STRUCTURAL MECHANICS PGS.TS.

ÑOÃ KIEÁN QUOÁC

Chapter 3
ANALYSIS OF INTERNAL FORCES IN STATICALLY
DETERMINATE STRUCTURES DUE TO MOVING
LOADS

3.1. METHOD OF INFLUENCE LINES

1. Moving Loads and Analysis Methods
 Moving Loads: Loads move on structure  Reactions, internal
forces change.
Example: trains, vehicles,
human loads…
K
 Problem:
The most unfavourite (or z
Fig 3.1
most dangerous) values S-
max, min (S - reactions, internal forces at a section …)

 Analysis Methods:
- Analytical Method: Establish the equation S(z) and find the most
unfavourite values: complicated, not practical  not used in structural
engineering.
Example: Consider the beam with 1 truck in Fig 3.1. Moment at
section K:
M1(z)
M2(z)
Mk(z)
… corresponding to 5 positions of the truck
=
M5(z)
Mmax is difficult to be determined for the function is not smooth.
- Influence Lines Method: Based on superposition principle 
consider the most simple load: concentrated load P=1. This method is
applied in structural engineering.
2. Method of Influence Lines
 Definition: An influence line of S is a graph of S to the position
of a moving concentrated load P=1 (dimensionless) moving along the
structure. In structural engineering, the load P=1 is in the direction of
gravity.
 Denotation: “S”
 Procedure for plotting “S”:
- Put P=1 at position z on the structure; consider P=1 as a fixed
load
- Establish function S=S(z). It may consists a number of
expressions
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- Plot the graph S=S(z) with the variation of z along the structure
 Convention:
- The z axis is perpendicular to the load P=1 (z normally
horizontal)
- Coordinate of “S” is perpendicular to z axis (“ S” vertical, (+)
downward)
 Notice:
- Distinction between influence lines and diagrams of internal
forces.
[S] [M] F.L
- Dimension {“S”} = ; Example: ["M"]= = =L .
[P] [P] F
 Exampleï: Plot “A”, “B”, “Mk”,
P=1
“Qk”
z
- Reactions:
K
l-z z
A= , B= . A B
l l
- Internal Forces: a b
The influence lines consist 2 L
parts: left and right lines.
“A”
Consider the equilibrium of the
simpler part (without the load P=1).
- Left Lines: QkL “B”
z MkL
Q Lk =-B=-
L K B
0 �z �a
L b b “Mk”
M k =B.b= z
L
a Left line Right line
- Right Lines: b
R L-z
Q k =A=
L
a �z �L
R a
M k =A.a= (L-z) MkR 1
L K Left line
QkR “Qk”
A
1 Right line
a

Fig 3.2

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STRUCTURAL MECHANICS PGS.TS. ÑOÃ KIEÁN QUOÁC

3.2. INFLUENCE LINES IN SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAMS

A simply supported beam with 2 overhangs is considered as the
general case. The overhangs are similar to cantilever beams.
1. Influence Lines of Support Reactions
l-z
�M B
=0 : A=
l Linear
z
�M A =0 : B=
l
The graphs are determined with 2 coordinates at A and B, or z=0
and z=l.
L
P=1

A B

1 “A”

“B”

Fig 3.3

2. Influence Lines of Internal Forces

 Sections in the span:
- “Mk1”: left line cuts right line under k1  quick plot.
- “Qk1”: left line parallel to right line  quick plot.
Notice: Attention to Q rA and Q lB as in Fig 3.4.
 Sections in overhangs:
The equilibrium of the overhang part is considered for
simplicity. The influence lines of internal forces in the bellow overhangs
in Fig 3.4 are applicable to cantilever beams.

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STRUCTURAL MECHANICS PGS.TS. ÑOÃ KIEÁN QUOÁC

K2 K1 K3
A B

b a c
L

“Mk1”
a Left line Right line

Left line 1
“Qk1”
1 Right line

1
Left line
“QAP”
1 Right line

b c
“Mk2” “Mk3”
1
“Qk2” “Qk3”
1
Fig 3.4

3.3. INFLUENCE LINES IN STRUCTURES WITH LOAD

TRANSFER BEAMS
Purpose: main structures (beams or trusses) are considered only.
1. Procedure:
1- Plot the influence line as the load P=1 moves directly on the
main structure
2- Keep the coordinates under the panel points
3- Connect the ordinates by straight segments
2. Proof:
The loads transferred directly to the main girder on Fig 3.5:
d-z z
Ri = ,R i+1 =
d d
Apply the superposition priciple to determine the bending moment at
section K:
Mk =Riyi + Ri+1yi+1

