ECS 238

BASIC SOLID MECHANICS

CHAPTER 2a:
i. GEOMETRICAL PROPERTIES OF SECTIONS
ii. SHEAR FORCE & BENDING MOMENT OF BEAMS
BY
AIMI MUNIRAH BINTI JALILLUDDIN

CONTENTS
1

Learning Outcomes

Introduction

CHAPTER 2: Stresses and Deflection of Beams

a

Geometrical Properties of Section

Shear Force & Bending Moment of Beams

Bending and Shear Stresses in Symmetrical Beams

Deflection of Beams

LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this topic, students should be able to :
1. Determine the centroid of an area and composite area
(rectangular) (CO2:PO1; CO2:PO3)
2. Compute the moment inertia of a rectangular with respect
to any axis using parallel axis theorem (CO2:PO1;
CO2:PO3)
3. Produce free body diagrams of determinate beams
(CO2:PO3)
4. Calculate all support reactions, shear forces and bending
moments at any section required, including the internal
forces (CO2:PO1,PO3)
5. Able to draw shear force diagram, bending moment
diagrams(CO2:PO1,PO3)
6. Write the relations of loads, shear forces and bending
moments (CO2:PO1, PO3)

CHAPTER 2a
GEOMETRICAL
PROPERTIES OF SECTIONS

INTRODUCTION
Beam element should be able to resist applied forces

or moment applied to it

The strength of the beam element is depend on the :1. Material type
2. Shape and size of section

Shape & size of section will affect the sectional area

(A), centroid, the moment of inertia (I) and section

modulus (Z)

BEAM SECTIONS OF
DIFFERENT MATERIAL

Timber Beam Sections

Steel Beam Sections

Reinforced Concrete Beam

CENTER OF GRAVITY
The weight of a body such as building or any part of a

structure is always attracted by the gravitational pull of

the earth through a point called the centre of gravity
(c.g.)

The c.g. of sections can be termed as the centre of the

area or the centroid.

It can be determined by these methods:
i. by geometrical properties
ii. by method of moments
iii. by first moment of area

GEOMETRICAL PROPERTIES
The geometry of a simple section as for the triangle

shown in Figure 2.2(a) will have its c.g. at the point

where its medians meet.
The c.g. of a simple rectangular section will be

located at the point where its diagonals meet each

other as shown in Figure 2.2(b).

METHOD OF MOMENTS
Considering a body section shown in Figure, the c.g. can be
determined by the following procedures:
1. Divide the body into several
parts 1, 2 and 3.
2. Determine the area (or
volume or weight) of each
part (a1,a2,a3) to act at its
c.g.
3. Take moments about a
convenient reference point
or axis.
4. The location of the c.g. given
by x and y coordinates can
thus be obtained from the
principle of moments where;

~
xA

x
A
~y A ~y a ~y a
A a a a
1 1

~
yA

y
A
2

~
y3 a3

EXAMPLE 1
Determine the centroid of the given section

SOLUTION
Using the method of moments, divide the sections into
manageable simple sections, i.e. 2 rectangular shapes

Select a horizontal and vertical reference axis of the

section, i.e. at the bottom & at leftmost of the section

SOLUTION
y

Compute each rectangular areas

A1 = (10)(125) = 1250 mm2 , A2 = (10)(65)=650 mm2

SOLUTION
Finding horizontal centroid location
Based on y-y axis, find the centroid of each rectangular
y

X1 = 10/2 = 5 mm
X2 = 10+ 65/2 = 42.5 mm

x
x1
x2

SOLUTION
Using the below equation to find

= 17.83 mm

SOLUTION
Using the below equation to find

= 42.83mm from x-x axis

= 42.83 mm

SOLUTION
Superimposed both centroids

17.83 mm

42.83
x

EXAMPLE 2
Find the centroid of an unsymmetrical I-section shown
in the Figure 2.4.

SOLUTION

EXAMPLE 3
Determine the centroid of the unsymmetrical channel
section shown in Fugure 2.5 below.

SOLUTION

METHOD OF INERTIA
Also known as second moment of area
Measures the efficiency of the shape or

geometric properties only to

bending due to the applied loads.
I x y 2 dA
A

We

resist

I y x 2 dA
A

can also formulate the second

moment of the differential element about
the pole O or z axis.
This is referred to as the polar moment of
inertia.
J O r 2 dA I x I y
A

TYPICAL MOMENT OF INERTIA

FORMULAS
Y

D
H
X

Y
B
H
X
B

PRINCIPLE OF
PARALLEL AXIS

PRINCIPLE OF
PARALLEL AXIS
If the moment of inertia for an area is known about

a centroidal axis, we can determine the moment of

inertia of the area about a corresponding parallel
axis using the parallel axis theorem.

