Influence line diagrams for

statically determinate structures

Module 6
 Introduction
• Shear and moment diagrams represent the most descriptive methods for displaying the
variation of fixed loads in a member.
• If a structure is subjected to a live or moving load, the variation of the shear and bending
moment in the member is best described using the influence line.
• An influence line represents the variation of either the reaction, shear, or moment, at a
specific point in a member as a concentrated force moves along the member.
• Once this line is constructed, one can tell at a glance where the moving load should be placed
on the structure so that it creates the greatest influence at the specified point.
• Furthermore, the magnitude of the associated reaction, shear, or moment at the point can
then be calculated from the ordinates of the influence-line diagram.
• It is for these reasons that influence lines play an important part in the design of bridges,
industrial crane rails, conveyors, and other structures where loads move across their span.
• . Influence lines represent the effect of a moving load only at a specified point on a member,
whereas shear and moment diagrams represent the effect of fixed loads at all points along the
axis of the member
 Procedure for analysis
• Procedure1: Tabulate Values
• Place a unit load at various locations, x, along the member, and at each location use
statics to determine the value of the function (reaction, shear, or moment) at the
specified point.
• If the influence line for a vertical force reaction at the support of a beam is to be
constructed, consider the reaction to be positive when it acts upward on the beam.
• If a shear or moment influence line is to be drawn for a point, take the shear or moment
at the point as positive according to the same sign convention used for drawing shear
and moment diagrams.
• All statically determinate beams will have influence lines that consist of straight line
segments.
• To avoid errors, first construct a table, listing the “unit load at x” versus the
corresponding value of the function calculated at the specific point; that is, “reaction R,”
“shear V,” or “moment M.” Once the load has been placed at various points along the
span, the tabulated values can be plotted and the influence-line segments constructed.
• Procedure 2: Influence-Line Equations
• The influence line can also be constructed by placing the unit load at a variable
position x on the member and then calculating the value of R, V, or M at the point
as a function of x.
• In this manner, the equations of the various line segments composing the
influence line can be determined and plotted.
Example 1
• Construct the influence line for the vertical reaction at A of the beam shown in
Figure.
Solution: Procedure 1 - Tabulate Values.
• A unit load is placed on the beam at each selected point x, and the corresponding
value of Ay is calculated by summing moments about B
 Solution: Procedure 2 - Influence-Line Equation
• Rather than placing the unit load at specific points on the beam and plotting the
values of Ay for each point, we can place the unit load a variable distance x from A.

The reaction Ay as a function of x can be determined from

This is the equation of the influence line, plotted

Example 2
• Construct the influence line for the vertical reaction at B of the beam
shown.
 Procedure 1 - Tabulate Values

Procedure 2 - Influence-Line Equation

We must determine the reaction By when the unit load is placed a distance x from A
 Example 3
• Construct the influence line for the shear at point C of the beam shown
Procedure 1 - Tabulate Values
At each selected position x of the unit load, the method of sections is used
to calculate the value of 𝑉𝐶 .
In particular, the unit load must be placed just to the left (x = 2.5 - ) and just
to the right (x = 2.5 + ) of point C since the shear is discontinuous at C
Procedure 2 - Influence-Line Equation
Here two equations have to be determined, since there are two segments for the
influence line due to the discontinuity of shear at C
First we determine Ay Then obtain the internal shear at C for each region,
Example 4:
• Construct the influence line for the shear at point C of the beam
shown
Example 5
• Construct the influence line for the moment at point C of the beam
shown
• At each selected position of the unit load, the moment MC is calculated using the
method of sections

