Lecture 5

Influence Lines for Statically Determinate Structures

Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Moving Loads on Structures

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 Real-life Truss Structures

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What is Influence Line for a structural element ?

The influence line diagram shows the

variation of REACTION FORCE AT
SUPPORT C according to the POSITION
OF LOAD F (when it moves along the
beam).

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Variation of Reaction C (at a SPECIFIC
SECTION) as the load F MOVES along.

Influence line diagrams could apply

for external reactions and internal
member force like N, V, and M.

Influence Line Diagrams are useful for

structural analysis and design of
Lecture 5 /SAD 2 bridges under moving loads
 Worked Example 1 (1)
 Construct the Influence Diagram for the Shear at Section
/point C of the beam as shown below when a Unit Load
moves along it:
A B
2.5 m C

10 m

0.75

A B
C
Influence Line Diagram
-0.25
for Shear at Section C
Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Worked Example 1 (2)

 Construct the Influence Diagram for the Bending

Moment at Section/point C for same beam as shown by
using analytical approach :

A B
2.5 m C

10 m

Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Worked Example 2
 The following figure shows a hoist frame to transfer loads for
storage at points underneath it. The trolley load moving along
the girder CADB to lift is 3 kN and the beam CB weighs 24 kg/m.
By neglecting the mass of lifting accessories, assuming A is a
hinge support while B is a roller support, draw influence
diagrams to determine the maximum vertical support reactions
at A and B and the maximum moment in the beam at D.

1m 1.5 m 1.5 m
C B
A D
3 kN
 Ans. Max. RA = 4.63 kN
Max. RB = 3.31 kN
Max. MD = 2.72 kNm
Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Qualitative Influence Lines
(Muller- Breslau Principle)
 The Influence line for a FUNCTION (Reactions, Moment and Shear) is to the
same scale as the Deflected Shape of the beam when the beam is acted
upon by the same FUNCTION. (Worked Example 1 for illustration)

A B
A B
2.5 m C

A C
10 m

0.75 Deflected Shape

Beam capacity at C is
removed to allow deflection
A B
C
Lecture 5 /SAD 2

-0.25
 Worked Example

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 Influence Lines for Trusses

For member EF for illustration:

Take moment about pt. B to obtain

the influence line euation:
FEF*1.5 + 1 * (2 – x) = (6 – x)/6*2

When x = 0, FEF = 0 kN
When x = 2, FEF = 8/9 kN

Do the same for Unit Load 1 kN

placed on Deck between C and D
to obtain Influence Line thereof.

Note that the remaining Influence

Line for Deck between B and C
Lecture 5 /SAD 2 can be straight line connected.
 Worked Example 1

Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Worked Example 2

Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Maximum Influence at a Point due to
a Series of Concentrated Loads
Consider a series of 3 wheel loads with specific separation distances is
crossing a 30-ft span bridge girder. (1 ft = 0.305 m, 1 k = 1000 lbs or
454.55 kg)

Given the Moment Influence Diagram for Point C (10 ft from support A.
Find the maximum moment at Point C.

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Maximum Moment from Influence Diagram

Considering the moving loads are moving close to

Point C for maximum moment
Case 1 (when the load 2k is at Point C)
It is observed that the two heavier loads 4k and
3k could contribute larger moment if they move
towards left (because of –ve slope of Moment
Diagram)
Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Maximum Moment from Influence Diagram

Case 2 (when the load 4k is at Point C)

Change in Moment
7.5 7.5
𝛥𝛥M = −2 × ×4+(4 + 3)( )(4)= +1.0 k-ft
10 40−10
Lecture 5 /SAD 2
Maximum Moment from Influence Diagram

Case 3 (when the load 3k is at Point C)

Change in Moment
7.5 7.5
𝛥𝛥M = −(2 + 4) × ×6 + 3( )(6)= - 22.5 k-ft
10 40−10
Lecture 5 /SAD 2
Maximum Moment from Influence Diagram

From the above analysis, it can be concluded

that Case 2 will give the Maximum Moment.

By scaling from the Moment Influence Diagram

(Point C and Unit Load)

MC max = 2(4.5) + 4(7.5) + 3(6.0) = 57.0 k-ft

Lecture 5 /SAD 2
 Absolute Maximum Shear and Moment
by Analytical Method

For simply supported beams:

 Establish Shear V(x) and Moment M(x) Equations for an
arbitrary position x from equilibrium conditions for the
given set of series of concentrated loads.
𝑑𝑑𝑀𝑀 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
Solving = 0 and = 0 will give the positions of
𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
absolute maximum moment and shear force
values

Lecture 5 /SAD 2
Absolute Maximum Shear and Moment
by Analytical Method
For structures other than simply supported beams:
 determining envelopes for influence lines under a given
set of moving loads from manual calculations will
definitely become a huge burden for structural
designers.

 Computer programs will readily offer accurate solutions

to structural engineers for most bridge design works.

Lecture 5 /SAD 2