4.4 SHEAR AND MOMENT DIAGRAMS FOR A FRAME 163
4
4.4 Shear and Moment Diagrams
for a Frame
Recall that a frame is composed of several connected members that are
either fixed or pin connected at their ends. The design of these
structures often requires drawing the shear and moment diagrams for
each of the members. To analyze any problem, we can use the
procedure for analysis outlined in Sec. 4–3. This requires first
determining the reactions at the frame supports. Then, using the
method of sections, we find the axial force, shear force, and moment
acting at the ends of each member. Provided all loadings are resolved
into components acting parallel and perpendicular to the member’s
axis, the shear and moment diagrams for each member can then be
drawn as described previously.
When drawing the moment diagram, one of two sign conventions is
used in practice. In particular, if the frame is made of reinforced concrete,
designers often draw the moment diagram positive on the tension side of
the frame. In other words, if the moment produces tension on the outer
surface of the frame, the moment diagram is drawn positive on this side.
Since concrete has a low tensile strength, it will then be possible to tell at
a glance on which side of the frame the reinforcement steel must be
placed. In this text, however, we will use the opposite sign convention
and always draw the moment diagram positive on the compression side of
the member. This convention follows that used for beams discussed in
Sec. 4–1.
The following examples illustrate this procedure numerically.
The simply supported girder of this concrete building frame was
designed by first drawing its shear and moment diagrams.