4 - 190 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

1. SIMPLE BEAM—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD

Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . = wl
wl
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
l
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =w x
2
2
wl
M max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
8
wx
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l x
2
4
5wl
max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
384 EI
wx
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l2 2lx 2 x3
24EI

2. SIMPLE BEAM—LOAD INCREASING UNIFORMLY TO ONE END

16W
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . = 1.0264W
9 3
W
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3
2W
R2 V2 max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3
W Wx 2
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3 l2
l 2Wl
M max (at x = .5774 l) . . . . . . . = .1283 Wl
3 9 3
Wx
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l2 x2
3l2
8 Wl 3
max (at x = l 1 .5193 l) . . = 0.1304
15 EI
Wx
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3x4 10l2x 2 7l4
180 EIl2

3. SIMPLE BEAM—LOAD INCREASING UNIFORMLY TO CENTER

4W
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . =
3
W
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
l W
Vx (when x ) . . . . . . . . . . = l2 4x2
2 2l2
Wl
M max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
6
l 1 2x 2
Mx (when x ) . . . . . . . . . . = Wx
2 2 3l2
3
Wl
max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
60EI
l Wx
x (when x ) . . . . . . . . . . = 5l2 4x2 2
2 480 EIl2

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 191

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

4. SIMPLE BEAM—UNIFORMLY LOAD PARTIALLY DISTRIBUTED

wb
R1 V1 (max. when a c) . . . . . . . = 2c b
2l
wb
R2 V2 (max. when a c) . . . . . . . = 2a b
2l
Vx (when x a and a b ) . . . = R1 w x a
R1 R1
M max at x a . . . . . . . . = R1 a
w 2w
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . = R 1x
w 2
Mx (when x a and a b ) . . . = R 1x x a
2
Mx (when x a b ) . . . . . . . = R2 l x

5. SIMPLE BEAM—UNIFORM LOAD PARTIALLY DISTRIBUTED AT ONE END

wa
R1 V1 max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .= 2l a
2l
2
wa
R2 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .=
2l
Vx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . = R1 wx
R1 R 21
M max at x . . . . . . . . . .=
w 2w
wx 2
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . = R 1x
2
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . = R2 l x
wx
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . .= a 2 2l a 2
2ax 2 2l a lx 3
24EIl
wa 2 l x
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . .= 4xl 2x 2 a2
24EIl

6. SIMPLE BEAM—UNIFORM LOAD PARTIALLY DISTRIBUTED AT EACH END

w 1a 2l a w2c2
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .=
2l
w 2c 2l c w1a2
R2 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .=
2l
Vx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . = R1 w1x
Vx (when x a and a b) = R1 w1a
Vx (when x a b ) . . . . . . . = R2 w2 l x
R1 R 21
M max at x when R 1 w 1a =
w1 2w 1
R1 R 22
M max at x l when R 2 w2c =
w2 2w 2
w 1 x2
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . = R 1x
2
w1a
Mx (when x a and a b ) . . . = R 1x 2x a
2
2
w2 l x
Mx (when x a b ) . . . . . . . = R2 l x
2

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 192 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

7. SIMPLE BEAM—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT CENTER

Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . . . = 2P
P
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
Pl
M max (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . . =
4

1 Px
Mx when x . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2 2

Pl 3
max (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . . =
48EI

1 Px
x when x . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3l2 4x2
2 48EI

8. SIMPLE BEAM—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT ANY POINT

8Pab
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . . . =
l2
Pb
R1 V1 (max when a b) . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Pa
R2 V2 (max when a b) . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Pab
M max (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Pbx
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
l

aa 2b Pab a 2b 3a a 2b
max at x when a b . . . =
3 27EIl

Pa 2 b 2
a (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . . =
3EIl
Pbx 2
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l b2 x2
6EIl

9. SIMPLE BEAM—TWO EQUAL CONCENTRATED LOADS SYMMETRICALLY PLACED

8Pa
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . . . =
l

R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =P
M max (between loads) . . . . . . . . . . . . = Pa

Mx (when x a ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = Px

Pa
max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3l2 4a 2
24EI
Px
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3la 3a 2 x2
6EI
Pa
x (when x a and l a) . . . . . . . = 3lx 3x2 a2
6EI

