Influence Lines

Moving Loads
• In the case of static, constant and stationary loads, the
Structural Analysis reactions, stresses and deformations at a particular
section are constant.
• However, the load effects become variable functions
Influence Lines of the position of the load when the loads are moving,
even if the dynamic effects are ignored.

!"#$%& !"#$%'

Influence Lines
Influence Lines
Moving loads
Crane load • Examples of moving loads:
Trolley FP FP
A B – locomotives rolling on a railway bridge
Gantry crane girder Crane girder – motor vehicles speeding over flyovers
– occupants moving in a building
Weight • Two structural problems arise:
Bridge – position of the live load that will cause the maximum
effect at a certain section
– magnitude of the maximum effect

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!
 Influence Lines
Two structural problems: Influence Lines
• The most unfavorable position of loads • An influence line is a graph or chart showing the
• The maximum structural response structural response (or effect Q) at a specific point i
in the structure due to a unit concentrated load acting
at a moving position j
• The effect Q at point i may be:
– reaction
Questions: – bending moment
• How to determine the position of the car to produce the – shear force
maximum bending moment at mid-span of the bridge?
• How should the beams be loaded to produce the maximum – axial force
bending moment at the mid-span of the beam indicated?
!"#$%)
"

Influence Lines Influence Lines

x FP = 1
A B FP1 FP2 FP3 FP4
D
L
FYB A B
L
FYB
yD 1
1
A B
FYB A y! y" y# y$
B

• Effect Q : Reaction FYB FYB

• Specific point i : point B

• Position j : point D FYB = FY 1 × y1 + FY 2 × y2 + FY 3 × y3 + FY 4 × y4
• Unit concentrated load: FP
# $
 Influence Lines Construction of Influence Lines
P = 1!
Uses of Influence Lines i!
j!
• It provides a tool for determining the
•Influence-line Equations
maximum load effect. There are 3 z(j)
Qi = P ⋅ z ( j ) (or Equilibrium Method)
different cases in determination of P
j i
the value of the effect Q at a fixed
point i:
•Müller-Breslau’s Principle
z1
z2
z3 Qi = ! Pj ⋅ z j
j
(or Kinematic Method by Principle of Virtual
– Single concentrated moving load P1 P2 i P3 Work )
– System of concentrated moving
A
loads z
Qi = " pzdx = p ⋅ A
p
– Uniformly distributed moving load i
d

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%&

Influence Lines for Beams

Influence Lines for
Beams Example 1: Simply supported beam

By influence-line equation x FP = 1

A B x
L

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Example 1: Simply supported beam Example 1: Simply supported beam
Influence line for reaction: Influence line for bending moment MC:
x FP = 1 x FP = 1
1
x
A B 0≤ x≤a
A B A B C
L FYA a b
FYA L
L−x
!M B =0 FYA =
L
… !

x FP = 1 MC
C B !M C =0
1 b xb
FQCB FYB M C = FYB × b = … #
A B x A B L
L FYB
FYB
x ab
!MA = 0 FYB =
L
… " x = 0, M C = 0 x = a, M C =
L
%! %(

Example 1: Simply supported beam Example 1: Simply supported beam

Influence line for bending moment MC: Influence line for bending moment MC:
x FP = 1
A B a≤x≤L 1 1
x FP=1
C
A B
a b A B A B C
L FYA FYB a b
0≤ x≤a L
A C
MC ! MC = 0 xb
FYA
a
FQCA M C = FYA ×a =
(L − x) a M C = FYB × b =
… $ L a
L ab/L
a≤x≤L b
ab
x = a, M C = x = L, M C = 0
M C = FYA ×a =
( L − x) a A
C
B
L
L MC
%" %)
 Example 1: Simply supported beam Example 1: Simply supported beam
Influence line for shear force FQC : Influence line for shear force FQC :
x FP = 1 x FP = 1
A B 0≤ x≤a A B a≤x≤L
C C
a b a b
L L