The final result is therefore:

I x I x Ad y

I y I y Ad x

EXAMPLE 1
Figure below shows the cross-sectional area of a Tbeam. Find the moment of inertia of the section about
the centroidal axis x-x.

SOLUTION
The section is symmetrical about the y-y axis.

EXAMPLE 2
Determine the moments of inertia of the beams crosssectional area shown in figure below about the x and
y centroidal axes.

SOLUTION

EXAMPLE 3
By referring to the figure below, find the moment of
inertia of a hollow circular section with external and
internal diameters of 10mm and 9mm respectively
about an axis passing through its centroid.

SOLUTION

CHAPTER 2a
SHEAR FORCE & BENDING
MOMENT OF BEAMS

INTRODUCTION
Beam is a long & thin structure that is responsible to

transfer the transverse load

As the beam transfer the load, the beam will be

deflected in the direction of the load

A beam is called as determinate beam when

satisfies the following degrees of indeterminancy

equation;
DOI = reactions - 3 =0

When the beam is statically determinate, the

external and internal forces of the beam can be

analysed using the statics

STATICALLY
DETERMINATE BEAM
Beam - transfer the transverse load

the beam will be deflected in the direction of

the load
Lateral load

Applied load reaction at the support

- shear force, VF
- Bending Moment

TYPES OF BEAMS
Cantilever Beam
Simply Supported Beam
Overhanging Beam

Continuous Beam
Fixed Beam (Rigid)

TYPES OF SUPPORTS
Roller Support

Reaction at one direction

Perpendicular to the surface of the
roller
Pinned Support
Reaction at horizontal direction
Reaction at vertical direction

Fixed Support

Reaction at horizontal direction

Reaction at vertical direction
Moment

TYPES OF JOINTS
Rigid Joints
Exerts forces in both horizontal (axial or
normal force) and vertical (shear force)
directions and resist any rotation
Cable Joints
Exerts force in the direction of its axis
only (axial or normal force)
Hinge Joints
Exerts forces in both horizontal (axial or
normal force) and vertical

TYPES OF LOADS
Point load/Concentrated Load
Unit : kN @ N

Uniformly Distributed Load

Unit : kN/m

Varying linearly Distributed

Load

Unit : kN/m

FREE BODY DIAGRAM (FBD)

Shows a dimensioned outline of a beam or portion of
a beam and includes all forces acting upon it
externally and/or internally.

EXAMPLE OF FBD FOR

STRUCTURES

EQUATIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM
Equilibrium of a body requires: Balance of forces - to prevent the body from
translating or having
accelerated motion
Balance of moments to prevent the body from
rotating
These conditions can be expressed mathematically
by equations:Fx = 0
Eqns. of Equilibrium
Fy = 0
Mo = 0
The equations are used to determine unknown forces.

SHEAR FORCE &

BENDING MOMENT
D

P
A

C
B
L1

L2

Free body diagram (External and Internal forces)

P
RAx

VD

D
MD

MD
C

B
RAy

VD

RCy

BASIC NOTATIONS

INTERNAL FORCES
Shear Force
The vertical components algebraic sum for forces that

react on the beam by considering the left or right of

assumed section
Bending Moment
The algebraic sum of moment at the sectioning
developed by external forces applied on the beam by
considering the left or the right of assumed section.
Sign Convention
Although choice of sign convention is arbitrary, in this
course, we adopt the one often used by engineers:

SHEAR FORCE & BENDING

MOMENT DIAGRAM

In order to design a beam, it is necessary to determine

the maximum shear and moment in the beam
Express V and M as functions of arbitrary position x
along axis.
These functions can be represented by graphs called
shear force and bending moment diagrams
Engineers need to know the variation of shear and
moment along the beam to know where to reinforce it
Shear and bending moment

functions must be determined for

each region of the beam between
any two discontinuities of loading

SHEAR FORCE & BENDING

MOMENT DIAGRAM
Inflection point - A point where bending moment is
zero. A point/s where the bending
moment changes from positive to
negative or vice-versa at any section
along the beam

SHEAR FORCE & BENDING

MOMENT DIAGRAM
Procedure for Analysis:
1) Determine all the reactive forces and couple
moments acting on the beam.
2) Section the beam perpendicular to its axis at
each distance x, and draw the free body
diagram of one of the segments
- the shear is obtained by summing forces
perpendicular to the beam axis
- the moment is obtained
3) Plot the shear diagram (V versus x) and the
moment diagram (M versus x)

EXAMPLE 1
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam
shown.

SOLUTION
1) Free Body Diagram

2) Find support reactions

SOLUTION
3) Cut Section: A-B

3) Cut Section: B-C

SOLUTION
4) Shear Force Diagram (SFD) & Bending Moment Diagram (BMD)

EXAMPLE 2
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam
shown.

