MOVING LOADS

For beams loaded with concentrated loads, the point of zero shears usually
occurs under a concentrated load and so the maximum moment.
Beams and girders such as in a bridge or an overhead crane are subject to moving
concentrated loads, which are at fixed distance with each other. The problem here is to
determine the moment under each load when each load is in a position to cause a
maximum moment. The largest value of these moments governs the design of the
beam.

Single Moving Load

For a single moving load, the maximum moment occurs when the load is at the midspan
and the maximum shear occurs when the load is very near the support (usually
assumed to lie over the support).

Mmax=PL4andVmax=P

Two Moving Loads

For two moving loads, the maximum shear occurs at the reaction when the larger load
is over that support. The maximum moment is given by

Mmax=(PLPsd)2 /4PL
where Ps is the smaller load, Pb is the bigger load, and P is the total load (P = Ps + Pb).
Three or more moving loads
In general, the bending moment under a particular load is a maximum when the center
of the beam is midway between that load and the resultant of all the loads then on the
span. With this rule, we compute the maximum moment under each load, and use the
biggest of the moments for the design. Usually, the biggest of these moments occurs
under the biggest load.

The maximum shear occurs at the reaction where the resultant load is nearest. Usually,
it happens if the biggest load is over that support and as many a possible of the
remaining loads are still on the span.

In determining the largest moment and shear, it is sometimes necessary to check the
condition when the bigger loads are on the span and the rest of the smaller loads are
outside.
Sample Problems

1. A truck with axle loads of 40 kN and 60 kN on a wheel base of 5 m rolls across a 10-
m span. Compute the maximum bending moment and the maximum shearing force.

R=40+60=100kN
xR=40(5)
x=200/R
x=200/100
x=2m

For maximum moment under 40 kN

wheel:
MR2=0MR2=0
10R1=3.5(100)10R1=3.5(100)
R1=35kNR1=35kN

MTotheleftof40kN=3.5R1
MTotheleftof40kN=3.5(35)
MTotheleftof40kN=122.5kNm
 For maximum moment under 60 kN
wheel:
MR1=0MR1=0
10R2=4(100)10R2=4(100)
R2=40kNR2=40kN

MTotherightof60kN=4R2
MTotherightof60kN=4(40)
MTotherightof60kN=160kNm

Thus, Mmax=160kNm answer

2. Repeat Prob.1 using axle loads of 30
kN and 50 kN on a wheel base of 4 m crossing an 8-
m span
R=30+50=80kN

xR=4(30)
x=120/R
x=120/80
x=1.5m

Maximum moment under 30 kN wheel:

MR2=0
8R1=2.75(80)
R1=27.5kN

MTotheleftof30kN=2.75R1
MTotheleftof30kN=2.75(27.5)
MTotheleftof30kN=75.625kNm

Maximum moment under 50 kN wheel:

MR1=0
8R2=3.25(80)
R2=32.5kN

MTotherightof50kN=3.25R2
MTotherightof50kN=3.25(32.5)
MTotherightof50kN=105.625kNm

Thus, Mmax=105.625kNm answer

The maximum shear will occur when the

 50 kN is over a support.
MR1=0
8R2=6.5(80)
R2=65kN

Thus, Vmax=65kN answer

3. A tractor weighing 3000 lb, with a

wheel base of 9 ft, carries 1800 lb of its load on the rear wheels. Compute the
maximum moment and maximum shear when crossing a 14 ft-span.

R=Wr+Wf
3000=1800+Wf
Wf=1200lb

Rx=9Wf
3000x=9(1200)
x=3.6ft
9x=5.4ft

When the midspan is midway

between W r and R, the front wheel
Wf will be outside the span (see
figure). In this case, only the rear
wheel W r= 1800 lb is the load. The
maximum moment for this condition
is when the load is at the midspan.
R1=R2=12(1800
R1=900lb

Maximum moment under Wr

MTotheleftofrearwheel=7R1
MTotheleftofrearwheel=7(900)
MTotheleftofrearwheel=6300lbft
 Maximum moment under Wf
MR1=0
14R2=4.3R
14R2=4.3(3000)
R2=921.43lb

MTotherightoffrontwheel=4.3R2
MTotherightoffrontwheel=4.3(921.43)
MTotherightoffrontwheel=3962.1lbft

Thus,
Mmax=MTotheleftofrearwheel
Mmax=6300lbft answer

The maximum shear will occur when the rear wheel (wheel of greater load) is
directly over the support.
MR2=0
14R1=10.4R
14R1=10.4(3000)
R1=2228.57lb

Thus,
Vmax=2228.57lb answer

4. Three wheel loads roll as a unit

across a 44-ft span. The loads are P1 = 4000 lb and P2 = 8000 lb separated by 9 ft,
and P3 = 6000 lb at 18 ft from P2. Determine the maximum moment and maximum
shear in the simply supported span.

