APPENDIX C

STRUCTURAL AIDS

Table C.1 Simple Beams (Cases 1–20)

Table C.2 Cantilever Beams (Cases 21–24)
Table C.3 Propped Beams (Cases 25–32)
Table C.4 Fixed-End Beams (Cases 33–40)
Table C.5 Moments in Two Unequal Spans and Values of the Coefficient K (Cases 1–3)
Table C.6 Moments in Three Unequal Spans and Values of the Coefficient K (Cases 4–6)
Table C.7 Maximum and Minimum Moments in Equal-Span Continuous Beams (Cases 7–8)
Table C.8 Moments in Unequal-Span Continuous Beams Subjected to Unequal Loads (Case 9)

Note: SS stands for shearing force diagram. BD stands for bending moment diagram.
Bending moments are drawn on the tension sides of beams.
Moments, shearing forces, and deflections for any combination of loadings are obtained by superposition.

1013
1014 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.1 Simple Beams (𝑤 = Load/Unit Length)

1. Uniform load:

W = total load = 𝑤L
W
RA = RB = VA = VB =
2
( )
Wx x
Mx = 1−
2 L
WL
Mmax = (at center)
8
5 WL3
𝛥max = × (at center)
384 EI

2. Uniform partial load:

W = total load = 𝑤b
( )
W b
RA = VA = +c
L 2
( )
W b
RB = VB = +a
L 2
W 2 R b
Mmax = (x − a2 ) when x = a + A
2b W
W
𝛥max = (8L3 − 4Lb2 + b3 ) when a = c
384EI

3. Uniform partial load at one end:

W = total load = 𝑤a
( )
a
RA = VA = W 1 −
2L
Wa
RB = VB =
2L
( ) ( )
Wa a 2 a
Mmax = 1− when x = a 1 −
2 2L 2L
WL4 2
𝛥= n [2m3 − 6m2 + m(4 + n2 ) − n2 ]
24aEI
when x ≥ a
WL4 m 2
𝛥= [n (2 − n)2 − 2nm2 (2 − n) + m3 ] when x < a
24aEI
(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1015

Table C.1 (Continued)

4. Triangular load on span with maximum value at one end:

𝑤L
W = total load =
2
W
RA = VA =
3
2W
RB = VB =
3
( )
Wx x2
Mx = 1− 2
3 L
Mmax = 0.128WL when x = 0.5774L
0.01304WL3
𝛥max = when x = 0.5193L
EI

5. Triangular load with maximum value at midspan:

𝑤L
W = total load =
2
W
RA = RB = VA = VB =
2
( 2
)
1 2x
Mx = Wx −
2 3L2
WL
Mmax = (at midspan)
6
WL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
60EI

6. Moments at ends:
MA − M B
RA = RB = VA = VB =
L
ML2
𝛥max (at midspan) = when MA = MB
8EI
MA L2
𝛥(at midspan) = when MB = 0
16EI
MB L2
𝛥(at midspan) = when MA = 0
16EI
1016 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.1 (Continued)

7. External moment at any point:

M
RA = −RB = VA = VB =
L
Ma
MCA =
L
Mb
MCB =
L
−Mab
𝛥c = (a − b)
3EIL

8. Concentrated load at midspan:

P
RA = RB = VA = VB =
2
PL
Mmax = (at midspan)
4
PL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
48EI

9. Concentrated load at any point:

Pb
RA = VA =
L
Pa
RB = VB =
L
Pab
Mmax = (at point load)
L
Pa2 b2
𝛥c = (at point load)
3EIL
[ ( )3 ]
PL3 3a a
𝛥max = −4 (when a ≥ b)
48EI L L
√
at x = a(b + L)∕3
(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1017

Table C.1 (Continued)

10. Two symmetrical concentrated loads:

RA = RB = VA = VB = P
Mmax = Pa
[ ( )3 ]
PL3 3a a
𝛥max = − (at midspan)
6EI 4L L

11. Two concentrated loads:

P(b + 2c)
RA = VA =
L
P(b + 2a)
RB = VB =
L
Pa(b + 2c)
MC =
L
Pc(b + 2a)
MD =
L

12. Two concentrated loads at one-third points:

RA = RB = VA = VB = P
PL
Mmax =
3
23PL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
648EI
1018 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.1 (Continued)

