CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 1/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Influence lines are important in the design We learned that shear and moment
of structures that resist large live loads. diagrams are important in determining the
maximum internal force in a structure.
In our work up to this point, we have
discussed analysis techniques for structures If a structure is subjected to a live or
subjected to dead or fixed loads. moving load, the variation in shear and
moment is best described using influence
lines.
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Consider a transport truck moving over a Definition of an influence line:
simply-support bridge beam.
An influence line represents the variation
of the reaction, shear, moment, or deflection
at a specific point in a member as a
concentrated force moves over the member.
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Once the influence line is drawn, the Although the procedure for constructing an
location of the live load which will cause the influence line is rather simple, it is
greatest influence on the structure can be important to remember the difference
found very quickly. between constructing an influence line and
constructing a shear or moment diagram
Therefore, influence lines are important in
the design of a structure where the loads
move along the span (bridges, cranes,
conveyors, etc.).
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 2/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Influence lines represent the effect of a Tabular Procedure for determining the
moving load only at a specified point on a influence line at a point P for any function
member. (reaction, shear, or moment).
Whereas shear and moment diagrams 1. Place a unit load (a load whose magnitude is equal to
represent the effect of fixed loads at all one) at a point, x, along the member.
points along the member.
2. Use the equations of equilibrium to find the value of
the function (reaction, shear, or moment) at a specific
point P due the concentrated load at x.
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Tabular Procedure for determining the Influence-Line Equations Procedure for
influence line at a point P for any function determining the influence line at a point P for
(reaction, shear, or moment). any function (reaction, shear, or moment).
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for various values of x over the 1. Place a unit load (a load whose magnitude is equal
whole beam. to one) at a point, x, along the member.
4. Plot the values of the reaction, shear, or moment for 2. Use the equations of equilibrium to find the value of
the member. the reaction, shear, or moment at a specific point P
due the concentrated load as a function of x.
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Influence-Line Equations Procedure for Example: Lets draw an influence line for the reaction,
shear, and moment for both points A and B using the tabular
determining the influence line at a point P for method.
any function (reaction, shear, or moment).
A B
3. Plot the values of the reaction, shear, or moment for
the member. 5m 5m
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 3/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: First, lets construct the influence line for the Example: First, lets construct the influence line for the
vertical reaction at point A vertical reaction at point A
1 1
MA x=0 MA
x=5m
Ay Ay
F y 0 Ay 1 Ay = 1 F y 0 Ay 1 Ay = 1
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: First, lets construct the influence line for the Example: First, lets construct the influence line for the
vertical reaction at point A vertical reaction at point A
1
MA
A B
x = 10 m
Ay
5m 5m
Ay
F y 0 Ay 1 Ay = 1 1
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the bending Example: Construct the influence line for the bending
moment at point A moment at point A
1 1
MA x=0 MA x=3m
Ay Ay
M A 0 M A 1(0 m ) MA = 0 M A 0 M A 1(3 m ) MA = -3 m
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 4/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the bending Example: Construct the influence line for the bending
moment at point A moment at point A
1 1
MA x=6m MA x = 10 m
Ay Ay
M A 0 M A 1(6 m ) MA = -6 m
M A 0 M A 1(10 m ) MA = -10 m
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the bending Example: Construct the influence line for the shear
moment at point A at point B
A 1
B MA
x
Ay
5m 5m
MA
F y 0 Ay 1 Ay = 1
x
-3 m
-6 m
-10 m
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the shear Example: Construct the influence line for the shear
at point B at point B
1
MA MA
x
x<5 x>5
B 5m VB B 5m VB
1 1
F y 0 VB 1 1 VB = 0
F y 0 VB 1 VB = 1
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 5/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the shear Example: Construct the influence line for the bending
at point B moment at point B
1
MA
A B x
1
5m 5m
VB
1 M A 0 M A 1x MA = -x
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: First, lets construct the influence line for the Example: First, lets construct the influence line for the
bending moment at point B bending moment at point B
1
MB MB
x
x<5 x>5
B 5m B 5m
x x
1 1
M cut 0 MB x 5 (5 x ) M cut 0 MB x 5
MB = 0 MB = 5 - x
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the bending
Example: Construct the influence line for the reaction at B
moment at point B
A B
5m 5m B
A 5 ft. 5 ft.
MB
MB = 0 MB = 5 - x
(m)
x
-5 m
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 6/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: Construct the influence line for the shear at C Example: Construct the influence line for the moment at C
A C B
A B
3 ft. 9 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft. 5 ft.
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Since beams or girders are usually major load Concentrated Force - Since we use a unit force (a
carrying members in large structures, it is dimensionless load), the value of the function
important to draw influence lines for reaction, (reaction, shear, or moment) can be found by
shear, and moment at specified points. multiplying the ordinate of the influence line at the
position x by the magnitude of the actual force P.
Once an influence line has been drawn, it is
possible to locate the live loads on the beam so
that the maximum value of the reaction, shear, or
moment is produced.
This is very important in the design procedure.
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Lets examine the interval x
Uniform Force - consider the portion of the
A
beam x dF y w x y
dF = wx
w(x)
w = w(x) y x
x
x
x
x x
x w x y w ydx
ydx is the area under the influence line
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Introduction 7/7
Influence Lines Influence Lines
Example: The beam below is subject to a dead load of 1.5 kN/m and a Example: Determine the maximum positive moment that can be developed
single live load of 10 kN. Determine the maximum negative moment created at point C on the beam shown below due to a single concentrated live load of
by these loads at point A and the maximum positive shear at point B. 8 k, a uniform live load of 3 k/ft., and a beam weight (dead load) of 1 k/ft.
A B C
A C B
4 ft. 4 ft. 4 ft.
5m 10 m
End of Influence Lines Part 1
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