Example Problem 1

1. Draw shear force and bending moment diagrams [SFD

and BMD] for a simply supported beam subjected to
three point loads as shown in the Fig. given below.

5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m
 5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m

RA RB
Solution: [Clockwise moment is Positive]
Using the condition: ΣMA = 0
- RB × 8 + 8 × 7 + 10 × 4 + 5 × 2 = 0  RB = 13.25 N
Using the condition: ΣFy = 0
RA + 13.25 = 5 + 10 + 8  RA = 9.75 N
 Shear Force Calculation:

0 1 5N 10N 8N 9
2 3 4 5 6 7 8

0 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 9
6

2m 2m 3m 1m
RA = 9.75 N RB=13.25N

Shear Force at the section 1-1 is denoted as V1-1

Shear Force at the section 2-2 is denoted as V2-2 and so on...
V0-0 = 0; V1-1 = + 9.75 N V6-6 = - 5.25 N
V2-2 = + 9.75 N V7-7 = 5.25 – 8 = -13.25 N
V3-3 = + 9.75 – 5 = 4.75 N V8-8 = -13.25
V4-4 = + 4.75 N V9-9 = -13.25 +13.25 = 0
V5-5 = +4.75 – 10 = - 5.25 N (Check)
 5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m

9.75N 9.75N
4.75N 4.75N

SFD 5.25N 5.25N

13.25N 13.25N
 5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m

9.75N 9.75N
4.75N 4.75N

SFD 5.25N 5.25N

13.25N 13.25N
 Bending Moment Calculation

Bending moment at A is denoted as MA

Bending moment at B is denoted as MB
and so on…
MA = 0 [ since it is simply supported]
MC = 9.75 × 2= 19.5 Nm
MD = 9.75 × 4 – 5 × 2 = 29 Nm
ME = 9.75 × 7 – 5 × 5 – 10 × 3 = 13.25 Nm
MB = 9.75 × 8 – 5 × 6 – 10 × 4 – 8 × 1 = 0
or MB = 0 [ since it is simply supported]
 5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m
29Nm
19.5Nm
13.25Nm

BMD
VM-34 5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m
9.75N 9.75N
Example Problem 1
4.75N 4.75N

SFD 5.25N 5.25N

13.25N 13.25N
29Nm
19.5Nm 13.25Nm

BMD
 5N 10N 8N
A B
C D E
2m 2m 3m 1m
9.75N 9.75N
4.75N 4.75N

SFD 5.25N 5.25N

13.25N 13.25N
29Nm
19.5Nm 13.25Nm

BMD
 Example Problem 2
2. Draw SFD and BMD for the double side overhanging
beam subjected to loading as shown below. Locate points
of contraflexure if any.

5kN 10kN 5kN

2kN/m

C A D B E

2m 3m 3m 2m
5kN 10kN 5kN
2kN/m

C A D B E

2m RA 3m 3m RB 2m

Solution:
Calculation of Reactions:
Due to symmetry of the beam, loading and boundary
conditions, reactions at both supports are equal.
.`. RA = RB = ½(5+10+5+2 × 6) = 16 kN
5kN 10kN 5kN
0 1 2 3 4 5 2kN/m 6 7 8 9

2 3 4 5 7 8 9
0 1 6
2m 3m 3m 2m
RA=16kN RB = 16kN
Shear Force Calculation: V0-0 = 0
V1-1 = - 5kN V6-6 = - 5 – 6 = - 11kN
V2-2 = - 5kN V7-7 = - 11 + 16 = 5kN
V3-3 = - 5 + 16 = 11 kN V8-8 = 5 kN
V4-4 = 11 – 2 × 3 = +5 kN V9-9 = 5 – 5 = 0 (Check)
V5-5 = 5 – 10 = - 5kN
 5kN 10kN 5kN
2kN/m

C A D B E

2m 3m 3m 2m

11kN
5kN 5kN 5kN
+
+

5kN 5kN 5kN

SFD 11kN
5kN 10kN 5kN
2kN/m

C A D B E

2m 3m 3m 2m
RA=16kN RB = 16kN

Bending Moment Calculation:

MC = ME = 0 [Because Bending moment at free end is zero]
MA = MB = - 5 × 2 = - 10 kNm
MD = - 5 × 5 + 16 × 3 – 2 × 3 × 1.5 = +14 kNm
5kN 10kN 5kN
2kN/m

