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Influence Lines

KL2103 Class 02 Semester I 2010/2011

Influence Lines

If a structure is subjected to moving loads, the variation of reactions and internal forces is best described using the influence line. An influence line represents the variation of reaction or internal force (or displacement) at a specific point in a member as a concentrated force moves over the span of the structure. Influence lines play an important part in the design of bridges, rails, cranes, conveyors, and other structures where loads move across their span.

Representation of Moving Load

Moving load is represented by a unit load placed at a distance x from a reference point.
1

Example 1
Draw the influence lines of all reactions, shear force at C, and bending moment at C for the beam structure shown below.
A
2m

B
2m

C
4m

Example 1

Influence lines of reactions

x

Free-body diagram
RB RD

Equilibrium equations

= 0 : 6 RB 1( 8 x ) = 0

8 x 6 F = R + RD 1 = 0 0 : y B RB = RD = x2 6

Example 1

Influence lines of reactions

x

Influence lines of the reactions

RB 4 RD

RB

3 1

RD

1 3

Example 1

Influence lines of internal forces at C

x

Free-body diagram for

0 x4 m
RB VC

MC

Equilibrium equations

= 0 : RB 1 VC = 0

2 x 6 = M 0 : 2 R 1 4 ( x) MC = 0 C B VC = RB 1 = 2x 4 3 MC =

Example 1

Influence lines of internal forces at C

Free-body diagram for

4 x8 m
RB VC

MC

Equilibrium equations

= 0 : RB VC = 0

8 x 6 M C = 0 : 2RB M C = 0 VC = RB = M C = 2 RB = 8 x 3

Example 1

Influence lines of internal forces at C

x

1 C

Influence lines
RB RD 2 3 1 3 4 3

VC

1 3

MC

4 3

Example 2
Draw the influence lines of all reactions, shear force at C, and bending moment at C for the beam structure shown below.

A
2m

B
2m

C
4m

D
2m

E
4m

F
2m

Example 2

To calculate the reactions, we need to separate the structure at the hinge. There will be two different pairs of FBD, one with the load on span AE and another one with the load on span EG. x 1 Ey 0 x 10 m Ey RB RD Ey x 10 1 Ey RB RD RF RF

10 x 16 m

Example 2
Ey

0 x 10 m

M = 0 F = 0
F y

Ey = 0 RF = 0

RF

1 Ey

= 0 : 6 RB 1( 8 x ) = 0

RB

RD

8 x 6 Fy = 0 : RB + RD 1 = 0 RB = RD = x2 6

Example 2
Ey x 10 1

10 x 16 m

M F

= 0 : 4 E y + 1( 4 ( x 10 ) ) = 0 x 14 4 x 10 4

Ey =
RF
y

= 0 : RF = E y + 1 =

M
Ey RB RD

= 0 : 6 RB 2 E y = 0

14 x 12 Fy = 0 : RB + RD + Ey = 0 RB = RD = x 14 3

Example 2
A 4 3 RB B C D E F G 1 6

1 3 4 3 1 3

RD

2 3 1.5

RF

Example 2

0 x4 m

MC VC

= 0 : RB 1 VC = 0

RB

2 x 6 M C = 0 : 2 RB 1( 4 x ) M C = 0 VC = RB 1 = 2x 4 3 MC =

Example 2
MC VC

4 x 16 m

RB

8 x , 4 x 10 6 F 0 : V R V = = = y C B C x 14 , 10 x 16 12 8 x , 4 x 10 3 0 : 2 = = = M M R M C C B C x 14 , 10 x 16 6

Example 2
A 1 3 B C 2 3 1 3 4 MC 4 3 2 3 3 1 3 1 3 D E F G 1 6

VC

Use of Influence Lines

To determine the value of the corresponding response (reactions or internal forces) for any given loading arrangements. To determine how a structure should be loaded in order to maximize a particular response.

Response for Any Load Arrangements

Concentrated load: The response is the value of the influence line at the location of the load, multiplied by the magnitude of the load. Uniformly distributed load: The response is the area of the influence line under the location of the uniform load, multiplied by the magnitude of the uniform load. Combined load: Add the responses due to each load.

Example 3
Use the influence lines constructed in Example 2 to obtain all reactions, shear force at C, and bending moment at C of the structure shown.
10 kN 25 kN 12 kN/m

A
2m

B
2m

C
3m 4m

D
2m

E
4m

F
2m

Example 3
10 kN 25 kN 12 kN/m

A 4 RB 3

1 3

1 6

4 1 1 1 1 1 RB = 10 + 25 + 12 ( 6 ) + 12 ( 2 ) = 15.83 kN ( ) 3 2 2 3 2 6

Example 3
10 kN 25 kN 12 kN/m

E 4 3

RD

1 3

2 3

1 1 1 4 1 4 1 2 RD = 10 + 25 + 12 ( 2 ) 1 + + 12 ( 4 ) + 12 ( 2 ) 3 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 = 61.17 kN ( )

Example 3
10 kN 25 kN 12 kN/m

1 RF = 10 ( 0 ) + 25 ( 0 ) + 12 ( 6 )(1.5 ) = 54 kN ( ) 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 VC = 10 + 25 + 12 ( 6 ) + 12 ( 2 ) = 5.83 kN 3 2 2 3 2 6 4 1 2 1 1 M C = 10 + 25 (1) + 12 ( 6 ) + 12 ( 2 ) = 8.33 kN-m 3 2 3 2 3

Maximum Load Effects

A structure is usually designed to resist dead loads (the weight of the structure itself and other permanent objects on the structure) and live loads (due to the use or occupancy of the structure). While dead loads have fixed positions, the live loads should be placed in such pattern that produce maximum value of a particular response.

Example 4
The beam structure below will be designed to receive:

Dead load: uniform load of 15 kN/m Live load: uniform load of 25 kN/m and two concentrated loads of 50 kN and 30 kN that are separated by 1.5 m.

Determine the maximum value of each reaction, and the maximum value of positive and negative bending moment at C.
A
2m

B
2m

C
4m

D
2m

E
4m

F
2m

Example 4
50 kN 25 kN/m 15 kN/m 30 kN

A 4 RB 3

G 1 6

RB max

1 3 4 13 1 4 1 1 1 4 = 50 + 30 + 25 ( 8 ) + 25 ( 2 ) + 15 ( 8 ) 3 12 2 3 2 6 2 3

1 1 1 1 + 15 ( 6 ) + 15 ( 2 ) = 304.17 kN ( ) 2 3 2 6

Example 4
30 kN 25 kN/m 15 kN/m 50 kN

D 4 3

RD

RD max

2 3 4 13 1 4 1 1 1 4 = 50 + 30 + 25 (12 ) + 15 ( 2 ) + 15 (12 ) 3 12 2 3 2 3 2 3 1 2 + 15 ( 2 ) = 404.17 kN 2 3

1 3

( )

Example 4
30 kN 25 kN/m 15 kN/m 50 kN

G 1.5

RF

3 9 1 3 1 3 RF max = 50 + 30 + 25 ( 6 ) + 15 ( 6 ) = 288.75 kN ( ) 2 8 2 2 2 2