Topic: Analysis of Beams – Shear Force, Bending Moment, and Sign Conventions

Introduction and Overview:

The topic of discussion is the analysis of beams. A beam is a slender structural member, where the
cross-sectional dimensions are much smaller than its length.
Beams can transmit three types of forces: shear force (V), bending moment (M), axial force, and
twisting moment.

Key Forces and Moments:

A beam can experience shear force, which in higher studies is often represented as "V." The shear
force may act in different planes, such as the xy or xz plane.
Bending moments may also be transmitted, such as Mxz (in the xz plane).
Other forces include axial forces and twisting moments, though in this discussion, the focus is on
shear force and bending moment.

Beam Analysis:
To design a beam, the cross-sectional dimensions must be decided based on the forces acting on
it. This requires understanding how forces vary along the length of the beam.
In the example of a simply supported beam, the variation of shear force and bending moment is
analyzed to determine critical loads and help design the cross-section.
When analyzing beams, it is important to start by isolating a body and considering the forces
acting on it.

Free Body Diagram and Force Assumptions:

In analyzing a beam, the forces acting on the beam can be assumed in any direction initially. This
assumption helps us check whether the calculated forces are correct or not.
For example, if the shear force (V) is assumed to act in one direction and the bending moment (M)
is set to zero, mathematical analysis can help determine the correct direction of these forces.
When analyzing the left or right portion of a beam, the free body diagram (FBD) must be
consistent, with the correct signs for shear force and bending moment.

Shear Force and Bending Moment Variation:

When plotting the variation of shear force (V) and bending moment (M) along the beam's length,
it is crucial to follow consistent sign conventions.
The forces and moments can be calculated using different methods, but the goal is to have one
unique sign for both shear force and bending moment when plotted.

Sign Conventions:
In structural analysis, sign conventions are used to ensure consistency and clarity when
interpreting the direction of forces and moments.
 For the positive surface, the positive direction of the coordinate axis is used for force and moment
direction. Conversely, for the negative surface, the opposite direction is used.
A positive surface follows the convention that the positive direction of the coordinate axis is the
direction of the force or moment. For the negative surface, forces are assumed to be in the
negative direction.

Choosing the Direction for Force and Moment Analysis:

When analyzing either the left or right portion of the beam, it’s important to follow a consistent
approach to ensure that the final answer is correct.
Whether you analyze the left or right portion, the direction of the force should be assumed
positive in the free body diagram, following the sign convention.

Applying Sign Conventions in Real-Life Problems:

To solve real-life problems, you must first identify the positive and negative surfaces of the beam
and apply the appropriate sign convention.
When you start drawing the free body diagram, the direction of forces and moments should
follow the coordinate system and sign conventions. This ensures consistency in calculations,
regardless of whether you analyze the left or right portion of the beam.

Meriam and Crandall-Dahl Sign Conventions:

There are multiple sign conventions, and it’s important to choose one for the problem at hand.
The Meriam sign convention assumes forces to be positive when acting in the positive direction of
the coordinate axis and moments to be positive when acting anticlockwise.
Crandall and Dahl's sign convention differs slightly, especially for shear force, where the initial
assumption for the direction of shear force may differ.
Both conventions yield the same results for forces and moments; however, they affect how the
shear force diagram (SFD) and bending moment diagram (BMD) are plotted.

Practical Example and Comparison of Sign Conventions:

In an example using Crandall and Dahl's sign convention, the shear force (V) and bending
moment (M) are assumed in one direction, and calculations are done.
Using Meriam's sign convention, the shear force and bending moment are calculated again with a
slightly different assumption about the direction of forces.
Despite the different assumptions, the final results are the same when solving for forces and
moments, ensuring that the free body diagram remains consistent.

Conclusion:
Sign conventions are vital for ensuring consistency when analyzing forces and moments in
structural analysis.
The method chosen for analysis (left or right portion of the beam) should not affect the final
results, provided the correct sign conventions are applied.
Clear understanding of these conventions is crucial to avoid confusion when drawing shear force
and bending moment diagrams.
Lecture on Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams (SFD & BMD) Sign
Conventions
1. Introduction to the Problem Setup
The analysis involves a beam subjected to loads.
We separate the beam into two segments for easier analysis.
Sign convention plays a crucial role in correctly interpreting results from shear force and bending
moment diagrams.

2. Sign Convention - Meriam vs. Crandall

Meriam's Sign Convention:

The positive and negative surfaces of the beam are important.

In this convention, when analyzing forces and moments on the negative surface, the
directions of positive and negative moments and forces differ from the conventional one.
When solving for forces or moments, you can choose to analyze either the left or right
portion of the beam, but it's critical to stick with the sign convention for consistency.

3. Analyzing Shear Force and Bending Moment

Shear Force:

We start by applying the equilibrium equation ∑Fy = 0 to find the shear force.
For this analysis, we calculate the shear force at different points using the expression:
V = − PLa ​

This gives the shear force at different segments.

Bending Moment:

The bending moment is calculated using the formula:

Pa
M= L
​
⋅x
where x is the distance along the beam.

4. Visualizing Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams

Sign Conventions:

For proper visualization and interpretation of shear force and bending moment diagrams, it’s
essential to follow a sign convention.
Meriam's Sign Convention:

The positive surface of the beam is identified, and forces and moments are directed
accordingly. For example, positive bending moments produce an anticlockwise rotation
(sagging), while negative moments produce clockwise rotation (hogging).
Diagram Features:
 The shear force diagram remains constant within each segment, then switches signs at the
point of interest.
The bending moment diagram has a linear variation when shear force is constant, and the
moment reaches its extremum at the transition point.

