Engr.

Mel Kenneth Mabute

Second Semester, A.Y. 2018-2019
1. Quantitative Influence Lines
2. Qualitative Influence Lines (Müller Breslau
Principle)
3. Influence Lines for Beams, Floor Girders and
Trusses
4. Maximum Shear and Moment due to a Series of
Concentrated Loads
5. Absolute Maximum Shear and Moment
If a structure is subjected to a live
or moving load, the variation of the
shear and bending moment in the
member is best described by an
influence line.
An influence line represent the
variation of either the reaction,
shear, moment, or deflection at a
specific point in a member as a
concentrated force moves over the
member.
Once the influence line is constructed, one can tell at a glance
where the moving load should be placed on the structure so
that it creates the greatest influence at the specified point.
Influence lines play an important part in the design of
bridges, industrial crane rails, conveyors, and other structures
where loads move across their span
If a structure is subjected to a live
or moving load, the variation of the
shear and bending moment in the
member is best described by an
influence line.
An influence line represent the
variation of either the reaction,
shear, moment, or deflection at a
specific point in a member as a
concentrated force moves over the
member.
 To determine the particular position of live loads
which will produce the maximum value of function
(reaction, shear, moment, deflection) for which the
IL was constructed
 To determine the value of the function represented
by the IL for definite positions of any kind of load
Concentrated Moving Load
The value of a function due to a
single concentrated moving load
equals the magnitude of the load
multiplied by the ordinate for that
particular function, the ordinate
being measured where the load
is placed
Ra= (P)(y)
Concentrated Moving Loads
The value of a function for
several concentrated moving
loads is obtained by adding
algebraically the separate
effects of each load as
determined by property
Ra=(P1)(y1) + (P2)(y2)
Concentrated Moving Loads
The maximum value of a
function due to a single
concentrated moving load is
obtained by placing the load at
the point where the ordinate to
the IL is a maximum
Ramax=(P)(ymax)
 Uniformly Distributed
Moving Load
The value of a function due to a
uniformly distributed load
equals the load per unit length
multiplied by the area of the IL
under the uniform load.
Ra=(w)(A)
Uniformly Distributed Moving Load
The maximum value of a function due to a
uniformly distributed load is obtained by placing
the load over all those portions of the structure
where the ordinates to the influence line has the
same sign as the function desired.
Given the beam below, construct the influence line
for the following:

a) Vertical reaction at B
b) Shear at point C
c) Moment at point C
 Shear or moment diagrams shows the variation of
shear and moment across an entire structure for
loads fixed in one position
 Influence line for shear or moment shows the
variation of that function at one section in the
structure caused by the movement of a unit load
from one end of the structure to the other.
Müller-Breslau Principle
The deflected shape of a
structure represents to some
scale the influence line for a
function if the function is
allowed to act through a unit
displacement.
Recall,
W = F d or W = M θ
For a rigid body in equilibrium:
Σ F = 0 and Σ M = 0
Consequently, if the body is given an imaginary or
virtual displacements,
ΣW = Σ M θ + Σ F d = 0
For each beam,
sketch the
influence line
for the vertical
reaction at A
For each beam,
sketch the
influence line
for the shear at
B
For each beam,
sketch the
influence line
for the moment
at B
y = 1 for the location of the reaction itself
Determine the maximum positive moment that can
be developed at point D in the beam shown due to a
concentrated moving load of 4000 lb, a uniform
moving load of 300 lb/ft and beam weight of 200
lb/ft
Draw the influence line for the shear in panel CD of
the floor girder shown
Draw the influence line for the moment at point F for
the floor girder shown.
Draw the influence line for the force in members GB
& CG and the vertical reaction at A of the bridge
truss shown
Determine the maximum positive shear created at
point B in the beam shown due to the wheel loads of
the moving truck
Determine the maximum positive moment at point B
in the beam shown due to the wheel loads of the
crane
Determine the maximum compressive force developed
in member BG of the truss due to the wheel loads of
the car and the trailer. Assume the loads are applied
directly to the truss and move only to the right.
Determine the absolute maximum moment in the
simply supported beam shown.
Arreola, M. A. 1992. Structural Analysis: Theory of
Structures. National Bookstore Manila
Hibbler, R. C. 2012. Structural Analysis. 8th Edition.
Prentice Hall: New Jersey.
Kassimali, A. 2010. Structural Analysis. 4th Edition.
PSW Kent: Boston
Zafra, R.G. 2nd Sem 2015-2016. CE 131 Lecture Notes,
CE Department, UPLB