9.

Equilibrium in beams: bending moments and shear forces

Objectives:
To understand the distribution of internal bending moments and internal shear forces at
cross sections along the length of a beam with externally-applied transverse loads and
couples.

Background:
• If a cut is made through the cross section of a beam, a bending moment M and shear
force V must be applied at the cut in order to maintain equilibrium of the beam:

cut

V" M" M" V"

internal reactions
at cut

• V and M are force/couple resultants of the normal and shear stresses acting on the
face of a cross section.

Lecture topics:
a) Sign conventions for bending moments and shear forces.
b) Equilibrium relations for bending moments and shear forces.
c) Bending-moment and shear-force diagrams.
Applications
Beams are structural members that are
designed to support transverse loads, that is,
loads that are perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the beam. A beam resists the applied
loads by a combination internal transverse
shear force and bending moment.

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 2 Mechanics of Materials

Lecture Notes

a) Sign conventions for bending moments and shear forces

Sign conventions to be used in this course for internal bending moments and shear
forces (see following figure):
• A positive bending moment M on the left face (negative x-face) of a section is
CW. A positive bending moment M on the right face (positive x-face) of a
section is CCW. Such a positive bending moment creates a concave curvature in
the deflection of the beam.
• A positive shear force V on the left face (negative x-face) of a section is in
positive y-direction. A positive shear force V on the right face (positive x-face) of
a section is in negative y-direction.

M+ M+ V+

V+

positive bending positive shear

moment force

When making a cut through a cross section of the beam, the positive sign conventions
for the bending moment and shear force are as shown below:

y M+ M+ V+

x
V+
positive bending moment and
shear force at cut in beam

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 3 Mechanics of Materials

Sign conventions for external loadings on beams:

• Positive EXTERNAL distributed loads p(x) and EXTERNAL concentrated loads

P0 act in the “+” y-direction:

• Positive EXTERNAL couples are in the “+” z-direction (CCW by the right hand
rule):

P0 ( positive UPWARD )

p(x) ( positive UPWARD )

y
M 0 ( positive CCW )

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 4 Mechanics of Materials

 Example 9.2

For the simply-supported beam loaded as shown:

a) Determine the reactions on the beam at A and D.
b) Determine the internal shear force and bending moment, V (x) and M (x) , for
an arbitrary location x between A and B.
fo 2 N mm

É É p0 P0
Po
x
200 N
50mm

3L L L
A B C D

V(x)
1 Fo fo
31
Y
x
I Ax O

E Fy 0

IAy PotDity
M(x)
To
x

t Ay Fo Po Dy
I Ma 0

Dy5L
F 2XtPo4y

Dy 48 a
25
Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 5 Mechanics of Materials
 Fo fo 3
21mn
321 52am
to 150 N V

201 22072
2.15044
Fo t Po Dy
Ay
13
IAy
tfE
D
pt É
m

mm
in
V x
y
F D
E Fy o Ay
V X Ay F

130 N 21mm so mm

130 X N
Ig
x

x in mm
E Mo 0

M F Ay X D
F
x

N mm
Mix 30 x
4
x in mm

V x

II
4 Pex
 b) Equilibrium relations for bending moments and shear forces

applied loading FBD key rela1onship(s)

p(x) p(x) Δx

V (x) V (x + Δx) dV
= p(x)
dx

dM
x M (x) M (x + Δx)
= V (x)
dx
Δx

P0
P0

V (x − ) V (x + ) ( ) ( )
V x + = V x − + P0
x

M0
M0

x M (x − ) M (x + ) ( ) ( )
M x+ = M x− − M0

Pox ax
I
The derivations of the above key relationships are to be added below:

gypped

t x
e 11.1 Vextex
gnats
I Mix
yayI
E Fy D
x x tax
V x tax D
DX
x
pox
Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 6 Mechanics of Materials
 pus
if
ax O

Pex
Xz

Idf
X
dx
f
X
p ex dx

Conantratedloadt

Va P V ext o

riff
ext

X
fret Py VM

E Mo D

Next DD NID ÉÉXÉÉ V x ax o

 I

DX CC DX

I
Iy

Concentrated Moment
El M 0
A Mo
T No ME
7 M xt
M xD
MIX
J M A M x Mo

I
Geometric meaning of the equilibrium relationships for beams
dV
• = p(x)
dx
The slope of the shear force diagram at any location x equals the value of the distributed
external loading p at that location.

