Master Shear Force Diagrams with this Helpful Homework Example

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on creating Shear Force Diagrams (SFD) for a beam with a uniformly distributed load (UDL). The user initially struggles with determining the correct starting point and changes in shear force, particularly in the section between a 10 kN load and the reaction force R2. A suggestion is made to draw the diagram to scale on squared paper to visualize the gradient accurately. The correct approach confirms that the SFD should return to zero at the free end of the beam, reflecting that shear force and bending moment are zero there. The user expresses gratitude for the guidance received in resolving their confusion.
ryanmcarthy
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Homework Statement


Hi,
I know how to draw simple Shear Force Diagrams, but I am struggling with the example in the below picture, as it has a UDL.


Homework Equations



ShearForce2.jpg



The Attempt at a Solution



Normally for the solution, I should start the diagram at 26.7, then across and down to 16.7, then across and up to 70, then across and down to 50.

But as it has a UDL I know this changes things! How do I start the diagram, and I will have a go at doing it. Do I start at 26.7, or do I need to do something before this?


Thanks a lot
 
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I've come up with this, but don't know if I started correctly?

Diagram1.jpg
 
The left half is correct. In the 5m stretch between the 10 kN load and the Reaction R2, what would you expect the change of shear force to be? The figure of -28.7 seems wrong to me. As the final result on the right is not 20 kN, you know you have gone wrong. I recommend you draw this to scale on squared paper. In that case, you should see the gradient of the graph is the same throughout.
 
Thanks a lot for the relpy! I can't draw it on square paper, as I am at home and don't have a scanner (only at work).

Is this attempt better? I'm not sure if I need to go down to zero at the end though?

ShearForce3.jpg


Thanks
 
That is now correct, you can check your answer here,

http://learntoengineer.com/beam?f=2,u1|8,u2|3,-10|10,-20&d=0,10!-5&m=

The SFD does have to go back down to 0 at the end. The shear force and bending moment of any beam is 0 at a free end.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi,

Thanks a lot for the help!
 

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