13. Three concentrated loads at one-fourth points:

3P
RA = RB = VA = VB =
2
3PL
MC = ME =
8
PL
MD =
2
19PL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
384EI

14. Three concentrated loads as shown:

3P
RA = RB = VA = VB =
2
PL
MC = ME =
4
5PL
MD =
12
53PL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
1296EI

15. Uniformly distributed load and variable end moments:

W = total load = 𝑤L
W M1 − M2
RA = VA = +
2 L
W M1 − M2
RB = VB = −
2 L
2
WL M1 + M2 (M1 − M2 )
M3 = − +
8 2 2WL
L M1 − M2
at x = +
2 W
[ ( ) ]
Wx 4M1 4M2 12M1 L 8M1 L2 4M2 L2
𝛥x = x3 − 2L + − x2 + x + L3 − −
24EIL W W W W W
(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1019

Table C.1 (Continued)

16. Concentrated load at center and variable end moments:

P M1 − M2
RA = VA = +
2 L
P M − M2
RB = VB = − 1
2 L
PL M + M
M3 = − 1 2
(at midspan)
4 2
( )
P M1 − M2 L
Mx = + x − M1 when x <
2 L 2
P (M1 − M2 ) L
Mx = (L − x) + x − M1 when x >
2 L 2
{ }
Px 8 (L − x) L
𝛥x = 2
3L − 4x −2
[M1 (2L − x) + M2 (L + x)] whenx <
48EI PL 2

17. One concentrated moving load:

RA max = VA max = P at x = 0
RB max = VA max = P at x = L
PL L
Mmax = at x =
4 2
P
Mx = (L − x)x
L

18. Two equal concentrated moving loads:

( )
a
RA max = VA max = P 2 − at x = 0
L
( )
P a 2
Mmax = L−
2L 2
( )
1 a
when a < 0.586 L under load1 at x = L− .
2 2
PL
Mmax = when a > 0.5L with one load at midspan.
4
1020 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.1 (Continued)

19. Two unequal concentrated moving loads:

( )
L−a
RA max = VA max = P1 + P2 at x = 0
L
x2
Mmax = (P1 + P2 )
L
( )
1 P2 a
under load P1 at x = L−
2 P 1 + P2
P1 L
Mmax = may occur with larger load at center of span and other load off span
4
20. General rules for simple beams carrying moving concentrated
loads Vmax occurs at one support and other loads on span (trial
method). For Mmax : place centerline of beam midway between
center of gravity of loads and nearest concentrated load. Mmax
occurs under this load (here P1 ).

Table C.2 Cantilever Beams

21. Uniform load:

W = total load = 𝑤L
RA = V A = W
WL
MA = (at support A)
2
Wx2
Mx =
2L
WL3
𝛥B max =
8EI
W
𝛥x = (x4 − 4L3 x + 3L4 )
24EIL

(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1021

Table C.2 (Continued)

22. Partial uniform load starting from support:

W = total load = 𝑤a
RA = VA = W
Wa
MA = (at support A)
2
Wx2
Mx =
2a
Wa3
𝛥C =
8EI
( )
Wa3 4b
𝛥B max = 1+
8EI 3a

23. Concentrated load:

RA = VA = P
Mmax = Pa (at support A)
Mx = Px
𝛥C = Pa3 ∕3EI
( )
Pa3 3b
𝛥B max = 1+ (at free end)
3EI 2a

24. Concentrated load at free end:

RA = VA = P
Mmax = PL (at A)
Mx = Px
PL3
𝛥B max =
3EI
P
𝛥x = (2L3 − 3L2 x + x3 )
6EI
1022 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.3 Propped Beams

25. Uniform load:

W = total load = 𝑤L
5W 3W
RA = V A = RB = VB =
8 8
( )
WL 9WL 3
MA = − MC = at x = L
8 128 8
WL3 x
𝛥x = (m − 3m3 + 2m4 ) where m =
48EI L
WL3
𝛥max = at a distance x = 0.4215L (from support B)
185EI

