Load your beam, make it scream,

with moments that twist, like a dream.

Shear force here, bending there,
structural analysis, if you dare!

As part of our online Structural Analysis I course, this lecture is a review of shear and mo-
ment diagrams.

©2024 Educative Technologies, LLC. All rights reserved.

Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Lecture 4.9: Shear and Moment Diagrams

(Examples)
This review provides examples of the construction of shear and moment diagrams. The
examples illustrate the process of calculating support reactions and constructing shear and
moment diagrams for beams subjected to multiple loads.

Example 1: A simply supported beam is subjected to three concentrated loads and two con-
centrated moments (Figure 4.166). We wish to calculate the support reactions for the beam
and draw shear and moment diagrams.

A 20 kN 30 kN 40 kN B
pin 60 kN.m 80 kN.m

roller
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

Figure 4.166: A beam subjected to a series of point loads and moments.

To calculate the reaction forces, we start by drawing the beam’s free-body diagram (Figure
4.167).

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m
A
Ax B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

Ay By

Figure 4.167: Free-body diagram of a beam subjected to point loads and moments.
The free-body diagram shown in Figure 4.167 contains three unknown forces: Ax, Ay, and
By. We can calculate these forces using the following static equilibrium equations.

 Fx  Ax  0 [4.102]
 Fy  Ay  By  20  30  40  0 [4.103]

 M z  20 3  60  30 7    40 10   80  14By  0 [4.104]

Lecture 4.9 2
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Note: Moment equation [4.104] uses A as the reference point.

By solving Equation [4.104] for By, we get By = 46.43 kN. Then, using Equation [4.103], we
obtain Ay = 43.57 kN. Additionally, Equation [4.102] yields Ax = 0. These calculated support
reactions are shown in Figure 4.168.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN

Figure 4.168: Support reactions for a simply supported beam subjected to point loads and moments.
The beam is subjected to two concentrated moments: a clockwise moment of 60 kN.m and a
counterclockwise moment of 80 kN.m. These moments do not impact the shear force in the
beam. Therefore, we can ignore them when drawing the shear diagram. Figure 4.169 shows
only the forces relevant for drawing the shear diagram for the beam.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN

segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4

A B
3m 4m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN

Figure 4.169: A series of beam segments defined by applied external loads.

The applied gravity load is divided into four segments along the beam. Since no distributed
load is applied within each segment, the shear force in each segment remains constant. The
changes in the shear values occur only at the boundary points where the concentrated loads
are located.

Keep the beam sign convention in mind when drawing the shear and moment diagrams.
The positive and negative shear directions are shown in Figure 4.170.

positive shear negative shear

Figure 4.170: Assumed positive and negative shear force directions in beams.

Dr. Structure 3
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

To draw the shear diagram for the beam, we start from the left end of the beam (from seg-
ment 1) and work our way toward the right end of the beam (segment 4).

There is an upward reaction force of 43.57 kN at the left end of segment 1. According to
our sign convention, this is a positive shear force. Furthermore, since there are no loads
applied within the segment, the value of the shear force remains constant throughout the
segment (Figure 4.171).

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN

segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4

A B
3m 4m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN

V(x)
43.57 kN

shear diagram

Figure 4.171: Shear diagram for the left segment of the beam subjected to point loads.
The downward load of 20 kN at the right side of segment 1 causes a 20-unit drop in the
shear value between segments 1 and 2. The shear force at the left end of segment 2 becomes
43.57-20 = 23.57 kN. However, the shear force remains constant within segment 2 (see Fig-
ure 4.172).

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN

segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4

A B
3m 4m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN

V(x)
43.57 kN
23.57 kN

shear diagram

Figure 4.172: Shear diagram for the left two segments of a beam subjected to point loads.