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 193

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

10. SIMPLE BEAM—TWO EQUAL CONCENTRATED LOADS UNSYMMETRICALLY

PLACED
P
R1 V1 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . . = l a b
l
P
R2 V2 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . . = l b a
l
P
Vx (when x a and l b) . . . . . = b a
l
M1 (max. when a b ) . . . . . . . . . = R 1a

M2 (max. when a b ) . . . . . . . . . = R 2b
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = R 1x

Mx (when x a and l b ) . . . . . = R 1x Px a

11. SIMPLE BEAM—TWO UNEQUAL CONCENTRATED LOADS UNSYMMETRICALLY

PLACED
P1 l a P2 b
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
P1 a P2 l b
R2 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Vx (when x a and l b ) . . . . . = R1 P1

M1 (max. when R 1 P1 ) . . . . . . . . = R 1 a

M2 (max. when R 2 P2 ) . . . . . . . . = R 2 b

Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = R 1x
Mx (when x a and l b ) . . . . . = R 1x Px a

12. BEAM FIXED AT ONE END, SUPPORTED AT OTHER—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED

LOAD
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . . . = wl
3wl
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
8
5wl
R2 V2 max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
8
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = R1 wx
2
wl
M max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
8

3 9
Mx at x l . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wl 2
8 128
wx 2
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = R 1x
2

l wl 4
max at x 1 33 .4215 l . . . =
16 185 EI
wx 3
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l 3lx 2x 3
48EI

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 194 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

13. BEAM FIXED AT ONE END, SUPPORTED AT OTHER—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT

CENTER
3P
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . =
2
5P
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
15
11P
R2 V2 max . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
16
3Pl
M max (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . =
16
5Pl
M1 (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . =
32
l 5Px
Mx when x . . . . . . . . . . . .=
2 16
l l 11x
Mx when x . . . . . . . . . . . .=P
2 2 16
1 Pl 3 Pl 3
max at x l .4472 l . . . . . . .= .009317
5 48EI 5 EI
7PL 3
x (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . =
768 EI
l Px
x when x . . . . . . . . . . . .= 3l2 5x 2
2 96EI
l P 2
x when x . . . . . . . . . . . .= x l 11x 2l
2 96EI

14. BEAM FIXED AT ONE END, SUPPORTED AT OTHER—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT

ANY POINT
Pb 2
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = a 2l
2l3
Pa
R2 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3l2 a2
2l3
M (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . = R1 a
Pab
M2 (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . = a l
2l2
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = R1x
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = R1x P x a
2 2 2 2 3
l a Pa l a
max when a .414 l at x l =
3l2 a2 3EI 3l2 a2 2

2
a Pab a
max when a .414 l at x l .......... =
2l a 6EI 2l a
Pa 2 b 3
a (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . = 3l a
12EIl3
Pb 2 x
(when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3al 2 2lx 2 ax 2
12EIl3
Pa 2
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = l x 3l2 x a3x 2a 2l
12EIl2

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 195

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

15. BEAM FIXED AT BOTH ENDS—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOADS

2wl
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . =
3
wl
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
l
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =w x
2
2
wl
M max (at ends) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
12
wl 2
M1 (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
24
w
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 6lx l2 6x2
12
wl 4
max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
384 EI
wx 2 2
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l x
24EI

16. BEAM FIXED AT BOTH ENDS—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT CENTER

Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . = P
P
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
Pl
M max (at center and ends) . . . . . . . . =
8
l P
Mx when x . . . . . . . . . . . = 4x l
2 8
Pl 3
max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
192 EI
l Px 2
x when x . . . . . . . . . . . = 3l 4x
2 48EI

17. BEAM FIXED AT BOTH ENDS—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT ANY POINT

Pb 2
R1 V1 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . = 3a b
l3
2
Pa
R2 V2 (max. when a b ) . . . . . . . . = 3 a 3b
l
Pab 2
M1 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . = 2
l
Pa 2 b
M2 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . = 2
l
2Pa 2b 2
Ma (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . =
l3
Pab 2
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . = R 1x
l2
2al 2Pa 3b 2
max when a b at x . . . . = 2
3a b 3EI 3a b
3 3
Pa b
a (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . =
3EIl3
Pb 2 x2
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . = 3al 3ax bx
6EIl2

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 196 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