This diagram gives the moment at C as the unit load

moves from one position to the next along the beam.
Influence line equations
Example 6
• Construct the influence line for the moment at point C of the beam
shown
Influence-Line Equations
 Influence lines for beams
• Once the influence line for a function (reaction, shear, or moment) has been constructed, it
will then be possible to position the live loads on the beam so that they produce the
maximum value of the function.
• Two types of loadings will now be considered:
• Concentrated Force: Since the numerical values of a function for an influence line are
determined using a dimensionless unit load, then for any concentrated force F acting on the
beam at any position 𝑥, the value of the function can be found by multiplying the ordinate of
the influence line at the position x by the magnitude of 𝐹.
Consider the influence line for the reaction at A.
1 1
If the moving unit load is at 𝑥 = 2 𝐿, the reaction at A is 𝐴𝑦 = 2 ,
And so if the moving force F N is at this same point, the reaction is
1
𝐴𝑦 = 𝐹 N
2
Maximum influence caused by 𝐹 occurs when it is placed on the
beam at the same location as the peak of the influence line, which in
this case is at 𝑥 = 0, where the reaction would be 𝐴𝑦 = (1)(𝐹) N
• Uniform load: Now consider a portion of a beam subjected to a uniform
load 𝑤0.
• As shown, each 𝑑𝑥 segment of this load creates a concentrated force of
𝑑𝐹 = 𝑤0𝑑𝑥 on the beam.
• If 𝑑𝐹 is located at 𝑥, where the beam’s influence-line ordinate for some
function (reaction, shear, moment) is 𝑦, then the value of the function is
(𝑑𝐹 )(𝑦) = (𝑤0𝑑𝑥)𝑦.
• The effect of all the concentrated forces 𝑑𝐹 is determined by integrating
over the entire length of the beam, that is 𝑤0 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑤0 𝑦 𝑑𝑥
• Since 𝑦 𝑑𝑥 is equivalent to the area under the influence line, then, in
general, the value of a function (reaction, shear, or moment) caused by a
uniform distributed load is simply the area under the influence line for
the function multiplied by the intensity of the uniform load.
• For example, in the case of the beam shown subjected to the moving
distributed load w0, the reaction 𝐴𝑦 can be determined from the
1 1
influence line as 𝐴𝑦 = (𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎)(𝑤0 ) = (1)𝐿 𝑤0 = 𝑤0 𝐿
2 2
• This value can, of course, also be determined from statics by considering
the beam to be fully loaded with w0 and then calculating 𝐴𝑦
Example
• Determine the maximum positive shear that can be developed at
point C in the beam shown due to a concentrated moving load of 4 kN
and a uniform moving load of 2 kN/m
Notice that once the positions of the loads have been established using the influence line, this value of (VC) max can also
be determined using statics and the method of sections. Show that this is the case
 Example:
• The frame structure shown is used to support a hoist for transferring loads for
storage at points underneath it. It is anticipated that the load on the dolly is 3 kN
and the beam CB has a mass of 24kg/m. Assume the dolly has negligible size and
can travel the entire length of the beam. Also, assume A is a roller and B is a pin.
Determine the maximum vertical support reactions at A and B and the maximum
moment in the beam at D.
 Maximum Reaction at A
Maximum Reaction at B Maximum Moment at D
First draw the influence line for Ay