x2
• V (x2 ) = V (x1 ) + ∫ p(ξ ) d ξ (integral form of the above)
x1

The shear force at point x2 is equal to the shear force at x1 plus the area under the external
loading curve between these two points.

dM
• = V (x)
dx
The slope of the bending moment diagram at any location x equals the value of the shear force
at that location.

x2
• M (x2 ) = M (x1 ) + ∫ V (ξ ) d ξ (integral form of the above)
x1

The bending moment at point x2 is equal to the bending moment at x1 plus the area under the
external loading curve between these two points.

• V (x + ) = V (x − ) + P0
The shear force diagram has an upward step jump at location x where an external point force
is applied. The value of the shear force jump increase equals the value of the external point
force.

O
• M (x + ) = M (x − ) − M 0
The bending moment diagram has a downward step jump at location x where an external
point moment is applied. The value of the bending moment jump decrease equals value of
the external point moment.

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 7 Mechanics of Materials

c) Bending-moment and shear-force diagrams

Three methods for determining the internal shear force and bending moment resultants:
• Using free body diagrams with cut sections, as demonstrated in the earlier
examples of this section of notes.
• Using equilibrium relationships among applied loads, shear force and bending
moments derived earlier and summarized above (integration and
discontinuities).
• Using a graphical method based on the integration and discontinuity equations
from the equilibrium method. The description of this method follows.

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 8 Mechanics of Materials

Graphical method for constructing shear force and bending moment
diagrams

Sign conventions:
posi%ve(
y p(x) distributed(loading(

posi%ve( posi%ve(
bending(moment( + + + + shear(force(
M M V V

Basic relationships (as derived via equilibrium relations):

x2
dV
= p(x) ⇒ V2 = V1 + ∫ p(x)dx
dx x1
x2
dM
= V (x) ⇒ M 2 = M 1 + ∫ V (x)dx
dx x1

Concentrated shear force V0 applied at location x:

V (x + ) = V (x − ) + V0 (jump UP in shear force)

Concentrated moment M 0 applied at location x:

M (x + ) = M (x − ) − M 0 (jump DOWN in moment)

P0
V1 V1 M0
V2 M1 V2
M2

M1
M2

V2

P0
V1 V2
V1

M2

it
M2

M1
M1 in M0

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 9 Mechanics of Materials

 Example 9.3

Two transverse forces and a couple are applied as external loads to the cantilevered
beam AC. Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams in the plot axes below.

A B C
6 ft 6 ft
pointingUp
10 kips 6 kips
IIIs
El Fy O
Ma f f
negati e
in

V(x)
I 20 kip ⋅ ft

f
x

ftp.qpee
u ii m.si ears
M(x)

FEED
x

20
VEX 4 02 26 Mix 4X 8

F o

cat
6
10 4
I 16

R 6
4 M 12 ta 6 V X dx
Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 10
12
Mechanics of Materials

C 6 dx
 M 12 16 C6 6 20
Kip ft
Example 9.4

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams in the plot axes below for the
loaded beam shown.
`

2 kN / m 2 kN

4m 2m
A B C

V(x)

M(x)

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 11 Mechanics of Materials

 Example 9.6

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams in the plot axes below for the
loaded beam shown.

0
6 kips
2 kips / ft

pm y
IT 4 ft 4 ft 5 ft 5 ft
A B C E D

V(x)
Ay 3 Kip
3
Mp 130 Kip f t

Dy 23 Kip
3 Tf x

It
UCO 3 Ay M(x)
xsie

VEX V 8 p 3 d3 x

V x V18 C 2 d5

25
8
x 3 2x 16 13 24
Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 12 Mechanics of Materials

V 18 23
 Then V X 13 2x for 8 XE 18

to solve the
Another approach follows
shear force in this segment
know U 8 3
We
18
dx
18 V68 pox

18 V18 Ca dx

ie 3 2 10 23

know that Vex is

Then you
linear with slope I

NOTE Dy 23 kips
18 23 kips

Ihr
 Calalate Moment diagram

MCO o pin

OS X E 4

I
V x dx
M 4 MIO

12
1414 MCF
1 0

as
I 3 dx

follows
You can also proceed
OIX E4
Mix M o
J0
V 3 d

3 d
MIX Mco

o t 351
M 4 12
MIX 3X
41 18

I
V x dx
M 4
1918
12 3 8 4

12 0
ME 12
as follows
Or you can proceed

41 18
MIX M 4 J V S d
4

Mex M 4 J C 3 d
4

12 3 7 4.3

M x 24 3X

M 8 O V

8 E X E 18

Vex dx
19118 MCE tf
o
8
ihmrua
io.gg
5
130

could also integrate

the expression
You
in 8 X I 18
for Vex

dx
J V x
M x MLE

MCO 1 3 25 d5
8
 o 135 32 8

13 x 8 x2 82

X 13 40
Mex

M Le 130
Example 9.7

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams in the plot axes below for the
loaded beam shown.

p(x)

L B
A
V(x)

M(x)

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 13 Mechanics of Materials

Example 9.10

Use the following three methods to draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams
in the plot axes below for the loaded beam shown: i) direct use of FBDs and
equilibrium, ii) formal integration, and iii) integration by inspection. Clearly indicate
the values of V and M at the labeled points as well as any maximum/minimum values.
Please provide details on your work. Use p0 = 2kN / m , L = 3m , P0 = 2kN and
M 0 = 5kN ⋅ m .
B C D H

p0 MO

x
PO

L/3 L/3 L/3

V (x)

External reactions
∑ M H = ( 2)( 2.5) + ( 2)( 2) + 5 − Dy (1) = 0 ⇒ Dy = 14 kN
x
∑ Fy = −2 − 2 + Dy + H y = 0 ⇒ H y = −10 kN

Section BC
V (0) = 0 M (x)

V (1) = V (0) − ( 2 ) (1) = −2kN

M (0) = 0
M (1) = M (0) − 0.5( 2 ) (1) = −1 kN ⋅ m x

Section CD
V (1+ ) = V (1− ) − 2 = −4kN
V (2) = V (1+ ) = −4kN
M (2) = M (1) − ( 4 ) (1) = −5 kN ⋅ m

Section DH
M(x)
V (2+ ) = V (2− ) − 2 = −4 + D y = 10kN

(
V (3) = V (2+ ) = 10 kN checks with H y found )
M (2+ ) = M (2− ) − 5 = −10 kN ⋅ m -1
-5
M (3) = M (2+ ) + (10)(1) = 0 ( checks, pin joint @ H )
-10

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 14 Mechanics of Materials

Example 9.11

Consider the cantilevered beam shown below that is loaded only by concentrated and
distributed forces (no external couples applied). The loading is not shown in the figure
of the beam. The internal shear force distribution in the beam is shown below. For this
beam:
a) Determine the internal bending moment M(x) in the beam and show M(x) in the
plot below.
b) Determine the external loading (both concentrated and distributed forces) acting
on the beam and show these on the figure of the beam below.
y

x
z

V (x) (kips)

20 cr
10
x (inches)
−10

M (x)

x (inches)

0 4 8 12 16 20

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 15 Mechanics of Materials

 Example 9.13

Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams in the plot axes below for the
loaded beam shown.

20 kips 20 kips

00
A 1 ft B
x

B C

5 ft 5 ft 5 ft
A 443 kips V(x)

Ay 4g t
x
o
1
vest V 5 20
yip gg M(x)

Et V E 20
y y m
x

y
10 o

t
M lot M 40 20
Ot of 45 dx 431.5 231 20
1431 831

J
V X dx
If
M IO M 5 Vex dx
M 15 NOT
22
3
5 G dx
M 15 Mit 31
5

231 13.5 1431 14457

83 1631 D

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 16 Mechanics of Materials

 Additional notes:

O
É
É v cos
I 3 d's
x
434 0

X
43
V CB d
Mex MCO
d
MCX M IO 443 5

Mco 434 31
1na 0t4x

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 17 Mechanics of Materials

Beams: Bending moments and shear forces Topic 9: 18 Mechanics of Materials