CHAPTER MECHANICS OF

5 MATERIALS
Analysis and Design
of Beams for Bending

Dr. Atta ur Rehman Shah

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Website: [Link]

Courtesy: © 2002 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Analysis and Design of Beams for Bending

Introduction
Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams
Sample Problem 5.1
Sample Problem 5.2
Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment
Sample Problem 5.3
Sample Problem 5.5
Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending
Sample Problem 5.8

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Introduction
• Objective - Analysis and design of beams

• Beams - structural members supporting transverse

loads at various points along the member

• Transverse loadings of beams are classified as

concentrated loads or distributed loads

• Applied loads result in internal forces consisting

of a shear force (from the shear stress
distribution) and a bending couple (from the
normal stress distribution)

• Normal stress is often the critical design criteria

My Mc M
x = − m = =
I I S
Requires determination of the location and
magnitude of largest bending moment

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Introduction

Classification of Beam Supports

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Shear and Bending Moment Diagrams

• Determination of maximum normal and
shearing stresses requires identification of
maximum internal shear force and bending
couple.

• Shear force and bending couple at a point are

determined by passing a section through the
beam and applying an equilibrium analysis on
the beam portions on either side of the
section.

• Sign conventions for shear forces V and V’

and bending couples M and M’

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.1

SOLUTION:
• Treating the entire beam as a rigid
body, determine the reaction forces

• Section the beam at points near

supports and load application points.
Apply equilibrium analyses on
resulting free-bodies to determine
For the timber beam and loading internal shear forces and bending
shown, draw the shear and bend- couples
moment diagrams and determine the
maximum normal stress due to • Identify the maximum shear and
bending. bending-moment from plots of their
distributions.

• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to

determine the corresponding
maximum normal stress.
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.1

SOLUTION:
• Treating the entire beam as a rigid body, determine
the reaction forces
from  Fy = 0 =  M B : RB = 40 kN RD = 14 kN

• Section the beam and apply equilibrium analyses

on resulting free-bodies
 Fy = 0 − 20 kN − V1 = 0 V1 = −20 kN
 M1 = 0 (20 kN )(0 m ) + M1 = 0 M1 = 0

 Fy = 0 − 20 kN − V2 = 0 V2 = −20 kN
 M2 = 0 (20 kN )(2.5 m ) + M 2 = 0 M 2 = −50 kN  m

V3 = +26 kN M 3 = −50 kN  m
V4 = +26 kN M 4 = +28 kN  m
V5 = −14 kN M 5 = +28 kN  m
V6 = −14 kN M6 = 0

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.1

• Identify the maximum shear and bending-
moment from plots of their distributions.
Vm = 26 kN M m = M B = 50 kN  m

• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to

determine the corresponding
maximum normal stress.
S = 16 b h 2 = 16 (0.080 m )(0.250 m )2

= 833.33 10− 6 m3

MB 50  103 N  m
m = =
S 833.33 10− 6 m3

 m = 60.0  106 Pa

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.2

SOLUTION:
• Replace the 10 kip load with an
equivalent force-couple system at D.
Find the reactions at B by considering
the beam as a rigid body.

• Section the beam at points near the

support and load application points.
The structure shown is constructed of a Apply equilibrium analyses on
W10x112 rolled-steel beam. (a) Draw resulting free-bodies to determine
the shear and bending-moment diagrams internal shear forces and bending
for the beam and the given loading. (b) couples.
determine normal stress in sections just
to the right and left of point D. • Apply the elastic flexure formulas to
determine the maximum normal
stress to the left and right of point D.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.2

SOLUTION:
• Replace the 10 kip load with equivalent force-
couple system at D. Find reactions at B.
• Section the beam and apply equilibrium
analyses on resulting free-bodies.
From A to C :
 Fy = 0 − 3x − V = 0 V = −3x kips
 M1 = 0 (3x )(12 x )+ M = 0 M = −1.5 x 2 kip  ft

From C to D :
 Fy = 0 − 24 − V = 0 V = −24 kips
 M 2 = 0 24( x − 4) + M = 0 M = (96 − 24 x ) kip  ft

From D to B :
V = −34 kips M = (226 − 34 x ) kip  ft

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.2

• Apply the elastic flexure formulas to
determine the maximum normal stress to
the left and right of point D.
From Appendix C for a W10x112 rolled
steel shape, S = 126 in3 about the X-X axis.
To the left of D :
M 2016 kip  in
m = =  m = 16.0 ksi
S 126 in 3
To the right of D :
M 1776 kip  in  m = 14.1ksi
m = =
S 126 in 3

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Relations Among Load, Shear, and Bending Moment

• Relationship between load and shear:
 Fy = 0 : V − (V + V ) − w x = 0
V = − w x
dV
= −w
dx
xD
VD − VC = −  w dx
xC

• Relationship between shear and bending

moment:
 M C = 0 : (M + M ) − M − V x + wx x = 0
2
M = V x − 12 w (x ) 2

dM
=0
dx
xD
M D − M C =  V dx
xC

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.3

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body,
determine the reactions at A and D.

