Basic Example to Construct
a Shear and Moment Diagram

Constructing shear and moment diagrams is similar to finding the shear and moment at a particular point on a beam structure. However, instead of using an exact location, the location is a variable distance 'x'. This allows the shear and moment to be a function of the distance, x.

In theory, this appears to be simple, but the equations can be complex, especially with distributed loads that are also a function of the location, x. Also, if there are multiple loads or supports, more than one function must be developed, i.e. one shear and moment function for each section or span of the beam.

The general steps for shear and moment diagrams are as follows:

1. Identify all information and draw diagram (similar to all static or mechanics problems).
2. Construct a free-body-diagram (FBD) and solve for all unknown reaction forces.
3. Cut the beam (one cut for each beam segment), draw a FBD, and solve for the unknown M and V at the cut in terms of x.
4. Plot the moment and shear equations developed in step 3.

It should be noted that this example is fairly simple with one load type and simple supports. More complex examples are given below with multiple beam segments and loads. Also, the sign convention is important and is reviewed below.

Positive Internal Moment and Shear

When constructing shear and moment diagrams, the sign convention is important so viewers will know what direction the beam is bending or shearing. Generally, it is assumed that a positive moment causes a beam to bend downward as shown in the diagram. A positive shear will skew the beam with the left side going up and the right going down, as shown.

Each textbook can have different conventions, so it is important that you check what directions are positive or negative.

One confusing aspect of developing moment and shear diagrams is the need to have separate moment and shear functions for each beam segment. This is because a single function cannot model the moment (or shear) change over a load or support (it is a discontinuous function).

Each new beam section will have its own moment and shear equations as a function of the location, x. The diagram at the left gives various beams and typical loadings.

After each section is cut, then a FBD is drawn for either side of the beam, just like a single section beam discussed above. Then the M and V is determined for that cut and plotted.

Moment and shear diagrams are best understood by examining an example. The simple support beam at the left has a single point load between the supports.

The first step is to draw a FBD of the whole beam and solve for the reactions.

     ΣM_A = 0
     (10 ft) R_B - (6 ft)(120 lb) = 0
     R_B = 72 lb

     ΣF_y = 0
     R_A - 120 lb + 72 lb = 0
     R_A = 48 lb

Determine Beam Section
Section (1), to the left of the applied load, will have an expression for the shear force and bending moment that will differ from the section (2), to the right of the applied load. Therefore, the sections must be evaluated separately and each will have their own moment and shear equations.

Section (1)     (0 ≤ x ≤ 6 ft)
First, cut section (1) a distance x from the left side and form a FBD, as shown. Remember, the discarded right beam section needs to be replaced by unknown an internal shear force and moment, V₁ an M₁.

The left beam section must stay in static equilibrium.

     ΣF_y = 0
     48 lb - V₁ = 0
     V₁ = 48 lb

     ΣM_cut = 0
     M₁ - x (48 lb) = 0
     M₁ = 48x  ft-lb

Section (2)     (6≤ x ≤ 10 ft)
Now the next and last section can be cut. The left or right section can be discarded. For consistency with section (1), the left side will be examined. Again, form a FBD, as shown. The internal loads are labeled, V₂ an M₂ to distinguish them from section (1) shear and moment equations.

Again, applying the static equilibrium equations gives,

     ΣF_y = 0
     48 lb - 120 lb - V₂ = 0
     V₂ = -72 lb

     ΣM_cut = 0
     M₂ - x (48 lb) + (x - 6)(120 lb) = 0
     M₁ = 720 - 72x  ft-lb

Plot Shear and Moment Diagrams
The functions for V and M for both beam sections can be plotted to give the shear and moment over the length of the beam. The plots are given at the left.

The location for maximum and minimum shear force and bending moment are easily found and evaluated.

Distributed loading is one of the most complex loading when constructing shear and moment diagrams. This causes higher order polynomial equations for the shear and moment equations.

Recall, distributed loads can be converted to equivalent forces which are easier to work with. Also, complex, non-uniform distributed loads can be split into simpler distributed loads and treated separately.

Cut the beam some distance x from the left. If the right part of the cut beam is used, then the support reactions at A do not need to be determined (this is a unique situation).

The distributed load intensity, w_cut, is a simple linear relationship between A and B, or

     w_cut = 200 + (x/20)(500-200)
            = 200 + 15x N/cm

The distributed load can be split into two parts, a rectangular and triangular shape. The equivalent loads, F₁ and F₂ of each shape are calculated as

      F₁ = (20 - x) (200 + 15x)
          = 4,000 + 100x - 15x²

      F₂ = 0.5 (20 - x) [500- (200 + 15x)]
          = 3,000 - 300x + 7.5x²

The internal moment and shear, M and V, can now be determined using the equilibrium equations,

     ΣF_y = 0
     V = (4,000 + 100x - 15x²) + (3,000 - 300x + 7.5x²)
     V = 7,000 - 200x - 7.5x²   N

     ΣM_cut = 0
     0 = M + [(1/2) (20-x)] (4,000 + 100x - 15x²)
                + [(2/3) (20-x)] (3,000 - 300x + 7.5x²)
     M = - (40,000 - 1,000x - 200x² + 7.5x³)
               - (40,000 - 6,000x + 300x² - 5x³)
     M = -80,000 + 7000x - 100x² - 2.5x³   N-cm

Both the shear and moment can now be plotted as a function of position, x, to give the moment/shear diagrams. Since the distributed load was changing linearly, the shear is a quadratic equation and the moment is a cubic.

From the examples given in this section, it is possible to see an interesting relationship between the shear and the moment. The shear at a given location is the slope of the moment function. In mathematical terms, this is written as,

     V = dM/dx

This relationship may be helpful in determining both the moment and shear diagram without calculating the actual function. Derivation of this relationship is done in the Integration of Load Equation.

For complex beams with more than a couple loads, determining moment and shear diagrams is very difficult. Thus, most structural engineers will use a beam analysis tool to calculate moments and shear. A free simple one (screenshot at left) has been developed by the author, and is availble for mobile devices. The tool can generate the moment and shear diagrams, and will also give support reactions.

For Android mobile devices, "Beam HPC" calculator, can be downloaded at Google Play.

For iOS (Apple) mobile devices, "Beam HPC" calculator, can be downloaded at iTunes.