26. Partial uniform load starting from hinged support:

b
W = 𝑤b n =
L
Wn
RA = VA = (6 − n2 )
8
W
RB = VB = (n3 − 6n + 8)
8
Wb Wb
MA = − (2 − n2 ) MC = (6n − n3 − 4)
8 8
WbL2 2
𝛥x = [(n − 6)m3 − (3n2 − 6)m2 ] when x ≤ a
48EI
WL4
𝛥x = [2P4 − p3 n(n3 − 6n + 8) + Pn2 (3n2 − 8n + 6)] when
48bEI
L−x
x ≥ a and P =
L

27. Partial uniform load starting from fixed end:

a
W = 𝑤a n =
L
W
RA = V A = [8 − n2 (4 − n)]
8
Wn2
RB = V B = (4 − n) Y = b + an2 (4 − n)
8
Wa
MA = − (2 − n)2
8
{ [ ]2 }
Wa 8 − n2 (4 − n)
Mmax = − + 4 − n(4 − n)
8 16

Wa3
𝛥C = (6 − 12n + 7n2 − n3 )
48EI
(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1023

Table C.3 (Continued)

28. Triangular load on all span L:

𝑤L
W = total load =
2
4 W
RA = VA = W RB = = VB
5 5
2
MA = − WL
15
3
MC = + WL
50
WL3
𝛥max = (at x = 0.447L)
212EI

29. Triangular load on part of the span:

𝑤a
W=
2
Wa2
RB = VB = (5L − a)
20L3
RA = W − RB
Wa
MA = (3a2 − 15aL + 20L2 )
60L2
√
a2 a
Maximum positive moment at S = b + 1−
2L 5L
Mmax (positive at) D ∶
WL
MD = RB S − (−b + S)3
3a3

30. Concentrated load at midspan:

11P
RA = VA =
16
5P
RB = VB =
16
3PL
MA = −
16
5PL
MC =
32
7PL3
𝛥C =
768EI
PL3
𝛥max = (at x = 0.447 L from B)
107EI
1024 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.3 (Continued)

31. Concentrated load at any point:

Pa2
RA = VA = P − RB RB = VB = (b + 2L)
2L3
Pb(L2 − b2 )
MA = −
2L2
MA max = 0.193PL when b = 0.577L
( )
Pb 3b b3
MC = 2− + 3
2 L L
MC max = 0.174PL when b = 0.366L
Pa3 b2
𝛥C = (4L − a)
12EIL3

32. Two concentrated loads at one-third points:

4P
RA = V A =
3
2P
RB = V B =
3
PL
MA = −
3
PL 2PL
MC = MD =
9 9
PL3
𝛥max =
65.8EI
occurs at point = 0.423L from support B
Appendix C Structural Aids 1025

Table C.4 Fixed-End Beams

33. Uniform load:

W = total load = 𝑤L
W
RA = VA = RB = VB =
2
WL
MA = MB = − (at support)
12
WL
MC max = (at midspan)
24
WL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
384EI
Wx3
𝛥x = (L − x)2 (from A or B)
24EIL

34. Uniform partial load at one end:

a
W = total load = 𝑤a m =
L
W(m3 − 2m2 + 2)
RA = VA =
2
Wm2 (2 − m)
RB = VB = = W − RA
2
WLm
MA = (3m2 − 8m + 6)
12
WLm2
MB = (4 − 3m)
12
( )
WLm2 3
Mmax = − m5 + 6m4 − 6m3 − 6m2 + 15m − 8
12 2
a 3
when x = (m − 2m2 + 2)
2
WL3
𝛥max =
333EI
WL3
𝛥C =
384EI
1026 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.4 (Continued)

35. Triangular load:

𝑤L
W=
2
RA = VA = 0.7W
RB = VB = 0.3W
WL WL
MA = MB =
10 15
WL3
𝛥max = (at x = 0.55L from B)
382EI
WL
MC (maximum positive moment) = + (at 0.55 L from B)
23.3