when a unit load is at A

the reaction at A is 1

Maximum value for Ay occurs when

the dolly is at C

The dead load (beam = 3.31 kN

weight) must be placed over
the entire length of the
beam
 Lecture 38
23/4/24
Influence line diagrams
 Qualitative influence lines
• In 1886, Heinrich Müller-Breslau developed a technique for constructing the shape of an
influence line without the need for calculation.
• Referred to as the Müller-Breslau principle, it states that the influence line for a loading
(reaction, shear, or moment) is to the same scale as the deflected shape of the beam when the
beam is acted upon by the loading.
• In order to draw this deflected shape, the capacity of the beam to resist the applied loading
must be removed so the beam can deflect when the loading is applied.
• For example, consider the beam in Fig. a. If the shape of the influence line for the vertical
reaction at A is to be determined, the pin is first replaced by a roller guide as shown in Fig. b. A
roller guide is necessary since the beam must still resist a horizontal force at A but no vertical
force. When the positive (upward) force Ay (loading) is then applied at A, the beam deflects to
the dashed position, which represents the general shape of the influence line for Ay, Fig. c.
• If the shape of the influence line for the shear (loading) at C is to be determined, Fig. a, the
connection at C is symbolized by a roller guide as shown in Fig. b. This device will resist a moment
and axial force but no shear. Applying a positive shear force VC to the beam at C and allowing the
beam to deflect to the dashed position, we find the influence-line shape as shown in Fig. c.
• Finally, if the shape of the influence line for the moment (loading) at C, Fig. a, is to be determined,
an internal hinge or pin is placed at C, since this connection resists axial and shear forces but
cannot resist a moment, Fig. b. Applying positive moments MC to the beam, the beam then
deflects to the dashed position, which is the shape of the influence line, Fig. c.
• The proof of the Müller-Breslau principle can be established using the principle of virtual work.
• Recall that work is the product of either a displacement and force in the direction of the displacement or a
rotation and moment in the direction of the rotation.
• If a rigid body (beam) is in equilibrium, the sum of all the forces and moments on it must be equal to zero.
• Consequently, if the body is given an imaginary or virtual displacement, the work done by all these forces and
couple moments must also be equal to zero.
• Consider, for example, the simply supported beam shown in Fig. a, which is subjected to a unit load placed at an
arbitrary point x along its length.
• If the roller at A is removed and the beam is given a virtual (or imaginary) displacement 𝛿𝑦 at A, Fig. b, then
only the support reaction Ay and the unit load do virtual work. (The support at B does not move and therefore
the force at B does no work.) Specifically, Ay does positive work, 𝐴𝑦 𝛿𝑦, and the unit load does negative work,
− 1𝛿𝑦 ′ . Since the beam is in equilibrium and therefore does not actually move, the virtual work must sum to
zero, i.e
Since 𝛿𝑦 is constant and 𝛿𝑦 ′ depends upon its location x
on the beam, then the value of Ay is proportional to the
ordinate or height 𝛿𝑦 ′ of the deflected (dashed) shape of
the beam. This proves the Müller-Breslau principle for
reactions.
• In the same manner, if the beam is sectioned at C, and the beam
undergoes a virtual displacement 𝛿𝑦 at this point, Fig. c, then only
the internal shear at C and the unit load at the arbitrary position x
do work. Thus, the virtual work equation is

and again since VC is proportional to 𝛿𝑦 ′ , the shape of the

influence line for the shear at C has been established.

Lastly, assume a hinge or pin is introduced into the beam at point C,

Fig. d. If a virtual rotation 𝛿𝜙 is introduced at the pin, virtual work
will be done only by the internal moment and the unit load. So

which indicates that the deflected beam has the same shape as the influence
line for the internal moment at point C.

Once the influence-line shape has been established, the ordinates at the peaks can be determined by using
the basic method. Also, by simply knowing the general shape of the influence line, it is possible to locate the
live load on the beam and then determine the maximum value of the function by using statics.
 Example: For each beam in Figs. a through c, sketch the influence line for the
vertical reaction at A.
• The support is replaced by a roller guide at A since it will resist Ax, but not Ay. The force Ay is then applied.

• A double-roller guide must be used at A in this case, since this type of support will resist both a moment
MA at the support and axial load Ax, but will not resist Ay.
• Again, a roller guide is placed at A and the force Ay is applied
Example: For each beam in Figs. a through c, sketch the influence line for the
shear at B.
• The roller guide is introduced at B and the positive shear VB is applied.
• Notice that the right segment of the beam will not deflect since the roller at A actually
constrains the beam from moving vertically, either up or down.
Again, the roller guide is placed at B, the positive shear is applied, and the deflected shape and
corresponding influence line are shown. Note that the left segment of the beam does not deflect, due to
the fixed support.

