PVV/PVK Tips:

PVV:

 Can simplify any statically determinate substructure (particularly within trusses) as only one
element, as long as all joints are central.
 If a UDL acts over a beam with a joint, work out the external work done separately for each side
if they have different HPs.
 To work out the internal work done of an element that translates, you may have to introduce an
imaginary deflection (either 1 or δ) and work out all angles and deflections in terms of that using
small angle approximations.

Shear Force, Q:

 For sheer force, Q, the elements will rotate about

the same angle due to the discontinuity, but that
doesn’t mean it will be 50/50 deflection either side of
zero axis.
 To work out shear force on a shear force link with a
load on top, work Q out separately either side of the
link and the difference should be equal to the
applied force.

Axial Force, N:

 To work out the axial force in a member, delete that member and annotate on the normal force
in the POSITIVE direction (tension).
 Do polplan to get the deflected shape as usual
 When working out the internal force, if the Normal force member is diagonal, resolve the forces
in both the horizontal and vertical directions and add them up (not Pythagoras). Remember if
deflection is against the direction of the annotated force then it is negative.
 Also use zero force members rules just to double check it’s not 0.

Sign Convention:

 When using PVV for internal forces, always annotate them on in the POSITIVE direction.
 Pay attention to the side of the dotted line as this will govern the positive direction.
 For moments, if the element rotates against the annotated angle, the internal work is negative.
 For Q and N, if the deflection acts in the opposite direction to the applied force, this is negative
(applies to external forces too)
 Remember: External work + Internal Work = 0 so rearrange to get Internal work (will change
sign)

PVK:
 Support sinking/ rotation is positive if the deflection is in the same direction as the support
reaction in the 1-Force case
 If EI not constant, write everything in terms of x (M(x), EI(x) etc..) and actually integrate rather
than use the tables.
 For temperature loads, pay careful attention to the side of the dotted line. Tu is ALWAYS the
temperature on this side and if you get this mixed up will end up with wrong sign.
 If the temperature is -x on one side and +x on the other, TN  0 and this contribution can be
ignored.

Moment Diagrams (VERY IMPORTANT):