36. Triangular load on part of the span:

𝑤a
W=
2
Wa2
RB = VB = (5L − 2a)
10L3
RA = W − RB
Wa
MA = (3a2 + 10bL)
30L2
Wa
MB = (−3a2 + 5aL)
30L2
√
a2 2a
Maximum positive moment at S = b + 5−
3.16L L
WL
MD = RB S − (a + S − L)3 − MB
3a3

37. Triangular load, maximum intensity at midspan:

𝑤L
W = total load =
2
W
RA = R B =
2
5
MA = MB = − WL
48
WL
MC (maximum positive) =
16
1.4WL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
384EI

(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1027

Table C.4 (Continued)

38. Concentrated load at midspan:

P
RA = VA = RB = VB =
2
PL
MA = MB = MC = −
8
PL3
𝛥max = (at midspan)
192EI
( )
Px2 L
𝛥x = (3L − 4x) x <
48EI 2

39. Two symmetrical concentrated loads:

RA = VA = RB = VB = P
Pa(L − a)
MA = MB = −
L
Pa2
MC = MD =
L
3
[ 2 ( ) ]
PL 3a a 3
𝛥max = 2
− (at midspan)
6EI 4L L
L
If a = ,
3
2
MA = MB = PL
9
5PL3
𝛥max = (at centerline)
648EI
L
If a = ,
4
3
MA = MB = PL
16
PL3
𝛥max = (at centerline)
192EI
1028 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.4 (Continued)

40. Concentrated load at any point:

( )2 ( )
b 2a
RA = V A = P 1+
L L
( )2 ( )
a 2b
RB = VB = P 1+
L L
Pab2 Pba2 2Pa2 b2
MA = − MB = − MC =
L2 L2 L3
Pa3 b3
𝛥C = (at point C)
3EIL3
2Pa2 b3 2bL
𝛥max = when x = and b > a
3EI(3L − 2a)2 3L − 2a

Table C.5 Moments in Two Unequal Spans and Values of the Coefficient K (𝑤 = Unit Load/Unit Length)

1. Load on short span:

𝑤L23 𝑤L22
MB = =
8(L1 + L2 ) K

L2 /L1 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00
K 46.0 40.0 34.7 28.0 24.0 21.4 19.5 18.0 16.9 15.9
2. Load on long span:
𝑤L13 𝑤L12
MB = =
8(L1 + L2 ) K

L2 /L1 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00
K 9.6 10.0 10.4 11.2 12.0 12.8 13.6 14.4 15.2 15.9

3. Both spans loaded with 𝑤1 L1 and 𝑤2 on L1 :

𝑤1 L13 + 𝑤2 L23
MB =
8(L1 + L2 )
Appendix C Structural Aids 1029

Table C.6 Moments in Three Unequal Spans and Values of the Coefficient K (𝑤 = Load/Unit Length)

4. Load on span CD:

wL𝟐3 wL𝟐𝟑
MB = MC =
K K
L2 /L3 (positive) (negative)
0.25 100.0 9.9
0.30 90.9 10.3
0.40 76.3 11.0
0.50 70.4 11.7
0.60 65.8 12.3
0.70 62.9 13.0
0.80 61.7 13.7
1.00 59.9 14.9
5. Load on middle span:
wL𝟐𝟐
MB = M C =
K
L2 /L1 (negative)

0.25 43.5
0.30 38.5
0.40 32.3
0.50 27.8
0.60 25.6
0.70 23.3
0.80 22.2
1.00 20.0
6. Load on span AB:
wL𝟐𝟏 wL𝟐𝟏
MB = MC =
K K
L2 /L1 (negative) (positive)
0.25 9.9 100.0
0.30 10.3 90.9
0.40 11.0 76.3
0.50 11.7 70.4
0.60 12.3 65.8
0.70 13.0 62.9
0.80 13.7 61.7
1.00 14.9 59.9
1030 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.7 Maximum and Minimum Moments in Equal-Span Continuous Beams

