
150 CHAPTER 4INTERNAL LOADINGS DEVELOPED IN S TRUCTURAL MEMBERS
4
4.3 Shear and Moment Diagrams
for a Beam
If the variations of V and M as functions of x obtained in Sec. 4–2 are
plotted, the graphs are termed the shear diagram and moment diagram,
respectively. In cases where a beam is subjected to several concentrated
forces, couples, and distributed loads, plotting V and M versus x can
become quite tedious since several functions must be plotted. In this
section a simpler method for constructing these diagrams is discussed—a
method based on differential relations that exist between the load, shear,
and moment.
To derive these relations, consider the beam AD in Fig. 4–9a, which is
subjected to an arbitrary distributed loading and a series of
concentrated forces and couples. In the following discussion, the
distributed load will be considered positive when the loading acts upward
as shown. We will consider the free-body diagram for a small segment of
the beam having a length Fig. 4–9b. Since this segment has been chosen
at a point x along the beam that is not subjected to a concentrated force
or couple, any results obtained will not apply at points of concentrated
loading.The internal shear force and bending moment shown on the free-
body diagram are assumed to act in the positive direction according to the
established sign convention, Fig. 4–1. Note that both the shear force and
moment acting on the right face must be increased by a small, finite
amount in order to keep the segment in equilibrium. The distributed
loading has been replaced by a concentrated force that acts at a
fractional distance from the right end, where (For
example, if w(x) is uniform or constant, then will act at so
.) Applying the equations of equilibrium, we have
¢M = V¢x + w1x2 P1¢x2
2
-V¢x - M - w1x2 ¢x P1¢x2+ 1M +¢M2= 0d+©M
O
= 0;
¢V = w1x2 ¢x
V + w1x2 ¢x - 1V +¢V2= 0+
c
©F
y
= 0;
P=
1
2
1
2
¢x,w1x2¢x
0 6P61.P1¢x2
w1x2¢x
¢x,
w = w1x2
M
1
B C
M
2
x
x
F
1
F
2
F
3
w w(x)
w
x
D
A
(a)
x
V V
(b)
w(x)x
w(x)
M
V
M M
O
P (x)
Fig. 4–9
The many concentrated loadings acting
on this reinforced concrete beam create a
variation of the internal loading in the
beam. For this reason, the shear and moment
diagrams must be drawn in order to properly
design the beam.