18. CANTILEVER BEAM—LOAD INCREASING UNIFORMLY TO FIXED END

8
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . = W
3

R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =W

x2
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =W
l2
Wl
M max (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3

Wx 3
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3l2

Wl 3
max (at free end) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
15EI
W
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = x5 5l4 x 4l5
60EIl2

19. CANTILEVER BEAM—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD

Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . = 4wl
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wl
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wx

wl 2
M max (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2

wx 2
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2

wl 4
max (at free end) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
8EI
w
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = x4 4l3 x 3l4
24EI

20. BEAM FIXED AT ONE END, FREE TO DEFLECT VERTICALLY BUT NOT ROTATE
AT OTHER—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD
8
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . = wl
3
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wl
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wx

wl 2
M max (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3
w 2
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l 3x2
6

wl 4
max (at deflected end) . . . . . . . . . . =
24EI

w l2 x 2 2
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
24EI

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 197

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

21. CANTILEVER BEAM—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT ANY POINT

8Pb
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . =
l

R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =P

M max (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . . = Pb

Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . =P x a

2
Pb
max (at free end) . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3l b
6EI

Pb 3
a (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . =
3EI

Pb 2
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3l 3x b
6EI
2
P l x
x (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . = 3b l x
6EI

22. CANTILEVER BEAM—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT FREE END

Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . = 8P

R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =P

M max (at fixed end) . . . . . . . . . . . . = Pl

Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = Px

Pl 3
max (at free end) . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3EI

P
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 2l3 3l2x x3
6EI

23. BEAM FIXED AT ONE END, FREE TO DEFLECT VERTICALLY BUT NOT ROTATE
AT OTHER—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT DEFLECTED END
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . = 4P

R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =P

Pl
M max (at both ends) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2

l
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =P x
2

pl 3
max (at deflected end) . . . . . . . . . . =
12EI
2
P l x
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l 2x
12EI

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

4 - 198 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

24. BEAM OVERHANGING ONE SUPPORT—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD

w 2
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l a2
2l
w 2
R2 V2 V3 . . . . . . . . . . . = l a
2l
V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wa
w 2
V3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l a2
2l
Vx (between supports) . . . . . = R 1 wx
Vx1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . = w a x1

l a2 w 2 2
M1 at x 1 . . . . . = l a l a
2 l2 8l2
wa 2
M 2 (at R 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
wx 2
M x (between supports) . . . . . = l a2 xl
2l
w 2
M x1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . = a x1
2
wx
x (between supports) . . . . . = l4 2l2 x 2 lx 3 2a 2l2 2a 2x 2
24EIl
wx 1
x1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . = 4a 2l l3 6a 2 x1 4ax 21 x31
24EI

25. BEAM OVERHANGING ONE SUPPORT—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD ON

OVERHANG
wa 2
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2l
wa
R2 V1 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . = 2l a
2l
V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = wa
Vx1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . = w a x1
2
wa
M max (at R 2 ) . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
wa 2 x
M x (between supports) . . . . . =
2l
w 2
M x1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . = a x1
2
l wa 2 l2 wa 2 l2
max between supports at x = 0.03208
3 18 3 EI EI
wa 3
max (for overhang at x 1 a) . . . = 4l 3a
24EI
2
wa x 2
x (between supports) . . . . . = l x2
12EIl
wx 1
x1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . = 4a 2l 6a 2 x 1 4ax 21 x 31
24EI

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 199

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

26. BEAM OVERHANGING ONE SUPPORT—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT END OF OVERHANG

Pa
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
P
R2 V1 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l a
l
V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =P
M max (at R 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = Pa
Pax
Mx (between supports) . . . . . . . . . . =
l
M x1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . . . . . . . = P a x1
l Pal 2 Pal 2
max between supports at x . . . . . = .06415
3 9 3 EI EI
Pa 2
max (for overhang at x 1 a) . . . . . . . . = l a
3EI
Pax 2
x (between supports) . . . . . . . . . . = l x2
6EIl
Px 1
x1 (for overhang) . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 2al 3ax 1 x 21
6EI

27. BEAM OVERHANGING ONE SUPPORT—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD

BETWEEN SUPPORTS
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . . . = wl
wl
R V . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
2
l
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =w x
2
wl 2
M max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
8
wx
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l x
2
5wl 4
max (at center) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
384 EI
wx
x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l2 2lx 2 x3
24EI
wl 3x 1
x1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
24EI