C A D B E

2m 3m 3m 2m
14kNm

BMD
10kNm
10kNm
5kN 10kN 5kN
2kN/m

C A D B E
2m 3m 3m 2m
11kN
+ 5kN 5kN 5kN
+

5kN 5kN
SFD 14kNm 11kN

BMD
10kNm 10kNm
5kN 10kN 5kN
2kN/m
x

C Ax D B E
x x
2m 3m 3m 2m

10kNm 10kNm
Points of contra flexure

Let x be the distance of point of contra flexure from support A

Taking moments at the section x-x (Considering left portion)
2 x = 1 or 10
x
M x  x  5(2  x)  16 x  2 0
2 .`. x = 1 m
 Example Problem 3
3. Draw SFD and BMD for the single side overhanging beam
subjected to loading as shown below. Determine the
absolute maximum bending moment and shear forces and
mark them on SFD and BMD. Also locate points of contra
flexure if any.

10kN/m 2 kN 5kN

A
C B D

4m 1m 2m
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN

A B
RA 4m 1m RB 2m

Solution : Calculation of Reactions:

ΣMA = 0
- RB × 5 + 10 × 4 × 2 + 2 × 4 + 5 × 7 = 0  RB = 24.6 kN
ΣFy = 0
RA + 24.6 – 10 x 4 – 2 + 5 = 0  RA = 22.4 kN
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN
2 3 4 5 7
0 1 6

0 2 3 4 5 7
1 6

RA=22.4kN 4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN

Shear Force Calculations:

V0-0 =0; V1-1 = 22.4 kN V5-5 = - 19.6 + 24.6 = 5 kN
V2-2 = 22.4 – 10 × 4 = -17.6kN V6-6 = 5 kN
V3-3 = - 17.6 – 2 = - 19.6 kN V7-7 = 5 – 5 = 0 (Check)
V4-4 = - 19.6 kN
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN

A
C B D
RA=22.4kN 4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN
22.4kN

5 kN 5 kN

x = 2.24m
17.6kN
19.6kN 19.6kN
SFD
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN
X

A
x X C B D
RA=22.4kN
4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN

Max. bending moment will occur at the section where the shear force is
zero. The SFD shows that the section having zero shear force is available
in the portion AC. Let that section be X-X, considered at a distance x
from support A as shown above.
The shear force at that section can be calculated as
Vx-x = 22.4 - 10. x = 0  x = 2.24 m
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN

A
C B D
RA=22.4kN
4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN
Calculations of Bending Moments:
MA = M D = 0
MC = 22.4 × 4 – 10 × 4 × 2 = 9.6 kNm
MB = 22.4 × 5 – 10 × 4 × 3 – 2 × 1 = - 10kNm (Considering Left portion
of the section)
Alternatively
MB = -5 × 2 = -10 kNm (Considering Right portion of the section)
Absolute Maximum Bending Moment is at X- X ,
Mmax = 22.4 × 2.24 – 10 × (2.24)2 / 2 = 25.1 kNm
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN
X

A
x = 2.24m X C B D
RA=22.4kN
4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN
Mmax = 25.1 kNm

9.6kNm Point of
contra flexure

BMD 10kNm
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN
X

A D
x = 2.24m X C B
RA=22.4kN
4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN
22.4kN
5 kN 5 kN

x = 2.24m
17.6kN
19.6kN 19.6kN
SFD
Point of
contra flexure
9.6kNm

BMD 10kNm
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN
X

A
x X C B D
RA=22.4kN
4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN
Calculations of Absolute Maximum Bending Moment:
Max. bending moment will occur at the section where the shear force is
zero. The SFD shows that the section having zero shear force is available
in the portion AC. Let that section be X-X, considered at a distance x
from support A as shown above.
The shear force at that section can be calculated as
Vx-x = 22.4 - 10. x = 0  x = 2.24 m
Max. BM at X- X ,
Mmax = 22.4 × 2.24 – 10 × (2.24)2 / 2 = 25.1 kNm
 10kN/m 2 kN 5kN
X

A
x = 2.24m X C B D
RA=22.4kN
4m 1m 2m
RB=24.6kN
Mmax = 25.1 kNm

9.6kNm Point of
contra flexure

BMD 10kNm
Let a be the distance of point of contra flexure from support B
Taking moments at the section A-A (Considering left portion)

M A A  5( 2  a )  24.6a  0
A
a = 0.51 m
Mmax = 25.1 kNm

9.6kNm Point of
contra flexure

BMD 10kNm
a
A
 Example Problem 4
4. Draw SFD and BMD for the single side overhanging beam
subjected to loading as shown below. Mark salient points on
SFD and BMD.

