MEM

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

A beam is a structural member or machine component that is designed to
support primarily forces acting perpendicular to the axis of the member.

Types of Beams
Simply
Supported

Propped

(One pin, one roller)

(One fixed end

and one roller)

Overhanging

Continuous

(One pin, one roller)

Cantilever
(One fixed end)

Statically Determinate

(Several pins and

rollers)

Built-in
(Both ends fixed)

Statically Indeterminate
1

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

MEM

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

Types of Supports
Roller:
one unknown

Pin:
two unknowns

Fixed:
three unknowns

Types of Loads

Concentrated
loads

Distributed
loads

Concentrated
moments
2

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

MEM

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

Procedure for determining shear forces and bending moments
1. Determine the reactions, if necessary,
using the free-body diagram of the
overall beam.
2. Cut the beam at cross section where
the shear force and bending moment
are to be determined. Draw the freebody diagram.
3. Set up equilibrium equations for the
free-body diagram and use them to
determine the shear force and
bending moment at the cross section.
4. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for as many
cross sections as needed.

= 0 Vr = R wx P1
a a

wx 2
= 0 M r = Rx
P1 ( x a )
2
3

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

MEM

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

P
B

Reactions

a
(
)
(
)
=

=
M
B
L
P
a
0
B
P
A y
y
L
a
=
+

=
F
A
B
P
0
A
1 P
y y y
y
L
Fx = Ax = 0

P
A
Ax

Ay

For 0 x a

By
Mx

A
Ay

Vx

Ay

For a x L

M = A

P
Mx

a
= Ay Vx = 0 Vx = Ay = 1 P
L

Vx

a
x + M x = 0 M x = Ay x = 1 Px
L

a
= Ay P Vx = 0 Vx = P
L

M = A

x
x + P( x a) + M x = 0 M x = 1 Pa
L
4

MEM

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

q

Reactions

M A = By (L) q(L)(L 2) = 0 By =

A
Ax

L
Ay

By

Mx

x
Ay

Vx

Fy = Ay + By qL = 0 Ay =
F

qL
2

qL
2

= Ax = 0

=
0
F
A
qx
V
V
q
x
y y
x
x
2

qx 2
qx
(L x )
0
M
=

x
+
+
M
=

M
=

y
x
x
2
2

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

MEM

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

Sign Convention

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

MEM

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

RB

RA

= RA (10 ) + 2000(13)

+ 1000(6)(5) + 2000(2 ) = 0
RA = 6000 lb

F = 2000 + 6000 1000(x 2) V = 0

M = 2000(3 + x ) 6000 x
y

a a

2
(
x 2)
+ 1000
+M =0

V = 1000 x + 6000 lb
M = 500 x 2 + 6000 x 8000 ft - lb
7

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

MEM

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

Relations among w, V, and M
w( x )
B

dx
L

= V + wdx (V + dV ) = 0

or dV = wdx
dV
=w
dx

x2

x1

V2

wdx = dV = V2 V1
V1

x2

V2 = wdx + V1
x1

MEM

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

Relations among w, V, and M
w( x )

w(dx )
M O = M Vdx 2
+ (M + dM ) = 0

dx
L

w(dx )
dM = Vdx +
2

or

dM
=V
dx

x2

x1

Vdx =

M2

M1

dM = M 2 M 1

x2

M 2 = Vdx + M 1
x1

MEM

MEM202 Engineering Mechanics - Statics

Shear Forces and Bending Moments in Beams

q

x
qL
2

Mx

Vx

qL
2

wdx = ( q )dx = qx = Vx V0
0

Vdx =

qL
2

qL
w = q V0 =
2

Lx x 2
L

= M x M 0
q x dx = q
2
2

M0 = 0

L
Vx = q x

2
Mx =

qx
(L x )
2
10