Max. Max B.M.D.

How to calculate maximum moment and shear at any section of

roadway bridges

Calculation of straining actions due to live loads only: ( )

There are 2 methods to calculate maximum moment or shear due to live load only.
One is approximate and the other is exact.

When to use each method?

If the dimensions of the bridge are given, the breadth, the sidewalk width, etc…, we
have to use the exact method. But if the maximum moment at mid span and the
maximum shear at support are only given so we can use the approximate method.

1- Exact method:
Draw the influence line of main girder of shear or moment according to the required
straining action at the required section and make the necessary loading.
a- Influence line of moment at any section:
L
a b

axb
L

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• Depending on the position of the point we choose between the following 3 load
cases.

2 1 3

P1 P1 P1 1
W2 W2
W1
get M(L+I) If the point is in the
L
4 middle third we use 1
L

P1 P1 P1 2
W2 W2
W1
get M(L+I) If the point is in the 1st
ab
L
third we use 2
L
a b

P1 P1 P1 3
W2 W2
get M(L+I)
ab
L
If the point is in the 3rd

L
third we use 3
b a

For the 3 cases:

I = (0.4 – 0.008L) 0.15, where L is the loaded length of the M.G. = span of M.G.

b- Influence line of shear at any section:

b
L

a
L
a b

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We draw the I.L of shear at that point, we have 2 parts " +ve part and –ve part " so
we will have to make 2 loading cases.
1 – To get the Q (L+I) +ve by loading the +ve part of the diagram only.
2 – To get the Q (L+I) -ve by loading the -ve part of the diagram only.
1- Q(L+I) -ve
b
L

P1 P1 P1 +ve
W2
W1
-V e
a b

L o a d e d le n g th

Here the loaded length is not the whole span; here it is b, so

I = 0.4 – 0.008 a 0.15

2- Q(L+I) +ve
b
L
+ve
P1 P1 P1
W2
W1
-V e
a b

L o a d e d le n g th

Here the loaded length is not the whole span; here it is b, so

I = 0.4 – 0.008 b 0.15

Note that: L of the impact factor changed, so we have to use different P 1….., so
we must take the strip again.
Important note: In the exam, only calculate the max shear (+ve only)

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2-Approximate method:
a- To calculate moment at any section:

0.44L
xL x 0.06L

Mx
M max(L+I)

Mmax(L+I)
Required point at "x" from support
M/ 0.44L − x 2 0.44L − x 2
=( ) M \ =( ) *M L + I
M 0.44L 0.44L
L +I
0.44L − x 2
Mreq = ML+I – M\ = ML+I - ( ) *M L + I
0.44L
0.44L − x 2
Mreq = ML+I*[1- ( ) ]
0.44L

b- To calculate shear at any section:

Q L −x 2 Q(L+I)
x =( ) Qx
Q L
L +I
L −x 2 X
Q =( ) ×Q
x L L +I L

Calculation of straining actions due to dead loads only:

The moment and shear due to dead load is calculated using a simple beam with
distributed load.
- Note that: (L.L. + I) may be given in the form of "w" in t/m2 so we multiply * B/2
to make it t/m' and L2/8 to calculate moment.

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How to get maximum moment at any section for railway bridge:

Draw influence line of moment at this section & put the critical case of loading
trying to put the maximum wheel loads on this section, or as near as possible.

Max moment at required section = M * (1+I) n f [same as before]

How to calculate max shear at any section
We have two possible loading cases

12.5 12.5
6.25 10

loc.+ tender + loc

a
L
"l" loaded length used to get impact factor

direction of motion

12.5
10 6.25 10

tender + loc.+ tender + loc

Note that for Case "1", we will consider that the train is moving to the right with
only locomotive, tender and locomotive & we neglect the last tenders and the
wagons. For the second case we put the last wheel of the last tender on the
required section and recalculate the shear.
Get "Q" bigger of the 2 cases

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24
Qmax = Q bigger * (1+I) * n * f Where I =
24 + nl
And "l" is the loaded length