60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A
C B D

3m 2m 2m
 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A
C B D

RA 3m 2m RB 2m

Solution: Calculation of reactions:

ΣMA = 0
-RB × 5 + ½ × 3 × 60 × (2/3) × 3 +20 × 4 × 5 + 20 × 7 = 0  RB =144kN
ΣFy = 0
RA + 144 – ½ × 3 × 60 – 20 × 4 -20 = 0  RA = 46kN
 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m
1 2 3 4 5
0 6

1 2 3 4 5 6
0
RB = 144kN
RA = 46kN 3m 2m 2m
RA

Shear Force Calculations:

V0-0 =0 ; V1-1 = + 46 kN V4-4 = - 84 + 144 = + 60kN
V2-2 = +46 – ½ × 3 × 60 = - 44 kN V5-5 = +60 – 20 × 2 = + 20 kN
V3-3 = - 44 – 20 × 2 = - 84 kN V6-6= 20 – 20 = 0 (Check)
 Example Problem 4
60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m
1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6
RB = 144kN
RA = 46kN 3m 2m 2m
RA

46kN Parabola 60kN

20kN

44kN
SFD 84kN
 X 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A x C B D
X RB=144kN
RA =46kN 3m 2m 2m

Max. bending moment will occur at the section where the shear force is
zero. The SFD shows that the section having zero shear force is available
in the portion AC. Let that section be X-X, considered at a distance ‘x’
from support A as shown above. The shear force expression at that section
should be equated to zero. i.e.,
Vx-x = 46 – ½ .x. (60/3)x = 0  x = 2.145 m
 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A
C B D
RB=144kN
RA =46kN 3m 2m 2m

Calculation of bending moments:

MA = M D = 0
MC = 46 × 3 – ½ × 3 × 60 × (1/3 × 3) = 48 kNm[Considering LHS of
section]
MB = -20 × 2 – 20 × 2 × 1 = - 80 kNm [Considering RHS of section]
Absolute Maximum Bending Moment, Mmax = 46 × 2.145 – ½ × 2.145
×(2.145 × 60/3) × (1/3 × 2.145) = 65.74 kNm
 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A
C B D
RB=144kN
RA =46kN 3m 2m 2m
48kNm

65.74kNm

Cubic
parabola Parabola

Point of
BMD Contra flexure Parabola
80kNm
46kN Parabola 60kN
20kN

44kN
SFD 84kN

65.74kNm

Cubic
parabola Parabola

Point of
BMD Contra flexure Parabola
80kNm
 X 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A x=2.145m C B D
X RB=144kN
RA =46kN 3m 2m 2m

Calculations of Absolute Maximum Bending Moment:

Max. bending moment will occur at the section where the shear force is
zero. The SFD shows that the section having zero shear force is available
in the portion AC. Let that section be X-X, considered at a distance ‘x’
from support A as shown above. The shear force expression at that section
should be equated to zero. i.e.,
Vx-x = 46 – ½ .x. (60/3)x = 0  x = 2.145 m
BM at X- X , Mmax = 46 × 2.145 – ½ × 2.145 ×(2.145 × 60/3) × (1/3 × 2.145)=65.74
kNm
 60kN/m
20kN
20kN/m

A
C B D
RB=144kN
RA =46kN 3m 2m 2m
48kNm
65.74kNm 48kNm
Cubic
parabola Parabola

Point of
BMD Contra flexure Parabola
80kNm
Point of contra flexure:
BMD shows that point of contra flexure is existing in the
portion CB. Let ‘a’ be the distance in the portion CB from the
support B at which the bending moment is zero. And that ‘a’
can be calculated as given below.
ΣMx-x = 0

(2  a) 2
144a  20(a  2)  20 0
2

a = 1.095 m
 Example Problem 5
5. Draw SFD and BMD for the single side overhanging beam
subjected to loading as shown below. Mark salient points on
SFD and BMD.
40kN
0.5m
30kN/m
20kN/m
0.7m
A
B C D E

2m 1m 1m 2m
 40kN
0.5m
30kN/m
20kN/m
0.7m
A
B C D E

2m 1m 1m 2m

40x0.5=20kNm
40kN 30kN/m
20kN/m

A
B C D E

2m 1m 1m 2m
 40kN 30kN/m
20kN/m
20kNm
A
B C D E
RA
2m 1m 1m RD 2m

Solution: Calculation of reactions:

