Shear Force

Author: Leicester College

Date created:
Date revised: 2009
Abstract;
A graphical method to determine the shear force and bending moment distribution along a simply supported beam is given. A suitable example is
used to illustrate the major steps in the process.
A sample calculation for the determination of the maximum stress values is also given.

Leicester College 2009. This work is licensed under

a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

HNC In Engineering Mechanical

Science
Edexcel HN Unit: Engineering Science
(NQF L4)

Contents

Shear force / bending moment diagrams

Find reactions R1 and R2
Shear force Diagram
To find point of max BM Using similar triangles
Size of max bending moment
Bending moment diagram
Calculating max Stress in the beam
Credits

These files support the Edexcel HN unit Engineering Science (Mechanical)

File Name

Unit Outcome

Key Words

Stress introduction

1.1

Stress, strain, statics, youngs modulus

BM, shear force

diagrams
Selecting beams

1.1

Shear force, bending moment, stress

1.2

Beams, columns, struts, slenderness ratio

Torsion introduction

1.3

Torsion, stiffness, twisting

Dynamics
introduction

2.1/2.2

Linear motion, angular motion, energy, kinetic, potential,

rotation

For further information regarding unit outcomes go to Edexcel.org.uk/ HN/ Engineering / Specifications

Shear force / bending moment diagrams

The problem;
A

20 kN/m UDL
C

R1

6m

6m

10kN/m UDL

13m

The beam is 25m long and 100mm square section.

R2

Shear force / bending moment diagrams

The method
A) Determine the unknown reactions (Forces R1 and
R2)
B) Draw Shear force diagram
C) Find point of max BM (using similar triangle method)
D) Find BM at points along the beam
E) Draw BM diagram from points etc calculated
F) Calculate I for the beam
G) Use bending formula to find max stress value

Find reactions R1 and R2

Taking moments about R1 to find R2
(9 x 120) + ( 12.5 x 250) = 25 x R2
(1080 + 3125) / 25 = R2
and R2 = 168.2 kN
Taking moments about R2 to find R1
( 25 x R1) = (16 x 120) + (12.5 X 250 )
( 1920 + 3125) / 25 =
R1 = 201.8 kN
Check UP forces = Down Forces R1 + R2 = 120 +
250 = 370 kN OK

Shear force Diagram

Working from the left hand side;
Point of max BM

R1 201.8kN
10kN/m UDL
6m

20kN/m UDL

6m

R2 168.2kN

To find point of max BM Using similar triangles

AB / AD = DF / EF

From dimensions and; AB = (DF x AD)/ EF =

Shear forces given

6 x 141.8

(141.8 + 38.2)
= 4.7267m
141.8 (ie 201.8 (6 x 10)
D

A
38.2 (ie 168.2 13 x 10)

C
E

Max BM from R1 = 6 + 4.7267 = 10.7267m

Size of max bending moment

As with SF diagram Working from the left (R1)
Max BM takes place when SF = 0 ie at 10.7267m from R1
Max BM = (wl wl2 wl2) (minus sign indicates hogging)
2
2 (divide by 2 because UDL acts at half length
and w = load(kN/m) and l = length)
Max BM = R1 x 10.73 10.732 x 10 4.472 x 20 = 1365.92 kNm
2
2
Max BM = 1365.92 kNm
And similarly;
BM at A = R1 x 6 - (6 x 6 x 10) /2 = 1030.8 kNm
For BM at C we can come from the other end;
BM at C = R2 x 13 (13 x 13 x 10) / 2 = 1341.6kNm
Note At A and C second UDL is not present

Bending moment diagram

1365.92kN/m
1030.8 kN/m

Note BM diagram starts and finishes at zero

Ie no BM at the ends

1341kN/m

Calculating max Stress in the beam

Maximum stress occurs at max BM point
To find max stress using Bending Equation pp 42
M = =E
I
y
R

Where M = Max BM = 1365.92 x 103

I = bd3 = (0.1 x 0.13) = 8.33 x 10-6
12
12
y = Distance from neutral axis0.1/2

Therefore, 1365.92 x 103 x 50 x 10-3

8.33 x 10-6

= 8195.5 MPa

This resource was created Leicester College and released as an open educational resource through
the Open Engineering Resources project of the Higher Education Academy Engineering Subject
Centre. The Open Engineering Resources project was funded by HEFCE and part of the JISC/HE
Academy UKOER programme.

2009 Leicester College

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

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