• Placing the roller guide at B and applying the positive shear at B yields the deflected shape
and corresponding influence line.
 Example: For each beam in Figs. a through c, sketch the influence line for the
moment at B.
• A hinge is introduced at B and positive moments MB are applied. The deflected shape and
corresponding influence line are shown

• With the hinge and positive moment at B the deflected shape and influence line are shown. The
left segment of the beam is constrained from moving due to the fixed wall at A
• Placing a hinge at B and applying positive moments MB to the beam yields the deflected
shape and influence line.
Example
• Determine the maximum positive moment that can be developed at
point D in the beam shown in Fig due to a concentrated moving load
of 16 kN, a uniform moving load of 3 kN/m, and a beam weight of 2
kN/m
• A hinge is placed at D and positive moments MD are applied to
the beam.
• The deflected shape and corresponding influence line are shown
in Fig. b.
• Here the concentrated moving load of 4 kN creates a maximum
positive moment at D when it is placed at D, i.e., the positive
peak of the influence line.
• Also, the uniform moving load of 3 kN/m must extend from C to
E in order to cover the region where the area of the influence
line is positive.
• Finally, the uniform dead weight of 2 kN/m acts over the entire
length of the beam.
• The loading is shown on the beam in Fig. c.
• Knowing the position of the loads, we can now determine the
maximum moment at D using statics.
• In Fig. d the reactions on BE have been calculated.
• Sectioning the beam at D and using segment DE, Fig. e, we have
• This problem can also be worked by using numerical values for the influence line.
• Actually, by inspection of Fig. b, only the peak value h at D must be determined.
• This requires placing a unit load on the beam at D in Fig. given and then solving for the internal
moment in the beam at D.
• The calculations are shown in Fig. f.
• Thus MD = h = 1.333.
• By proportional triangles,
• Hence, with the loading on the beam as in Fig. c, using the areas and positive peak value of the
influence line, Fig.b, we have
 Maximum influence at a point due to a series of concentrated loads
• Once the influence line for a reaction, shear, or moment has been established for a point in a
structure, the maximum effect caused by a moving concentrated force is determined by multiplying
the peak ordinate of the influence line by the magnitude of the force.
• In some cases, however, several concentrated forces may move along the structure.
• An example would be the wheel loadings of a truck or train such as shown in Fig.
• In order to determine the maximum effect in this case, either a trial-and-error procedure can be
used or a method that is based on the change in the reaction, shear, or moment that takes place as
the load is moved.
• Each of these methods will now be explained.
• Shear
• Consider the simply supported beam with the associated influence line for the shear at
point C in Fig. a.
• The maximum positive shear at point C is to be determined when a series of concentrated
(wheel) loads moves from right to left over the beam. The critical loading will occur when
one of the loads is placed just to the right of point C, which is coincident with the positive
peak of the influence line (0.75).
• By trial and error each of three possible cases can
therefore be investigated, Fig. b.

• When many moving concentrated loads act on the span, as in the case
of the train, the trial-and-error calculations can be tedious.
• Instead, the critical position of the loads can be determined in a more
direct manner by finding the change in shear, ∆V, which occurs when the
loads move from Case 1 to Case 2, then from Case 2 to Case 3, etc.
• As long as each computed ∆V is positive, the new position will yield a
larger shear in the beam at C than the previous position. Each
movement is investigated until a negative change in shear is calculated.
When this occurs, the previous position of the loads will give the critical
value.
• To illustrate this method numerically consider again the beam, loading, and influence line for VC,
shown in Fig.a. Since the slope is

And the jump at C has a magnitude

then when the loads of Case 1 move 1.5 m to Case 2, Fig b, the 4.5-kN load jumps down (-1)
and all the loads move up the slope of the influence line. This causes a change of shear of