• Apply the relationship between shear and

load to develop the shear diagram.

Draw the shear and bending • Apply the relationship between bending
moment diagrams for the beam moment and shear to develop the bending
and loading shown. moment diagram.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.3

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body, determine the
reactions at A and D.
MA = 0
0 = D(24 ft ) − (20 kips )(6 ft ) − (12 kips )(14 ft ) − (12 kips )(28 ft )
D = 26 kips
 Fy = 0
0 = Ay − 20 kips − 12 kips + 26 kips − 12 kips
Ay = 18 kips

• Apply the relationship between shear and load to

develop the shear diagram.
dV
= −w dV = − w dx
dx
- zero slope between concentrated loads
- linear variation over uniform load segment

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.3

• Apply the relationship between bending
moment and shear to develop the bending
moment diagram.
dM
=V dM = V dx
dx
- bending moment at A and E is zero
- bending moment variation between A, B,
C and D is linear
- bending moment variation between D
and E is quadratic
- net change in bending moment is equal to
areas under shear distribution segments
- total of all bending moment changes across
the beam should be zero

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.5

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body,
determine the reactions at C.

• Apply the relationship between shear

and load to develop the shear diagram.

Draw the shear and bending moment • Apply the relationship between
diagrams for the beam and loading bending moment and shear to develop
shown. the bending moment diagram.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.5

SOLUTION:
• Taking the entire beam as a free body,
determine the reactions at C.
 Fy = 0 = − 12 w0 a + RC RC = 12 w0 a
 a  a
 M C = 0 = 12 w0 a L −  + M C M C = − 12 w0 a L − 
 3  3
Results from integration of the load and shear
distributions should be equivalent.
• Apply the relationship between shear and load
to develop the shear diagram.
a
a
 x   x 2 
VB − V A = −  w0 1 −  dx = −  w0  x − 
 2a 
0  a   0
VB = − 12 w0 a = − ( area under load curve)

- No change in shear between B and C.

- Compatible with free body analysis
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.5

• Apply the relationship between bending moment
and shear to develop the bending moment
diagram.
a
a  x 2    x 2 x3 
 
M B − M A =  − w0  x −  dx = − w0  − 
  2a    2 6a 
0     0
M B = − 13 w0 a 2

( )
L
M B − M C =  − 12 w0 a dx = − 12 w0 a(L − a )
a
a w0  a
M C = − 16 w0 a(3L − a ) = L− 
2  3

Results at C are compatible with free-body

analysis

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending

• The largest normal stress is found at the surface where the
maximum bending moment occurs.
M max c M max
m = =
I S

• A safe design requires that the maximum normal stress be

less than the allowable stress for the material used. This
criteria leads to the determination of the minimum
acceptable section modulus.
 m   all
M max
S min =
 all

• Among beam section choices which have an acceptable

section modulus, the one with the smallest weight per unit
length or cross sectional area will be the least expensive
and the best choice.
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.8

SOLUTION:
• Considering the entire beam as a free-
body, determine the reactions at A and
D.

• Develop the shear diagram for the

A simply supported steel beam is to beam and load distribution. From the
carry the distributed and concentrated diagram, determine the maximum
loads shown. Knowing that the bending moment.
allowable normal stress for the grade
of steel to be used is 160 MPa, select • Determine the minimum acceptable
the wide-flange shape that should be beam section modulus. Choose the
used. best standard section which meets this
criteria.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.8

• Considering the entire beam as a free-body,
determine the reactions at A and D.
 M A = 0 = D(5 m ) − (60 kN )(1.5 m ) − (50 kN )(4 m )
D = 58.0 kN
 Fy = 0 = Ay + 58.0 kN − 60 kN − 50 kN
Ay = 52.0 kN

• Develop the shear diagram and determine the

maximum bending moment.
V A = Ay = 52.0 kN
VB − V A = −(area under load curve) = −60 kN
VB = −8 kN

• Maximum bending moment occurs at

V = 0 or x = 2.6 m.
M max = (area under shear curve, A to E )
= 67.6 kN

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.8

• Determine the minimum acceptable beam
section modulus.
M max 67.6 kN  m
S min = =
 all 160 MPa
= 422.5 10− 6 m3 = 422.5 103 mm3

• Choose the best standard section which meets

this criteria.
Shape S , mm3 W 360 32.9
W410  38.8 637
W360  32.9 474
W310  38.7 549
W250  44.8 535
W200  46.1 448

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Problem 5.52
Determine (a) the equations of the shear and bending moment
curves for the beam and loading shown, (b) the maximum
absolute value of the bending moment in the beam.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Problem 5.13

Assuming that the reaction of the ground is uniformly distributed,

draw the shear and bending-moment diagrams for the beam AB
and determine the maximum absolute value (a) of the shear, (b)
of the bending moment.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

SINGULARITY FUNCTIONS USED TO DETERMINE

SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT
• Singularity functions are used to
represent the shear and bending moment
by single analytical functions.