Lecture 4.9 4
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Between segments 2 and 3, the shear force drops by 30 units since there is a downward load
of 30 kN between the two segments. Therefore, at the left end of segment 3, the shear force
has a magnitude of 23.57-30 = -6.43 kN. The shear force remains constant within segment
3, as shown in Figure 4.173.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN

segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4

A B
3m 4m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN

V(x)
43.57 kN
23.57 kN

shear diagram

6.43 kN

Figure 4.173: Shear diagram for the left three segments of a beam subjected to point loads.
The downward concentrated load of 40 kN between segments 3 and 4 causes the shear
value to decrease by 40 units. A shear force of -6.43-40 = -46.43 kN develops at the left end
of segment 4. This segment also carries a constant shear force, as shown in Figure 4.174.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN

segment 1 segment 2 segment 3 segment 4

A B
3m 4m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN

V(x)
43.57 kN
23.57 kN

shear diagram
6.43 kN

46.43 kN

Figure 4.174: Shear diagram for a beam subjected to point loads.

Dr. Structure 5
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Now that we have constructed the shear diagram, we can use it to construct the moment
diagram for the beam. The bending moment is positive when the end moments in the beam
segment cause the segment to deflect downward, creating a concave-up shape (Figure
4.175). If the moment causes a concave downward deflection, the segment is subjected to a
negative moment.

positive moment negative moment

Figure 4.175: Assumed positive and negative bending moment directions in the beams.
To construct the moment diagram, we calculate the areas under the shear diagram seg-
ments and place the concentrated moments back on the beam, as shown in Figure 4.176.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
V(x) +130.71

+47.14 +47.14
-19.29 -185.72
shear diagram
segment areas

Figure 4.176: Areas associated with the regions of the shear diagram for a beam.
The shear diagram can be divided into five rectangular areas. Three (3) of these areas reside
above the x-axis; two (2) are below the x-axis. The areas above the x-axis are positive, while
those below the x-axis are negative areas.

We start by drawing the moment diagram from segment 1. Since the beam rests on a pin
support at the left end of the segment, the bending moment is zero. At the right end of the
segment, the bending moment equals zero plus the area under the shear diagram in seg-
ment 1. Therefore, the bending moment 3 meters to the right of point A is 0+130.71 = 130.71
kN.m. Furthermore, since the shear force in segment 1 is constant, the bending moment
diagram changes linearly within the segment, as shown in Figure 4.177.
Lecture 4.9 6
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Furthermore, since the shear force in segment 1 is constant, the bending moment diagram
changes linearly within the segment, as shown in Figure 4.177.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
+130.71 +47.14 +47.14
M(x) -19.29 -185.72

130.71 kN.m

moment diagram

Figure 4.177: Moment diagram for the left segment of a beam subjected to point loads and moments.
To determine the moment value at the right end of segment 2, we add the area under the
shear diagram in segment 2 (+47.14) to 130.71. Therefore, the bending moment at the right
end of segment 2 is 177.85 kN.m. The moment diagram in segment 2 is linear, as shown in
Figure 4.178.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
+130.71 +47.14 +47.14
M(x) -19.29 -185.72

177.85 kN.m
130.71 kN.m

moment diagram
Figure 4.178: Moment diagram for the left two segments of a beam subjected to point loads and moments.

Note the clockwise concentrated moment of 60 kN∙m between segments 2 and 3. This
bending moment causes a jump in the moment value at that point. Therefore, the bending
moment increases from 177.85 (at the right end of segment 2) to 177.85+60 = 237.85 kN.m (at
the left end of segment 3), as shown in Figure 4.179.
Dr. Structure 7
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
+130.71 +47.14 +47.14
M(x) -19.29 -185.72

237.85 kN.m
177.85 kN.m
130.71 kN.m

moment diagram

Figure 4.179: A jump in the moment diagram for a beam due to a concentrated moment.
Since the area under the shear diagram in segment 3 is 47.14, the bending moment at the
right end of the segment can be written as 237.85+47.14 = 285.0 kN.m.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
+130.71 +47.14 +47.14
M(x) -19.29 -185.72
285 kN.m
237.85 kN.m
177.85 kN.m
130.71 kN.m

moment diagram

Figure 4.180: Moment diagram for the left three segments of a beam subjected to point loads and
moments.
There is a decrease in the bending moment in segment 4. The bending moment at the right
end of the segment is 19.29 units less than the value at the left end of the segment. This
difference in value represents the negative area under the shear diagram in this segment.

