De La Salle University – Manila

LBYCVT2 - Theory of Structures Laboratory

STAREX NO. 3
Influence Lines for Beams (Bending Moment and Shear)

Investigate the variation of the bending moment at the cut (both magnitude and sign) when a
moving concentrated load P is applied on the beam.

I. Objectives:
(a) To investigate the influence of a moving load on the bending moment (both magnitude
and sign) and shear at the “cut” of a beam by applying a constant load P at various
positions of the beam from the left end (x = 0 mm) to the right end (x = 580 mm).
(b) To determine the position of P that will produce the following:
i. maximum positive and negative moment at the “cut.”
ii. maximum positive and negative shear force at the “cut.”
(c) To verify the theorems on influence lines for the bending moment and shear in a beam.

P
X
“Cut”
mm

A
140 300 140
mm mm mm
580
mm
Structural Model
II. Theory
o Draw the theoretical influence line for the bending moment and shear at the cut.
Show computations. Using the influence line theorems, determine the locations of
P for maximum moment (positive and negative) and maximum shear (positive and
negative). Verify these locations experimentally.

III. Procedure:
a. Each group will be assigned a mass (Group 1: Mass No. 1, Group 2: Mass No. 2,
etc.)
b. Weigh the assigned mass (g) and convert to force P (N)
c. Apply the assigned mass from the left end (x = 0 mm) to the right end (x = 580
mm).
d. Read the sensor for moment (STR2) and shear (STR3) for each loading.
e. Perform the experiment at least twice.
IV. Data and Results

Table 1. Bending Moment

X (mm) P (N) Force Data (N) Force Data Force Data M expt
Trial 1 (N) (N) (N)
Trial 2 Ave
0
20
40
60
80
100
140
support
180
200
220
240
260
280
300
320
340
360
380
400
420
440
(Cut) No Data at the Cut
480
500
520
540
580
support
 Table 2. Shear Force
X (mm) P (N) Force Data (N) Force Data (N) Force Data V expt
Trial 1 Trial 2 (N) (N)
Ave
0
20
40
60
80
100
140
support
180
200
220
240
260
280
300
320
340
360
380
400
440
(Cut) No Data at the Cut
480
500
520
540
580
support
V. Data Analysis and Conclusions

A. Bending Moment
1) Plot the Moment versus Location (X) for the expt. and answer the following:
a. At what location (X) does P produces the maximum negative moment at the
“cut” and what is the maximum negative moment?
b. At what location (X) does P produces the maximum positive moment at the “cut”
and what is the maximum positive moment?
2) U se the theorems on influence lines to answer the ff: Refer to the theoretical influence
line. Use the influence line in Theory.
a. Based on the theorem, where should P be applied to produce the maximum
negative moment at the “cut”? What is the maximum negative theoretical
moment? Compare with expt. Results. Is the expt. consistent with the theory?
b. Based on the theorem , where should P be applied to produce the maximum
positve moment at the “cut”? What is the maximum theoretical positive moment?
Compare with expt. Results. Is the expt. consistent with the theory?
3) Convert the experimental result into an influence line by simply dividing the
experimental moment (Mexpt) by the magnitude of the load (P). Then compare the
influence lines (Theory vs Expt). Discuss the possible sources of the differences between
experimental results and theory.
4) State your conclusions in relation to the objectives of the experiment

B. Shear Force
1) Plot the Shear versus Location (X) for the expt. and answer the following:
a. At what location (X) does P produces the maximum negative shear at the “cut”
what is the maximum negative shear?
b. At what location (X) does P produces the maximum positive shear at the “cut”?
and what is the maximum positive shear?
2) U se the theorems on influence lines to answer the ff: Refer to the theoretical influence
line. Use the influence line in Theory.
a. Based on the theorem, where should P be applied to produce the maximum
negative shear at the “cut”? What is the maximum negative theoretical shear?
Compare with expt. Results. Is the expt. consistent with the theory?
b. Based on the theorem , where should P be applied to produce the maximum
positve shear at the “cut”? What is the maximum theoretical positive shear ?
Compare with expt. Results. Is the expt. consistent with the theory?
3) Convert the experimental result into an influence line by simply dividing the
experimental shear (Vexpt) by the magnitude of the load (P). Then compare the influence
lines (Theory vs Expt). Discuss the possible sources of the differences between
experimental results and theory.
4) State your conclusions in relation to the objectives of the experiment