C B !F Y =0 A C
MC
!FY =0
MC a
b
FQC = − FYB = −
x FYA FQC L−x
FQC FYB … % FQC = FYA = … &
L L
a b
x = 0, FQC = 0 x = a , FQC = − x = a , FQC = x = L, FQC = 0
L L
%# %$

Example 1: Simply supported beam Influence Lines for Beams

Influence line for shear force FQC :

1 1 x FP=1 Example 2: Simply supported beam with

A B A B A B
overhang
FYA FYB C
a b
0≤ x≤a Moving unit load
L

x A C
FQC = − FYB = − B
4m
D
L b/L
1 4m 16m
a≤x≤L A B
C
1
L−x -a/L
FQC = FYA =
L FQC
!"#$%'+
%*
Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for reaction at B, RB I.L. for reaction at B, RB
• Imagine a unit load P starts at C and moves towards B P=1 x
and A so that distance x of the load from C is varying. A C
B D
Taking moments about C for the whole beam, 4m

RB L = Px 4m 16m

x RB
RB = 0 ≤ x ≤ 20 P=1 x
16 1.25
I.L. for RB
A B C
D
4m
RB
When P is at C, x = 0, R B = 0
4m 16m
RB
When P is at B, x = 16, R B = 1
I.L. for RB
1.25
When P is at A, x = 20, R B = 1.25
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RB

Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for reaction at B, RB I.L. for reaction at C, RC
• Imagine a unit load P moves from A to C so that x is
the distance of P to the right of B. Taking moments
about B for the whole beam,
RC (16) = P x
RC = x/16 for -4 ≤ x ≤ 16
x P=1

A B C
D
4m
4m 16m
RC
I.L. for RC 1.0
-0.25
!"#$%', !"#$%'(
RC
Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for reaction at C, RC

To draw I.L. for shear at section immediately to the

left of B, SB,L
• Take AB as a free body

Moving unit load

SB,L
A B C
D
4m
4m 16m

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Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
P SS'BB,L I.L. for shear at section immediately to the left of B, SB,L
When P is at anywhere between
A MB
AB, SB,L = -P = -1
B
When P is at anywhere between SS'BB,L
BC, SB,L = 0 A MB
B
SB,L
A B C
D
4m
4m 16m

I.L. for SB,L

Influence Line for SB,L
-1.0 S'B
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Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for shear at section immediately to the right of B, SB,R When P is on AB, take BC as free body SB,R = -RC

SSB'B,R
C

MB B
RC
Moving unit load SSB'B,R
B
SB,R A MB
A B C
D
4m RB
4m 16m
When P is on BC, take AB as free body SB,R = RB

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SB,R
A B D
C Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
4m
I.L. for shear at section immediately to the right of B, SB,R
4m 16m

1.25

RB

1.0
-0.25
RC SB,R = RB
SB,R = -RC
1.0
0.25

SB'
SB,R I.L. for SB,R Influence Line for SB,R
!"#$%,& !"#$%,'
Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for shear at section D, SD When P is on AD, take DC as a free body S D = − RC

SD
C

MD D
RC
Moving unit load SD
B
SD A MD
A B C
D
4m RB
4m 16m
When P is on DC, take AD as a free body S D = RB

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SD
A B D
C Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
4m I.L. for shear at section D, SD
4m 16m

1.25

RB

1.0
-0.25
RC
S D = − RC 0.75 S D = RB
0.25
-0.25 SD
I.L. for SD
!"#$%,- !"#$%,)
Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang When P is on AD, take DC as a free body (−4 ≤ x ≤ 4)
( x% 3x
M D = RC (12) = & #12 =
I.L. for bending moment at section D, MD ' 16 $ 4
At A, x = −4 M D = −3 At D, x=4 MD = 3
SD
C

MD D
Moving unit load RC

x x' SD
B
MD A MD
A B C
D RB
4m
4m 16m
When P is on CD, take AD as a free body (0 ≤ x′ ≤ 12)
( x′ % x′
M D = RB (4) = & #4 =
' 16 $ 4
At D, x′ = 12 M D = 3 At C, x′ = 0 MD = 0
!"#$%,. !"#$%,/

Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for bending moment at section D, MD
MD
A B C
D
4m
4m 16m

3.0

-3.0 MD I.L. for MD

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Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for bending moment at section B, MB Consider AB as a free body.
When P is on AB, (0 ≤ x ≤ 4)
M B = − Px = − x x
P=1
SSB'B,R
Moving unit load At A, x=4 M B = −4 B
A MB
x At B, x=0 MB = 0
MB
A C RB
B D
4m SSB'B,R
4m 16m
B
A MB
When P is on BC,
M B = RB × 0 = 0 RB

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Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang Example 2: Simply supported beam with overhang
I.L. for bending moment at section B, MB
MB
A B C
D
4m
4m 16m

-4.0 MB I.L. for MB

!"#$%(, !"#$%((
 Influence Lines for Beams Example 3: Simply supported beam with overhangs
Influence line for reaction:
When x = − d on D
FP = 1

Example 3: Simply supported beam with overhangs

A B E !M B =0
D
(L + d ) d
d L d FYA = = 1+
L L

x FP = 1 FP = 1 When x = L + d on E
A B
D A
C
B E
D E !M B =0
d L d d
a b
FYA = −
d L d L

(" ()

Example 3: Simply supported beam with overhangs Example 3: Simply supported beam with overhangs
Influence line for reaction: Influence line for shear force FQC :
x FP = 1 b/L
1+d/L 1 d/L 1 B F
D A B E
1 extend B E C E A 1 -d/L
-a/L
A B D A a b
-d/L FQC
FYA FYA d L d

Influence line for bending moment MC :

x FP = 1
ab/L
D A B E a b
D E
C A C B
a b -bd/L -ad/L
d L d MC

(# ($
 Influence Lines for Beams Example 4: Multi-span beam
FP = 1
A B D Multi-span beam (ABCD):
C
L c L1 ABC – main beam
Example 4: Multi-span beam with intermediate CD – subsidiary beam
hinge (Gerber beam) Influence line for reaction:

extend 1
1 B C
FP = 1 A B A -c/L
A B D FYA FYA
C
L c L1 extend 1 C D
A B -c/L
FYA
(* "&

Example 4: Multi-span beam Example 4: Multi-span beam

a b FP = 1 Multi-span beam (ABCD): a b FP = 1 Multi-span beam (ABCD):

A B D A B D
E C ABC – main beam E C ABC – main beam
L c L1 CD – subsidiary beam L c L1 CD – subsidiary beam

Influence line for reaction FYC (at half joint): Influence line for bending moment ME :

1 Half
A B C D joint a ab/L
FYC extend ab/L
b a b
Note: Load on the subsidiary structure will incur internal C
A B
E A E B D
forces on the main beam, but load on the main beam will not
ME ME
incur any internal force on the subsidiary structure.
"% "'
Example 4: Multi-span beam

A
a b
B
FP = 1
D
Multi-span beam (ABCD): Influence Lines for Girders
L
E
c
C
L1
ABC – main beam
CD – subsidiary beam
with Floor Beams
Influence line for shear force FQE :

1 b/L 1 b/L
By influence-line equation
extend
B C
A B
E A E D
1 1
-a/L -a/L
FQE
FQE

!"#$%-(
"!

Girders with Floor Beams Girders with Floor Beams

• Floor loads are transmitted from slabs to floor beams, and
then to girders. • In girders and trusses with floor beams, the
stringers act as simple beams between the
• A unit load on the floor slab is transferred to the girder only
at the contact points (Panel Points). adjacent floor beams.
• The influence line will be straight line
Stringer between any two adjacent panel points.

