C EN TR OI D & DI S TRI BU T ED L O A DI N G

1. Centroid of a circular arc of radius 𝑅 subtending an angle 2𝛽 at the centre would be at the line

symmetrically dividing the arc and at a distance 𝑐 from centre. Determine 𝑐.

2. Figure shows a circle of radius 1000 𝑚𝑚. A square area has been removed from circle as shown.

Determine the distance of centroid of remaining shaded area from the centre of circle.

3. The plane region is bounded by a semicircle of radius 𝑅 and a parabola of height ℎ. Determine the

relationship between 𝑅 and ℎ for which the centroid of the region is at 𝐶.

4. A cantilever beam is subjected to a parabolic distributed load as shown in figure. Determine reaction

moment at the support.

5. A cantilever beam is subjected to a distributed load as shown in figure. Determine reaction moment

on the beam at the fixed support.

 S H E AR F O RC E & B EN D IN G M O M EN T

Developing SF and BM equations

6. A simply supported beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 of length 6 𝑚 has a downward point load of 1200 𝑁 acting at 𝐵. If

𝐴𝐵 = 4 𝑚 and 𝐵𝐶 = 2 𝑚, express shear force and bending moment at a section 𝑋 in 𝐴𝐵 segment such that

the section 𝑋 is at 𝑥 distance from 𝐴.

7. A simply supported beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 has 𝐴𝐵 = 4 𝑚 and 𝐵𝐶 = 2 𝑚. A uniformly distributed load of intensity

600 𝑁/𝑚 is acting over 𝐴𝐵 length. Express shear force and bending moment at a section 𝑋 in 𝐴𝐵 segment

such that the section 𝑋 is at 𝑥 distance from 𝐴.

8. A beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 has hinge support at 𝐴 and roller support at 𝐵. 𝐴𝐵 = 5 𝑚 and 𝐵𝐶 = 1 𝑚. A uniformly

varying load acts over entire length such that intensity varies from 0 at 𝐴 to maximum 1200 𝑁/𝑚 at 𝐶.

Determine the bending moment at point 𝐵.

9. A simply supported beam, 6 𝑚 long, carries a load 𝜔 = 70𝑥 2 𝑁/𝑚 over entire span where 𝑥 is the distance

in 𝑚 measured from left support. (i) Find support reactions. (ii) Draw complete shear force and bending

moment diagrams. (iii) Determine location and magnitude of maximum bending moment.

10. A simply supported beam of length 𝐿 carries a distributed load 𝜔 = sin ( 𝑥) 𝑁/𝑚 over entire span
𝜋
𝐿

where 𝑥 is the distance in 𝑚 measured from left support. (i.) Find support reactions. (ii.) Develop bending

moment equation for the beam.

Relation between SF and BM

11. Shear force on a beam segment 𝐴𝐵 (4 𝑚) is 𝐹 = (2400 − 300𝑥 2 ) 𝑁 where 𝑥 is the distance in 𝑚 measured

from 𝐴. Determine bending moment at 𝐵 if bending moment at 𝐴 is 450 𝑁𝑚. Does bending moment

have maxima somewhere in 𝐴𝐵 length? If yes, determine that maxima value of bending moment.

12. Bending moment on a beam segment 𝐴𝐵 (5 𝑚) is 𝑀 = (450 + 1200𝑥 − 150𝑥 2 ) 𝑁𝑚 where 𝑥 is the

distance in 𝑚 measured from 𝐴. Determine shear force at mid-point of 𝐴𝐵.

13. Shear force diagram of a beam is shown in following figure. Obtain the corresponding bending

moment diagram. It is known that a couple is applied to the beam at point 𝐴. 𝐴𝐵 = 1 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 3 𝑚.

Max BM and point of contraflexure

14. A simply supported beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 is subjected uniform load of 1200 𝑁/𝑚 on length 𝐴𝐵 and a

concentrated load 1800 𝑁 at C. 𝐴𝐵 = 4 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 2 𝑚, 𝐶𝐷 = 2 𝑚. All loads are transverse. (i) Draw complete

shear and bending diagrams (ii) Find location and magnitude of maximum bending moment.

15. A simply supported beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 is such that 𝐴𝐵 length carries a load varying uniformly from 1800 𝑁/𝑚

at 𝐴 to 0 𝑁/𝑚 at 𝐵. 𝐴𝐵 = 3 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 1.5 𝑚. All loads are transverse. (i) Draw complete shear and bending

diagrams (ii) Find location and magnitude of maximum bending moment.

16. A beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 has simple supports at 𝐴 and 𝐶, carries a uniform load of 1200 𝑁/𝑚 on length 𝐴𝐵 and

a load of 1800 𝑁 at 𝐷. 𝐴𝐵 = 4 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 2 𝑚, 𝐶𝐷 = 2 𝑚. All loads are transverse. (i) Draw complete shear

and bending diagrams (ii) Find location and magnitude of maximum bending moment (iii) Locate

point of contraflexure from 𝐷.