5. Importance of Sign Convention

For Effective Analysis:

Always label the sign convention when drawing shear force and bending moment diagrams
to avoid confusion.
A diagram without a clear sign convention lacks meaning and cannot be interpreted correctly.
In exams, points will be lost if sign conventions are not clearly indicated.

6. Drawing Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams

Meriam's Convention:

When drawing the shear force and bending moment diagrams, it’s crucial to follow the
convention strictly.
Meriam’s and Popov’s convention uses anticlockwise moments as positive (sagging), and
clockwise moments as negative (hogging).
The diagrams should be plotted from left to right, and it is important to ensure the results
match the equilibrium conditions.

7. Crandall's and Dahl's Sign Convention

Crandall’s and Dahl’s Convention:

This sign convention is commonly used in higher studies, and it differs slightly from Meriam's
convention.
The approach is simple to remember and involves drawing the shear force and bending
moment diagrams from right to left, with a different sign for forces compared to Meriam's.

8. Visualization and Quick Methods

Quick Methods for Verification:

Once the shear force and bending moment diagrams are plotted, quick methods can help
verify results at key points of interest.
These methods involve translating forces and moments to a selected point, summing the
forces and calculating the moments to obtain shear force and bending moment at that point.

9. General Recommendations for Drawing Diagrams

Plan Your Work:

When solving problems, always include the loading diagram, shear force diagram (SFD), and
bending moment diagram (BMD) one below the other.
 This approach makes it easier to spot errors, especially in complex problems, and serves as a
verification method.

10. Practice and Experience

Developing the Practice:

With more practice, you will be able to quickly draw the shear force and bending moment
diagrams for simple problems.
Understanding the underlying principles will help you solve problems efficiently, even without
manually isolating sections every time.

11. Sign Conventions in Other Books

Other Conventions:

Books like Crandall, Dahl, and Lardner use a different sign convention that is also common in
advanced engineering courses.
It is essential to adapt to the sign convention used in any given problem and always indicate
it clearly.

12. Importance of Correct Sign Convention

Handling Multiple Conventions:

As an engineer, you should be able to handle problems from different sources with different
sign conventions.
Whether you follow Meriam's, Crandall's, or another convention, the key is to always indicate
the convention used and ensure consistency throughout the solution.

13. Conclusion
Final Thoughts:

Understanding the sign conventions and applying them correctly is crucial for accurate shear
force and bending moment analysis.
The practice of always indicating the sign convention on your diagrams is essential for clear
and correct problem-solving, particularly in exams or practical applications.
Lecture on Shear Force and Bending Moment Diagrams
Introduction:
Always place the bending moment and shear force diagrams below the loading diagram.
This allows for easy reflection and identification of any mistakes. If an error is made, you can
revisit the calculations or mention where something went wrong. Being alert is essential.
Both doctors and engineers must be definitive in their answers; ambiguity should be avoided.
Example Problem:
Civil Engineering Context:
In civil engineering, beams often have substantial weight. The best way to incorporate
this weight into analysis is to consider it as a uniformly distributed load.
A single section of the beam is sufficient to find expressions for the analysis.
Supports:
Recognize that the beam has a pin-joint and a roller support.
To draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams, begin by calculating the
reactions at the supports.
Free Body Diagram (FBD):
Start by following a disciplined approach: set up a reference axis and separate the body
from the supports.
Replace the hinged joint with two forces, Ax and Ay . The roller support is replaced by a
​ ​

single vertical force, By .

​

Calculating Support Reactions:

The distributed load is replaced by its resultant.
The centroid of the rectangle representing the distributed load is located at its center.
The resultant force is wL, where w is the load intensity and L is the length of the beam.
Using equilibrium equations:
ΣFx = 0 gives Ax = 0.
​ ​

ΣFy = 0 gives Ay + By = wL.

​ ​ ​

ΣM = 0 gives By = wL/2 and Ay = wL/2.

​ ​

In this symmetric case, these results can often be guessed through experience.
Section Analysis:
To analyze the forces at a section a distance x from one end:

Replace the distributed load within the section by its resultant force, w ⋅ x.
Apply the sign conventions of Meriam’s method for the forces.
 For equilibrium:
ΣFy = 0 gives the shear force V = wL/2 − wx.
​

ΣM = 0 gives the bending moment M = (wL/2) ⋅ x − x2 .

The shear force follows a linear variation, while the bending moment is a second-degree
curve (parabolic).
Plotting Diagrams:
Shear Force Diagram:

Shear force varies linearly and crosses zero at a specific point.

Indicate the sign convention for the shear force.
Bending Moment Diagram:

Bending moment follows a parabolic curve, reaching a peak value of wL2 /8 at its
maximum.
The point where the shear force crosses zero corresponds to the maximum bending
moment.
Relationship Between Shear Force and Bending Moment:
When the shear force varies linearly, the bending moment varies parabolically.
When the shear force is zero, the bending moment typically reaches an extremum (maximum
or minimum).
Sign Convention:
We discussed how the sign convention affects the free body of the isolated section of the
beam.
The final free body remains the same when forces are calculated correctly, but the plotting of
the shear force and bending moment diagrams depends on the adopted sign convention.
There are different sign conventions, and it is a good practice to specify the convention used
in each problem.
It is recommended to place the loading diagram, shear force diagram, and bending moment
diagram one below the other in the answer sheet.
Final Thoughts:
Specify the sign convention you have adopted for each problem, particularly for bending
moments and shear forces. Avoid simply stating that you've followed the "Meriam sign
convention" without clarity.
Conclusion:
Thank you for your attention. Always remember the importance of discipline, correct sign
conventions, and a structured approach when analyzing beam problems.