MET 210W

Handout Simple Beam with a Uniform Load

The following illustrates the various diagrams and equations associated with a uniformly loaded simple
beam. A simple beam is one that is supported by a pin at one end and a roller at the other. Both ends are
thus free to rotate under the applied load. The calculus used to derive the equations is also shown. Note
that this method can be used to find diagrams and equations for any beam loading condition.
wx
Uniform Load, w
Bending
Moment,
M

cut

Span, L

Shear, V
X
wL
2
FBD of Typical Cut in Beam

wL
2

A=

Shear, V
wL2
8

1. Statics from the FBD:

cut

1 L wL wL2

=
2 2 2
8

wL
wX V
2
Equation for shear
wL
wX
V=
2
X wL
= 0 = M + wX
X
2
2

wL
2

=0=

M=

wXL wX 2

2
2

Equation for
bending moment

The maximum bending moment occurs at the X

coordinate where the shear is zero.
wL
V =0=
wX
2
L
X=
2

Bending
Moment, M
wL3
24 EI

Slope of
Elastic
Curve,

wL3
24 EI

Elastic
Curve, y
y max =

5 wL4
384 EI

MMAX

L
L
w L w
2
2
wL2
= =
2
2
8

2. Determine the slope equation by integration.

wXL wX 2
dx

2
2
wX 2L wX 3
EI =

+ C1
4
6
at X = L / 2, = 0

EI = M dx =

wX 2L wX 3 wL3

dx
4
6
24
wX 3L wX 4 wL3 X

+ C2
y EI =
12
24
24
at X = 0, y = 0

3. Determine the elastic curve equation by integration.

y EI =

EI dx =

L
L
w
w L
2
2
wL3
C1 = =
6
4
24
wX 2L wX 3 wL3
EI =

Equation for slope

4
6
24
of elastic curve

w (0 ) L w (0 )
wL3 (0)

=0
12
24
24
3

C2 =
y=

wX
2LX 2 X 3 L3
24 EI

Equation for the

elastic curve