17. A beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 has simple supports at 𝐴 and 𝐵, carries a transverse load varying uniformly from 0 𝑁/𝑚

at 𝐴 to 1800 𝑁/𝑚 at 𝐶. 𝐴𝐵 = 3 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 1 𝑚. (i) Draw complete shear and bending diagrams (ii) Find

location and magnitude of maximum bending moment (iii) Locate point of contraflexure from 𝐴.

18. Determine the location of point of contraflexure of the beam shown in following figure from 𝐴.

Moment load and internal hinge

19. Draw complete shear force and bending moment diagram for the beam loaded as shown in figure.
20. A cantilever beam is subjected to the uniformly distributed moment 𝑚 (𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡/𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ). Draw the

shear and moment diagrams for the beam.

21. For the beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶 loaded as shown in following figure, find reaction at support 𝐴.

22. Draw complete shear force and bending moment diagram for the beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 loaded as shown in

figure.

SFD to Beam

23. Shear force diagram of a beam is shown in following figure. Obtain the corresponding load diagram.

Assume no couples are applied to the beam.

24. Shear force diagram of a beam is shown in following figure. Obtain the corresponding load diagram.

It is known that a couple is applied to the beam at point 𝐴.

Given that 𝐴𝐵 = 1 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 3 𝑚.
 B EN DI N G S TR E S S

Doubly symmetric sections

25. A fiberglass pipe is lifted by a sling, as shown in the figure. The outer diameter of the pipe is 100 𝑚𝑚,

its thickness is 6 𝑚𝑚, and its mass density is 1500 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3 . The length of the pipe is 10 𝑚 and the distance

between lifting points is 4 𝑚. Determine the maximum bending stress in the pipe due to its own weight.

26. A simply supported beam of uniform rectangular cross section is subjected to varying distributed

load having intensity 0 at left end and 𝜔 at right end. Express maximum bending stress at mid span

of the beam.

27. A cantilever beam of rectangular cross section (𝑏 𝑚𝑚 × 𝑑 𝑚𝑚) is subjected to 𝑈𝐷𝐿 of 𝜔 𝑁/𝑚 throughout

the beam length 𝐿 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟. Determine bending stress at a layer 𝑚𝑚 from the top fiber at a cross section
𝑑
5

𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 from the free end.

3𝐿
4

28. A beam 𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷 (𝐴𝐵 = 2 𝑚, 𝐵𝐶 = 4 𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶𝐷 = 2𝑚) has simple supports at 𝐵 and 𝐶 and is subjected to

downward transverse loads 600 𝑁 at each end and a uniform load 300 𝑁/𝑚 between 𝐵 to 𝐶. The cross

section of the beam is circular.

(i) If the diameter of the beam cross section is 48 𝑚𝑚, determine maximum bending stress.

(ii) If permissible stress in tension and compression are 140 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 180 𝑀𝑃𝑎 respectively, determine the

safe diameter of the beam.

Singly symmetric sections

29. For the beam shown in figure, determine maximum tensile and compressive stress for intensity of

distributed load as 4 𝑘𝑁/𝑚.

30. For the beam loaded as shown in figure, if permissible tensile and compressive stress for the beam

material are 50 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 140 𝑀𝑃𝑎, what maximum intensity of 𝑈𝐷𝐿 can be used?

31. The beam carries a concentrated load 𝑊 and a uniformly distributed load that totals 4𝑊. If 𝑊 =

20 𝑘𝑁, determine the maximum tensile and compressive stress in the beam. The neautral axis is at

100 𝑚𝑚 from bottom fiber and 50 𝑚𝑚 top fiber.

Varying cross sectional dimensions

32. A simply supported beam has square cross section and is loaded as shown in figure. Determine the

location of the section from left support where maximum bending stress is greatest. Also determine the

magnitude of this greatest maximum bending stress.

33. Consider a cantilever beam of rectangular cross section loaded as shown in figure. If 𝐷 = 4𝑑, determine

maximum bending stress in beam. Also determine the distance of corresponding section from free end

of the beam.
34. Consider a cantilever beam of rectangular cross section loaded as shown in figure. If 𝐷 = 1.5𝑑,

determine maximum bending stress in beam. Also determine the distance of corresponding section from

free end of the beam.

Beam of uniform strength (BOUS)

35. A cantilever beam of rectangular cross section is subjected to a concentrated transverse load at free

end. The width of cross section is to remain constant. Measuring 𝑥 as the distance of any section from

free end, how should the depth of cross section vary with 𝑥 in order to have a beam of uniform strength?

36. A simply supported beam (length 𝐿) having rectangular cross section with constant thickness h and

varying width 𝑏𝑥 carries a concentrated load 𝑊 acting at the midpoint. Measuring 𝑥 from left support,

how should the width 𝑏𝑥 vary as a function of 𝑥 in order to have a beam of uniform strength? Express

𝑏𝑥 in terms of 𝐵 where 𝐵 is the width of cross section at mid span.

Beam strength

37. A rectangular section of width 𝑏 and depth 2𝑏 is replaced by a symmetric I section of same material

and same area, each flange having width 𝑏 and thickness 𝑏/4 and web thickness 𝑏/4. Determine the

ratio of beam strength of I section to that of rectangular section.