Lecture 4.9 8
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Figure 4.181 shows the downward inclined line representing the bending moment in seg-
ment 4.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
+130.71 +47.14 +47.14
M(x) -19.29 -185.72
285 kN.m
265.71 kN.m
237.85 kN.m
177.85 kN.m
130.71 kN.m

moment diagram

Figure 4.181: Moment diagram for four beam segments subjected to point loads and moments.
At the left end of segment 5, the bending moment is 265.71 kN.m. Since the area under the
shear diagram in this segment is -185.72, the bending moment at the right end of the seg-
ment becomes 265.71-185.72 = 79.99, or 80.0 kN.m. This value also represents the magnitude
of the applied moment at the right end of the beam.

The complete moment diagram for the beam is shown in Figure 4.182.

20 kN 30 kN 40 kN
60 kN.m 80 kN.m

A B
3m 2m 2m 3m 4m

43.57 kN 46.43 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
+130.71 +47.14 +47.14
M(x) -19.29 -185.72
285 kN.m
265.71 kN.m
237.85 kN.m
177.85 kN.m
130.71 kN.m
80 kN.m

moment diagram

Figure 4.182: Moment diagram for a beam subjected to point loads and moments.
Dr. Structure 9
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Example 2: The following beam is subjected to a distributed load and a series of concentrat-
ed loads and moments. We wish to draw the shear and moment diagrams of the beam.

A 70 kN 50 kN roller B
20 kN/m
pin 60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m

Figure 4.183: A beam subjected to concentrated and distributed loads and moments.
Figure 4.184 shows the free-body diagram of the beam.

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m

Ax
2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m

Ay By

Figure 4.184: Free-body diagram of a beam subjected to multiple loads.

The equilibrium equations for the beam are as follows.

 Fx  Ax  0 [4.105]

 Fy  Ay  By  70  50  3 20   0 [4.106]
 M z  60  70   80  50   100  13By  3 20 14.5  0 [4.107]

By solving Equations [4.105] through [4.107] for the unknown forces, we obtain Ax = 0, Ay =
66.92 kN, By = 113.08 kN.

To draw the shear diagram for the beam, we show only the vertical forces on the beam (see
Figure 4.185); the concentrated moments do not affect the shear values or the shape of the
shear diagram.

A 70 kN 50 kN B
20 kN/m
segment 1 segment 2 segment 3

4m 4m 5m 3m segment 4

66.92 kN 113.08 kN

Figure 4.185: A beam and the external forces that impact its internal shear force.

Lecture 4.9 10
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Note that the loads divide the beam into four (4) segments, within which the applied load is
either zero or defined using a continuous function.

As shown in Figure 4.185, the shear force at the left end of segment 1 equals 66.92 kN.
Since this beam segment is not subjected to any loads, the shear force within the segment
remains constant (see Figure 4.186).

The downward load of 70 kN between segments 1 and 2 causes the shear value to decrease
by 70 units. As a result, the shear force at the left end of segment 2 has a magnitude of
66.92-70 = -3.08 kN. Throughout segment 2, the shear force is -3.08 kN (see Figure 4.186).

A 70 kN 50 kN B
20 kN/m
segment 1 segment 2 segment 3

4m 4m 5m 3m segment 4

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
V(x)
66.92 kN

3.08 kN shear diagram

Figure 4.186: Shear diagram for the left two segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.
The downward load of 50 kN between segments 2 and 3 causes the shear force to decrease
by 50 units. That is, the magnitude of the shear force at the left end of segment 3 becomes
-3.08-50 = -53.08 kN. The shear force remains constant within segment 3, as shown in
Figure 4.187.
A 70 kN 50 kN B
20 kN/m
segment 1 segment 2 segment 3

4m 4m 5m 3m segment 4

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
V(x)
66.92 kN

3.08 kN shear diagram

53.08 kN

Figure 4.187: Shear diagram for three segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.