Example 1:
For the shown roadway bridge of span 36 m, it is required to calculate the following:
1- Max. And min. moment and max shear on the M.G.
2- The max shear and moment at a section at 1/6 L from support.
Assume WD = 8.954 t/m'
1.0 1.0 6 1.0

WS.out WS.in

2.5 13

Solution: Loads on M.G.:

I- Live Load
1.0 B' 1.0 0.3t/m'
0.5(1+I)t/m'
0.3t/m'
Strip 2
2 2 1.0 3.0 11.5
1.19
1.11 1 0.88

I.L. of Reaction
Side walk

60t (1+I)

Side walk
2
0.3 t/m
30t

1 1 W2
0.3 t/m2

10(1+I)t 5t
0.3t/m'
0.5(1+I) t/m2

0.3 t/m2

0.3t/m'
Strip 1
1.0 0.5 2.0 1.0 2.0 0.5 8.5
1.19

1.077

0.923
1.11

0.846
1.0

0.692
0.653

I.L. of Reaction

P1 ,W1

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I = (0.4 – 0.008L) = (0.4 – 0.008 x 36) = 0.112 < 0.15, take it 0.15
Strip 1:
P1 = 10(1+I) (1.077+0.923) + 5 (0.8461+0.692) = 20I + 27.7
1.192 + 1.11 0.653
W1 = 0.3 ( ) x 1 + 0.3 ( ) x 8.5 = 1.13 t/m'
2 2
Strip 2:
1.192 + 1.11 0.8846 1.11 + 0.8846
W2 = 0.3 ( ) x 1 + 0.3 ( ) x 11.5 + 0.5(1+I) ( )x3
2 2 2
= 1.5I + 3.37 t/m'

II- Dead Load

32

8.9554 *362 8.9554 *36

Md = =1450.77 mt Q d= =162 t
8 2
Md at 6 m = 161.97 x 6 – 8.9554 x 6 x 6 / 2 = 806 mt
Qd at 6 m = 161.97 – 8.9554 x 6 = 107t

Live load:
1. Max moment " @ mid span "
I = (0.4 – 0.008L) = (0.4 – 0.008 x 36) = 0.112< 0.15, take it 0.15
P 1 = 20I + 27.7 = 20 x 0.15 + 27.7 = 29.94 t
W1 = 1.13 t/m'
W2 = 1.5I + 3.37 = 1.5 x 0.15 + 3.37 = 3.54 t/m'

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29.94 29.94t 29.94

3.54 t/m' 1.13 t/m' 3.54 t/m'
M(L+I)

7.5 7.5
8.25 8.25
9
15 1.5 1.5
36

7.5 7.5 + 9
M(L+I) = 29.94 ( 2 x 8.25 + 9 ) + 2 x 3.54 ( ) x 15 + 2 x 1.13 ( )x3
2 2
= 1217mt

2. Max shear " @ support "

I = (0.4 – 0.008L) = (0.4 – 0.008 x 36) = 0.112 < 0.15, take it 0.15
P 1 = 29.94 t W1 = 1.13 t/m' W2 = 3.54t/m'
1.0

0.96

0.88

29.94 29.94 29.94

3.54 t/m'
1.13 t/m'
Q(L+I)
1.5 1.5 1.5 31.5
36

0.88 1 + 0.88
Q(L+I) = 29.94 x 3 x 0.96 + 3.54 ( ) x 31.5 + 1.13 ( ) x 4.5 = 140 t
2 2
3. Max moment at 6 m from the support
I = (0.4 – 0.008L) = (0.4 – 0.008 x 36) = 0.112 < 0.15, take it 0.15
P 1 = 20I + 27.7 = 20 x 0.112 + 27.7 = 29.94 t
W1 = 1.13 t/m' W2 = 1.5I + 3.37 = 1.5 x 0.112 + 3.37 = 3.54 t/m'
"Point in 1st third" don’t mention it is just for u