Simplified assumption

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 Girders with Floor Beams Influence Lines for Girders with
Floor Beams
Floor beam system
Example 5: Girder with regular floor beams

Bridge
structure FP = 1

(l−x% ( x% C E
( y) = & # ( y m ) + & #( y n ) A
kD
B
' l $ 'l$ 3d/4
L = 4d

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Example 5: Girder with regular floor beams Example 5: Girder with regular floor beams
FP = 1 Influence line for bending moment Mk :
• When the unit load is applied on CD
C kD E d−x x
A B FYC = FYD = x FP = 1
3d/4 d d C D
L = 4d
x d −x 1 FYC d FYD
FYA = ( × 2d + × 3d ) ×
Influence line for bending moment Mk : d d 4d
FYC FYD
3 x
FP = 1 FP = 1 = − A B
4 4d C k D
Mk Mk FYA FYB
A C k k D E B 3 x 3d
FYA FYB M kCD = ( − ) × (d + )
4 4d 4
• When the unit load is applied either on AC or DEB, the d − x 3d 9d 5 x FYC
− × = + A MkCD
influence line remains the same. d 4 16 16 C k
FYA
"* )&
Example 5: Girder with regular floor beams Example 5: Girder with regular floor beams
Influence line for bending moment Mk : FP = 1

• When the unit load is applied on CD, the influence line is Influence line for shear force : A B
FQC, L and FQC, R C D E
linear interpolation function between C and D (straight line L = 4d
segment).
• Since CL lies within AC, 1
FP = 1 3d/4 correct only the value at CL, A B
and then connect CL and A. C
A B 9d 1
C kD
L = 4d
E x=0 M kCD = FQC, L
16
• Since CR lies within CD, 1
7d
7d/4 9d/16 7d/8 9d/4 x=d M CD
k = correct only the value at CR,
A
C
B
A B
8 and then connect CR and D.
Mk 1
FQC,R

)% )'

Influence Lines for Girders with Example 6: Girder with irregular floor beams

Floor Beams E F
FP = 1
G D
A B
C
Example 6: Girder with irregular floor beams a b
L = 6d

1
FP = 1 FYB • Correction for GD
E F G D 1
FQC • Correction for GD
A B 1
C and EF
a b b
L = 6d MC • Correction for GD
and EF

)! )(
 Influence Lines for Trusses
• The deck load is transferred to the joints of the trusses by the
system of stringers and floor beams.
• The stringers and floor beams are assumed to be simply
Influence Lines for Trusses supported at their ends.
• A unit load placed on a stringer imposes loads on the floor
beams and hence the truss joints.

By influence-line equation

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Influence Lines for Trusses Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines

FP = 1

C D FP = 1
E F A B

h
A B Analogy
Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines G H
6d
6d FYA FYB

Influence line for reaction:

FP = 1
5/6 5/6
For loading on 1/6 1/6
C D top chord
E F
A C D B A C D B
h

A B
G H For loading on 1 1
6d bottom chord
A B A B
FYA FYB

)# )$
Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines
FP = 1 Influence line for bar force FEF : Influence line for bar force FEF :
n
C D FP = 1
E F Considering section n-n, n

h
FP = 1
A B C D A MH B
FEF = - MH / h E F Analogy
G nH
H
6d where MH is the bending moment A B 6d
of equivalent simply supported G H FYA FYB
n
FP = 1
beam at H
FEF FEF
C D (Top chord)
E F FP = 1 FEF = - MH / h
h

A MH B -3d/2h
A B Analogy
FEF
G H H ! (Bottom chord)
FYA FYB 6d
6d FYA FYB -3d/2h

)* #&

Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines
FP = 1 Influence line for bar force FGH: Influence line for bar force FGH:
n
C D FP = 1
E F Considering section n-n,
FP = 1
h

A B C D ME
FGH = ME / h E F Analogy A B
G nH
6d A B E
where ME is the bending moment 6d
of equivalent simply supported G H FYA FYB
FP = 1
beam at E
FGH
C D (Bottom chord)
E F FP = 1 4d/3h
h

A ME B
A B Analogy FGH = ME / h
G FGH H E FGH
FYA FYB 6d 4d/3h (Top chord)
6d FYA FYB

