Edition

Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics

SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT

Eff ect of external forces and sign convention –

Application of External forces to a planar beam or frame system causes
internal actions consisting of bending moment; shear force and +ve shear

possibly axial force. C

Consequent effects of these internal actions are: -

Visible deformation causing an original straight beam to become C

curved (BEND)
Internal stresses, generally both compressive and tensile and
accompanying strains.
These effects in turn affects serviceability and can lead to material CLOCK WISE SHEAR-FORCE ANTICLOCK WISE SHEAR-FORCE
failure
M M
M
M
The focus of this chapter is to determine the force transmitted across
SAGGING BENDING MOMENT HOGGING BENDING MOMENT
any cross-sectional interface of the beam due to applied transverse
and longitudinal loads. For this we use equations of equilibrium and
free body diagrams. Using these tools we analyze the force resultant at
any position along the beam.

+M -M

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT

Consider a prismatic beam. Here it will be assured that the  From rigid body mechanics we can replace the coplanar
support reactions have been determined by eqns of statical distribution of load with its simplest resultant i.e. either a
equilibrium. single force or a single couple moment

 If the simplest resultant is a single couple moment, it can

be positioned arbitrarily

 If the simplest resultant is a single force, it must have a

particular line of action.

 Consequently, we deliberately take the position of the

resultant force to be at the centroid of the cross section at
all times.

 Since the external loads acting on the beam are coplanar

then the Load distribution acting on the cross section at
position x must be also be coplanar

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
SHEAR FORCE AND BENDING MOMENT

 And since we are constraining the resultant force to act

through the centroid of the section we must therefore
include the proper couple moment MZ as required by
statical equilibrium these moments tend to bend the
beam in plane of loads and hence are called bending
moments.

 In addition to this we decompose the resultant force into

 The shear force for a beam acts on planes normal to the
orthogonal components on the c/s they are -
axis of the beam.
• Vy- Shear force component
 The shear force on a beam produces linear transverse
• H - axial force component
deformation
• MZ - bending moment component

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Method of Section / Summation Method
• Problem – To Determine Shear Force and Bending Moment Example:- Determine the shear force and bending moment for the simply

at Any Point in A Beam supported beam shown in figure

• Summation Method Also known as method of Sections

 Steps of analysis
 Find the support reactions
 To obtain V or M at any section x consider only one part of
the section.
 V = ∑ all lateral forces  1st step is to find the support reactions by taking moments about ends (A) & (B)

• Note: with respect to the section lateral forces rotating RA = 3P/4 – MO/L & RB = P/4 + MO/L
 2nd step is to cut a section at a distance x from end A and isolate left hand side
clockwise w.r.t. section contribute towards + ve SF
of section (1) – (1)
 M = ∑ moments of all forces and couples about the
section.
• Note: with the section held fixed, moments which give sagging
curvature contribute towards +ve BM

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics

∑Fy = 0 • Concluding Statements: -

RA – P – V = 0 1. Shear is numerically equal to the algebraic sum of all the

vertical components of the external forces acting on the
Substitute for RA
isolated segment but in opposite direction.
V = - P/4 – MO/L
2. Magnitude of internal resisting moment equals external
 Take moment about an axis though the section where
moment & these moments tend to bend the beam in the
beam is cut
plane of loads and are usually referred as bending
RA (x) + P (x - L/4) + M = 0
moments.
When x = L/2 and substituting for RA 3. For different x different values of shear and BM are
We get plotted graphically and this graphical presentation is
M = PL/8 – MO/2 known a shear force and bending moment diagram.
 Standard cases are solved and shear force and bending
moment diagrams are drawn for you.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Shear and Bending Moment in a Beam
• Wish to determine bending moment
and shearing force at any point in a
beam subjected to concentrated and
distributed loads.

• Determine reactions at supports by

treating whole beam as free-body.

• Cut beam at C and draw free-body

diagrams for AC and CB. By
definition, positive sense for internal
force-couple systems are as shown.

• From equilibrium considerations,

determine M and V or M’ and V’.

