Absolute Maximum bending Moment:

Influence line diagram ordinate for bending moment is

maximum at the center of the span. Hence, bending moment will
be maximum near the center of the span when heavier loads are
near to the center. Since, the maximum moment always occurs
under a wheel load, it can be concluded that the absolute
maximum moment occur under one of the loads when the
resultant of all the loads and the load under consideration are
equidistant from the centre of the beam. The maximum moment
under possible loads can be calcualated and the maximum of these
selected as absolute maximum.
Q. A simply supported beam has a span of 15 m. Uniformly distributed load
of 40 kN/m and 5m long crosses the girder from left to right. Draw the
influence line diagram for shear force and bending moment at a section 6 m
from left end. Use these diagrams to calculate maximum shear force and
bending moment at this section.
Q. Four point loads 8, 15, 15, 10 kN have center to center spacing of 2
m between consecutive loads and they traverse a girder of 30 m span
from left to right with 10 kN load leading. Calculate the maximum
bending moment and shear force at 8 m from the left support and
also find absolute shear force and absolute bending moment
anywhere in the beam
8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m
2m

2m
ILD for shear force at 8 m from left support is shown in figure below
along with possible load position for maximum negative shear force.

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m
2m

2m

Maximum negative SF at C = 10y1 + 15 y2 +15 y3+8 y4

= 8.2 kN
ILD for shear force at 8 m from left support is shown in figure below
along with possible load position for maximum positive shear force.

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m
2m

2m
Maximum positive SF at C = 10y8 + 15 y7 +15 y6+8 y5
= 30.2 kN

Check for another position of load when W3 =15 kN load is on the section.
SF at C = 25.4 kN.
Therefore, maximum positive shear force = 30.2 kN.
For maximum moment at C:
 To find the maximum moment, average load on portion AC and BC are to be found
as loads crosses section C one after another.

Load Crossing Average Load Remarks

AC , W1,av BC W2,av

10 kN 38/8 10/22 W1av>W2av

15 kN 23/8 25/22 W1av>W2av

15 kN 8/8 40/22 W1av<W2av

Hence, load position for maximum moment at C is when second 15 kN load is on C.

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m

2m
2m

Fig. influence line diagram for maximum bending moment at C with positioning of load
Therefore, maximum bending moment MC is given as
MC= 8y1+15yc+15y2+10y3
=251. 21 kNm
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SHEAR FORCES

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m

2m
2m

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m
2m

2m
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM BENDING MOMENT
8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m

2m
2m

For finding absolute maximum moment, first C.G of loads is to be

found and the position of loads to be determined.

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN

2m
2m

2m
Resultant is close to third load from head 15
kN
Hence, maximum moment is likely to occur under 15 kN load . The
distance between this load and the result is d=2.875-2 = 0.875 m

For maximum bending moment, this load

8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN
should be positioned at:

2m
2m
L/2- d/2 = (30/2+0.875/2) m =15.4375 m

2m
ILD ordinate for a section at 15.4375 m is:
15.4375 𝑥 (30−15.4375)
yc= =7.49 m
30
8 kN 15 kN 15 kN 10 kN
2m

2m
2m
Therefore, absolute maximum B.M.
= 8y3+15yc+15y2+10y3
=……. kNm
 Analysis of three hinged arch
Arch is a curved beam in which horizontal movement at supports is wholly or partially prevented.

Arch Axis, Line of thrust, Span and Horizontal Thrust

 Type of Arches
Based on Determinacy Based on Geometry Based on Level of Springing point

a. Determinate arch- three hinged arch a. Parabolic Arch a. Arch having same level support
b. Indeterminate arch- two hinged arch b. Circular Arch b. Arch having different level supports
INTRODUCTION
Why Arches ???
Beam transfer the applied load to end supports by bending and shear action. In this
process, either one or two points at a particular section is subjected to maximum
stress. The material in most of the portion is under stress and hence, under-utilized.
For larger spans, beams are very uneconomical and many a times the self weight of
beams contributes to the stress in such large proportions that it is difficult to design
beams for larger spans. For larger spans, like bridges, arches are provided instead of
beams.