#% #'
 Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines
FP = 1 FP = 1
n n
C D Influence line for bar force FEH: C D Influence line for bar force FEH :
E F E F

h
A ! B Considering section n-n, A ! B Considering section n-n,
G nH G nH
6d 6d
• When the unit load is • When the unit load is
applied on CE (or AG), applied on FD (or HB),
FP = 1 FP = 1
force equilibrium in y- force equilibrium in y-
C D direction of the right part C D direction of the left part
E F E F
gives gives

h
FEH h
A B A FEH B
G H FEH sinα = - FYB G H FEH sinα = FYA
FYA FYB FYA FYB
6d FEH = - FYB / sinα 6d FEH = FYA / sinα

#! #(

Example 7: Truss – construction of influence lines Use of Method of Sections

FP = 1

C D
Influence line for bar force FEH:
E F
A ! B
G H Considering section n-n,

!
"
1 / sinα
• When the unit
1 / sinα
load is applied on
FEH
EF (or GH),
(Bottom chord)

!
connect points for
"
1 / sinα E and F (or G and
1 / sinα H).
FEH
(Top chord)
!"#$%.)
#"
 Applications of influence lines
Determination of response for stationary loads
Applications of Influence Single concentrated System of concentrated
moving load moving loads
Lines n
FYA = FP × yc FYA = ! FPi yi
i =1

x FP = 1 FP1 FP2 … FPi … FPn

A B A B
C C
FYA L L
FP 1
1
yC
A B A y1 y2 yi yn B
FYA
!"#$%.. FYA
#$

Applications of influence lines Applications of influence lines

Determination of response for stationary loads Calculate shear force at C FQC

Uniformly distributed System of concentrated moving q=20kN/m

moving load loads and uniformly distributed 1 2 4
A B ω1 = × × 4 =
moving loads C 2 3 3
D
FYA = " yqdx = ω q
2m 4m
1 (1% 1
C ω2 = × − & # × 2 = −
n n 2 '3$ 3
q Z = ! FPi × yi + ! ωi qi Influence line for shear force FQC:
C D
A B
i =1 i =1 FQC = q (ω1 + ω2 )
dx 2/3
( 4 1%
FYA L
A B = 20 & − # = 20kN
-1/3 ' 3 3$
Area ω
1 y FQC
A C D B
FYA
#* $&
 Applications of influence lines Applications of influence lines
Calculate bending moment at C MC Maximum and Minimum Responses for Moving Load
• Normally the largest concentrated load is placed at where the
10kN 2kN/m 5kN
influence ordinate is the maximum (or minimum).
A C B D • Normally the UDL is placed on the region(s) with influence
1m 1m 2m 1m 1m 1m 1× 2 ordinate of suitable sign.
M C = 10 × 0.5 + ×2
2 • If there is more than one concentrated load, different
Influence line for bending moment MC: 1× 0.5 alternatives have to be investigated, e.g. letting the train of
− × 2 − 5 × 0.25
2 loads proceed across the structure and using the Increase-
0.5 MCmax
1 Decrease Method.
= 5.25kM ⋅ m
A C B D D E
-0.5 -0.25
C
MC A B
I.L. of MC MCmin
$% $'

Applications of influence lines Applications of influence lines

Maximum and Minimum Responses for Moving Load Maximum and Minimum Responses for Moving Load
Determine the most unfavorable positions of uniformly Determine the most unfavorable positions of uniformly
distributed moving load for the following responses of distributed moving load for the following responses of
the multi-span beam: FYB & MB the multi-span beam: FYB & MB

A B C D A B C D
FYBmax MBmax

A B C D
MBmin
A B C D
FYBmin
I.L. of FYB I.L. of MB

$! $(
 Influence Lines for Trusses Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines
2 1
B C D E F