28. BEAM OVERHANGING ONE SUPPORT—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT ANY POINT

BETWEEN SUPPORTS
8Pab
Total Equiv. Uniform Load . . . . . . . . . . =
l2
Pb
R1 V1 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Pa
R2 V2 (max. when a b) . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Pab
M max (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
Pbx
Mx (when x a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . =
l
aa 2b Pab a 2b 3a a 2b
max at x when a b . . . =
3 27EIl
Pa 2 b 2
a (at point of load) . . . . . . . . . . . . =
3EIl
Pbx 2
x (when x a ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l b2 x2
6EIl
Pa l x
x (when x a ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = 2lx x 2 a2
6EIl
Pabx1
x1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l a
6EIl

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BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

29. CONTINUOUS BEAM—TWO EQUAL SPANS—UNIFORM LOAD ON ONE SPAN

49
Total Equiv. Uniform Load = wl
64
7
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . = wl
16
5
R2 V2 V3 . . . . . . . . . = wl
8
1
R3 V3 . . . . . . . . . . . = wl
16
9
V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . = wl
16
7 49
M max at x l . . . . . = wl 2
16 512
1
M1 (at support R 2) . . . . = wl 2
16
wx
Mx (when x l) . . . . . = 7l 8x
16
max (at 0.472 l from R1 ) . . = .0092 wl 4 / EI

30. CONTINUOUS BEAM—TWO EQUAL SPANS—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT CENTER

OF ONE SPAN
13
Total Equiv. Uniform Load = P
8
13
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . = P
32
11
R2 V2 V3 . . . . . . . . . = P
16
3
R3 V3 . . . . . . . . . . . = P
32
19
V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . = P
32
13
M max (at point of load) . . . = Pl
64
3
M1 (at support R 2) . . . . = Pl
32
max (at 0.480 l from R1 ) . . = .015 Pl 3 / EI

31. CONTINUOUS BEAM—TWO EQUAL SPANS—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT ANY POINT

Pb
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . = 4l2 al a
4l3
Pa
R2 V2 V3 . . . . . . . . . = 2l2 bl a
2l3
Pab
R3 V3 . . . . . . . . . . . = l a
4l3
Pa
V2 . . . . . . . . . . . . = 4l2 bl a
4l3
Pab
M max (at point of load) . . . = 4l2 al a
4l3
Pab
M1 (at support R 2) . . . . = l a
4l2

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BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 201

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

32. BEAM—UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED LOAD AND VARIABLE END MOMENTS

wl M1 M2
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . =
2 l

wl M1 M2
R2 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . =
2 l

l M1 M2
Vx . . . . . . . . . . . . . =w x
2 l

2
l M1 M2 wl 2 M1 M2 M1 M2
M 3 at x . . = 2
2 wl 8 2 2wl

wx M1 M2
Mx . . . . . . . . . . . . . = l x x M1
2 l

2
l2 M1 M2 M1 M2
b (to locate inflection points) =
4 w wl

wx 4M 1 4M 2 2 12M 1 8M 1 l 4M 2l
x = x3 2l x x l2
24EI wl wl w w w

33. BEAM—CONCENTRATED LOAD AT CENTER AND VARIABLE END MOMENTS

P M1 M2
R1 V1 . . . . . . . . . . . =
2 l

P M1 M2
R2 V2 . . . . . . . . . . . =
2 l

Pl M1 M2
M 3 (at center) . . . . . . . . =
4 2

l P M1 M2
M x when x . . . . . . = x M1
2 2 l

l P M1 M2 x
M x when x . . . . . . = l x M1
2 2 l

l Px 8l x
x when x 3l2 4x2 [M 1 2l x M2 l x]
2 48EI Pl

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4 - 202 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

34. CONTINUOUS BEAM—THREE EQUAL SPANS—ONE END SPAN UNLOADED

35. CONTINUOUS BEAM—THREE EQUAL SPANS—END SPANS LOADED

36. CONTINUOUS BEAM—THREE EQUAL SPANS—ALL SPANS LOADED

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BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

