CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle 1/5

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 In 1886, Heinrich Müller-Breslau develop a  In 1886, Heinrich Müller-Breslau develop a

method for rapidly constructing the shape of method for rapidly constructing the shape of
an influence line. an influence line.
 Heinrich
He nr ch Franz Bernhard Müller was  Inn 1883
883 Müller
Müller-Breslau
Breslau became
ecame a
born in Wroclaw (Breslau) on 13 May lecturer and in 1885 a professor in
1851. civil engineering at the Technische
 In 1875 he opened a civil engineer's Hochschule in Hanover.
office in Berlin. Around this time he
decided to add the name of his
hometown to his surname, becoming
known as Müller-Breslau.

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 The Muller-Breslau principle states:  For example, consider the following simply
supported beam.
The influence line for a function (reaction, shear,
moment)) is to the same scale as the deflected
shape of the beam when the beam is acted on by
the function.
A B
To draw the deflected shape properly, the ability
of the beam to resist the applied function must
be removed.
 Let’s try to find the shape of the influence line
for the vertical reaction at A.

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Remove the ability to resist movement in the  Consider the following simply supported beam.
vertical direction at A by using a guided roller

A B A C B
Ay
Ay

1  Let’s try to find the shape of the influence line

for the shear at the mid-point (point C).
x
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle 2/5

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Remove the ability to resist shear at point C  Consider the following simply supported beam.

A B A C B
V
VC
The change in
shear is equal to 1  Let’s try to find the shape of the influence line
for the moment at the mid-point (point C).
x

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Remove the ability to resist moment at C by  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
using a hinge reaction at point B

A B
A B
MC

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point B reaction at point A

A B A B
By
By

x
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle 3/5

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point A reaction at point B

A B A B
Ay Ay

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
reaction at point B shear at point C
C

A B A B D
By
By
1

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
shear at point C V
moment at point C
C C

A B D A B D
V
VC
The change in
shear is equal to 1

x
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle 4/5

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
moment at point C moment at point B
C B

A B D A C D
MC

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Sketch the shape of the influence line for the
moment at point B shear at point B

B B

A C D A C D
MB

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Sketch the shape of the influence line for the  Draw the influence lines for the vertical
shear at point B reaction at D and the shear at E.
V

B E C

A C D A B D
V
10 ft 10 ft 15 ft 15 ft
VB
The change in
shear is equal to 1

x
CIVL 3121 Influence Lines - Muller-Breslau Principle 5/5

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Draw the influence lines for the vertical  Draw the influence lines for the vertical
reaction at D and the shear at E. reaction at D and the shear at E.

E C E C

A B D A B D
10 ft 10 ft 15 ft 15 ft Dy 10 ft 10 ft 15 ft 15 ft

Dy
1

35 ft 15 ft
x

Qualitative Influence Lines Qualitative Influence Lines

 Draw the influence lines for the vertical  Draw the influence lines for the vertical
reaction at D and the shear at E. reaction at D and the shear at E.
V  The change in shear at point E is equal to 1
E C  The influence lines can be determined by
A
V
B D similar triangles the values of
10 ft 10 ft 15 ft 15 ft
VE VE 0.5 x 0.5(15ft )
 x   0.75
10ft 15ft 10ft
The change in
shear is equal to 1 0.5
10 ft 15 ft 15 ft

10ft
x x
-0.5 -0.75

Qualitative Influence Lines End of Influence Lines – Part 2

 Determine the maximum positive moment that can be
developed at point D in the beam shown below due to a
concentrated live load of 4 k, a uniform live load of 300
lb/ft, and a dead load of 200 lb/ft.
Any questions?

A B C D E

5 ft 5 ft 5 ft 10 ft