moment
Diagram

M* b/L

Page 2-16
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 6

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown. C
is an internal hinge of the beam.

W W
MA
HA E
A B C D
VA
VE
L L L L

Solution:

This beam has four support reactions. We can use the equations of
equilibrium (3 nos.) together with the equation of condition (1 no. – internal
hinge at C) to find the support reactions. Therefore this is a determinate
beam.

Cut the beam into the left and right free-body diagrams.

W W
VC
MA HC HC
HA E
A B C D
VA VC VE
L L L L

Remember:
1. The internal forces at the hinge of the left and right free-body
diagrams should be equal but opposite in direction.
2. There is no bending moment at the internal hinge.

Consider the right free-body,

Page 2-17
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

X = 0, HC = 0

Take moment about C,

VE*(2L) – WL = 0,  VE = W/2

Y = 0, VE + VC = W,  VC = W/2

Consider the left free-body,

X = 0, HC = HA = 0

Y = 0, VA = VC + W, VA = 3W/2

Take moment about A,

MA = W*(L) + VC*(2L),  MA = 2WL

Page 2-18
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

W W
2WL
E
A B C D
3W/2 W/2
L L L L

3W/2 3W/2

W/2 W/2
Shear Force
D E Diagram
A B C
-W/2
-2WL

-WL/2 Bending Moment

C D E Diagram
A
B
WL/2

Page 2-19
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LOAD, SHEAR FORCE AND

BENDING MOMENT

Consider a beam element subjected to distributed load as shown below.

M M+dM

V+dV
dx

Y = 0, V = q(dx) + (V+dV)
B B
dV
   q   dV    qdx
dx A A
B
 VB – VA =   qdx
A
= - (area of load-intensity diagram between points A and B)

M = 0, -M + q(dx)(dx)/2 + (M+dM) - V(dx) = 0

Ignore the higher order terms,
B B
dM
we get  V   dM   Vdx
dx A A
B
 MB – MA =  Vdx
A
= area of shear force diagram between points A and B.

Page 2-20
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

SUMMARY OF THE RELATONSHIPS BETWEEN LOADS, SHEAR

FORCE AND BENDING MOMENTS

Slope of shear force diagram at a = Intensity of distributed load at

point that point

Change in shear between points = Area under the distributed load

A and B diagram between points A and B.

Slope of bending moment = Shear at that point

diagram at a point.

Change in bending moment = Area under the shear force

between points A and B. diagram between points A and B.

Concentrated Loads

Change in shear at the point of = Magnitude of the load.

application of a concentrated
load.

Couples or Concentrated Moments

Change in bending moment at the = Magnitude of the moment of the

point of application of a couple. couple.

Page 2-21
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

SHAPES OF SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT

DIAGRAMS

A. Beams under Point Loads only

1. Shears are constant along sections between point loads.
2. The shear force diagram consists of a series of horizontal lines.
3. The bending moment varies linearly between point loads.
4. The bending moment diagram is composed of sloped lines.

B. Beams under Uniformly Distributed Loads (UDL) only

1. A Uniformly Distributed Load produces linearly varying shear
forces.
2. The shear force diagram consists of a sloped line or a series of
sloped lines.
3. A UDL produces parabolically varying moment.
4. The bending moment diagram is composed of 2nd-order
parabolic curves.

C. Beams under General Loading

1. Section with No Load:
Shear force diagram is a Horizontal Straight Line.
Moment Diagram is a Sloping Straight Line.

2. At a Point Load:
There is a Jump in the Shear Force Diagram.

3. At a Point Moment:
There is a Jump in the Bending Moment Diagram.

4. Section under UDL:

Shear Force Diagram is a sloping straight line (1st order)
Bending Moment Diagram is a Curve (2nd order parabolic)

5. Section under Linearly Varying Load

Shear Force Diagram is a Curve (2nd order)
Bending Moment Diagram is a Curve (3rd order)

Page 2-22
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

6. The Curve of the Bending Moment Diagram is 1 order above

the Curve of the Shear Force Diagram.

7. Maximum and Minimum Bending Moments occur where the

Shear Force Diagram passes through the X-axis (i.e. at points of
zero shear) (This characteristics is very useful in finding Max.
and Min. bending moment.)