Dr. Structure 11
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

The upward support reaction at point B causes the shear value to increase at that point. The
jump amount equals the magnitude of the reaction force. Therefore, the shear force at the
left end of segment 4 becomes -53.08+113.08 = 60 kN.

The shear force is not constant since segment four (4) is subjected to a uniformly distrib-
uted load. Rather, it takes the shape of an inclined line, indicating a linear decrease in the
shear value from 60 kN to 0. The complete shear diagram for the beam is shown in Figure
4.188.
A 70 kN 50 kN B
20 kN/m
segment 1 segment 2 segment 3

4m 4m 5m 3m segment 4

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
V(x) 60 kN
66.92 kN

3.08 kN shear diagram

53.08 kN

Figure 4.188: Shear diagram for a beam subjected to multiple loads.

To construct the moment diagram for the beam, we calculate the areas under the shear
diagram and place the concentrated moments back on the beam, as shown in Figure 4.189.

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN

V(x) +133.84 +133.84 60 kN

66.92 kN +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24

3.08 kN shear diagram

53.08 kN

Figure 4.189: Areas associated with regions of the shear diagram for a beam.

Lecture 4.9 12
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

As shown in Figure 4.189, the beam needs to be subdivided into 7 segments.

Since the bending moment at the left end of segment 1 is zero, the value of the bending mo-
ment at the right end of the segment becomes 0+133.84 = 133.84 kN.m. Furthermore, since
there is a counterclockwise moment of 60 kN.m at that point, the moment value decreases
from 133.84 kN.m to 73.84 kN.m, as shown in Figure 4.190.

Furthermore, the bending moment in segment 2 increases from 73.84 kN.m at the left end
to 207.68 kN.m at the right end of the segment. The increase of 133.84 units is due to the
positive area under the shear diagram in this segment of the beam. The moment diagram
remains linear in this segment, as shown in Figure 4.190.

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
+133.84 +133.84 +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24
M(x)

207.68 kN.m
133.84 kN.m
73.84 kN.m
moment
diagram

Figure 4.190: Moment diagram for the left two segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.
Since the area under the shear diagram in segment 3 is -6.16, the bending moment decreas-
es from 207.68 kN.m to 207.68-6.16=201.52 kN.m in this segment (see Figure 4.191).

Dr. Structure 13
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
+133.84 +133.84 +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24
M(x)

207.68 kN.m 201.52 kN.m

133.84 kN.m
73.84 kN.m
moment
diagram

Figure 4.191: Moment diagram for three segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.

The bending moment between segments 3 and 4 increases by 80 units due to the clockwise
concentrated moment of 80 kN.m. Since the area under the shear diagram in segment 4 is
-6.16 kN, the moment within the segment decreases by 6.16 units, as shown in Figure 4.192.

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
+133.84 +133.84 +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24
M(x)
281.52 kN.m 275.36 kN.m
207.68 kN.m 201.52 kN.m
133.84 kN.m
73.84 kN.m
moment
diagram

Figure 4.192: Moment diagram for the left four segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.
In segment 5, the bending moment decreases by 106.16 units. Therefore, the magnitude of
the bending moment at the right end of segment 5 becomes 275.36-106.16=169.2 kN.m (see
Figure 4.193).

Lecture 4.9 14
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
+133.84 +133.84 +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24
M(x)
281.52 kN.m 275.36 kN.m
207.68 kN.m 201.52 kN.m
133.84 kN.m 169.2 kN.m
73.84 kN.m
moment
diagram

Figure 4.193: Moment diagram for the left five segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.
The counterclockwise moment of 100 kN.m between segments 5 and 6 reduces the moment
value. Therefore, at the left end of segment 6, the bending moment becomes 169.2-100=69.2
kN.m. Since the area under the shear diagram in segment 6 is -159.24, the bending moment
decreases within the segment. The value of the bending moment at the right end of seg-
ment 6 becomes 69.2-159.24 ≅ -90 kN.m.
A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
+133.84 +133.84 +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24
M(x)
281.52 kN.m 275.36 kN.m
207.68 kN.m 201.52 kN.m
133.84 kN.m 169.2 kN.m
73.84 kN.m 69.2 kN.m
moment
diagram
90 kN.m