• Consider a simply supported beam

shown in the figure; it is represented by
two different function of V and M.

For 0 < x < a

V1 (x ) = 14 w0 a , M 1 ( x ) = 14 w0 ax

For a < x < 2a

V2 (x ) = 14 w0 a − w0 (x − a )
M 2 (x ) = 14 w0 ax − 12 (x − a )
2

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

SINGULARITY FUNCTIONS USED TO DETERMINE

SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT
• V (x) and M(x) can be represented V (x ) = 14 w0 a − w0 x − a
by the single functions
M ( x ) = w0 ax − x−a
1 1 2
4 2

The second term in each function is included in the computations when x ≥ a

and ignored when x < a.

• Furthermore, using the same

w = w0 x − a
0
convention, the distributed load at any
point of the beam can be expressed as

• The expressions < x – a >0, < x – a >1, (x − a )n when x  a 

x−a =
n
< x – a >2 are called singularity 
functions. For n ≥ 0,  0 when x  a 

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

SINGULARITY FUNCTIONS USED TO DETERMINE

SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT
• Whenever the quantity between brackets < > is positive or zero, the brackets
should be replaced by ordinary parentheses. Whenever that quantity is
negative, the bracket itself is equal to zero.

• The three singularity functions corresponding to n = 0, n = 1, and n = 2 have

been plotted in Fig.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

SINGULARITY FUNCTIONS USED TO DETERMINE

SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT
• Basic loadings and corresponding shears and bending moments expressed in
terms of singularity functions are shown below.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

SINGULARITY FUNCTIONS USED TO DETERMINE

SHEAR AND BENDING MOMENT

Use of open-ended loadings

to create a closed-ended
loading.
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.9

SOLUTION:
• Considering the entire beam as a free-
body, determine the reactions at A and
B.

• write equations for w, V, and M,

beginning from the left end of the
beam.
For the beam and loading shown,
determine (a) the equations defining • Any abrupt changes in these
the shear and bending moment at any parameters beyond the left end can be
point and (b) the shear and bending accommodated by adding appropriate
moment at points C, D, and E. singularity functions.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.9

• The total load is ½ w0L. Due to

symmetry, each reaction is equal to
half that value as ¼ w0L.

• The given distributed loading is

replaced by two equivalent open-ended
loadings as shown in Figs.

• Using a singularity function to express

the loading function:

w(x ) = k1 x − 0 + k2 x − 12 L
1 1

w( x ) =
2w0 4w 1
x − 0 x − 12 L
L L

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.9

• Shear force V(x) is obtained by

integrating the load function w(x).

V (x ) − V (0) = −
w0 2 2 w0 2
x − x − 12 L
L L
V (x ) = − 0 x 2 − 0 x − 12 L + w0 L
w 2w 2 1
L L 4

• Bending moment M(x) is obtained by

integrating the shear function V(x).

M (x ) − M (0) = −
w0 3 2w0 3 1
x + x − 12 L + w0 Lx
3L 3L 4
M (x ) = − 0 x 3 + 0 x − 12 L + w0 Lx
w 2w 3 1
3L 3L 4

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Sample Problem 5.9

• Shear force and bending moments at points C, D and E can be found from
the above Eqs. and recalling that whenever a quantity between brackets is
positive or zero, the brackets can be replaced by parentheses:

VC = − (2 L) −
w0 1 2 2 w0 1
0 + w0 L , VC = 0
2

L L 4
• At point C:
M C = − 0 ( 12 L ) + 0 0 + w0 L( 12 L ) , M C = 121 w0 L2
w 3 2w 3 1
x=½L
3L 3L 4

VD = − (4 L) −
w0 1 2 2 w0 1 2 1
− 4 L + w0 L , VD = 163 w0 L
• At point D: L L 4
M D = − 0 ( 14 L ) + 0 − 14 L + w0 L( 14 L ) , M D = 192
x=¼L w 3 2w 3 1 11
w0 L2
3L 3L 4

VE = − (4 L) −
w0 3 2 2w0 1 2 1
L + w0 L , VE = − 163 w0 L
• At point E: L L 4
4
M E = − 0 ( 34 L ) + 0 ( )
x=¾L w 2w 3 1
+ =
3 1 31 11 2
4 L w0 L 4 L , M E 192 w0 L
3L 3L 4
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Problem 5.108

(a) Using singularity functions, write the equations for the shear and bending
moment for the beam and loading shown. (b) Determine the maximum value of
the bending moment in the beam.

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Beer • Johnston • DeWolf

Problem 5.104

(a) Using singularity functions, write the equations for the shear and bending
moment for beam ABC under the loading shown. (b) Use the equation obtained
for M to determine the bending moment just to the right of point B.

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