5m

Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines a

b c d e f
g
1 2
6 panels @ 5m = 30m

Consider a Pratt truss with parallel top and bottom

chords as shown. If a loading system consisting of a
UDL of 24 kN/m and a pair of point loads of 120 kN
and 60 kN at 3 m apart moves on the truss,
determine the respective maximum and minimum
internal forces (in selected members).
!"#$%/)
$"

Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines I.L. for force in member aB,
2 1 • Consider the equilibrium of joint a
B C D E F
FaB
P on b-g: = − Ra ) FaB = − 2 Ra
5m 2
FaB
a g
P at a: = − Ra + 1 = 0 ) FaB = 0
c e
b 1 2
d f 2 2 1

6 panels @ 5m = 30m P on a-b: the I.L. is a straight line B C D E F

FaB 5m

Ra 1 1 Rg a g
b c d e f
Fab 1 2
6 panels @ 5m = 30m

+ + Ra
Ra 1 1 Rg

Rg Ra + +
P =1 FaB Rg Ra

Construct the influence lines for reactions first.

FaB
Fab FaB
_
Ra=1
5√2/6
I.L. for FaB
!"#$%/. !"#$%//
Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines I.L. for force in diagonal member Cd
I.L. for force in bar Bb • Consider section 1-1
• Unless the unit load is applied on stringer ab or P on a-c: VCd = − R g FCd = 2VCd = − 2 R g
stringer bc, there will be no force transmitted to P on d-g: VCd = Ra FCd = 2VCd = 2 Ra
panel point b and therefore no force in member Bb
P on c-d: the I.L. is a straight line
P at a or c: FBb = 0
1

FBb = 1
B C D E F
P at b: B
2
C
1
D E F
FCd VCd 5m
5m
P on ac: a g
b c d e f
1
a g
b c d e f 6 panels @ 5m = 30m
1 2
6 panels @ 5m = 30m Rg
1 √2/2
P on dg:
FCd = √2 VCd
+
+ I.L. for FBb Ra
VCd
FCd _
FCd
FBb FBb -√2/3 I.L. for FCd
!"#$%/* !"#$%*+

Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines
I.L. for force in member Cc I.L. for force in a chord member cd
• Consider section 2-2 • Consider section 2-2 and take moments about joint C
P on a-c: FCc = R g
P on a-c Fcd × 5 = R g × 20 ) Fcd = 4 × R g
P on d-g: FCc = − Ra
P on c-g Fcd × 5 = Ra × 10 ) Fcd = 2 × Ra
P on c-d: the I.L. is a straight line
2 2
B C D E F B C D E F

P on ac: 5
5m 5m
Fcd
P on ac: a
c e
g Rg a
b c d e f
g
b 2
d f 20 2
FCc 6 panels @ 5m = 30m
6 panels @ 5m = 30m
Rg 4/3

FCc 5 P on cg:
P on dg:
+
1/3 I.L. for FCc Fcd +

FCc FCc Ra Fcd Fcd

Ra _ 10
-1/2 I.L. for Fcd
!"#$%*& !"#$%*'
Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines • Force in bar aB
• Reactions: Min. FaB = 120(− 5 2 6) + 60(− 5 2 6) × 22 25 + 24(− 5 2 6)
Max. Ra = 120 × 1 + 60 × 0.9 + 24 × (1 × 30 2) = 534kN × 30 2 = −627.9kN
2 1
2 1 C D E
B F
B C D E F

5m
5m
a g
a g b c d e f
c d e 1 2
b 1 2 f
6 panels @ 5m = 30m
6 panels @ 5m = 30m

Ra 1 1 Rg

60kN
+

120kN
+
60kN
120kN

24kN/m
24kN/m FaB FaB

Max. R g = 534kN Min. Rg = 0kN

5√2/6
!"#$%*, !"#$%*( Max. FaB = 0kN

• Force in bar Cd
Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines Max. FCd = 120( 2 2) + 60( 2 2) × 12 15 + 24( 2 2)
• Force in bar Bb × 18 2 = 271.5kN
Max. FBb = 120 ×1 + 60 × 0.4 + 24 × (1× 10 2) = 264.0kN Min. FCd = 120(− 2 3) + 60(− 2 3) × 7 10 + 24(− 2 3)
1
B
2
C D E F × 12 2 = −144.2kN
2 1
B C D E F
5m

a g
b c d e f 5m
1 2
6 panels @ 5m = 30m a g
b c d e f
1 2
1
6 panels @ 5m = 30m
60kN
120kN