Figure 4.194: Moment diagram for six segments of a beam subjected to multiple loads.
In segment 7, there is a 90-unit increase in the moment value. Consequently, the bending
moment changes from -90 kN.m at the left end of the segment to 0 at the right end of the
segment. Furthermore, since the shear diagram is linear in this segment of the beam, the
bending moment diagram takes the shape of a quadratic equation with a decreasing slope
(see Figure 4.194).
Dr. Structure 15
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

A 70 kN 50 kN B
60 kN.m 80 kN.m 100 kN.m 20 kN/m
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6

2m 2m 2m 2m 2m 3m 3m seg. 7

66.92 kN 113.08 kN
+133.84 +133.84 +90
-6.16 -6.16 -106.16 -159.24
M(x)
281.52 kN.m 275.36 kN.m
207.68 kN.m 201.52 kN.m
133.84 kN.m 169.2 kN.m
73.84 kN.m 69.2 kN.m
moment
diagram
90 kN.m

Figure 4.195: Moment diagram for a beam subjected to multiple loads.

Example 3: Consider the simply supported beam in Figure 4.196. It is partially loaded with
a uniformly distributed load, two concentrated loads, and a concentrated moment. We wish
to draw the shear and moment diagrams of the beam.

A 10 kN 15 kN roller B
2 kN/m
pin

100 kN.m
4m 4m 2m 2m 4m 4m

Figure 4.196: A partially loaded simply supported beam.

To calculate the support reactions for the beam, we need to draw its free-body diagram (see
Figure 4.197).

10 kN 15 kN
2 kN/m
A B
Ax
4m 4m 100 kN.m 4m 4m
2m 2m
Ay By

Figure 4.197: Free-body diagram of a partially loaded simply supported beam.

Lecture 4.9 16
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

The equilibrium equations for the beam, therefore, can be written as follows.

 Fx  Ax  0 [4.108]
 Fy  Ay  By  10  15  122  0 [4.109]

 
 M z   8 10   100  1215  12210   20  By  0 [4.110]

Equations [4.108] through [4.110] yield Ax=0, Ay=29 kN,By=20 kN.

We can construct a shear diagram based on the beam’s support reactions (Figure 4.198).

Note that the vertical loads divide the beam into 5 segments. Since the beam is not subject-
ed to any loads in segment 1, the shear force remains constant, with a magnitude of 29 kN.

In segment 2, the shear force changes from 29 kN at the left end of the segment to 21 kN at
the right end. This decrease in magnitude is due to the amount of distributed load applied
to the segment. The total load acting on this segment is (4 m)(2 kN/m) = 8 kN. Since the
applied load is acting downward, the change in the shear force is negative; this causes the
shear value to decrease by 8 units.

10 kN 15 kN
2 kN/m
A B

4m 4m 4m 4m 4m

29 kN 20 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5
V(x)

29 kN
21 kN
11 kN
3 kN shear diagram
12 kN
20 kN

Figure 4.198: Shear diagram for a partially loaded simply supported beam.

At the left end of segment 3, the shear force drops by another 10 units due to the downward
concentrated load at that location. The shear value decreases within the segment by 8 units;
at the right end of segment 3, the shear force becomes 11-8 = 3 kN. This decrease in shear
value is due to the total distributed load acting on the segment.

Dr. Structure 17
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

At the left end of segment 4, the applied downward load of 15 kN causes the shear value to
decrease by 15 units. Then, the shear force decreases by 8 units within the segment. Again,
this decrease is due to the total distributed load acting on the segment.

In segment 5, the shear force remains constant (-20 kN) since the segment is not subjected
to any loads.

To construct the moment diagram for the beam, we place the concentrated moment back
on the beam and calculate the areas under the shear diagram (Figure 4.199).

10 kN 15 kN
2 kN/m
A B

4m 4m 100 kN.m 4m 4m
2m 2m
29 kN 20 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6
V(x)
+116 +100
+18 +10
-64 -80
shear diagram

Figure 4.199: Areas under the shear diagram for a partially loaded simply supported beam.

