Müller Breslau Principle

(i) ILD for Simply Supported Beam

The Müller-Breslau principle uses Betti's law of virtual work to construct influence lines. let us
consider a Simply Supported beam AB (Fig. a). Apply a unit downward force at a distance x
from A, at point C. Let us assume that it creates the vertical reactions and at supports A and B,
respectively (Fig. b). Let a unit deflection is applied in the direction of R A. Here ∆ is the
deflection at point C (Fig. c ).

A B

1 (a)
x
A B
C
RA RB

Deflected shape
(b) System 1

1
∆
A C B
(c) System 2

According to Betti's law, the virtual work done by the forces in System 1 going through the
corresponding displacements in System 2 should be equal to the virtual work done by the forces
in System 2 going through the corresponding displacements in System 1. For these two systems,
we can write:
RA (1) + (1) (-∆) =0

The right side of this equation is zero, because in System 2 forces can exist only at the supports,
corresponding to which the displacements in System 1 (at supports A and B) are zero. The
negative sign before ∆ accounts for the fact that it acts against the unit load in System 1. Solving
this equation, we get: RA = ∆
In other words, the reaction at support A due to a unit load at point C is equal to the displacement
at point C when the structure is subjected to a unit displacement corresponding to the positive
direction of support reaction at A. Similarly, we can place the unit load at any other point and
obtain the support reaction due to that from System 2. Thus, the deflection pattern in System 2
represents the influence line for RA.
(b) ILD for Shear Force and Bending moment at point C:
Let us consider the shear force at point C of a simply-supported beam AB (Fig. a). We apply a
unit downward force at some point D as shown in System 1 (Fig. b). In system 2 (Fig. c), we
apply a unit deflection corresponding to the shear force Fc. Note that the displacement at point C
is applied in a way such that there is no relative rotation between AC and CB. This will avoid any
virtual work done by the bending moment at C (Mc) going through the rotation in System 2.

A C B

(a) 1
Fc
A B
Mc D
RA RB

Deflected shape
(b) System 1

ɵ
ɵ ∆CA
1 D
A C ∆D ɵ B
∆CB
ɵ

(c) System 2 for FC

Deflected shape

ɵCA ɵCB
∆D
A B
C D
(d) System 2 for MC
According to Betti’s law

Considering work done by Shear Force and unit load

(Fc) (∆CA + ∆CB) + (1) (-∆D) = 0

(Fc) (1) - ∆D = 0

Fc = ∆D

In other words, the Shear Force at C due to a unit load at point D is equal to the displacement at
point D.

Considering work done by Bending Moment and unit load

(Mc) (ɵCA + ɵCB) + (1) (-∆D) = 0

(Mc) (1) - ∆D = 0

Mc = ∆D

In other words, the Bending Moment at C due to a unit load at point D is equal to the
displacement at point D.
(i) ILD for Continuous beam

1
A E C D B

∆D ILD for RA

A 1 ∆D ILD for RC
B

∆EB
1 D ILD for FA
A E ∆D
∆EA B

A D B ILD for ME
E ∆D
(i) ILD for Propped Cantilever beam

1
A C D B

∆D
1
ILD for RB

A D B
1 RB
∆D ILD for MA

C D
A ∆D B
ILD for MC

C D
A B
1 ∆D ILD for FC