• Since this result is positive, Case 2 will yield a larger value for VC than Case 1. [Compare the
answers for (VC)1 and (VC)2 previously calculated, where indeed (VC)2 = (VC)1 + 0.563.]
• Investigating ∆V2 - 3, which occurs when Case 2 moves to Case 3, Fig. b, we must account for
the downward (negative) jump of the 18-kN load and the 1.5-m horizontal movement of all
the loads up the slope of the influence line. We have
 Moment
• We can also use the foregoing methods to determine the critical position of a series of moving
concentrated forces so that they create the largest internal moment at a specific point in a
structure.
• Of course, it is first necessary to draw the influence line for the moment at the point.
• As an example, consider the beam, loading, and influence line for the moment at point C in
Fig. a.
• If each of the three concentrated forces is placed on the beam, coincident with the peak of the
influence line, we will obtain the greatest influence from each force.
• The three cases of loading are shown in Fig.b.
• When the loads of Case 1 are moved 1.2 m to the left to Case
2, it is observed that the 9-kN load decreases ∆M1 - 2, since
the slope (2.25/3) is downward, Fig. a.
• Likewise, the 18-kN and 13.5-kN forces cause an increase of
∆M1 - 2, since the slope [2.25/(12 - 3)] is upward. We have
 Influence lines for statically indeterminate
beams
• The Müller-Breslau principle states that the influence line for a
function (reaction, shear, or moment) is to the same scale as the
deflected shape of the beam when the beam is acted upon by the
function.
• To draw the deflected shape properly, the capacity of the beam to
resist the function must be removed so the beam can deflect when
the function is applied.
• For statically determinate beams, the deflected shapes (or the
influence lines) will be a series of straight line segments. For statically
indeterminate beams, curves will result.
 Reaction at A
• If we use the basic method to determine the influence line for the
reaction at A in Fig.a, then we must place a unit load on the beam
at successive points, and at each point determine the reaction at
A. A plot of these results yields the influence line.
• For example, when the load is at point D, Fig. a, the reaction Ay
then represents the ordinate of the influence line at D.
• It can be determined by the force method, as shown in Figs. a-c.
• The compatibility equation for point A is thus 0 = fAD + AyfAA, and
so Ay = -fAD/fAA. However, by Maxwell’s theorem of reciprocal
displacements, fAD = -fDA, Fig. d, and so we can also calculate Ay (or
the ordinate of the influence line at D) using the equation

• By comparison, the Müller-Breslau principle requires removal of

the support at A and application of a vertical unit load. The
resulting deflection curve, Fig. d, is to some scale the shape of the
influence line for Ay. From the above equation, however, it is seen
that this scale factor is 1/fAA.
 Shear at E
• If the influence line for the shear at point E of the beam in Fig.a is
to be determined, then by the Müller-Breslau principle the beam is
sectioned at this point and a sliding device is inserted at E, Fig.b.
• This device will transmit a moment and normal force but no shear.
• When the beam deflects due to positive unit shear loads acting at
E, the slope on each side of the device remains the same, and the
deflection curve represents to some scale the influence line for the
shear at E, Fig. c.
• Had the basic method for establishing the influence line for the
shear at E been applied, it would then be necessary to apply a unit
load at each point D and calculate the internal shear at E, Fig. a.
This value, VE, would represent the ordinate of the influence line at
D. Using the force method and Maxwell’s theorem of reciprocal
displacements, as in the previous case, it can be shown that