Page 2-23
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 7

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown.

20 kN 40 kN
4 kN/m
A F
B C D E
HA
VA V
F
1.5m 1.5m 3m 1.5m 1.5m

Solution:

X = 0, HA = 0 kN

Take moment about A,

20*1.5 + 4*3*(3 + 3/2) + 40*7.5 – VF*9 = 0
 VF = 42.7 kN

Y = 0, VA + VF = 20 + 40 + 4*3
 VA = 29.3 kN

Page 2-24
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Shear Force and Bending Moment

20 kN 40 kN
4 kN/m
A F
B C D E
29.3 42.7

29.3 29.3

+44.0 2.325m
9.3
-0.9 -4.0
+14.0 +10.8 E F
0
A B C -2.7
D
-63.9
Shear Force (kN)

-42.7 -42.7

A B C D E F
0

44
58
63.9
68.8 67.9

Bending Moment (kNm)

Page 2-25
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 8

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown.

10 kN 20 kN
4 kN/m
A B C D E
HB
VB VD
2m 2m 4m 2m

Solution:

X = 0, HB = 0 kN

Take moment about B,

20*2 + 4*8*4 – 10*2 – VD*6 = 0
 VD = 24.7 kN

Y = 0, VB + VD = 10 + 20 + 4*8
 VB = 37.3 kN

Page 2-26
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Shear Force and Bending Moment

10 kN 20 kN
4 kN/m
A B C D E
37.3 24.7

1
27.3
4
19.3
+46.7 8 1
A B C D +8 4 0
-20 -0.7 -34.7
E
4
-10 -10 1

Shear Force (kN) -16.7

-20
1
10 -8
C 0
A B D E

+26.7
Bending Moment (kNm)

Page 2-27
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Deflected Shape of a Beam

The qualitative deflected shape (also called “elastic curve”) of a beam is

simply an approximate and exaggerated sketch of the deformed beam due to
the given loading. The deflected shape is useful in understanding the
structural behaviour.

Sketching the Deflected Shape of a Beam

1. The deflected shape must be consistent with the support conditions:

(a) At a Roller Support, the vertical deflection is zero but the beam
may rotate freely.
(b) At a Pin Support, the vertical and horizontal deflections are zero
but the beam may rotate freely.
(c) At a Fixed Support, the vertical and horizontal deflections are zero
and there is no rotation.

2. The deflected shape must be consistent with the Bending Moment

Diagram.
(a) Where the moment is positive, the deflected shape is concave
upwards (  ).
(b) Where the moment is negative, the deflected shape is concave
downwards (  ).

3. The transition points between positive and negative moment regions are
points of zero moment. These points are called “point of inflection” or
“point of contraflexure”.

4. The deflected shape must be a smooth curve except at internal hinges.

Normally, the vertical deflection at an internal hinge is not zero.

5. Quite often it is possible to sketch the deflected shape of a structure first

and then to infer the shape of the bending moment diagram from the
sketch. This is useful for checking whether a bending moment diagram
obtained through calculations is correct.

Page 2-28
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Deflected Shape

A B C

Bending Moment

+ve moment -ve moment

A B
Deflected Shape C

point of inflection

Page 2-29
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Examples of Beam Deflected Shape

Page 2-30
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Examples of Beam Deflected Shape

Examples of Beam Deflected Shape

Page 2-31
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Examples of Beam Deflected Shape

Page 2-32
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 9

Construct the complete shear force and bending moment diagrams, and
sketch the deflected shape for the beam shown.

10 kN
20 kN
30 kN/m

A B C D

2m 5m 2m

Solution:

10 kN
20 kN
30 kN/m

A B C D
HB
VB VC
2m 5m 2m

X = 0, HB = 0 kN

Take moment about B,

20*7 + 30*7*(3.5 – 2) + (30*2/2)*(5 + 2/3) - 10*2 – VC*5 = 0
 VC = 121 kN

Y = 0, VB + VC = 10 + 20 + 30*7 + 30*2/2
 VB = 149 kN

Page 2-33
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

79

50

20

A
B C D
-10

-70 -71
2.63m

Shear Force (kN)

-80
-60

A B C D
24
2.63 m

Bending Moment (kNm)

10 kN 20 kN
30 kN/m

A B C D
P.I. P.I.
Deflected Shape

Page 2-34
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 10

Construct the complete shear force and bending moment diagrams, and
sketch the deflected shape for the beam shown. B is an internal hinge of the
beam.

