6/4/2024

INTERNAL FORCES
Today’s Objective:
Students will be able to:
1. Use the method of sections for
determining internal forces in 2-D
load cases.
In-Class Activities:
• Check Homework, if any
• Reading Quiz
• Applications
• Types of Internal Forces
• Steps for Determining
Internal Forces
• Concept Quiz
• Group Problem Solving
• Attention Quiz

READING QUIZ
1. In a multiforce member, the member is generally subjected
to an internal _________.
A) Normal force B) Shear force
C) Bending moment D) All of the above.

2. In mechanics, the force component V acting

tangent to, or along the face of, the section is
called the _________.
A) Axial force B) Shear force
C) Normal force D) Bending moment

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APPLICATIONS

Beams are structural members

designed to support loads applied
perpendicular to their axes.

Beams are often used to support

the span of bridges. They are often
thicker at the supports than at the
center of the span.

Why are the beams tapered? Internal forces are important in

making such a design decision. In this lesson, you will learn
about these forces and how to determine them.

APPLICATIONS (continued)

A fixed column supports

these rectangular billboards.

Usually such columns are

wider/thicker at the bottom
than at the top. Why?

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APPLICATIONS (continued)

The shop crane is used to move

heavy machine tools around the
shop.
The picture shows that an
additional frame around the joint
is added.

Why might have this been done?

INTERNAL FORCES
The design of any structural member
requires finding the forces acting
B within the member to make sure the
material can resist those loads.

For example, we want to determine

the internal forces acting on the
B cross section at B. But, first, we first
need to determine the support
reactions.
Then we need to cut the beam at B
and draw a FBD of one of the halves
of the beam. This FBD will include the
internal forces acting at B. Finally, we
need to solve for these unknowns
using the E-of-E.

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INTERNAL FORCES (continued)

In two-dimensional cases, typical internal
loads are normal or axial forces (N, acting
perpendicular to the section), shear forces
(V, acting along the surface), and the
bending moment (M).

The loads on the left and right sides of the section at B are equal in
magnitude but opposite in direction. This is because when the two
sides are reconnected, the net loads are zero at the section.

STEPS FOR DETERMINING INTERNAL FORCES

1. Take an imaginary cut at the place where you need to

determine the internal forces. Then, decide which
resulting section or piece will be easier to analyze.

2. If necessary, determine any support reactions or joint

forces you need by drawing a FBD of the entire structure
and solving for the unknown reactions.

3. Draw a FBD of the piece of the structure you’ve decided

to analyze. Remember to show the N, V, and M loads at
the “cut” surface.

4. Apply the E-of-E to the FBD (drawn in step 3) and solve

for the unknown internal loads.

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EXAMPLE

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: The internal forces at point C.

Plan: Follow the procedure!!

Solution

1. Plan on taking the imaginary cut at C. It will be easier to

work with the right section (the cut at C to point B) since the
geometry is simpler and there are no external loads.

EXAMPLE (continued)
2. We need to determine By. Use a FBD of the entire frame and
solve the E-of-E for By.

FBD of the entire beam:

18 kN
3m 3m 9m
Bx

Ay By

Applying the E-of-E to this FBD, we get

 +  Fx = Bx = 0;
+  MA = − By ( 9 ) + 18 ( 3 ) = 0 ; By = 6 kN

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EXAMPLE (continued)
3. Now draw a FBD of the right section. Assume directions for
VC, NC, and MC.

4.5 m
NC

C B
MC VC 6 kN

4. Applying the E-of-E to this FBD, we get

 +  Fx = NC = 0; NC = 0

 +  Fy = – VC – 6 = 0; VC = – 6 kN

+  MC = – 6 (4.5) – MC = 0 ; MC = – 27 kN m .

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CONCEPT QUIZ

1. A column is loaded with a vertical 100 N force. At P

which sections are the internal loads the same?
• 100 N
A) P, Q, and R B) P and Q Q
C) Q and R D) None of the above. R

2. A column is loaded with a horizontal 100 N

force. At which section are the internal loads P
largest? Q 100 N
A) P B) Q R
C) R D) S S

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GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

Given: The loading on the
beam.