Arches are structures composed of curvilinear members resting on supports. They

are used for large-span structures, such as airplane hangars and long-span bridges.
One of the main distinguishing features of an arch is the development of horizontal
thrusts at the supports as well as the vertical reactions, even in the absence of a
horizontal load. The internal forces at any section of an arch include axial
compression, shearing force, and bending moment. The bending moment and
shearing force at such section of an arch are comparatively smaller than those of a
beam of the same span due to the presence of the horizontal thrusts. The horizontal
thrusts significantly reduce the moments and shear forces at any section of the arch,
which results in reduced member size and a more economical design compared to
other structures. Additionally, arches are also aesthetically more pleasant than most
structures.
Types of Arches
Based on the number of internal hinges, they can be further classified as
two-hinged arches, three-hinged arches, or fixed arches.
 Three Hinged Arches
A three-hinged arch is a geometrically stable and statically determinate structure. It
consists of two curved members connected by an internal hinge at the crown and is
supported by two hinges at its base. Sometimes, a tie is provided at the support level
or at an elevated position in the arch to increase the stability of the structure.

Three Hinged Arches may have different shapes. Commonly used shapes are:
1. Circular Shape
2. Parabolic Shape
 Three Hinged Circular Arch
From the property of Circle, the radius R of the circular arch of span L and rise h
may be found as:
L/2 x L/2 = h (2R-h)
𝐿2 ℎ
𝑅= +
8ℎ 2
Taking origin at support A, the coordinates of any point D on the arch may be
defined as:

𝐿
𝑥= − 𝑅𝑠𝑖𝑛θ
2
𝑦 = 𝑅𝑐𝑜𝑠θ-(R-h)
= h-R(1-cos θ)
 Three Hinged Parabolic Arch
In the case of parabolic arch, taking the springing pont as the origin, its equation is given by:
4ℎ𝑥
𝑦= 2 𝐿−𝑥
𝐿

Type equation here.

If the crown is taken as the origin, the equation of parabolic curve is:
𝑥2
= 𝑎, 𝑎 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑦
If the springing levels are at same
level,
 Three Hinged Parabolic Arch
If the springing levels are at different level,
Let h1 and h2 be the depth of the abutments from the crown and let L
be the span. Then,
𝑥2
= 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑦
𝑥
= constant
𝑦
 Analysis for Static Loads
Consider a three-hinged arches subjected to loads as shown in figure below. Since, the ends are
hinged, there will be two reaction components at each end namely horizontal and vertical.
Hence, totally there are four reaction components namely VA, HA, VB, and HB.
 Analysis for Static Loads

Now, consider a section D,

Let V, be the vertical shear
Q, the radial shear
N, the normal thrust.
Let normal thrust (N) makes
an angle of θ with the
horizontal.
 Bending Moment Diagram
In the arch, at any section D(x,y), the bending moment diagram may be looked as a sum of
the moment in an equivalent beam minus the ordinate time the horizontal thrust. Thus,
M= Beam Moment- Hy

Hence, first bending moment diagram for the equivalent beam may be drawn. Then, to
subtract Hy moment, we note that the moment at the central hinge is zero. Hence, the
curve of the arch is drawn with the ordinate at the crown point equal to the ordinate of the
bending moment diagram as shown in Figure above.
 Bending Moment Diagram
In the arch, at any section D(x,y), the bending moment diagram may be looked as a sum of
the moment in an equivalent beam minus the ordinate time the horizontal thrust. Thus,
M= Beam Moment- Hy

Hence, first bending moment diagram for the equivalent beam may be drawn. Then, to
substract Hy moment, we note that the moment at the central hinge is zero. Hence, the
curve of the arch is drawn with the ordinate at the crown point equal to the ordinate of the
bending moment diagram as shown in Figure above.
MCQ Questions:

To draw ILD for a particular function, it requires

Rolling Load Unit Load

Both a and b None

Ans: c
MCQ Questions:

Shape of ILD for reaction in beam shall be

Rectangular Triangular

Both a and b None

Ans: c
MCQ Questions:

ILD for SF at a section along SSB will have

maximum positive ordinate of

Z/L (L-Z)/L

Z(L-Z)/L Z(L+Z)/L

Ans: b
MCQ Questions:

Shape of ILD for reaction at support in SSB has

same shape as that of

Shape of ILD for vertical reaction at Shape of ILD for rotational reaction at
support in cantilever beam support in cantilever beam

Shape of ILD for SF at a section along SSB Shape of ILD for BM at a section along SSB