ΣMA = 0
-RD × 4 + 20 × 2 × 1 + 40 × 3 + 20 + ½ × 2 × 30 × (4+2/3) = 0  RD =80k
ΣFy = 0
RA + 80 – 20 × 2 - 40 - ½ × 2 × 30 = 0  RA = 30 kN
 20kNm 40kN
30kN/m
0 1 20kN/m 2 4 6 7
3 5

0 1 2 4 5 6 7
3
RD =80kN
RA =30kN
2m 1m 1m 2m

Calculation of Shear Forces: V0-0 = 0

V1-1 = 30 kN V5-5 = - 50 kN
V2-2 = 30 – 20 × 2 = - 10kN V6-6 = - 50 + 80 = + 30kN
V3-3 = - 10kN V7-7 = +30 – ½ × 2 × 30 = 0(check)
V4-4 = -10 – 40 = - 50 kN
 20kNm 40kN
30kN/m
1 20kN/m 2 4 6 7
3 5

1 2 4 5 6 7
3
RD =80kN
RA =30kN
2m 1m 1m 2m

30kN Parabola
30kN

x = 1.5 m
10kN 10kN

SFD
50kN 50kN
 40kN 30kN/m
20kN/m
X 20kNm
A
B C D E
x = 1.5 m X
RA
2m 1m 1m RD 2m

Calculation of bending moments:

MA = M E = 0
MX = 30 × 1.5 – 20 × 1.5 × 1.5/2 = 22.5 kNm
MB= 30 × 2 – 20 × 2 × 1 = 20 kNm
MC = 30 × 3 – 20 × 2 × 2 = 10 kNm (section before the couple)
MC = 10 + 20 = 30 kNm (section after the couple)
MD = - ½ × 30 × 2 × (1/3 × 2) = - 20 kNm( Considering RHS of the section
 40kN 30kN/m
20kN/m
X 20kNm
A
B C D E
x = 1.5 m X
RA
2m 1m 1m RD 2m
22.5kNm 30kNm
Parabola 20kNm
10kNm Point of contra flexure

BMD Cubic parabola

20kNm
 30kN Parabola
30kN

x = 1.5 m
10kN 10kN

SFD
50kN 50kN

Parabola 20kNm
10kNm Point of contra flexure

BMD Cubic parabola

20kNm
6. Draw SFD and BMD for the cantilever beam subjected
to loading as shown below.

40kN
0.5m
300
20kN/m
0.7m
A

3m 1m 1m
 40kN
0.5m
300
20kN/m
0.7m

A
3m 1m 1m

40Sin30 = 20kN

0.5m

20kN/m 40Cos30 =34.64kN

0.7m
A

3m 1m 1m
 40Sin30 = 20kN

0.5m

20kN/m 40Cos30 =34.64kN

0.7m

3m 1m 1m

20x0.5 – 34.64x0.7=-14.25kNm
20kN
20kN/m
34.64kN

3m 1m 1m
 20kN
20kN/m 14.25kNm

34.64kN HD
A 3m B 1m C 1m D
MD
VD
Calculation of Reactions (Here it is optional):
ΣFx = 0  HD = 34.64 kN
ΣFy = 0  VD = 20 × 3 + 20 = 80 kN
ΣMD = 0  MD - 20 × 3 × 3.5 – 20 × 1 – 14.25 = 244.25kNm
 20kN
1 20kN/m 14.25kNm 6
2 3 4 5
34.64kN HD
2 3 4
1 3m 1m 1m 5 6 MD
VD=80kN

Shear Force Calculation:

V1-1 =0
V2-2 = -20 × 3 = - 60kN
V3-3 = - 60 kN
V4-4 = - 60 – 20 = - 80 kN
V5-5 = - 80 kN
V6-6 = - 80 + 80 = 0 (Check)
 20kN
1 20kN/m 14.25kNm 6
2 3 4 5
34.64kN
HD
2 3 4
1 3m 1m 1m 5 6 MD
VD=80kN

60kN 60kN
SFD
80kN 80kN
 20kN
20kN/m 14.25kNm

34.64kN
A B
3m 1m C 1m D
MD

Bending Moment Calculations:

MA = 0
MB = - 20 × 3 × 1.5 = - 90 kNm
MC = - 20 × 3 × 2.5 = - 150 kNm (section before the couple)
MC = - 20 × 3 × 2.5 – 14.25 = -164.25 kNm (section after the couple)
MD = - 20 × 3 × 3.5 -14.25 – 20 × 1 = -244.25 kNm (section before MD)
moment)
MD = -244.25 +244.25 = 0 (section after MD)
 20kN
20kN/m 14.25kNm