5 kN/m

B
10 m

SOLUTION
1) Free Body Diagram

5 kN/m
HA
VA

2) Find support reactions

VB

+ MA = 0 ;
5 (10)(5) + VB = 0 ;
VB = 25 kN
+ Fy = 0 ;
VA 50(10) + 25 = 0 ;
VA = 25 kN

SOLUTION
3) Cut Section: A-B

4) SFD & BMD

5 kN/m

5 kN/m
Mx
Vx

25 kN
x

Segment AB (0 x 10)
+ M=0;
-Mx - (5)(x)(x/2) + 25(x) = 0 ;
Mx = 25x 2.5x2
M(0) = 0
M(10) = 0
+

Fy = 0 ;
25 5(x) Vx = 0 ;
Vx = 25 5x
V(0) = 25 kN
V(10) = -25 kN

25 kN

25 kN
25 kN

+ Fy = 0 ;
25 5x = 0
x = 5m

x = 5m;
Mx = 25x 2.5x2
Mx = 62.5 kNm

25 kN

EXAMPLE 3
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam
shown.

2 kN/m

B
4.5 m

SOLUTION
1) Free Body Diagram

2 kN/m

HB
VA

4.5 m

VB

2) Find support reactions

+ MB = 0 ;
(4.5)VA + (2)(4.5)(1/3 x 4.5)= 0 ;
VA = 1.5 kN
+ Fy = 0 ;
1.5 (2)(4.5) + VB = 0 ;
VB = 3 kN

SOLUTION
3) Cut Section: A-B

W = 2 ; W = 0.44x
x 4.5

4) SFD & BMD

W
2 kN/m

Mx
Vx

1.5 kN
x

Segment AB (0 x 4.5)
+ M=0;
-Mx - (0.44x)(x)(1/3x) + 1.5(x) = 0
Mx = 0.073x3 1.5x
M(0) = 0
M(4.5) = 0
+

Fy = 0 ;
1.5 (0.44x)(x) Vx = 0 ;
Vx = 1.5 0.22x2
V(0) = 1.5 kN
V(4.5) = -3 kN

1.5 kN

4.5 m

3 kN

+ Fy = 0 ;
1.5 0.22x2 = 0
x = 2.6m

x = 2.6m;
Mx = 0.073x3 1.5x
Mx = 2.6 kNm

EXAMPLE 4
Draw the shear and moment diagrams for the beam
shown.

SOLUTION
8 kN

1) Free Body Diagram

HA

VA

6m

2m

8 kN

VD

2m

2) Find support reactions

+ MA = 0 ;
-(10)VD + (8)(8) + (8)(6) = 0 ;
VD = 4.8 kN
+ Fy = 0 ;
11.2 8 8 + VA = 0 ;
VA = 11.2 kN

SOLUTION
3) Cut Section: A-B

3) Cut Section: B-C

8 kN

Mx

Mx

4.8 kN

Vx

4.8 kN
x

Segment AB (0 x 6)
+ M=0;
-Mx + 4.8(x) = 0
Mx = 4.8(x)
M(0) = 0
M(6) = 28.8 kNm
+

Fy = 0 ;
4.8 Vx = 0 ;
Vx = 4.8
V(0) = 4.8 kN
V(6) = 4.8 kN

Vx

Segment BC (6 x 8)
+ M=0;
-Mx + 4.8(x) 8(x-6)= 0
Mx = 48 - 3.2(x)
M(6) = 28.8 kNm
M(8) = 22.4 kNm
+

Fy = 0 ;
4.8 8 Vx = 0 ;
Vx = -3.2
V(6) = -3.2 kN
V(8) = -3.2 kN

SOLUTION
3) Cut Section: B-C
8 kN

4) SFD & BMD

8 kN

Mx

8 kN

Vx

4.8 kN

4.8 kN

Segment BC (8 x 10)
+ M=0;
-Mx + 4.8(x) 8(x-6) - 8(x86) = 0
Mx = 112 11.2(x)
M(8) = 22.4kNm
M(10) = 0
+

Fy = 0 ;
4.8 8 8 Vx = 0 ;
Vx = -11.2
V(8) = -11.2 kN
V(10) = -11.2 kN

11.2 kN
6m

8 kN

2m

2m

4.8

-3.2

28.8

-11.2

22.4

TUTORIAL
Determine the centroid of the given section.

TUTORIAL
Determine the Ix and Iy for the shape below.

TUTORIAL
Determine the reactions at the support(s) and its SFD
& BMD diagram:

(a)

(b)
6 kN/m
4 kN/m

10 kNm

(c)

5 kN

3m

2m

(d)

2m

THE END