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29.94 29.94 29.94

3.54 t/m' 3.54 t/m'
1.13 t/m'
M(L+I)
3.75

5 4.75 4.25
36
6 30

3.75 4.25 4.25 + 5

M(L+I) = 29.94 x 3 x 4.75 + 3.54 ( ) x 4.5 + 3.54 ( ) x 25.5 + 1.13 ( )
2 2 2
3.75 + 5
x 4.5 + 1.13 ( ) x 1.5= 679 mt
2

4. Max shear at 6 m from the support

Q+ve
Loaded length = 30 m
I = (0.4 – 0.008L) = (0.4 – 0.008 x 30) = 0.16
P 1 = 20I + 27.7 = 20 x 0.16 + 27.7 = 30.9 t
W1 = 1.13 t/m' W2 = 1.5I + 3.37 = 1.5 x 0.16 + 3.37 = 3.61 t/m'
0.83

0.79

0.71

+ve
30.9t 30.9t 30.9t
1.13 t/m ' 3.61 t/m'

-Ve
6 30

0.71 0.71 + 0.83

Q(L+I) = 30.9 x 3 x 0.79 + 3.61 ( ) x 25.5 + 1.13 ( ) x 4.5 = +109.76 t
2 2
Q-ve
Loaded length = 6 m
I = (0.4 – 0.008L) = (0.4 – 0.008 x 6) = 0.352 > 0.15, take it 0.352
P 1 = 20I + 27.7 = 20 x 0.352 + 27.7 = 34.74 t
W1 = 1.13 t/m' W2 = 1.5I + 3.37 = 1.5 x 0.352 + 3.37 = 3.9 t/m'

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34.74t 34.74t 34.74t

3.9 t/m' +ve
1.13 t/m'
-Ve
0.04

0.13

0.17
6 30

0.04 0.17 + 0.04

Q(L+I) = 34.74 x 3 x 0.13 + 3.9 ( ) x 1.5 + 1.13 ( ) x 4.5 = - 14.2 t
2 2

Calculation of max moment due to live load at L/6:

Using approx method:
15.84
9.84 2.16

Mx
1217

1217-M x

1217

0.44*36 − 6 2
M x = 1217 *[1 − ( ) ] = 747 mt
0.44*36
% of error = 747 / 679 = 1.1 10% error

Calculation of max shear due to live load at L/6 using approx method:

140
Qx

30
36

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30 2
QL+I = ( ) * 140 = 97.2 ton
36
% of error = 97.2 / 109.76 = 0.88 12%
Note: "these straining actions can be given"

Finaly
Md+L+I @ mid span = 1450.77 + 1217 = 2668mt
Md+L+I @ 6 m from support = 806 + 679= 1485 mt
Mmin = Md because there is no negative reaction
Qd+L+I @ support = 162+ 140 = 302 t
Qd+L+I @ 6 m from support max = 107+109.76 = 216.76 t
Qd+L+I @ 6 m from support min = 107- 14.2 = 92.8 t

Md

806mt
1450.77mt

162t
107t
Qd

Example 2:
Using Influence line, calculate Max.
Moment and Max. Shear due to Live
load and impact only of the shown
bridge at distance 6m from the support.
Given that: 1- Equivalent live load + I = 1.5 t /m2.
2- Width of the road is 12m and 2 sides walks 2m each.
3- Span of bridge is 28m

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Solution:
16
B = 12 + 2 * 2 = 16 m W = 1.5 * = 12 t / m/
2
To calculate moment:

12 t/m'
M(L+I)

4.71
28
6 22

4.71 4.71
M L+I = 12 * 6 * + 22 * 12 * = 791.28 m t
2 2
For shear:
0.786

12 t/m'

-Ve
6 22

0.786
Q L+I = * 12 * 22 = 103.7 t
2
Or:

12 t/m'

R
6 22

R= 12 * 22 * 11 / 28 = 103.7 t
= Q L+I for section at 6 m

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Example 3:
Double track Pony Bridge with span 32m.
Calculate M and Q at section 8.5 m from support using exact and approximate method.
Given that the straining actions at mid span are:
ML+I = 1431.77 mt QL+I = 197.88 t
Note that: These values are taken from the solved example in the loads on main girder
in railway