Find: The internal forces at

point F.

Plan: Follow the procedure!!

Solution

1. Make an imaginary cut at F. Why there?

Which section will you pick to analyze via the FBD?

Why will it be easier to work with segment FB?

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GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

2. We need to determine the cable tension, T, using a
FBD and the E-of-E for the entire frame.

T T
3m 3m
Ax
45

Ay
1800 N

 +  Fx = Ax = 0
+  MA = T ( 6 ) + T sin 45 ( 6 ) − 1800 (3) = 0 ;

T = 665 N

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GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

3. A FBD of section FB is shown below.

450 N 665 N

NF 0.75 m 0.75 m

F B
MF VF FBD of Section FB

4. Applying the E-of-E to the FBD, we get

 +  Fx = NF = 0
 +  Fy = – 450 + 665 – VF = 0 ; VF = 215 N
+  MC = 665 (1.5) – 450 (0.75) – MF = 0 ; MF = 660 N m .

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ATTENTION QUIZ
1. Determine the magnitude of the internal loads 100 N
(normal, shear, and bending moment) at point C.
80 N
0.5m
A) (100 N, 80 N, 80 N m)
B) (100 N, 80 N, 40 N m) 1m •
C) (80 N, 100 N, 40 N m)
D) (80 N, 100 N, 0 N m )
C

2. A column is loaded with a horizontal 100 N force. P

At which section are the internal loads the
lowest? 100N
Q
R
A) P B) Q
S
C) R D) S

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INTERNAL FORCES EQUATIONS AND

DIAGRAMS
Today’s Objective:
Students will be able to:
1. Define Shear and Moment
equations
2. Draw Shear and Moment Diagrams

In-Class Activities:

• Applications
• Types of Internal Forces
• Steps for Determining
Internal Forces
• Concept Quiz
• Group Problem Solving
• Attention Quiz

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READING QUIZ
1. In a multiforce member, the member is generally subjected
to an internal _________.
A) Normal force B) Shear force
C) Bending moment D) All of the above.

2. In mechanics, the force component V acting

tangent to, or along the face of, the section is
called the _________.
A) Axial force B) Shear force
C) Normal force D) Bending moment

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APPLICATIONS

Design of structural elements is

typically made as an all, rather
then at specific sections

Also, the specific load and support

conditions on beams lead
significant variations in internal
forces that are more easily
understandable in a graphical
manner

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SIGN CONVENTION

Generally speaking, the positive

sign of the internal forces is
oriented along the positive side of
the Cartesian system

In 2-D structural analysis, it is usually

accepted that the positive sign of
internal forces are according to the
pictures: Tension (N), CW rotation
(V), and concave upward (M)

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STEPS FOR DETERMINING INTERNAL FORCES EQUATIONS

1. Determine the support reactions

2. Specify a coordinate system starting at one of the ends

of the beam (usually left).

3. Do a section cut for the beam for segment between

concentrated loads or couples or on changes of
continuous loads.

4. Perform FBD for each segment using a generic x distance

and determine the E-of-E.

5. Plot the internal forces diagrams (all of them!) .

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EXAMPLE

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform section cuts for 0 ≤ x < 2 and 2 < x ≤ 4
3. Perform FBD
4. Draw diagrams

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EXAMPLE (continued)
• Determine support reactions

+  MA = 0; 4 Cy – 5×2 = 0 Cy = 2,5 kN

+  Fy = 0; Ay + Cy - 5 = 0; Ay = 2,5 kN

• Perform FBD for 0 ≤ x < 2

+  Fy = 0; 2,5 - V = 0; V = 2,5 kN
+  M = 0; -2,5x + M= 0 ; M = 2,5x kN.m

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EXAMPLE (continued)
• Perform FBD for 2 < x ≤ 4
+  Fy = 0; 2,5 – 5 - V = 0; V = -2,5 kN
+  M = 0; -2,5x + 5 × (x-2) + M= 0 ;
M = 10 - 2,5x kN.m

