Bridge Engineering

(SE-507) (SE-

Lecture 4
Dr. Azhar
Spring 2012

Department of Civil Engineering

University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, Pakistan

Bridge Engineering

Influence Lines
Influence lines are graphical representations of the effect of moving loads (live loads) in structural systems. They are represented by a unit load of variable position at a given point in the structural system,. These diagrams are used to compute the maximum response at a given section in the structures.
Influence lines play a primery role in structures subjected to moving load, such as bridges, industrial crane rails, and systems where loads move across spans.

Bridge Engineering

Influence Line for Vertical Reaction Ay

Apply unit-load at an arbitrary position x

ILD of Ay
3

Bridge Engineering

Influence Line for Shear at 0.25L

Apply unit-load along the beam and compute shear just before and after 0.25L

Before 0.25 L

After 0.25 L

0 x 0.25L
x Ay = 1 L x Vc = A y 1 = L

0.25L x L
x Ay = 1 L x Vc = A y = 1 L

Bridge Engineering

Influence Line for Shear at 0.25L

x 1 L

x
1.0

x L

Bridge Engineering

Influence Line for Moment at 0.5L

x L L x M D = 1 . 1. x = L 2 2 2

x L L x 1 M D = 1 . = = (L x ) L 2 2 2 2

x 2

0.25L

1 (L x ) 2

x
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Bridge Engineering

Loading Maximum Effects

After developing the influence line for a specific effect (reation, shear or moment), the maximum effect can be found by positioning the live load on the beam which will yield the maximum value of the function.
Concentrated Load
Ay = Load x ordinate of influence line

x A y = P.1 L
Ay is max. with P at x = 0, = P x 1 = P
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Bridge Engineering

Loading Maximum Effects

Uniform Load

In case of a distributed load, the maximum effect is obtained by multiplying the area under the influence line by intensity of the uniform load.

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CES 5325 Lecture 3

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CES 5325 Lecture 3

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CES 5325 Lecture 3

CES 5325 Lecture 3

CES 5325 Lecture 3

CES 5325 Lecture 3

CES 5325 Lecture 3

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