50 kN
20 kN/m

A B C D

6m 6m 2m

Solution:

50 kN
MA 20 kN/m
HA
A B C D
VA VC
6m 6m 2m

Consider the free-body diagram BCD,

Page 2-35
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

50 kN
20 kN/m
HB
B C D
VB VC
MA VB
HA
A B HB
VA
Free-body Diagram

X = 0, HB = 0 kN

Take moment about B,

20*6*3 + 50*8 - VC*6 = 0
 VC = 126.7 kN

Y = 0, VB + VC = 20*6 + 50
 VB = 43.3 kN

Consider the free-body diagram of AB

X = 0, HA = HB = 0 kN

Take moment about A,

43.3*6 – MA = 0
 MA = 259.8 kNm

Y = 0, VA – 43.3 = 0
 VA = 43.3 kN

Page 2-36
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

43.3 50 50
43.3

A B C D
2.165 m

Shear Force (kN) -76.7

-259.8

-100

A B C D
46.9
2.165 m

Bending Moment (kNm)

50 kN
20 kN/m

A B C D

pt. of inflection
Deflected Shape

Page 2-37
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 11

Construct the complete shear force and bending moment diagrams, and
sketch the deflected shape for the beam shown. Joint C is an internal hinge.

100 kN
30 kN/m

A B E
C D

10 m 5m 3m 3m

Solution:

100 kN
30 kN/m

A B E
C D
HA
VA VB VE
10 m 5m 3m 3m

Page 2-38
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Consider the free-body diagram of CDE

100 kN
30 kN/m
Vc

A
Hc E
B C Hc C D
HA V
VA VB c VE

By symmetry, VC = VE = 100/2 = 50 kN

X = 0, HC = 0 kN

Consider the free-body diagram of ABC,

X = 0, HA = HC = 0 kN

Take moment about A,

50*15 + 30*15/2*5 – VB*10 = 0
 VB = 187.5 kN

Y = 0, VA + VB = 50 + 30*15/2
 VA = 87.5 kN

Page 2-39
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Determination of the position of zero shear force

30 kN/m
2X kN/m 50 kN

A P P B C
M M
87.5 187.5
X

Let P be the position where the shear force equals to zero.

Consider the vertical equilibrium of the right hand side diagram,

2X (X/2) + 50 – 187.5 = 0

 X = 11.73 m

Determination of the value of maximum bending moment

Consider the right hand side free body,

Take moment about P,

Page 2-40
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

2X (X/2)*(X/3) + 50X – 187.5 (X – 5) + M =0

X3/3 – 137.5X + 937.5 + M = 0

M = -11.733/3 + 137.5*11.73 – 937.5

M = 137.4 kNm.

Determination of the position of zero bending moment

Consider the free-body diagram below,

2X kN/m 50 kN

Q B C

187.5
X

Take moment about Q,

2X (X/2)*(X/3) + 50X – 187.5 (X – 5) =0

X3/3 – 137.5X + 937.5 = 0

X = 8.11 m

Page 2-41
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

87.5
75
50

D E
A B C
-50 -50

-112.5
11.73 m

Shear Force (kN)

-291.7

A D E
B C

137.4 150
8.11 m

11.73 m

Bending Moment (kNm)

100 kN
30 kN/m

A B E
C D
P.I.

Deflected Shape

Page 2-42
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Example 12

Construct the complete shear force and bending moment diagrams, and
sketch the deflected shape for the beam shown. Joints D and F are internal
hinges.

150 kN
120 kN 5 4
3 10 kN/m
A C
H
B D E F G
2m 3m 3m 2m 6m
5m 5m

Solution:

Resolve the inclined external load into vertical and horizontal components.
120 kN
120 kN
90 kN 10 kN/m
A C
H
B D E F G
HA
VA VC VG VH
5m 5m 2m 3m 3m 2m 6m

Page 2-43
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Break the beam into three free-body diagrams, namely ABCD, DEF and
FGH.
120 kN

90 kN
HD HF
VD D E F VF
120 kN
VD VF 10 kN/m
C HD
A HF H
H B D F G
A VA VC VG VH

Consider the free-body FGH first,

X = 0, HF = 0

Consider the free-body DEF,

By symmetry, VD = VF = 120/2 = 60 kN

X = 0, HD = HF +90 = 0 + 90 = 90 kN.