34.64kN
A B
3m 1m C 1m D

90kNm
150kNm
BMD
164.25kNm

244.25kNm
 W

L/2 L/2

wkN/m

wkN/m
 Exercise Problems VM-73
1. Draw SFD and BMD for a single side overhanging beam
subjected to loading as shown below. Mark absolute
maximum bending moment on bending moment diagram and
locate point of contra flexure.
10kN 15kN/m
20kN/m
5kNm

1m 1m 3m 1m 1m 2m

[Ans: Absolute maximum BM = 60.625 kNm ]

 Exercise Problems VM-74

2. Draw shear force and bending moment diagrams [SFD

and BMD] for a simply supported beam subjected to
loading as shown in the Fig. given below. Also locate
and determine absolute maximum bending moment.
10kN 16kN
4kN/m
600 B
A

1m 1m 2m 1m 1m

[Ans: Absolute maximum bending moment = 22.034kNm

Its position is 3.15m from Left hand support ]
 Exercise Problems VM-75

3. Draw shear force and bending moment diagrams [SFD

and BMD] for a single side overhanging beam subjected
to loading as shown in the Fig. given below. Locate
points of contra flexure if any.
50kN 25kN/m
10kN/m
10kNm
A
B
1m 1m 3m 2m

[Ans : Position of point of contra flexure from RHS = 0.375m]

 Exercise Problems VM-76

4. Draw SFD and BMD for a double side overhanging beam

subjected to loading as shown in the Fig. given below.
Locate the point in the AB portion where the bending
moment is zero.
8kN 16kN
4kN/m 8kN

A B
2m 2m 2m 2m

[Ans : Bending moment is zero at mid span]

 Exercise Problems VM-77
5. A single side overhanging beam is subjected to uniformly distributed
load of 4 kN/m over AB portion of the beam in addition to its self
weight 2 kN/m acting as shown in the Fig. given below. Draw SFD
and BMD for the beam. Locate the inflection points if any. Also locate
and determine maximum negative and positive bending moments.
4kN/m
2kN/m

A
B
6m 2m

[Ans :Max. positive bending moment is located at 2.89 m from LHS.

and whose value is 37.57 kNm ]
 Exercise Problems VM-78

6. Three point loads and one uniformly distributed load are

acting on a cantilever beam as shown in the Fig. given
below. Draw SFD and BMD for the beam. Locate and
determine maximum shear force and bending moments.
10kN
5kN 2kN/m 20kN

A
1m 1m 1m B

[Ans : Both Shear force and Bending moments are maximum

at supports.]
 Exercise Problems VM-79

7. One side overhanging beam is subjected loading as

shown below. Draw shear force and bending moment
diagrams [SFD and BMD] for beam. Also determine
maximum hogging bending moment.
200N 100N
30N/m

A B
3m 4m 4m

[Ans: Max. Hogging bending moment = 735 kNm]

 Exercise Problems VM-80

8. A cantilever beam of span 6m is subjected to three point

loads at 1/3rd points as shown in the Fig. given below.
Draw SFD and BMD for the beam. Locate and determine
maximum shear force and hogging bending moment.
5kN 10kN
0.5m 8kN 5kN
300

A 2m 2m 2m B

[Ans : Max. Shear force = 20.5kN, Max BM= 71kNm

Both max. shear force and bending moments will occur
at supports.]
 Exercise Problems VM-81

9. A trapezoidal load is acting in the middle portion AB of the double

side overhanging beam as shown in the Fig. given below. A couple
of magnitude 10 kNm and a concentrated load of 14 kN acting on
the tips of overhanging sides of the beam as shown. Draw SFD and
BMD. Mark salient features like maximum positive, negative
bending moments and shear forces, inflection points if any.
14kN 40kN/m 20kN/m
10kNm
600

A B
1m 4m 2m

[Ans : Maximum positive bending moment = 49.06 kNm

 Exercise Problems VM-82

10. Draw SFD and BMD for the single side overhanging beam
subjected loading as shown below.. Mark salient features like
maximum positive, negative bending moments and shear forces,
inflection points if any.
24kN
0.5m 4kN/m
6kN/m

1m 1m 3m 2m 3m

Ans: Maximum positive bending moment = 41.0 kNm