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STRUCTURAL MECHANICS PGS.TS. ÑOÃ KIEÁN QUOÁC

d-z z
= yi + yi +1 : a linear function of z  straight segment
d d
With z=0  Mk = yi
z=d  Mk = yi+1
d
z P=1
i i+
K 1
Ri Ri+1
a

yi+1 “Mk”
yi
a

“Qk”

Fig 3.5

3.4. INFLUENCE LINES IN COMPOUND STRUCTURES

1. Influence Lines in a Subordinate Structure
- When P=1 moves on a subordinate structure: the IL is known, or
to be determined based on the general procedure
- When P=1 moves on a main structure: IL=0
2. Influence Lines in a Main Structure
- When P=1 moves on a main structure: its subordinate structures
do not work  consider only the main structure (IL is already
known, or to be determined)
- When P=1 moves on a subordinate structure: IL is a straight
segment passing through 2 points: the ordinate at the hing
connecting subordinate to main structure, and the zero ordinate
at the vertical roller support

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STRUCTURAL MECHANICS PGS.TS. ÑOÃ KIEÁN QUOÁC

-
K1 K2 K1

“Mk1”

“Qk2”

“Mk3”

Fig 3.6
 Notice:
In the cace of complicated compound structures, the kinetic
method may be used to plot the shape of IL. A special ordinate of IL
can be determined using the static method.
Example:
L
(0,1)
(0,2) (2,3) III “Mk”
K I (1,2) II
(0,3)  

O
Fig 3.7
Kinetic Method to plot IL:
- 3 hings joining 3 RP in a GUS lay on a straight line: (1,2) + (2,3)
= (1,3).
- Ordinates of IL at the vertical supports (no vertical
displacements) are zero

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3.5. INFLUENCE LINES IN TRUSSES

1. Influence Lines of Reactions
The reactions are
determined similarly  N2
N3
as beams: h N4
l-z
�M B =0�A =
l E C N1 D
z A B
�M A = 0 � B= l 2d L = 4d 2d

A B
“A”
1

A B
“B”
1
2. Influence Fig 3.8
Lines of Axial
Forces by Method of Sections
 Section in span: N1 and N2
Cut the panel
consisting of N1 and Left line Right line
N2 by a section as in A C D B
“N1
Fig 3.8. d
”
1/ P=1 to the left of h Connecting line 3d
the cut panel: h
consider equilibrium
of the right part for
simplicity
Connecting line 1
2/ P=1 to the right of cos α
A D
the cut panel: “N
consider the right 2 C B
” Left line 1 Right line
part cos α
3/ P=1 in the cut
panel: linking the 2
known ordinates by a
straight line “N3 E A Right line =0
=0
(connecting line) ” Connecting line
Left line 1
 Section in cos α Fig 3.9
cantilever: N3
1/ P=1 to the left of the cut panel
Consider the cantilever
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2/ P=1 to the right of the cut panel

3/ P=1 in the cut panel: connecting line
3. Influence Lines of Axial Forces by Method of Joints
Determine the IL equations when:
1/ P=1 at the joint
2/ P=1 out of the cut panel
3/ P=1 in the cut panel: connecting line
Example: N4
1
cos α Connecting line
P=1 out of cut panel
1
“N4”
E A C B
P=1 at joint

N4 = 0 N4 = -A
P=1

A=1 A
P=1 at joint P=1 out of cut panel
Fig 3.10

3.6. DETERMINATION OF QUANTITY S USING INFLUENCE

LINES

S may be reactions, internal forces…

1. Concentrated Forces P1 Pi Pn
The superposition principle is
applied: y1 yn
yi
n
S = �Pi yi “S”
i =1
yL
Notice: If “S” has a jump as P
Fig 3.11: “Qk”
K
SL = P.yR yR
SR = P.yL Fig 3.11

2. Distributed Forces dz
On the length of dz, the force q(z)dz is considered q(z)

as a concentrated force and its effect is a b

dS = q ( z ) ydz y 
The whole effect of q(z): “S”

Fig
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b
S=�yqdz
a

Special case: q=const

b
S = q� ydz=q
a

S = q
Notice:
 q>0 in direction of P=1 (downward)
  - area of IL under the load q, same sign as IL

3. Concentrated Moments M>0

M
M P=
Replace moment M with a force couple P = . dz
dz dz
Apply the above formula: y y + dy
S = P(y+dy) – Py = P.dy

M dy
= dy=M =M.tanα
dz dz
Fig 3.13
S = M tan
If many applied moments:
n
S= �M i tanαi
i=1 M
Sign convention:
 tan> 0 for increased function
 M>0 as Fig 3.13
If “S” is broken (not smooth) as in Fig 3.14: L R
Fig 3.14
SL = M tanR
SR = M tanL
L R
Example: Determine Q k , Q k .