Consider the free-body ABCD,

X = 0, HA = HD , HA = 90 kN.

Take moment about A,

120*5 + 60*12 = VC*10, VC = 132 kN.

Y = 0, VA + VC = 120 + 60 , VA = 48 kN.

Consider the free-body FGH ,

Take moment about H,
60*8 + 10*8*4 = VG*6, VG = 133.3 kN.

Y = 0, VG + VH = 10*8 + 60 , VH = 6.7 kN.

Page 2-44
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

60 60 53.3
48 48
C
H
A B D E F G -6.7
-60 -60 -80
-72 -72
5.33 m

Shear Force (kN)

-120 -140

B E
H
A C D F G 2.2

180 5.33 m
240
Bending Moment (kNm)

150 kN
120 kN 5 4
10 kN/m
A C D 3

H
F G
B E

Deflected Shape

Page 2-45
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION

The principle of superposition states that on a linear elastic structure, the

combined effect (e.g., support reactions, internal forces and deformation) of
several loads acting simultaneously is equal to the algebraic sum of the
effects of each load acting individually.

There are two conditions for which superposition is NOT valid.

1. When the structural material does not behave according to Hooke’s law;
that is, when the stress is not proportional to the strain.
2. When the deflections of the structure are so large that computations
cannot be based on the original geometry of the structure.

Page 2-46
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Principle of Superposition

P2 P1
w kN/m
MA
HA
VA
L L

2P1 L

(a)
m1 B.M. due to P1

+
P 2L

(b) m2
B.M. due to P2
2
+ 2wL

(c) m3
B.M. due to w

2P1 L + P 2L +2wL2

m 1 + m2 + m3
(d) Complete bending
moment diagram

Page 2-47
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

SUPERPOSITION

-77.5

-52.5

5 kN
4 kN/m 40 kNm -12.5
77.5

15
2.5m 2.5m

-12.5
4 kN/m
12.5

10

+ +
5 kN -25
-12.5
25

5
+
+
-40 -40

40 40 kNm

Superposition of loading Superposition of

bending moment (kNm)

Page 2-48
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Bending Moment Diagrams by Parts

-20 kNm
10 kN
5 kN/m

5 kN 25 kN 10 kNm -20 kNm

4m 2m

2.5 kNm

5 kN/m

10 kN 10 kN 10 kNm

+ +
-20 kNm
10 kN

5 kN 15 kN Bending Moment

Page 2-49
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Tutorial 2 (Analysis of Beams)

Find the support reactions, draw the shear force and bending moment
diagrams, and sketch the deflected shapes of the beams shown below.

Q1.
15 kN/m

A B C D
(internal hinge)
8m 8m 4m

Q2.

200 kN
40 kN/m

A B C D
5m 5m 12m

C is an internal hinge

Q3.

100 kN 150 kN
25 kN/m
A
B C D E F

3m 3m 4m 4m 8m

C is an internal hinge

Q4.
Page 2-50
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

100 kN
15 kN/m
10 kN/m
A F G
B C D E
6m 3m 3m 3m 3m 6m

C & E are internal hinges

Q5.

150 kN 60 kN 80 kN 30 kN

C
A B G
D E F

4m 4m 4m 4m 4m 4m

E is an internal hinge

Q6.

20 kN
3 kN/m
C
A E
B D

2.5m 2.5m 2m 4m

D is an internal hinge

Page 2-51
 Chapter 2 – Analysis of Determinate Beams

Q7.

100 kN 50 kN 50 kN 20 kN

C F
A
B D E G

3m 3m 6m 3m 3m 6m

D is an internal hinge

Q8.

5 kN 4 kN 3 kN

5 kN/m

A B C D E

3m 2m 2m 2m

B is an internal hinge

Q9.

6 kN/m
3 kN/m
A D
B C E

5m 2m 5m 2m

C is an internal hinge

Page 2-52