5. Beams, Shear Force and Bending Moment

Question 1

What is the definition of a beam?

Answer 1

Laterrally loaded structural member, whose cross sectional dimensions are very small compared to its length.

Question 2

What are the three types of supports for beams?

What are their reaction forces?

Answer 2

• Simple supports:
  -Pinned supports
  -Rolling / sliding supports
• Fixed / built in:

Question 3

What are the three types of loads on a beam?

One type of force has two types of sub categories.

Answer 3

• Concentrated force
• Distributed force - uniform and non uniform
• Moment / couple

Question 4

What is the sign convention for beam segment cuts on the left and right faces?

Answer 4

Question 5

What is the shearing force and bending moment?

Answer 5

The forces internally in a beam that keeps verticle equilibrium (by the shear force) and rotatyional equilibrium (bending moment).

Question 6

True or false:

The Shear force will always be constant along a beam. Bending moment varies with x along the beam.

Answer 6

False. The shear force can also vary. You must individually look at each segment where a change in force occurs.

Question 7

What are the procedures for constructing a shear force and bending moment diagram?

Answer 7