R=P1+P2+P3
R=4k+8k+6k
R=18kips
R=18,000lbs

xR=9P2+(9+18)P3xR=9P2+(9+18)P3
x(18)=9(8)+(9+18)(6)x(18)=9(8)+(9+18)(6)
x=13ftx=13ft the resultant R is 13 ft from P1

Maximum moment under P1

MR2=0MR2=0
44R1=15.5R44R1=15.5R
44R1=15.5(18)44R1=15.5(18)
R1=6.34091kipsR1=6.34091kips
R1=6,340.91lbsR1=6,340.91lbs

MTotheleftofP1=15.5R1
MTotheleftofP1=15.5(6340.91)
MTotheleftofP1=98,284.1lbft

Maximum moment under P2

MR2=0
44R1=20R
44R1=20(18)
R1=8.18182kips
R1=8,181.82lbs

MTotheleftofP2=20R19P1
MTotheleftofP2=20(8181.82)9(4000)
MTotheleftofP2=127,636.4lbft

Maximum moment under P3

R1=0
44R2=15R
44R2=15(18)
R2=6.13636kips
R2=6,136.36lbs

MTotherightofP3=15R2
MTotherightofP3=15(6,136.36)
MTotherightofP3=92,045.4lbft
Thus,
Mmax=MTotheleftofP2
Mmax=127,636.4lbft answer

The maximum shear will occur

when P1 is over the support.
MR2=0
44R1=31R
44R1=31(18)
R1=12.6818kips
R1=12,681.8lbs

Thus, Vmax=12,681.8lbs answer

5. A truck and trailer combination crossing a 12-m span has axle loads of 10, 20, and
30 kN separated respectively by distances of 3 and 5 m. Compute the maximum
moment and maximum shear developed in the span.

R=10+20+30
R=60kN

xR=3(20)+8(30)
x(60)=3(20)+8(30)
x=5m

Maximum moment under 10 kN wheel load

MR2=0
12R1=3.5R
12R1=3.5(60)
12R1=210
R1=17.5kN

MTotheleftof10kN=3.5R1MTotheleftof10kN=3.5R
1
MTotheleftof10kN=3.5(17.5)MTotheleftof10kN=3.
5(17.5)
MTotheleftof10kN=61.25kNmMTotheleftof10kN=61.25kNm

Maximum moment under 20 kN wheel load

MR2=0MR2=0
12R1=5R12R1=5R
12R1=5(60)12R1=5(60)
R1=25kNR1=25kN
MTotheleftof20kN=5R13(10)MTotheleftof20kN=5R13(10)
MTotheleftof20kN=5(25)30MTotheleftof20kN=5(25)30
MTotheleftof20kN=95kNmMTotheleftof20kN=95kNm

Maximum moment under 30 kN wheel load

When the centerline of the beam is midway between
reaction R = 60 kN and 30 kN, the 10 kN comes off
the span.
R=20+30R=20+30
R=50kNR=50kN

xR=5(30)xR=5(30)
x(50)=150x(50)=150
x=3mx=3m from 20 kN wheel load

MR1=0MR1=0
12R2=5R12R2=5R
12R2=5(50)12R2=5(50)
R2=20.83kNR2=20.83kN

MTotherightof30kN=5R2MTotherightof30kN=5R2
MTotherightof30kN=5(20.83)MTotherightof30kN=5(20.83)
MTotherightof30kN=104.17kNmMTotherightof30kN=104.17kNm

Thus, the maximum moment will occur when only the 20 and 30 kN loads are on the
span.
Mmax=MTotherightof30kNMmax=MTotherightof30kN
Mmax=104.17 kNmMmax=104.17 kNm answer
Maximum Shear
The maximum shear will occur when the three loads are on the span and the 30 kN load
is directly over the support.
MR1=0MR1=0
12R2=9R12R2=9R
12R2=9(60)12R2=9(60)
R2=45kNR2=45kN

Thus,
Vmax=45 kN answer

6. A truck with axle loads of 40 kN and 60 kN on a wheel base of 5 m rolls across a 10-
m span. Compute the maximum bending moment and the maximum shearing force.

Solution 6
7. A truck and trailer combination crossing a 12-m span has axle loads of 10, 20, and
30 kN separated respectively by distances of 3 and 5 m. Compute the maximum
moment and maximum shear developed in the span.

Solution 7
8. A tractor weighing 3000 lb, with a wheel base of 9 ft, carries 1800 lb of its load on
the rear wheels. Compute the maximum moment and maximum shear when
crossing a 14 ft-span.

9. Repeat Prob. 1 using axle loads of 30 kN and 50 kN on a wheel base of 4 m

crossing an 8-m span.
10. Three wheel loads roll as a unit across a 44-ft span. The loads are P1= 4000 lb and
P2= 8000 lb separated by 9 ft, and P3= 6000 lb at 18 ft from P2. Determine the
maximum moment and maximum shear in the simply supported span.
 MOMENT DIAGRAM BY PARTS
The moment-area method of finding the deflection of a beam will demand the accurate
computation of the area of a moment diagram, as well as the moment of such area
about any axis. To pave its way, this section will deal on how to draw moment diagram
by parts and to calculate the moment of such diagrams about a specified axis.