1- Dead load:
WSD.T. = (1.1+ 0.05*32)*1.9 = 5.13 t/m
5.13 0.6 * 2
Wd = + = 3.165 t/m
2 2

32

Md at 8.5 m = 50.64 x 8.5 – 3.165 x 8.5 x 8.5 / 2 = 316.1 mt

Qd at 8.5 = 50.64 – 3.165 x 8.5 = 23.73 t M and Q at 8.5 m from support
I) M " at 8.5 m from support " Use wheel loads
Trial 1

0.8078 0.2258
1.9191
4.3145 3.6656
5.7109

6.2422

1.1 4.775 2.625 2 7.7 6.575 6.375 0.85

0.2 1.8 3 1.75 1.75 2 2 3 1.8 1.8 1.8 3 1.75 5.5 0.85

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Mwheel = 2 x 10 x 0.807 + 2 x 6.25 x 4.314 + 3 x 12.5 x 5.7109 + 4 x 10 x 3.665 + 2 x

10 x 1.92 + 10 x 0.225 = 471 mt

Trial 2

1.2219
2.8457 2.4504
4.7734 4.1969
5.7109
6.2422

3.875 2.625 2 2 5.7 6.575 4.625 4.6

3 1.75 1.75 2 2 3 1.8 1.8 1.8 3 1.75 1.75 2 2 2.6

Mwheel
= 2 x 6.25 x 2.845 + 12.5x ( 4.773 + 6.242 + 5.7109 ) + 4 x 10 x 4.1969 + 2 x 6.25 x
2.4504 + 3 x 12.5 x 1.2219 = 489.07 mt

So trial 2 is more critical Loaded length = 32 m

24 24
I= = = 0.272 > 0.25 ok
24 + nl 24 + 2 × 32
M(L+I) = 489.07 x 2 x (1.272) x 0.9 = 1119.7 mt

Using the approximate method:

0.44*32 − 8.5 2
Mreq = 1431.77*[1-( ) ] = 1207 mt
0.44*32
% of error = 1207 / 1119.7 = 1.08 8%

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II) Q " at 8.5 m from support " +ve shear

Trial 1

8.5 2 2 1.75 1.75 3 1.8 1.8 1.8 3 2 2 0.6

2 4.625 6.575 7.7 2.6

Qwheel = 3 x 12.5 x 0.672 + 2 x 6.25 x 0.5278 + 4 x 10 x 0.322 + 3 x 12.5 x 0.081 =

47.715 t

Trial 2

8.5 1.8 1.8 1.8 3 2 2 1.75 1.75 3 1.8 1.8 1

8.5 2.7 7.7 4.625 5.675 2.8

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Qwheel = 4 x 10 x 0.65 + 2 x 6.25 x 0.265 + 3 x 12.5 x 0.409 + 3 x 10 x 0.087

= 47.26 t
So trial 1 is more critical Loaded length = 23.5 m
24 24
I= = = 0.338 > 0.25 ok
24 + nl 24 + 2 × 23.5
Qmax+ve = 47.715 x 2 x (1.338) x 0.9 = 114.9 t

-ve shear Shear due to wheel load

1 1.75 1.75 2 2 23.5

1.875 4.625 2

Qwheel = 3 x 12.5 x 0.202 + 6.25 x 2 x 0.058 = 8.3 t

24 24
Loaded length = 8.5 m I= = = 0.585 > 0.25 ok
24 + nl 24 + 2 × 8.5
Qmax-ve = 8.3 x 2 x (1.585) x 0.9 = 23.68 t
Max M "8.5 m" = Md + M( L+I ) = 316.1 + 1119.7 = 1435.8 mt
Max Q "8.5 m" = Qd + Q( L+I )+ve = 23.73 + 114.9 = 138.63 t
32 − 8.5 2
Using the approximate method: Qreq (+) = 197.88 * ( ) = 107 t
32
% of error = 107 / 114.9 = 0.93 7%
8.5 2
Qreq (-) = 197.88 * ( ) = 14 t
32
% of error = 23.68 / 14 = 1.69 69% very big error

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