7. Uniform loads:

M = 𝑤L
2
K

where w = (D.L. + L.L.) D.L. = Uniform dead load L.L. = Uniform live load
per unit length
Values of coefficient K
First span AB Second support B
(positive moment) (negative moment)
Ratio Number of spans Number of spans
DL/w 2 3 4 5 2 3 4 5
0.0 10.5 10.0 10.2 10.1 8.0 8.6 8.3 8.3
0.1 10.8 10.2 10.4 10.3 8.0 8.7 8.4 8.5
0.2 11.1 10.4 10.6 10.6 8.0 8.8 8.5 8.6
0.3 11.4 10.6 10.9 10.8 8.0 9.0 8.6 8.7
0.4 11.8 10.9 11.1 11.0 8.0 9.1 8.6 8.8
0.5 12.1 11.1 11.4 11.3 8.0 9.2 8.8 8.9
0.6 12.5 11.4 11.7 11.6 8.0 9.4 8.9 9.0
0.7 12.9 11.6 12.0 11.9 8.0 9.5 9.0 9.1
0.8 13.3 11.9 12.3 12.2 8.0 9.7 9.1 9.2
0.9 12.8 12.2 12.6 12.5 8.0 9.8 9.2 9.4
1.0 14.3 12.5 13.0 12.8 8.0 9.9 9.3 9.5

Third
support C Third span CD
Second span BC (negative (positive
(positive moment) moment) moment) Interior Interior
Ratio span support
Number of spans Spans Span (positive (negative
DL/w
3 4 5 4 5 5 moment) moment)
0.0 13.4 12.4 12.7 9.3 9.0 11.7 12.0 8.8
0.1 14.3 13.2 13.5 9.7 9.3 12.3 12.6 9.1
0.2 15.4 14.0 14.3 10.0 9.6 12.9 13.3 9.8
0.3 16.7 14.9 15.3 10.4 9.9 13.6 14.1 9.5
0.4 18.2 16.0 16.5 10.8 10.2 14.3 15.0 9.9
0.5 20.0 17.2 17.9 11.5 10.5 15.2 16.0 10.1
0.6 22.2 18.7 19.5 11.7 10.9 16.2 17.2 10.5
0.7 25.0 20.4 21.4 12.2 11.3 17.3 18.4 10.8
0.8 28.6 22.4 23.8 12.7 11.7 18.5 20.0 11.2
0.9 33.3 24.9 26.6 13.3 12.2 20.0 21.8 11.6
1.0 40.0 28.3 30.0 14.0 12.7 21.7 24.0 12.0
(continued)
Appendix C Structural Aids 1031

Table C.7 (Continued)

Example: K values

DL
1. = 0.4
𝑤
DL
2. = 1.0
𝑤

8. Concentrated loads:

P′ = concentrated dead load

P′′ = concentrated live load
( ′ )
P P′′
M= + L
K1 K2

First Span AB Second Support B

K1 (DL) K2 (LL) K1 (DL) K2 (LL)
Number of Spans 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4 2 3 4
Central load 6.40 5.71 5.89 4.92 4.70 4.76 5.35 6.67 6.22 5.33 5.71 5.53
One-third-point loads 4.50 4.09 4.20 3.60 3.46 3.50 3.00 3.75 3.50 3.00 3.21 3.11
One-fourth-point loads 3.67 3.20 3.34 2.61 2.46 2.50 2.13 2.67 2.49 2.13 2.28 2.21

Second Span BC Third Support C

K1 K2 K1 K2
Number of Spans 3 4 3 4 4 4
Central load 10.00 8.61 5.71 5.46 9.33 6.22
One-third-point loads 15.00 9.00 5.00 4.50 5.25 3.50
One-fourth-point loads 8.00 6.05 3.20 3.01 3.72 2.49
Example: K values ( ′ )
P P′′
K1 (dead load) MAB (max) = + L
5.71 4.7
( ′ )
P P′′
−MB (max) = + L
6.67 5.71
( ′ )
P P′′
K2 (live load) MBC (max) = + L
10 5.71
1032 Appendix C Structural Aids

Table C.8 Moments in Unequal-Span Continuous Beams Subjected to Unequal Loads