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Variation of shear and bending
moment along beam may be
plotted.
• Determine reactions at
supports.
• Cut beam at C and consider
member AC,
V  P 2 M  Px 2
• Cut beam at E and consider
member EB,
V  P 2 M  PL  x  2

• For a beam subjected to

concentrated loads, shear is
constant between loading points
and moment varies linearly.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics

Conclusion
1. The magnitude of loading is constant the shear force curve is a straight line (Linear). Slope is constant
2. The magnitude of loading is increasing the shear force curve is steeping.
Slope increases.
3. The magnitude of loading is decreasing the shear force curve is flattening.
Slope decreases.
4. The magnitude of shear force is constant the bending moment curve is a straight-line. Slope of BM Curve is
constant.
5. The magnitude of shear force is increasing the bending moment curve is steepening. Slope of BM Curve is
increasing.
6. The magnitude of shear force is decreasing the bending moment curve is flattening. Slope of BM Curve Is
Decreasing.
7. The variation of BM in the segment of a beam when:
a) There is no External load – Linear
b) The load is uniformly distributed – Parabolic
c) The load is uniformly increasing – Cubic
8. For a beam subjected to constant B.M. through out its length, the shear force at all section is ZERO i.e. Shear Force
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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.2
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body,
calculate reactions at B and D.
• Find equivalent internal force-couple
systems for free-bodies formed by
cutting beam on either side of load
application points.
Draw the shear and bending moment
diagrams for the beam and loading shown. • Plot results.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.2
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body, calculate
reactions at B and D.
• Find equivalent internal force-couple systems at
sections on either side of load application points.
 Fy 0 :  20 kN  V1 0 V1  20 kN

 M 2 0 : 20 kN 0 m  M 1 0 M 1 0

Similarly,

V3 26 kN M3  50 kN m
V4 26 kN M4  50 kN m
V5 26 kN M5  50 kN m
V6 26 kN M6  50 kN m

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.2
• Plot results.
Note that shear is of constant value
between concentrated loads and
bending moment varies linearly.

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as free-body,
calculate reactions at A and B.

• Determine equivalent internal force-

couple systems at sections cut within
segments AC, CD, and DB.
Draw the shear and bending moment
• Plot results.
diagrams for the beam AB. The distributed
load of 40 N/cm extends over 12 cm of the
beam, from A to C, and the 400 N load is
applied at E.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body, calculate
reactions at A and B.
 M A 0 :
B y 32 cm  480 N 6 cm  400 N 22 cm  0

B y 365 N

 M B 0 :
480 N 26 cm  400 N 10 cm  A32 cm  0
A 515 N

 Fx 0 : B x 0

• Note: The 400 N load at E may be replaced by a

400 N force and 1600 N×cm couple at D.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
• Evaluate equivalent internal force-couple systems
at sections cut within segments AC, CD, and DB.

From A to C:
 Fy 0 : 515  40 x  V 0
V 515 40 x

 M 1 0 :  
 515x  40 x 12 x  M 0
M 515x  20 x 2
From C to D:

 Fy 0 : 515  480  V 0
V 35 N

 M 2 0 :  515x  480x  6 M 0

M 2880  35x  N cm

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
• Evaluate equivalent internal force-couple
systems at sections cut within segments AC,
CD, and DB.

From D to B:

 Fy 0 : 515  480  400  V 0

V  365 N

 M 2 0 :
 515x  480x  6  1600  400x  18 M 0
M 11,680  365x  N cm

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.3
• Plot results.
From A to C:
V 515 40 x
M 515x  20 x 2

From C to D:
V 35 N
M 2880  35x  N cm

From D to B:
V  365 N
M 11,680  365x  N cm

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Differential Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment
Consider equilibrium of elementary length of beam bounded between
 These differential relationships and their integrals are
sections at distance x and (x +δx)
used to rapidly sketch shear force and bending moment
∑F y =0 ↑ +Ve
diagrams for simple but common loads.
V – (V+δV) – W (δx) =0
 This allow for the quick assessment of critical values of
V – V – δV – Wδx =0
MZ and Vy along the beam.
δv
 Let us consider a simply supported beam AB carrying a =-W
δx
distributed Load W per unit length δv
W =-
δx

I n the limit δx → 0 we get

δv
W = - lt
δx → 0 δx

dv
=-W .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. (1)
dx
Rate of change of shear force at any section represents the rate of loading at

that section.