q P = qL yL
“Qk”
K
yR
L L
Fig 3.15
L
Qk = Py R + q = qL �0.5 + q �( -0.5 �L �0.5) = 0.25 qL
R
Qk = Py L + q = qL �( -0.5) + q �( -0.5 �L �0.5) = -0.75 qL

3.7. INFLUENCE LINE CONSISTING OF STRAIGHT LINES

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1. Property
R
For determination of S, zi
the loads (concentrated or P1 Pi Pn
distributed) over a straight line
can be replaced by their O 
resultant force. y1 yo yi yn
2. Formula
S = SPi yi = Ry0 zo
“S”
where: R - resultant force Fig 3.16
y0 – ordinate at R
3. Proof
From Fig 3.16:
n n
S = �Pi yi = �Pi z i tanα
i=1 i=1

= tanα �Pi zi
Because of the equivalent moment theory: �P z = Rz
i i o

and zo tan = yo
=> S = Ryo
Notice: the proof is similar to distributed load.

3.8. DETERMINATION OF MOST UNFAVORABLE

(DANGEROUS) POSITION OF MOVING LOADS USING
INFLUENCE LINES
1. Normal Moving Loads and Their Most Unfavorable
Positions
Normal moving loads are the loads used to design structures. They
are specified by technical codes concerning the magnitudes, distance
between the loads …
The most unfavorable positions of moving loads corresponding to
Smax,min used to design structural sections.
2. Analytical Signals of Most Unfavorable Positions
With “S” and the normal moving loads given, the function S=S(z)
could be determined. The signals of the most unfavorable positions of
the loads are as follows:
 If S(z) is smooth:
dS
Necessary condition: =0
dz
This case rarely happens in reality.

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 If S(z) is saw-toothed and Smax,min are at the broken points as Fig

3.17:

S
S’R = 0 S’L = 0
S’L > 0 S’R < 0 S’L > 0 S’R < 0

Maxima
z Fig 3.17

Necessary Condition:
At the point of maxima: ΔS' =SR ' -SL' <0 � Smax
Similarly, at the point of minima: ΔS' =SR ' -SL ' >0 � Smin
In general, the signal of the most unfavorable positions of the
loads: ΔS' �0
3. Polygonal Influence Lines
Theorem 1: Smax or Smin can occur if only there is at least one
concentrated load at a broken
R1 Ri Rn
point of the polygonal influence
line.
Proof:
Replace the loads on each 1 y1 yn
yi
segment by its resultant force as “S”
in Fig 3.18. i
S = SRiyi(z) n
Fig 3.18
S’ = SRiyi’(z)
S’ = SRitani ,
To have Smax or Smin it is necessary that S’=St’-Sp’= S( Ri - Ri ) tan  i �0
R L

. For tani = const on each segment therefore some R i must change

their values when the loads move infinitesimally to the right and the
left. It means that there must be at least one load at a broken point of
IL which is called the critical load Pcr.

Theorem 2: If Pcr places at a convex point then there may be S max; if

Pcr places at a concave point then there may be Smin.
Proof: R1 RL Pcr RR Rn
SL’ = S Ritani + PthtanL
SR’ = S Ritani + PthtanR
“S”
concave R
S’= Pth(tanR - tanL) convex L Fig 3.19

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“N
P1=41”
cos α S’= Pthtan <0, if convex  Smax
>0, if concave  Smin

4. Practical Determination of Smax and Smin in

Engineering
- If the loads could be separated (as a series of trucks), they
should be placed on the parts of IL with the same sign. Place the loads
on sign (+) of IF to find Smax, sign (-) to find Smin.
- Place greater loads at greater ordinates, normally P max at ymax or
ymin (for S =SPiyi).
- Other loading variant may be necessary to select S max and Smin.

5. Bound Diagrams of Internal Forces

Definition: Bound diagrams are the diagrams of maximum internal
bound bound
forces Smax and the minimum Smin at all sections resulting from both
dead loads and moving (live) loads.
Example: P (moving)
- Select and number the q
sections: 0, 1,… … , 6.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- Plot M ist due to dead
load.
- Plot IL for the sections.
- Calculate M at the Mst
sections due to live M2st
load P.
Ex:
y1
M live
2max = P.y2max
P
M live
2min = P.y2min…

- Calculate the bound y2max

values:
M bound
max =M + M
ts live
max
M bound
min
Mbound
M bound live
min = M + M min
st

Mst
bound
M
Fig 3.20 max

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