Module I.

: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams

Lesson 2

Axial force, shear force and bending moment in beam

2.1 Introduction

To start with, consider a simply supported beam subjected to some arbitrary

external load as shown in Figure 2.1a. Let the beam is cut by a section mn.
Figure 2.1b shows the free body diagram of the portion of the beam to the left
part of the section mn. Fin represents the internal force on section mn. Now
using the concept of equivalent force-couple system, Fin may be represented by
a force Fc applied at the centroid of the cross-section and a couple Mx as shown
in Figure 2.1c. The force Fc may further be decomposed into two orthogonal
components, Fx, normal to the plane of the cross-section and Vx, tangential to
the plane of the cross-section (see Figure 2.1d).
m
F1 F2 F3 F1 F2 m

Fin
x

y (a) y (b) n
Support Reaction
n

F1 F2 m F1 F2 m

Mx Mx
Fc
Fx
x x
Vx
y n y n
Support Reaction (c) Support Reaction (d)

Figure 2.1
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

Similarly the internal force on any section may be represented by three

quantities Fx, Vx and Mx called respectively as axial force, shear force and
bending moment.

Sign convention
Throughout the syllabus we will consistently use the following sign convention.

Axial force Shear force Bending moment

Figure 2.2

2.2 Computation of Support Reaction and Internal Forces

The following procedure may be followed in order to determine the support
reaction of a beam.
(a) Draw the free body diagram of the entire structure. In this free body
diagram only unknowns are the support reaction.
(b) Apply the static equilibrium condition to determine the unknowns.

The following procedure may be followed in order to determine the internal

forces at any section of a beam.
 At the desired location take a section which cut the beam into two parts.
 Isolate any part and draw the free body diagram. In this diagram only
unknowns are the internal forces.
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

 Apply the static equilibrium conditions to determine the internal forces.

This is demonstrated via the following example.

Example 2.1
A simply supported beam AB is subjected to a concentrated load P as shown in
Figure 2.3. Calculate reactions at A and B. Calculate shear force and bending
moment at a distance x from A.

P
x
A C B

y a b
Figure 2.3

Calculation of support reactions

P
Ax
A C B

a b By
Ay
Figure 2.4

Figure 2.4 shows the free body diagram of the entire structure. Here support
reactions Ax, Ay and By are unknowns. Now applying the static equilibrium
conditions we have,
F x  0  Ax  0 (2.1)

F y  0  Ay  B y  P  0  Ay  B y  P (2.2)
Pb
M B  0  Ay (a  b)  Pb  0  Ay 
a  b 
(2.3)
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

Substituting Ay in equation (2.2) we have,

Pa
By  (2.4)
a  b 

Calculation of shear force and bending moment

Two sections viz. 0  x  a and a  x  b are considered. Corresponding free
body diagrams are shown in Figure 2.5.

P
Mx a Mx
Fx Fx
A A C
Ay Vx Ay Vx
0  x a
a  x b
Figure 2.5

For 0 < x  a
F x  0  Fx  0 (2.4)
Pb
F y  0  Ay  V x  0  V x 
a  b 
(2.5)

Pb
M B  0  Ay x  M x  0  M x 
a  b 
x (2.6)

For a  x < b
F x  0  Fx  0 (2.7)
Pa
F y  0  Ay  P  V x  0  V x  
a  b 
(2.8)

 x 
M B  0  Ay x  P( x  a )  M x  0  M x  Pa1 
 ab
 (2.9)
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

2.3 Bending Moment and Shear Force Diagram

Shear force and bending moment diagrams are the graphical representation of
variation of shear force and bending moment respectively along the axis of the
beam. For illustration consider the previous example where the variation of
shear force and bending moment may be summarized as,

location Shear force Bending moment

0xa Pb Pb
x
a  b  a  b 
a xb 
Pa  x 
Pa1  
a  b   ab

Corresponding diagrams are shown in Figure 2.6.

Pb
 
a  b 
B
Pa
 
A C a  b 
SFD
Pab
 
a  b 

A C B
BMD

Figure 2.6
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

2.4 Example 2.2

A simply supported beam AB is subjected to a uniformly distributed load of

intensity of q as shown in Figure 2.7. Calculate support reactions and draw
shear force and bending moment diagram.

q per unit length

x
A B

y l

Figure 2.7
Solution
The free body diagram of the entire structure is shown in Figure 4.2.
q
Ax
C B
A
Ay x By

Figure 2.8
Applying equilibrium conditions we have,
F x  0  Ax  0

l ql
M B  0  Ay l  ql
2
 0  Ay 
2
ql
F y  0  Ay  B y  ql  0  B y 
2
Take a section at C which is at a distance x from A. Figure 2.9 shows the free
body diagram of the portion of the beam to the left part of the section.

q Mx
Fx
A C
ql Vx
2
x

Figure 2.9
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

Taking force equilibrium in vertical direction, we have,

ql ql
F y 0
2
 qx  V x  0  V x  qx 
2
(2.10)

Taking moment about C we have,

ql x ql qx 2
 M C  0  2 x  qx 2  M x  0  M x  2 x  2 (2.11)

Shear force and bending moment diagram (graphical representations of

equations (2.10) and (2.11)) are shown in Figure 2.10.

ql 2

A B
SFD
 ql 2

ql 2 8

A B
BMD

Figure 2.10

Suggested Readings
Hbbeler, R. C. (2002). Structural Analysis, Pearson Education (Singapore) Pte.
Ltd.,Delhi.

Jain, A.K., Punmia, B.C., Jain, A.K., (2004). Theory of Structures. Twelfth
Edition, Laxmi Publications.
 Module I.: Analysis of Statically Determinate Beams
 

Menon, D., (2008), Structural Analysis, Narosa Publishing House Pvt. Ltd.,
New Delhi.
Hsieh, Y.Y., (1987), Elementry Theory of Structures , Third Ddition, Prentrice
Hall.

QUIZ

State whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F):

1. Bending moment is a moment about the longitudinal axis of a beam.

2. For a simply supported beam bending moment is zero at two ends.

3. A beam cross-section cannot have axial force and shear force together.

4. Bending moment is always positive.

5. Shear force at the support is equal to the support reaction.

Answers: 1. F

2. T

3. F

4. F

5. T