Basic Principles

1. The bending moment caused by all forces to the left or to the right of any section is
equal to the respective algebraic sum of the bending moments at that section
caused by each load acting separately.

M=(M)L=(M)R
 2. The moment of a load about a specified axis is always defined by the equation of a
spandrel

Y=kxn

where n is the degree of power of x.

The graph of the above equation is as shown below

and the area and location of centroid are defined as follows.

1. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-624, compute the moment of area of the M
diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction.

Solution 1
MR2=0
6R1=400+1000(2)
R1=400N

MR1=0
6R2+400=1000(2)
R2=600N
2. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-625, compute the moment of area of the M
diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction. (Hint: Draw
the moment diagram by parts from right to left.)
 MR2=0
4R1=400(3)(2.5)+500(2)
R1=1000N

MR1=0
4R2=400(3)(1.5)+500(2)
R2=700N

3. For the eam loaded as shown in Fig. P-626, compute the moment of area of the M
diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction.
 By symmetry
R1=R2=12(400)(30)
R1=R2=600lb

4. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-627compute the moment of area of the M
diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction. (Hint: Resolve
the trapezoidal loading into a uniformly distributed load and a uniformly varying load.)
MR2=0 MR1=0
4R1=200(4)(2)+12(3)(400)(1) 4R2=200(4)(2)+12(3)(400)(3)
R1=550N R2=850N

5. For the beam loaded with uniformly varying load and a couple as shown in Fig. P-628
compute the moment of area of the M diagrams between the reactions about both the
left and the right reaction.
MR2=0

10R1+400=12(6)(200)(2)

R1=80lb
MR1=0
10R2=400+12(6)(200)(8)
R2=520lb

6. Solve Prob. 5 if the sense of the couple is counterclockwise instead of

clockwise as shown in Fig. P-628.
MR2=0
10R1=400+12(6)(200)(2)
R1=160lb
MR1=0
10R2+400=12(6)(200)(8)
R2=440lb

7. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-630, compute the value of (AreaAB)
barred(X)A . From the result determine whether the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at
B slopes up or down to the right. (Hint: Refer to the deviation equations and rules of
sign.)

MR2=0
4R1+200(2)=12(3)(400)(1)
R1=50N

MR1=0
4R2=200(6)+12(3)(400)(3)
R2=750N

8. Determine the value of the couple M for the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-631 so
that the moment of area about A of the M diagram between A and B will be zero. What
is the physical significance of this result?
9. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-632, compute the value of (AreaAB)
barred(X)A. From this result, is the tangent drawn to the elastic curve at B directed up or
down to the right? (Hint: Refer to the deviation equations and rules of sign.)

Solution 9
MB=0
3R1+200(1)=800(2)(2)
R1=1000N

MA=0
3R2=200(4)+800(2)(1)

R1=800N

10. For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-624, compute the moment of area of the M
diagrams between the reactions about both the left and the right reaction.

MR2=0
6R1=400+1000(2)
R1=400N

MR1=0
6R2+400=1000(2)
R2=600N
 BEAM DEFLECTIONS

Another method of determining the slopes and deflections in beams is the area-moment
method, which involves the area of the moment diagram.

Theorems of Area-Moment Method

The change in slope between the tangents drawn to the elastic curve at any two points
A and B is equal to the product of 1/EI multiplied by the area of the moment diagram
between these two points.
Problem 1
The cantilever beam shown in Fig. P-636 has a rectangular cross-section 50 mm wide
by h mm high. Find the height h if the maximum deflection is not to exceed 10 mm. Use
E = 10 GPa.

Solution 1
Problem 2
For the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-637, determine the deflection 6 ft from the wall.
Use E = 1.5 106 psi and I = 40 in4.

Solution 2
RC=80(8)= 640 lb
MC=80(8)(4)= 2560lbft
Problem 3
For the cantilever beam shown in Fig. P-638, determine the value of EI at the left end.
Is this deflection upward or downward?
Solution 3

Problem 4
The downward distributed load and an upward concentrated force act on the cantilever
beam in Fig. P-639. Find the amount the free end deflects upward or downward if E =
1.5 106 psi and I = 60 in4.
Solution 4

Problem 5
Compute the value of at the concentrated load in Prob. 5. Is the deflection upward
downward?
Solution 5
RC=200(8)900=700 lb
MC=200(8)(4)900(6)=1000 lbft

Problem 6
For the cantilever beam shown in Fig. P-641, what will cause zero deflection at A?
Solution 6

Problem 7
Find the maximum deflection for the cantilever beam loaded as shown in Figure P-642 if
the cross section is 50 mm wide by 150 mm high. Use E = 69 GPa.

Solution 7

RA=4(1)=4kN MA=4(1)(2.5)=10kNm
Problem 8
Find the maximum value of EI for the cantilever beam shown in Fig. P-643.

Solution 8
Problem 9
Determine the maximum deflection for the beam loaded as shown in Fig. P-644.

Solution 9
Problem 10
Compute the deflection and slope at a section 3 m from the wall for the beam shown in
Fig. P-645. Assume that E = 10 GPa and I = 30 106 mm4.

Solution 10