Ans: b
MCQ Questions:

Quantity of any function using ILD in case of

point load is given by

Intensity of point load * ordinate of ILD Intensity of point load * slope of ILD
below point load below point load

Intensity of Point Load/Ordinate of ILD

Intensity of point load *area of ILD
below point load
MCQ Questions:

To find quantity of SF at a section along beam,

ILD shall be drawn for

SF at that section BM at that section

Reaction at support None

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

In case of single concentrated moving load absolute

maximum bending moment is WL/4 which can be
achieved when load reaches at

Mid Span of beam Right support

1/3 span of beam 2/3 span of beam

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

Absolute maximum SF occurs at support in case

of UDL longer than span whose value is

WL/2 WL

WL/3 W

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

In case of UDL shorter than span maximum BM

at a section can be achieved when

Section divides the load in same ratio as Ordinate of ILD at both ends of UDL is
that of beam span division equal

Both a and b None

Ans: c
MCQ Questions:

To deduced absolute maximum bending moment in

case of UDL shorter than span, it requires

UDL must act partly in left of section and

A section exactly at mid span
partly in right of section such that x/d=2

Both a and b None

Ans: c
MCQ Questions:

In case of train of point load in ILD related problem,

maximum bending moment can be achieved by

R1/Z=R2/(L-Z) x/d=z/l

Both a and b none

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

In influence line diagrams (ILD) :-

Points remain fixed, position of load Points change, position of loads remain
changes fixed

Both of them changes Neither of them changes

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

For drawing ILD, what value of test load is

assumed?

1 unit Arbitrary

Depends upon structure 0

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:
AC= 1m, CB =3 m

If a concentrated load of 50KN is applied at point C,

then what will be the shear developed at point C?

a) 17.5 KN b) 27.5 KN

c) 37.5 KN d) 47.5 KN

Ans: c
MCQ Questions:

Arch axis is the

Vertical straight line between crown to

Straight line between springing points
line joining springing points

Centreline of the arch None of the above

Ans: c
MCQ Questions:

Arch is preferred over SSB due to

BM reduced by H moment BM increased by H moment

Easier construction mechanism Material used in arch is superior

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

Geometrical analysis of circular arches suggests

X=L/2-Rsinθ Y=h-R(1-cosθ)

R=L2/8h+h/2 All of the above

Ans: d
MCQ Questions:

For a symmetrical parabolic arch to analyze the

arch it is advantageous to assume an origin at

One of the springing points Crown of the arch

1/3 span of arch from left support None

Ans: b
MCQ Questions:

In case of parabolic arch having support at different levels (left

at 4m below and right at 9 m below from crown) has 100 m total
span will have left and right span in proportion of

1/3 2/3

1/2 1/4

Ans: b
MCQ Questions:

Radial shear at any section is given by

Hcosθ+Vsinθ Hsin θ+Vcos θ

Hsin θ-Vcos θ None of the above

Ans: -c
4.6 Indeterminate Structures
Flexibility Method, Two-Hinged Parabolic Arches, Slope Deflection Method, Moment
Distribution Method, Stiffness method, Influence Lines for Continuous Beams, Elementary
Plastic analysis
• Those structures which can’t be solved using equilibrium equations alone are called indeterminate
structures. To analyze indeterminate structure, we can either use force method or displacement
method.
1. Flexibility Method 2. Displacement Method
MCQ Questions:

A symmetrical portal frame has DSI of

3 2

1 0

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

A fixed beam has DSI equal to

As that of symmetrical portal frame As that of two storey two bay frame

As that of one storey two bay frame As that of two storey single bay frame

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

Total DSI of any structure is

Sum of internal and external DSI Difference of external and internal DSI

Product of external and internal DSI Ratio of internal and external DSI

Ans: a
MCQ Questions:

In force method of indeterminate structure

analysis, first we have to apply

Static equilibrium equation Compatibility equations

Joint equilibrium equation None of the above

Ans: b
MCQ Questions:

A propped cantilever beam subjected to full

span UDL has reaction at roller support of

5WL/8 3WL/8

WL/2 4WL/7

Ans: b
MCQ Questions:

Which of the following displacement method doesn’t

give the value of slope and deflection directly?

Slope deflection method Moment distribution method

Stiffness matrix method All of the above

Ans: b