Introduction

We see that whenever a horizontal beam is loaded with vertical loads, sometimes, it
bends due to the action of the loads. The amount with which a beam bends, depends upon the
amount and type of the loads, length of the beam, elasticity of the beam and type of the beam.
The scientific way of studying the deflection or any other effect is to draw and analyse the
shear force or bending moment diagrams of a beam. In general, the beams are classified as
under cantilever beam, simple supported beam, overhanging beam, rigidly fixed or built-in
beam and continuous beam as shown as in figure 1.

Figure 1: Classification of beam support

A beam may be subjected to either or in combination of the following types of loads,

concentrated or point load, uniformly distributed load and uniformly varying load as shown
as in figure 2.
w kN

w
kN/m

w
kN/m
Figure 2: Types of load
Shear force briefly written as S.F at the cross-section of a beam may be defined as the
unbalanced vertical force to the right or left of the section. The bending moment briefly
written as B.M. at the cross-section of beam may be defined as the algebraic sum of the
moments of the forces to the right or left of the section.
LIST OF FORMULA
Shear Force = Force (N)
Bending Moment = Shear Force x Distance (Nm)

Question 1
A beam is loaded as shown below. Calculate the reactions and draw the bending moment
diagram. Determine the greatest ending moment.

1+ R 2=200+ 400+100 ( 6 )
R
1+ R 2=1200 N( 1 )
R
+MA = 0
200(2) + 600(3) + 400(5) - 6 R2 =0
R2 =600N
R1 + R2 = 1200
R1 = 1200 600 = 600N

B.M
+MA = 0
MA1 = 600(1) 100(0.5) = 550N.m
MB = 600(2) 100(2)(1) = 1000N.m
MB1 = 600(3) 200(1) 300(1.5) =
1150N.m
MC = 600(3.5) 200(1.5) 100(3.5)(1.75) =
1187.5N.m
MC1 = 600(5) 200(3) 400(1.5) 100(5)
(2.5) = 550N.m
MD = 600(6) 200(4) 400(2.5) 100(6)(3)
= 0N.m

118

115

1000

55

55

Question 2
Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram for the beams below. Determine the
greatest shear force and bending moment and the position at which it occurs.
(a) The position of bending moment occurs
(b) The greatest shear force

Rtotal := F1 + F2 + wL

Rtotal = 400 + 800 + 50(5) = 1450

2

Rb=

S.F

F 1 A + F 2 B+(w L 2)
L

RB = 685N

RA = Rtotal Rb

RA = 765N

76

71
31

36

RA = 765N 50 = 715
RA-B= -400N + 715N = 315N
RB-C = -800N + 315N = -485N
RC-B = -485N 50N = -535N

Answer (a): 765N

B.M

127
0

740

MA = 0
MB= 765N(1) 50N.m(1)(1/2) = 740N.m
Mc = 765N(3) 50(3)(3/2) 400(2) = 1270N.m
MD = 765(5) 400(4) 800(2) 50(5)(5/2) = 0N.m

Answer (b): 1270N.m (highest point)

Question 3
Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram for the beams below. Determine the
greatest bending moment and the position at which it occurs.

MB = 20(2) + 17.5(4) + 30 RA(8)

RA = 17.5N
Fy = 17.5 17.5 20 + RC
RC = 20N
S.F

SA = 17.5kN

SC-D= 17.5 17.5 20 = -20kN

SB = 17.5 17.5 = 0N

SD = -20 + 20 = 0N

B.M

MA = 30kN.m
MB = 30kN.m 12.5(4) = -40kN.m
MC = 30kN.m 17.5(8) + 17.5(4) + 20(2) = 0kN.m
Answer: Greatest bending is at point B = 40kN.m

Question 4
A horizontal beam 4.2 m long, resting on two simple supports 3.0 m apart, carries a uniformly
distributed load 25kN/m between the supports with concentrated loads of 15kN and 20kN at
ends, as shown. Assuming the weight of the beam is negligible.
a) Determine the reactions R1 and R2 at the supports
b) Sketch diagrams of shear force and bending moments and indicate the point of
maximum bending moment.
c) State the greatest bending moment and shear force.

R1 + R2 = 15+20+25(3)
R1 + R2 = 110kN
+MR1 = 0
0 = 15(0.6) + 25(3)(1.5) 3R2 + 20(3.6)
3R2 = 175.5
R2 = 58.5kN

S.F

R1 = 110 58.5

R1 = 51.5kN

SA = -15kN
SA-B = -15 + 51.5 = 36.5kN
SB-C = 36.5 25(3) = -38.5Kn
SC = -38.5 + 58.5 = 20Kn
SD = 20kN

B.M

MA = 0
MB = -15(0.6) = -9kN.m
MB1 = -15(36) + 51.5(3) 25(3)(1.5) 25(3)(0.75) = 18.075kN.m
MC = -15(3.6) + 51.3 25(3)(1.5) = -12kN.m
MD = -15(4.2) + 51.5(36) 25(3)(2.1) + 58.5(0.6) = 0kN.m

Answer: Max bending moment = 18.075kN.m

Max shear force = -38.5kN.m

Question 5
Sketch diagram of shear force and bending moment diagram for the beams below. Determine
the position of maximum bending moment.

a) Determine the reactions RA and RD at the supports.

b) State the greatest bending moment and shear force.

MA+ = 0 = -8(4) 12(8) 12(10) + RD(12)

= 20.667N.m
Fy = 0 = -RA 8kN 12kN 12kN + 20.667kN
RA = 11.333kN

S.F

SA = 11.333kN
SB = 11.333 8 = 3.333kN
SC = 3.333 12 = -8.667kN
SC-D = -8.667 12 = -20.667kN
SD = -20.667 + 20.667 = 0kN

M.F

MA = 0
MA-B = 11.333(4) = -45.32N.m
MB-C = 11.333(8) + 4(8) = 58.664N.m
MC-D = 11.333(-12) + 8(8) + 12(4) + 12(2) = 0

Answer: (a) RA = 11.333kN; RD = 20.667kN

(b)Shear force = 11.333kN; Bending moment = 58.64kN.m

Reference
1. Hibbeler, R.C. (2005). Mechanic of materialsSI Second Edition, Pearson Prentice
Hall.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shear_and_moment_diagram