37. CONTINUOUS BEAM—FOUR EQUAL SPANS—THIRD SPAN UNLOADED

38. CONTINUOUS BEAM—FOUR EQUAL SPANS—LOAD FIRST AND THIRD SPANS

39. CONTINUOUS BEAM—FOUR EQUAL SPANS—ALL SPANS LOADED

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BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

For Various Static Loading Conditions
For meaning of symbols, see page 4-187

40. SIMPLE BEAM—ONE CONCENTRATED MOVING LOAD

R 1 max V1 max (at x 0) . . . . . . . . . . . =P

1 Pl
M max at point of load, when x . . . . . =
2 4

41. SIMPLE BEAM—TWO EQUAL CONCENTRATED MOVING LOADS

a
R 1 max V1 max (at x = 0) . . . . . . . . . . . =P 2
l

when a , 2 2 l . . . . . = .586 l
2
1 a P a
under load 1 at x l . . = l
2 2 2l 2
M max
when a > 2 2 l . . . . . = .586 l

Pl
with one load at center of span =
4

(Case 40)

42. SIMPLE BEAM—TWO UNEQUAL CONCENTRATED MOVING LOADS

l a
R 1 max V1 max (at x 0) . . . . . . . . . . . = P1 P2
l

1 P 2a x2
under P1 , at x l = P1 P2
2 P1 P2 l

M max M max may occur with larger

load at center of span and other
P1 l
load off span (Case 40) . . . =
4

GENERAL RULES FOR SIMPLE BEAMS CARRYING MOVING CONCENTRATED LOADS

The maximum shear due to moving concentrated loads occurs at

one support when one of the loads is at that support. With several
moving loads, the location that will produce maximum shear must be
determined by trial.
The maximum bending moment produced by moving concentrated
loads occurs under one of the loads when that load is as far from one
support as the center of gravity of all the moving loads on the beam is
from the other support.
In the accompanying diagram, the maximum bending moment
occurs under load P1 when x b . It should also be noted that this
condition occurs when the centerline of the span is midway between
the center of gravity of loads and the nearest concentrated load.

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BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS 4 - 205

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

Design properties of cantilevered beams
Equal loads, equally spaced
No. Spans System
2

3 b b

c c

4 d e b

5 b f f b

d e e d

6 d e f f b

(even)

7 b f f f f b

(odd)
d e f f e d

2 3 4 5
Typical Span
Loading

1 0.086PL 0.167PL 0.250PL 0.333PL 0.429PL

Moments

2 0.096PL 0.188PL 0.278PL 0.375PL 0.480PL

3 0.063PL 0.125PL 0.167PL 0.250PL 0.300PL
4 0.039PL 0.083PL 0.083PL 0.167PL 0.171PL
5 0.051PL 0.104PL 0.139PL 0.208PL 0.249PL
A 0.414P 0.833P 1.250P 1.667P 2.071P
B 1.172P 2.333P 3.500P 4.667P 5.857P
Reactions

C 0.438P 0.875P 1.333P 1.750P 2.200P

D 1.063P 2.125P 3.167P 4.250P 5.300P
E 1.086P 2.167P 3.250P 4.333P 5.429P
F 1.109P 2.208P 3.333P 4.417P 5.557P
G 0.977P 1.958P 2.917P 3.917P 4.871P
H 1.000P 2.000P 3.000P 4.000P 5.000P
a 0.172L 0.250L 0.200L 0.182L 0.176L
Dimensions
Cantilever

b 0.125L 0.200L 0.143L 0.143L 0.130L

c 0.220L 0.333L 0.250L 0.222L 0.229L
d 0.204L 0.308L 0.231L 0.211L 0.203L
e 0.157L 0.273L 0.182L 0.176L 0.160L
f 0.147L 0.250L 0.167L 0.167L 0.150L

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4 - 206 BEAM AND GIRDER DESIGN

BEAM DIAGRAMS AND FORMULAS

CONTINUOUS BEAMS

MOMENT AND SHEAR COEFFICIENTS

EQUAL SPANS, EQUALLY LOADED

MOMENT UNIFORM LOAD SHEAR

in terms of l2 in terms of l

MOMENT CONCENTRATED LOADS SHEAR

in terms of l at center in terms of

MOMENT CONCENTRATED LOADS SHEAR

in terms of l at 1 3 points in terms of

MOMENT CONCENTRATED LOADS SHEAR

in terms of l at 1 4 points in terms of

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION