Module 4 - Beams

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
1907
MECH 500
MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES
MODULE 4
Beams
This module belongs to:
_____________________________________________________
Engr. Jervin Kent C. Nava

Beam refers to a slender bar that carries transverse loading. In a beam, the internal force system consists of a
shear force and a bending moment acting on the cross section of the bar. In the previous chapters, axial and
torsional loads often result in internal forces that are constant in the bar, or over portions of the bar.
SUPPORTS AND LOADS

Beams are classified according to their supports. A simply supported beam, has a pin (or sometimes called as
hinge) support at one end and a roller at the other end. The pin support prevents displacement of the end of the
beam, but not its rotation. The roller support is a pin connection that is free to move parallel to the axis of the
beam; hence this type of support suppresses only the transverse displacement. A cantilever beam is built into a
rigid support at one end, with the other being free. An overhanging beam is supported by a pin and a roller
support, with one or both ends of the beam extending beyond the supports. These types of beam are statically
determinate because the support reactions can be found from the equilibrium equations.
A concentrated load, such a P, is an approximation of a force that acts overs a very small area. In contrast, a
distributed load is applied over a finite area. If the distributed load acts on a very narrow area, the load may be
approximated by a line load. The intensity w of this loading is expressed as force per unit length (lb/ft, kN/m, etc.).
The load distribution may be uniform, as shown on the cantilever beam below, or it may vary with distance along
the beam as shown on the overhanging beam below.
The last three beams shown show other types of beams. These beams are over-supported in the sense that each
beam has at least one more reaction that is necessary for support. Such beams are statically indeterminate; the
presence of these redundant supports requires the use of additional equations obtained by considering the
deformation of the beam.
Degree of Indeterminacy for Beams (DI)

𝑫𝑰 = 𝑹 − 𝟑 − 𝑪
DI : Degree of Indeterminacy
R : Total number of external support reactions
C : Equations of condition (1 for internal hinge / guide, 2 for internal roller)
PROPERTIES OF SHEAR & MOMENT EQUATIONS
1. The shear equation is the integration of the load equation.
2. The moment equation is the integration of the shear equation.
PROPERTIES OF SHEAR & MOMENT DIAGRAMS

1. The change in shear between two points is equal to the area in the load diagram between two same
points.
2. The change in moment between two points is equal to the area in the shear diagram between two same
points.
3. The slope of the curve of the shear diagram is the load at that point.
4. The slope of the curve of the moment diagram is the shear at that point.
5. Generally, especially in simple span beams, the maximum moment occurs at the point of zero shear.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Problem 50: Determine the shear and moment equations for each segment of the beam.
Also, illustrate the shear and moment diagrams.
Problem 51: Determine the shear and moment equations for each segment of the beam. Also, illustrate the
shear and moment diagrams and determine the maximum beam shear and bending moment.
Problem 52: A simple beam carries a uniformly distributed load on its entire span. Determine the maximum
shear and moment by drawing the shear and moment diagram.
Problem 53: The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load throughout its span. If the length L
= 6m, and the moment capacity of the beam is 45 kN-m, what is the maximum weight w (kN/m) it
can carry?
MOVING LOADS
Essentially, moving loads are analyzed using simply supported beams. In the analysis of moving loads,
particularly wheel loads, it is significant to know the location of the maximum moment and shear in order to
determine the required dimensions of the structural member. From the previous discussion, it is established that
the point of zero shear usually occurs under a concentrated load, hence the location of maximum moment. Due
to Influence Diagrams, the possible values of the maximum shear and moment are known at a certain point
along the span.
Single moving load
For a single moving load, the maximum shear occurs

when the load is very near the support (assumed to
be over the support). Meanwhile, the maximum
moment occurs when the moving load is at the
midspan.
Two 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
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 on
a support. 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.
Problem 54: Determine the largest induced shear and moment that would be induced to the beam by the
moving loads passing across a 12 m simple span as shown below.
Problem 55: Three moving loads shown are to be passing a 16 m simple span. Determine the maximum shear
and moment induced in the span.
“The earlier you start,
the faster you can improve.”

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UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS

This module belongs to:

Engr. Jervin Kent C. Nava

SUPPORTS AND LOADS

Degree of Indeterminacy for Beams (DI)

PROPERTIES OF SHEAR & MOMENT DIAGRAMS

Single moving load

For a single moving load, the maximum shear occurs

Two or more moving loads

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