Lecture 4.9 18
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

Using the shear diagram areas given in Figure 4.199, we draw the following moment dia-
gram.

10 kN 15 kN
2 kN/m
A B

4m 4m 100 kN.m 4m 4m
2m 2m
29 kN 20 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4 seg. 5 seg. 6
M(x)
+116 +100 +18 +10
-64 -80
216 kN.m 234 kN.m
144 kN.m

116 kN.m 134 kN.m

80 kN.m

moment
diagram

Figure 4.200: Moment diagram for a partially loaded simply supported beam.
The magnitude of the bending moment in segment 1 of the beam changes from zero (at
the left end of the segment) to 116 kN.m (at the right end of the segment). This amount of
change equals the area under the shear diagram in the segment. Furthermore, the moment
diagram becomes linear since this segment's shear force remains constant.

The moment at the right end of segment 2 can be easily calculated by adding the area under
the shear diagram in the segment (100) to the moment at the left end of the segment (116).
Therefore, the bending moment at the right end of segment 2 equals 116+100 = 216 kN.m.

Since this segment's shear diagram is linear, the moment diagram is quadratic with a
decreasing slope. Why does the slope of the curve decrease from left to right? This occurs
because the shear force decreases in value from left to right.

In segment 3, the bending moment diagram remains quadratic in shape with a decreasing
slope since the shear diagram is linear with a decreasing value within the segment. The
value of the bending moment at the right end of the segment equals 216 (the moment at the
left end of the segment) plus 18 (the area under the shear diagram), or 234 kN.m.

Dr. Structure 19
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

At the left end of segment 4, there is a decrease in the moment value. This drop is due to the
applied counterclockwise moment at that point. However, within segment 4, the bending
moment increases in magnitude from 134 kN.m to 144 kN.m because of the positive area
under the shear diagram in the segment.

The bending moment decreases in segment 5 from 144 kN.m to 80 kN.m. The decrease (64
units) is equal to the area under the shear diagram in the segment.

Finally, the bending moment becomes linear again in segment 6, decreasing from 80 kN.m
to 0.

Example 4: The beam shown in Figure 4.201 has an internal hinge and an overhang seg-
ment. We wish to construct shear and moment diagrams.

A B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m
pin roller roller

D
hinge
4m 2m 2m 2m 3m

Figure 4.201: A statically determinate beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.
To calculate the reaction forces, we separate the beam at the hinge into two segments. Then,
we draw the free-body diagram for each segment (Figure 4.202).

A E y
3 kN/m Ey

Ax Ex x
4m
B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m
Ay Ey
Ex D
2m 2m 2m 3m

By Cy

Figure 4.202: Free-body diagrams of two segments of the statically determinate beam.

Lecture 4.9 20
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

The equilibrium equations for the left segment of the beam can be written as follows.

 Fx  Ax  E x  0 [4.111]
 Fy  Ay  E y  4 3  0 [4.112]
 M z   4 32  4E y  0 [4.113]

By solving Equations [4.112] and [4.113], we get Ay=6 kN and Ey=6 kN. Then, the equilibrium
equations for the right segment of the beam can be written as follows.

 Fx  
Ex  0 [4.114]
 Fy  6  23  By  20  C y  10  0 [4.115]

 M z  231  2By  4 20   6C y  9 10   0 [4.116]

Equations [4.114] through [4.116] yield Ex = 0, By = 19 kN, and Cy = 23 kN. Additionally, we get
Ax = 0 from Equation [4.111]. The support reactions computed for the beam are shown in
Figure 4.203.

A B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m

D
4m 2m 2m 2m 3m

6 kN 19 kN 23 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4

Figure 4.203: Support reactions for a determinate beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.
Note that the applied loads divide the beam into four segments. At the left end of segment
1, the shear force is 6 kN. Since the area under the load diagram is (6)(3)=18 and the load is
downward, the shear force at the right end of the segment can be written as 6 –18=-12 kN.
The shear diagram for segment 1 is shown below.
V(x)

6 kN
shear diagram

12 kN

Figure 4.204: Shear diagram for the left segment of a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.
The upward reaction force at point B (see Figure 4.203) causes the shear value to increase
by 19 units. Therefore, the shear force at the left end of segment 2 becomes -12+19 = 7 kN.
Dr. Structure 21
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

As shown in Figure 4.205, the magnitude of the shear force remains constant in segment 2
since the segment is not subjected to any loads.

