Basic Concepts

1. What is a beam and what types of loads does it typically carry?​

A beam is a structural element that primarily resists bending when subjected to loads. It
typically carries:

●​ Point loads (concentrated forces applied at a single point)​

●​ Distributed loads (spread over a length, either uniformly or variably)​

●​ Moment loads (couples or torques applied at specific points)​

2. What are some common names for beams in building construction?

●​ Joists (small beams supporting floors or ceilings)​

●​ Girders (large beams supporting joists or other beams)​

●​ Lintels (beams above doors/windows for load distribution)​

●​ Rafters (beams supporting roofs)​

3. What does it mean for a beam to be in static equilibrium?​

A beam is in static equilibrium when the sum of all forces and the sum of all moments acting on
it are zero, meaning it remains at rest or moves with constant velocity.

4. What are reaction forces, and what are the two main types?​
Reaction forces are forces exerted by supports to keep the beam in equilibrium. The two main
types are:

●​ Vertical reactions (resist vertical loads)​

●​ Horizontal reactions (resist horizontal loads)​

Some supports also generate moments to resist rotation.​

Support and Beam Types

5. How does the method of beam support affect the type of reaction forces generated?

●​ Pinned support: Provides both horizontal and vertical reaction forces but no moment
reaction.​

●​ Roller support: Provides only a vertical reaction force.​

●​ Fixed support: Provides vertical and horizontal reactions as well as a moment reaction.​

6. What are the key characteristics of simple, cantilever, and continuous beams?

●​ Simple beam: Supported at both ends with no fixed connection; experiences bending but
no end moments.​

●​ Cantilever beam: Fixed at one end, free at the other; develops bending moments at the
fixed end.​

●​ Continuous beam: Extends over multiple supports, reducing bending moments compared
to a simple beam.​

7. What is a propped beam and how does it differ from a fixed beam?​
A propped beam has one fixed end and one simply supported end, meaning it can resist some
moment but not fully restrain rotation at the free end. A fixed beam is restrained at both ends and
cannot rotate at either end.

8. Which beam types have moments at both ends?

●​ Fixed beams (fully restrained at both ends)​

●​ Continuous beams (moments exist at intermediate supports)​

●​ Propped beams (moment at the fixed end)​

Equilibrium and Force Calculations

9. List and explain the three fundamental principles of static equilibrium.

 1.​ ΣF_x = 0 → The sum of all horizontal forces must be zero.​

2.​ ΣF_y = 0 → The sum of all vertical forces must be zero.​

3.​ ΣM = 0 → The sum of all moments about any point must be zero.​

10. How is a moment defined in terms of force and distance?​

A moment (M) is the rotational effect of a force, calculated as:

M=F×dM = F \times dM=F×d

where F is the force and d is the perpendicular distance from the point of rotation.

11. What are the sign conventions when calculating horizontal forces, vertical forces, and
moments?

●​ Horizontal forces: Rightward forces are positive, leftward forces are negative.​

●​ Vertical forces: Upward forces are positive, downward forces are negative.​

●​ Moments: Counterclockwise moments are positive, clockwise moments are negative.​

Diagram Interpretation and Analysis

12. What is the purpose of a beam diagram and a free body diagram?

●​ A beam diagram shows the geometry, loads, and supports of a beam.​

●​ A free body diagram (FBD) isolates the beam and represents all applied forces, reactions,
and moments to analyze equilibrium.​

13. How is a shear force at a point along a beam calculated?​

Shear force at a point is determined by summing the vertical forces acting to the left or right of
that point. It can be expressed as:

V=∑FyV = \sum F_yV=∑Fy​

where positive shear causes clockwise rotation of the left portion of the beam.
14. What does a “kink” in a moment diagram indicate?​
A kink in the moment diagram indicates a point load acting on the beam. The greater the
discontinuity (change in slope), the larger the concentrated force.

Applied Example

15. Given a uniform distributed load on a simple beam, what information is required to construct
shear and moment diagrams?​
To construct shear and moment diagrams, the following are needed:

●​ Beam length​

●​ Support locations and types​

●​ Distributed load magnitude and distribution (uniform or variable)​

●​ Reaction forces (solved from equilibrium equations)​

Once reaction forces are known, shear and moment values can be calculated at key points along
the beam, and diagrams can be drawn accordingly.

1.​ What is common about the location of the maximum moment along the beam in each
loading case?

The maximum moment along a beam typically occurs where the shear force equals zero or at
points with significant load application. This pattern holds across different loading cases:

●​ For a simply supported beam with a single concentrated load: The maximum moment
occurs directly under the applied load, as this is where shear force changes sign.​

●​ For a simply supported beam with a uniform distributed load: The maximum moment is
located at the midpoint of the beam, since shear force decreases symmetrically to zero at
the center.

2. Note that loading case 3 is a combination of loading cases 1 and 2. What is the relationship
between the maximum shear and maximum moment for loading cases 1, 2, and 3? For loading
cases 2, 4, and 5?
Relationship Between Maximum Shear and Maximum Moment for Loading Cases 2, 4, and 5

●​ Loading Case 2 (Uniform Distributed Load on a Simply Supported Beam):​

○​ Maximum shear at the supports, decreasing linearly.​

○​ Maximum moment occurs at the center, forming a parabolic curve.​

●​ Loading Case 4 (Cantilever Beam with a Single Concentrated Load at the Free End):​

○​ Maximum shear occurs at the fixed end and is constant throughout the beam.​

○​ Maximum moment also occurs at the fixed end, forming a triangular moment
diagram.​

●​ Loading Case 5 (Cantilever Beam with a Uniform Distributed Load):​

○​ Maximum shear occurs at the fixed end, decreasing linearly towards the free end.​

○​ Maximum moment occurs at the fixed end, forming a parabolic moment diagram.

3. Can you identify similarities and differences in the shear and moment diagrams for these
loading cases? What happens to the shear diagram at a concentrated load? What happens in the
shear diagram when a uniform load is applied? What shape is the moment diagram when a single
concentrated load is applied? Where is the maximum moment? What shape is the moment
diagram when a uniform load is applied? Where does the maximum moment occur?

Similarities and Differences in Shear and Moment Diagrams

●​ Similarities: Shear changes at load points; moment is max where shear is zero.​

●​ Differences: Point loads cause sudden shear jumps; uniform loads create gradual shear
variation. Simply supported beams return to zero moment at supports, cantilevers do not.​

What Happens to the Shear Diagram at a Concentrated Load?

It causes a sudden jump in shear equal to the load magnitude.

What Happens in the Shear Diagram When a Uniform Load Is Applied?

Shear changes linearly with a slope equal to the load intensity.

What Shape Is the Moment Diagram When a Single Concentrated Load Is Applied? Where Is the
Maximum Moment?

●​ Triangular shape.​

●​ Maximum moment at load point (simply supported) or fixed end (cantilever).​

What Shape Is the Moment Diagram When a Uniform Load Is Applied? Where Does the
Maximum Moment Occur?

●​ Parabolic shape.​

●​ Maximum moment at center (simply supported) or fixed end (cantilever).