• This again establishes the validity of the Müller-Breslau principle, namely, a positive unit shear load
applied to the beam at E, Fig. c, will cause the beam to deflect into the shape of the influence line for
the shear at E. Here the scale factor is (1/fEE).
 Moment at E
• The influence line for the moment at E in Fig. a can be
determined by placing a pin or hinge at E, since this
connection transmits normal and shear forces but
cannot resist a moment, Fig. b.
• Applying a positive unit couple moment, the beam then
deflects to the dashed position in Fig. c, which shows to
some scale the influence line, again a consequence of
the Müller-Breslau principle. Using the force method
and Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem, we can show that
 Procedure for analysis using Müller-Breslau technique
• Qualitative Influence Line
• At the point on the beam for which the influence line for a function (reaction, shear, moment) is
to be determined, place a connection that will remove the capacity of the beam to support the
function.
• If the function is a vertical reaction, use a vertical roller guide; if the function is shear, use a
sliding device; or if the function is moment, use a pin or hinge.
• Now put a unit load at the connection in the “positive direction” of the function, and sketch the
deflection curve for the beam. This curve represents to some scale the shape of the influence
line for the beam
• Quantitative Influence Line
• If numerical values of the influence line are to be determined, then calculate the displacement of
successive points along the beam when the beam is subjected to the unit load placed at the
connection as mentioned above.
• Divide each value of displacement by the displacement determined at the point where the unit
load acts.
• By applying this scale factor, the resulting values will be the ordinates of the influence line.
 Qualitative influence lines for frames
• The Müller-Breslau principle provides a quick
method for establishing the general shape of the
influence line for building frames.
• Once the influence-line shape is known, one can
immediately specify the location of the live loads
so as to create the greatest influence of the
function (reaction, shear, or moment) in the
frame.
• For example, the shape of the influence line for
the positive moment at the center I of girder FG
of the frame in Fig. a is shown by the dashed
lines. Thus, uniform loads would be placed only
on girders AB, CD, and FG in order to create the
largest positive moment at I.
• With the frame loaded in this manner, Fig.b,
statically indeterminate analysis of the frame
could then be performed to determine the critical
moment at I
Example
• Draw the influence line for the vertical reaction at A for the beam in Fig. a. EI is
constant. Plot numerical values every 2 m.
• The capacity of the beam to resist the reaction Ay is removed.
This is done using a vertical roller device shown in Fig. b.
• Applying a vertical unit load at A yields the shape of the
influence line shown in Fig. c.
• In order to determine ordinates of the influence line we will
use the conjugate-beam method.
• The reactions at A and B on the “real beam,” when subjected to
the unit load at A, are shown in Fig. b.
• The corresponding conjugate beam is shown in Fig. d.
• Notice that the support at A′ remains the same as that for A in
Fig. b. This is because a vertical roller device on the conjugate
beam supports a moment but no shear, corresponding to a
displacement but no slope at A on the real beam, Fig. c.
• The reactions at the supports of the conjugate beam have been
calculated and are shown in Fig. d.
• The displacements of points on the real beam, Fig b, will now
be calculated by finding the internal moment in the conjugate
beam at B′, D′, C′, and A′
• For B′, since no moment exists on the conjugate beam at B′, Fig. d, then

• For D′, Fig. e:

• For C′, Fig. f:

• For A′, Fig. d:

Thus, dividing the other
calculated displacements by
Since a vertical 1-kN load acting at A this scale factor, we obtain
on the beam in Fig. a will cause a
vertical reaction at A of 1 kN, the
displacement at A, ∆A = 72/EI,
should correspond to a numerical
value of 1 for the influence-line
ordinate at A.
Example
• Draw the influence line for the shear at D for the beam in Fig. a. EI is
constant. Plot numerical values every 3 m.
 • The capacity of the beam to resist shear at D is removed. This
is done using the roller device shown in Fig. b.
• Applying a positive unit shear at D produces the shape of the
influence line shown in Fig. c.
• The support reactions at A, B, and C on the “real beam” when
subjected to the unit shear at D are shown in Fig. b.
• The corresponding conjugate beam is shown in Fig. d.
• Here an external couple moment MD′ must be applied at D′ in
order to cause a different internal moment within the beam
just to the left and just to the right of D′. These internal
moments correspond to the displacements just to the left and
just to the right of D on the real beam, Fig. c.
• The reactions at the
supports A′, B′, C′ and the
external moment MD′ on
the conjugate beam have
been calculated and are
shown in Fig. e.
Example
• Draw the influence line for the moment at D for the beam in Fig. a. EI
is constant. Plot numerical values every 3 m.