MACHINE DESIGN - An Integrated Approach, 4th Ed.

Example 3-3B-1

EXAMPLE 3-3B

Shear and Moment Diagrams of a Cantilever Beam Using Singularity Functions

Problem: Determine and plot the shear and moment functions for the cantilever beam with a concentrate
load shown in Figure 3-22b.
Given: Beam length l  10 in
Distance to load w a  4  in
Applied force F  40 lbf

Assumptions: The weight of the beam is negligible compared to the applied load and so can be ignored.

Solution: See Figures 3-22b, 3-25, and Mathcad file EX0303.

q(x) = -M1<x - 0>-2 + R1<x - 0>-1 - F<x - a>-1 (a)

V(x) = -M1<x - 0>-1 + R1<x - 0>0 - F<x - a>0 + C1 (b)

M(x) = -M1<x - 0>0 + R1<x - 0>1 - F<x - a>1 + C1x+ C2 (c)

The reaction moment M1 at the wall is in the z direction and the forces R1 and F are in the y direction in
equation (b). All moments in equation (c) are in the z direction.
2. Because the reactions have been included in the loading function, the shear and moment diagrams both
close to zero at each end of the beam, making C1 = C2 = 0.
3. The reaction force R1 and the reaction moment M1 can be calculated from equations (b) and (c) respectively by
substituting the boundary conditions x = l+, V = 0, M = 0. Note that we can substitute l for l+ since their
difference is vanishingly small.

V(l) = -M1<l - 0>-1 + R1<l - 0>0 - F<l - a>0 = 0

V = R1  F = 0 (d)

R1  F R1  40 lbf

M(l) = -M1<l - 0>0 + R1<l - 0>1 - F<l - a>1 = 0

M = M1  R1 l  F  ( l  a ) = 0 (e)

M1  R1 l  F  ( l  a ) M1  160 lbf  in cw

Since w, l, and a are known from the given data, equation (e) can be solved for R1, and this result substituted
into equation (e) to find M1. Note that equation (d) is just Fy = 0, and equation (e) is M z = 0.
4. To generate the shear and moment functions over the length of the beam, equations (b) and (c) must be
evaluated for a range of values of x from 0 to l, after substituting the above values of C1, C2, R1, and M1 in them.
For a Mathcad solution, define a step function S. This function will have a value of zero when x is less than the
dummy variable z, and a value of one when it is greater than or equal to z. It will have the same effect as the
singularity function.
Range of x x  0  in 0.01 l  l

EX0303.xmcd
MACHINE DESIGN - An Integrated Approach, 4th Ed. Example 3-3B-2

Unit step function S ( x z)  if ( x  z 1 0 )

Write the shear and moment equations in Mathcad form, using the function S as a multiplying factor to get the
effect of the singularity functions.
0 0
V ( x)  R1 S ( x 0  in)  ( x  0 )  F  S ( x a )  ( x  a )

0 1 1
M ( x)  M1 S ( x 0  in)  ( x  0 )  R1 S ( x 0  in)  ( x  0 )  F  S ( x a )  ( x  a )

Plot the shear and moment diagrams.

(b) Shear Diagram (c) Moment Diagram

50 50

40 0

Moment, lb-in
 50
Shear, lb

30

20  100

10  150

0  200
0 2 4 6 8 10 0 2 4 6 8 10

Distance, in Distance, in

FIGURE 3-25
Example 3-3 Graphs

5. The largest absolute values of the shear and moment functions are of interest for the calculation of stresses in
the beam. The graphs show that the shear force and the moment are both largest at x = 0. The function values of
these points can be calculated from equations (b) and (c) respectively by substituting x = 0 and evaluating the
singularity functions:

Vmax = V(0) = R1<0 - 0>0 - F<0 - a>0 = R1

Vmax  R1 Vmax  40 lbf

M.max = M(0) = -M1<0 - 0>0 + R1<0 - 0>1 - F<0 - a>1 = -M1

Mmax  M1 Mmax  160 lbf  in

EX0303.xmcd