38. Determine the ratios of the weights of three beams (cross sections shown in figure) that have the

same length, are made of the same material, are to have same beam strength. Which cross section

requires least weight of material and what is the intuition behind it?

39. Determine the width of the strongest rectangular section that can be cut from a circular log of

diameter 𝐷.
40. A square section is used for a beam in bending in two alternative configurations as shown. If both

the sections are subjected to bending about horizontal centroidal axis, determine the ratio of beam

strength of first configuration to that of the second configuration.

(i) (ii)

41. An I section symmetric about vertical axis is shown in figure. This section is to be produced for a

beam subjected to sagging bending moment M. If the permissible tensile and compressive stresses for

beam material are 130 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 140 𝑀𝑃𝑎 respectively, what maximum 𝑀 can be used?
 A N S WE R S

1. 20. 𝑆𝐹 = 0, 𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑚𝐿
𝑅 sin 𝛽
𝛽

2. 94.64 𝑚𝑚 21. 5 𝑘𝑁

3. ℎ =
√5
𝑅 22. 𝑅𝐴 = 36 𝑘𝑁 ↑, 𝑅𝐵 = 168 𝑘𝑁 ↑, 𝑅𝐷 = 36 𝑘𝑁 ↑
2

4𝐻𝐿2 𝑆𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 84 𝑘𝑁, 𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 120 𝑘𝑁𝑚,

4.
3
𝑃𝑂𝐶 𝑎𝑡 3 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑡 3 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐷
𝐻𝐿2
5.
6

6. 𝐹𝑥 = 400, 𝑀𝑥 = 400𝑥

7. 𝐹𝑥 = 1600 − 600𝑥, 𝑀𝑥 = 1600 − 300𝑥 2

8. 10233.33 𝑁𝑚 23.

9.
70
𝑅1 = 1260 𝑁 ↑, 𝑅2 = 3780 𝑁 ↑, 𝐹 = 1260 − ( ) 𝑥 3 , 𝑀 =
3

35
1260𝑥 − ( ) 𝑥 4 ,
6

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3571.8 𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑡 3.78 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡

24.
10. 𝑅1 =
𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝜋
↑, 𝑅2 = ↑, 𝐹 = cos ( 𝑥),
25. 3043.28 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝐿

𝐿 2 𝜋
𝑀 = ( ) sin ( 𝑥) 𝜔𝐿2
26.
𝜋 𝐿 3
( )
8 𝑏𝑑 2
11. (𝑖) 𝑀𝐵 = 3650 𝑁𝑚, (𝑖𝑖) 𝑌𝑒𝑠, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4975.48 𝑁𝑚
𝜔𝐿2
27.
81
( )
80 𝑏𝑑 2
12. 𝐹𝑚𝑖𝑑 = 450 𝑁
28. (𝑖) 110.52 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑖𝑖) 44.36 𝑚𝑚

29. (𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 )𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 = 48 𝑀𝑃𝑎, (𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 )𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 = 120 𝑀𝑃𝑎

30. 4.167 𝑘𝑁/𝑚

13.
31. (𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 )𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 = 30 𝑀𝑃𝑎, (𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 )𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 = 53.33 𝑀𝑃𝑎
14. 𝑅𝐴 = 4050 𝑁 ↑, 𝑅𝐷 = 2550 𝑁 ↑, 𝑆𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4050 𝑁,
32. 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = , 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡
4𝑊𝐿 𝐿
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑒𝑛𝑑
27𝑎3 6
𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 6834.375 𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑡 3.375 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴
33. 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = , 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡
𝑊𝐿 𝐿
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑑
15. 𝑅𝐴 = 2100 𝑁 ↑, 𝑅𝐶 = 600 𝑁 ↑, 𝑆𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2100 𝑁, 2𝑏𝑑 2 3

34. 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = , 𝐶𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑓𝑖𝑥𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑡𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓

8𝑊𝐿
𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1465.6854 𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑡 1.4142 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐵 𝑏𝑑 2

16. 𝑅𝐴 = 2600 𝑁 ↑, 𝑅𝐶 = 4000 𝑁 ↑, 𝑆𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2600 𝑁, 35. 𝑑 ∝ √𝑥

36. ( ) 𝑥
40 2𝐵
𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3600 𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝐶, 𝑃𝑂𝐶 𝑎𝑡 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐷
11 𝐿

17. 𝑅𝐴 = 400 𝑁 ↑, 𝑅𝐵 = 3200 𝑁 ↑, 𝑆𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1625 𝑁, 𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 37. 4.3317

= 825 𝑁𝑚 𝑎𝑡 𝐵, 𝑃𝑂𝐶 𝑎𝑡 2.3094 𝑚 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐴 38. 1: 1.26: 1.408

18. 1.5 𝑚 39. 𝐷/√3

19. 𝑅𝐴 = 4 𝑘𝑁 ↓, 𝑅𝐶 = 14 𝑘𝑁 ↑, 𝑆𝐹𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 14 𝑘𝑁, 40. √2: 1

𝐵𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 42 𝑘𝑁𝑚 41. 16.24 𝑘𝑁𝑚