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Differential Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment
I n the limit δx → 0 we get
δM
V =- lt
δx
δx → 0

δM
=V .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. (2)
δx
Rate of change of bending moment at any section represents the shear

force at that section

By taking moment about A – f rom eqn. (1) & (2) ie by diff erentiating eqn (2) w.r.t. x and by replacing

∑MA =0 + right hand side by eqn (1) we get

w (δx) 2 d  dm 
-(V +δv) (δx) - -M +(M +δM) =0 =-W
2 dx  dx 

On expansion – d 2M
=-W .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. (3)
dx 2
- Vδx +δM =0
Equation (3) can be integrated, once or twice to obtain V/ M provided
δM
V=
δx W =W(x) is a continuous f unction in x.

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Differential Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment
W W
W

x x x

Continuous Discontinuous

VALI DI TY
dv
1. Equation (1) ie =-W Cease to be valid where concentrated load
dx
is a applied since the shear curve is discontinuous at that point ie rate

of change of the shear w.r.t x is indeterminate at such point.

dM
2. Equation (2) ie = V cease to be valid at the location of a point
dx
couple f or similar reason as above

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Example
Putting boundary conditions (1) in eqn 2
W=WO = constant at any x
O =-0 +0 +C2
Reactions at supports

RA = RB = WL/2 WO L
→ C1 = Substituting in eqn (1) & (2)
2
WO L
d2M V =  WO x 2 
We know =-W =-W O 2
dx 2
 WO x 2  WO L 
I ntegrate with respect to x M=  x
2  2 
dM
V= =-W Ox +C1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. (1)
dx
I ntegrate again w.r.t. x:

 WO x 2
M=  C1 x  C2 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. (2)
2

Boundary conditions:
1) At A; x = 0; M = 0 as A is hinged
2) At B; x = L; M = 0

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.4
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body, determine
reactions at supports.
• Between concentrated load application
points, dV dx  w 0 and shear is
constant.
• With uniform loading between D and E,
the shear variation is linear.
Draw the shear and bending-
moment diagrams for the beam • Between concentrated load application
and loading shown. points, dM dx V constant. The change
in moment between load application points
is equal to area under shear curve between
points.
• With a linear shear variation between D
and E, the bending moment diagram is a
parabola.
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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.4
SOLUTION:
• Taking entire beam as a free-body,
determine reactions at supports.
 M A 0 :
D24 m  20 kN 6 m  12 kN 14 m 
 12 kN 28 m  0
D 26 kN
 Fy 0 :
Ay  20 kN  12 kN  26 kN  12 kN 0
Ay 18 kN

• Between concentrated load application points,

dV dx  w 0 and shear is constant.
• With uniform loading between D and E, the shear
variation is linear.
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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.4
• Between concentrated load application
points, dM dx V constant. The change
in moment between load application points
is equal to area under the shear curve
between points.
MB  M A 108 M B 108 kN m
MC  M B  16 M C 92 kN m
MD  M C  140 M D  48 kN m
ME  M D 48 M E 0

• With a linear shear variation between D

and E, the bending moment diagram is a
parabola.

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Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6
SOLUTION:
• The change in shear between A and B is equal
to the negative of area under load curve
between points. The linear load curve results
in a parabolic shear curve.
• With zero load, change in shear between B
and C is zero.
• The change in moment between A and B is
Sketch the shear and bending-
moment diagrams for the cantilever equal to area under shear curve between
beam and loading shown. points. The parabolic shear curve results in
a cubic moment curve.
• The change in moment between B and C is
equal to area under shear curve between
points. The constant shear curve results in a
linear moment curve.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6
SOLUTION:
• The change in shear between A and B is equal to
negative of area under load curve between points.
The linear load curve results in a parabolic shear
curve.
dV
at A, V A 0,  w  w0
dx

V B  V A  1w a V B  1w a
2 0 2 0

dV
at B,  w 0
dx
• With zero load, change in shear between B and C is
zero.

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Edition
Eighth Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics
Sample Problem 7.6
• The change in moment between A and B is equal
to area under shear curve between the points.
The parabolic shear curve results in a cubic
moment curve.
dM
at A, M A 0, V 0
dx
M B  M A  13 w0 a 2 M B  13 w0 a 2
M C  M B  1 w a L  a  M C  16 w0 a3L  a 
2 0

• The change in moment between B and C is equal

to area under shear curve between points. The
constant shear curve results in a linear moment
curve.

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