Introduction to Shear Force

and Bending Moment

Diagrams

Lectures by: Dr Delsye Teo

Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams
• Beams are structural members which are
designed to support loadings applied
perpendicular to their axis.
• In general, they are long, straight bars having a
constant cross-sectional area.
• The design of a beam requires a detailed
knowledge of the variation of the internal shear
force V and bending moment M acting at point
along the axis of the beam.

2
• The variations of V and M as a function of x
can be obtained by the method of sections.
• If these V(x) and M(x) are plotted against x, it
is called shear force (SF) and bending moment
(BM) diagrams.

3
• Before proceeding with the method for determining
the shear and moment as functions of x, it is first
necessary to define a sign convention so as to define
positive and negative internal shear force and
bending moment.

4
• Different designers use different conventions but
this is what we will use:

– When the left-hand side of the

beam is pushed upwards and the
right-hand side is being pushed
downwards this is the positive
shear.
– Hogging moments are drawn
above the zero line, while the
sagging moments are drawn below
the line.

5
• Procedure of determining the SF and BM
diagrams:
i) Find the support reactions.
ii) Identify critical points.
iii) At representative locations between
critical points, take a section cut.
iv) Find V and M and representative locations
between the critical points.
v) Use proper sign conventions for V and M
vi) Plot the results
6
Critical Points
• Where are they located?
i) End of Beam
ii) Support
iii) Point of application of concentrated load
iv) Point of application of concentrated couple
moment
v) Beginning of distributed load
vi) End of distributed load
vii) Change in distributed load definition

7
• In general, in between 2 subsequent critical
points,
– If the magnitude of the shear force is constant, then
the magnitude of the slope of the bending moment
curve is constant, that is the curve is a straight line
– If the magnitude of the shear force is increasing, then
the magnitude of the slope of the bending moment
curve is increasing, that is the curve is steepening
– If the magnitude of the shear force is decreasing,
then the magnitude of the slope of the bending
moment is decreasing that is the curve is flattening

8
Example:
Draw SF and BM diagrams for the beam shown.

9
Solution:
Step 1: Draw the free-body diagram & compute the
support reactions
5 kN

Ay By

∑Fy = 0
Ay + By – 5 = 0
∑MB = 0
–Ay(4) + 5(2) = 0
Ay = 2.5 m
By = 2.5 m 10
Step 2: At each section, cut in-between forces

At x = 2 m, M = 5 kNm

At x = 4 m, M = 0 kNm
11
Step 3: Draw the SF and BM diagrams:

12
Example:
Draw the SF and BMD for the figure below:

m m

kN/m

13
Step 1: Draw the free-body diagram and calculate the
support reactions

kN
m m

kN

kN

kN

14
Step 2: Method of Section

kN/m

kN

kN kN

kN.m

50 kN/m

200 kN

kN

kN
15
Step 3: Complete the SF and BM diagram
kN
m m

50 kN/m

(kN)

(kNm)

16
SFD & BMD Summary

17