V(x)
7 kN
6 kN
shear diagram

12 kN

Figure 4.205: Shear diagram for the left two segments of a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.
The downward load of 20 kN between segments 2 and 3 causes a decrease in the shear
value at that point. The shear force decreases in magnitude by 20 units from 7 kN to -13 kN.
The magnitude of the shear force in segment 3 remains constant at -13 kN (Figure 4.206).

V(x)
7 kN
6 kN
shear diagram

12 kN 13 kN

Figure 4.206: Shear diagram for three segments of a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.

At point C, the shear value increases by 23 units (the magnitude of the upward reaction
force at C). Therefore, the shear force magnitude at the left end of segment 4 equals -13+23
= 10 kN. This force remains constant throughout segment 4 before dropping to zero at the
right end of the beam. The complete shear diagram for the beam is shown in Figure 4.207.

A B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m

D
4m 2m 2m 2m 3m

6 kN 19 kN 23 kN
seg. 1 seg. 2 seg. 3 seg. 4
V(x) 10 kN
7 kN
6 kN
shear diagram

12 kN 13 kN

Figure 4.207: Shear diagram for a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.

Lecture 4.9 22
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

To calculate the areas under the shear diagram, we need to know the location of the inter-
section point between the horizontal axis and the shear diagram in segment 1. This is the
point at which the shear force is zero. Using basic geometry, we can locate this intersec-
tion point; it is 2 meters to the right of point A. Therefore, the areas of the shear diagram
regions can be computed as follows.

V(x) +30
2m 4m +14
-24 -26
shear diagram
+6

Figure 4.208: Areas under the shear diagram for a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.
The bending moment at the left end of the beam is zero. The bending moment at x=2 where
the shear diagram intersects the x-axis is 0+6=6 kN.m. Since the shear force in the left seg-
ment of the beam is represented by an inclined line, the moment diagram in this segment
becomes nonlinear (quadratic). Furthermore, since the shear force decreases from left to
right, the slope of the moment diagram decreases from left to right (Figure 4.209).

A B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m

D
4m 2m 2m 2m 3m

6 kN 19 kN 23 kN
+6 +14 +30
-24 -26
V(x)
6 kN.m
moment diagram

Figure 4.209: Moment diagram for the left segment of a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.

In the next beam segment, the bending moment changes from +6 at the left end to +6-24
= -18 kN.m at the right end of the segment. Furthermore, since the shear diagram in the
segment is linear and decreases in value from left to right, the moment diagram must have
a decreasing slope (Figure 4.210).

Dr. Structure 23
Structural Analysis I Lecture Notes

A B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m

D
4m 2m 2m 2m 3m

6 kN 19 kN 23 kN
+6 +14 +30
-24 -26
V(x)
6 kN.m
moment diagram

18 kN.m

Figure 4.210: Moment diagram for the left two segments of a beam with an internal hinge and an
overhang.
In the next beam segment, the bending moment changes from -18 at the left end of the
segment to -18+14=-4 kN.m at the right end. The moment diagram in this segment of the
beam is linear.

In the next beam segment, the bending moment changes linearly from -4 kN to -4-26=-30
kN.m. Additionally, in the beam's right segment, the magnitude of the bending moment
changes linearly from -30 kN.m to -30+30=0. The complete bending moment diagram for
the beam is shown in Figure 4.211.

A B 20 kN C 10 kN
3 kN/m

D
4m 2m 2m 2m 3m

6 kN 19 kN 23 kN
+6 +14 +30
-24 -26
V(x)
6 kN.m
moment diagram
4 kN.m

18 kN.m

30 kN.m

Figure 4.211: Bending moment diagram for a beam with an internal hinge and an overhang.
Lecture 4.9 24