• Draw diagrams

The moment
diagram will be
presented with
positive pointing
upwards in this
course

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EXAMPLE

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform section cuts for 0 ≤ x ≤ 9
3. Perform FBD
4. Draw diagrams

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EXAMPLE (continued)
• Determine support reactions

+  MA = 0; 9By – (6×9)/2 × 2/3×9 = 0 A B

By = 18 kN
+  Fy = 0; Ay + 9 – (6×9)/2 = 0; Ay = 9 kN

• Perform FBD for 0 ≤ x ≤ 9

+  Fy = 0; 9 - x2/3 -V = 0; V = 9- x2/3 kN
+  M = 0; M + (x2/3)×(x/3) – 9x = 0;
M = 9x – x3/9 kN.m

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EXAMPLE (continued)

• Draw diagrams

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ATTENTION QUIZ

1. Which of these sentences are true?

a) It is always possible to define a moment diagram in a beam
using a single equation;
b) Concentrated loads lead to discontinuities in the shear force
diagram;
c) When choosing a coordinate axis, the choice can different for
different shear and bending;
d) The value of the support reactions has no effect on the internal
forces diagrams;

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RELATIONS BETWEEN MOMENT AND SHEAR

𝑑𝑉
= 𝑤(𝑥) ∆𝑉 = 𝑤 𝑥 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑀
=𝑉 ∆𝑀 = 𝑉𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥

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EXAMPLE

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform consecutive integrations for shear
3. Perform consecutive integrations for moment
4. Draw diagrams

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EXAMPLE (continued)
• Determine support reactions

+  MB = 0; MB + 1,5×2×1 + 2×4 = 0
MB = -11 kN.m
+  Fy = 0; By - 2 – 2×1,5 = 0; Ay = 5 kN

• Integrate shear

V(x=2) = V(x=0) + V = -2 + ∫ 0 𝑑𝑥 = -2 kN
V(x=4) = V(x=2) + V = -2 + ∫ −1,5 𝑑𝑥 = -5 kN

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EXAMPLE (continued)

• Integrate moments

M(x=2) = M(x=0) + V = 0 + -2 kN × 2 m =
= -4 KN.m
M(x=4) = M(x=2) + V = -4 + (-5-2)/2 × 2 =
= -11 kN

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IMPORTANT NOTES

• The slope of the shear diagram at a point is equal to the

intensity of the distributed loading, where positive distributed
loading is upward, i.e., dV/dx = w(x)
• The change in the shear V between two points is equal to the
area under the distributed-loading curve between the points.
• If a concentrated force acts upward on the beam, the shear
will jump upward by the same amount.

• The slope of the moment diagram at a point is equal to the

shear, i.e., dM/dx = V.

• The change in the moment M between two points is

equal to the area under the shear diagram between
the two points.

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IMPORTANT NOTES (continued)

• If a clockwise couple moment acts on the beam, the shear
will not be affected; however, the moment diagram will jump
upward by the amount of the moment.

• Points of zero shear represent points of maximum or minimum

moment since dM/dx = 0.

• Because two integrations of w = w(x) are involved to first

determine the change in shear, V = ∫𝑤(x) dx , then to
determine the change in moment, M = ∫ 𝑉 dx , then if the
loading curve w = w(x) is a polynomial of degree n , V = V(x)
will be a curve of degree n + 1, and M = M(x) will be a curve
of degree n + 2.

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GROUP SOLVING

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform consecutive integrations for shear
3. Perform consecutive integrations for moment
4. Draw diagrams

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GROUP SOLVING

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform consecutive integrations for shear
3. Perform consecutive integrations for moment
4. Draw diagrams

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GROUP SOLVING

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform consecutive integrations for shear
3. Perform consecutive integrations for moment
4. Draw diagrams

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GROUP SOLVING

Given: The loading on the beam.

Find: Draw the shear (V) and

moment (M) diagrams

Plan: Follow the procedure

Solution

1. Determine support reactions

2. Perform consecutive integrations for shear
3. Perform consecutive integrations for moment
4. Draw diagrams

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End of the lecture

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