Sign convention of shear force and moment on beam

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the sign convention for shear forces and moments in beams, specifically addressing why certain moments are considered positive or negative. Participants explore the implications of different conventions and their consistency in calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why clockwise moments are not considered positive while anticlockwise moments are treated as such, suggesting a preference for a different convention.
  • Others argue that the sign convention is arbitrary and can be changed as long as consistency is maintained throughout calculations.
  • A participant introduces the idea that the bending moment at a section should be the algebraic sum of moments on one side, emphasizing the need for a consistent sign convention that yields the same moment regardless of the side considered.
  • Another participant notes that sagging moments are positive and arise from a combination of clockwise and anticlockwise moments, indicating that the sign convention may depend on the context of the bending effect rather than the direction of rotation alone.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriateness of the sign convention used for moments in beams, indicating that multiple competing views remain without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of maintaining consistency in the chosen sign convention and the potential for different interpretations of moment definitions, which may lead to varying conclusions.

chetzread
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Homework Statement


I don't understand why the sign of moment of beam at left (clockwise) and moment at the right of beam (anticlockwise) are considered as positive...
Why we can't assume the clockwise moment as positive and anticlockwise moment as negative?
yS8bRDE.png

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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chetzread said:

Homework Statement


I don't understand why the sign of moment of beam at left (clockwise) and moment at the right of beam (anticlockwise) are considered as positive...
Why we can't assume the clockwise moment as positive and anticlockwise moment as negative?
yS8bRDE.png

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

It's just an arbitrary convention assumed by the author to keep calculations consistent.

You can assume a different convention for shear forces and bending moments, as long as you maintain consistency.
 
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SteamKing said:
It's just an arbitrary convention assumed by the author to keep calculations consistent.

You can assume a different convention for shear forces and bending moments, as long as you maintain consistency.
look at the diagram carefully, can i assume moment of beam at left (clockwise) as positive and moment at the right of beam (anticlockwise) are considered as neagtive..?
in OP, the author assume moment of beam at left (clockwise) and moment at the right of beam (anticlockwise) are considered as positive..,which different orientation of moment has same sign...
 
This is similar to another post of yours, to which I replied: What definition of Moment are you using? There are two possible definitions, each of which can be derived from the other. The one I prefer is that the bending moment at a section is the algebraic sum of the moments on ONE SIDE of the section. You have to have a sign convention that should yield the same moment, whether you take it to the left of the section, or to the right.The significant drawings for sign are shown in the lowest line of the table you quote. Sagging moments are positive and are produced by a combination of a clockwise and an anticlockwise moment. Although in some situations it can help to ascribe a sign to a clockwise or anticlockwise moment (determining the overall equilibrium of a body - for example), when drawing bending moment diagrams, you need to consider whther the cause of the bending moment is having a sagging (+) or a hogging (-) effect. Nothing to do with CW or ACW .
 
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