120kN
√2/2

60kN
FBb

120kN
FBb

60kN
24kN/m 24kN/m
FCd +
FCd
_ 24kN/m
Min. FBb = 0kN -√2/3
!"#$%*- !"#$%*)
• Force in bar Cc
Example 8: Truss – use of influence lines
Max. FCc = 120(1 3) + 60(1 3) × 7 10 + 24(1 3) × 12 2
= 102.0kN • Force in bar cd
Min. FCc = 120(− 1 2) + 60(− 1 2) × 12 15 + 24(− 1 2) × 18 2 Max. Fcd = 120(4 3) + 60(4 3) × 17 20 + 24(4 3) × 30 2
= −192.0kN = 708.0kN
1 2 1
2 C D E
B C D E F B F

5m 5m

a g a g
c d e b c d e f
b 1 2 f 1 2
6 panels @ 5m = 30m 6 panels @ 5m = 30m

4/3

120kN

60kN
120kN

120kN
60kN

60kN
24kN/m +
1/3
24kN/m
FCc + Fcd Fcd
24kN/m FCc
_
-1/2 Min. Fcd = 0kN
!"#$%*. !"#$%*/

Principle of Virtual Work

Definition
Influence Lines by • If a rigid body is in equilibrium, the total virtual work of
external forces acting on the body is zero for any virtual
Kinematic Method displacement of the body

X P If P is known ) X = ?
A C From equilibrium equation,
Müller-Breslau’s Principle B
(or Kinematic Method by Principle of a b
!M C =0
X ⋅ a − P ⋅b = 0
Virtual Work ) RC b
X= P
a
!"#$%**
%&&
Principle of Virtual Work Müller Breslau’s Principle
Definition
• If a rigid body is in equilibrium, the total virtual work of 1. Release constraint corresponding to load effect
external forces acting on the body is zero for any virtual
displacement of the body 2. Impose unit displacement and draw the deflected shape
Alternatively,
X ⋅ ∆ X − P ⋅ ∆P = 0 3. The deflected shape is the influence line
P
From kinematic relationship,
∆P b
A
X
C } ∆P = YB ( x ) × δ B − P × δ ( x ) = 0
∆X a
∆X { B
b YB ( x ) = δ ( x )
X ⋅ ∆X − P ⋅ ∆X = 0
a b a I.L equation Deflected shape
RC Set ∆ X = 1
b
X =P ∆ P = P
a
%&% %&'

Influence Lines for Beams

Influence Lines for
Beams Example 9: Simply supported beam by Müller-
Breslau’s Principle

By Müller-Breslau’s Principle x FP = 1

A B x
L

!"#$%&+,
%&(
Example 9: Simply supported beam Example 9: Simply supported beam
Influence line for reaction: Influence line for bending moment MC :
x FP = 1
B’
x FP = 1 x FP = 1 "YB C’
A B !+"=1 b
C
A B A B a b A ! " B
"P L MC
FYB FYB

Real Force Virtual displacement Real Force Virtual displacement

Release the vertical constraint

1 • Release the moment constraint by inserting an internal
hinge at C.
and impose "YB = 1 A B
FYB • Apply positive moment MC to the beam, and the beam then
FYB ×1 − 1× δ P = 0 FYB = δ P deflects to the shape, where ! + " = 1 is satisfied.

%&" %&)

Example 9: Simply supported beam Example 9: Simply supported beam

Influence line for bending moment MC : Influence line for shear force FQC :
x FP = 1 x FP = 1 β
B’
C’ A B
A B !+"=1 b A B α
C C
a b A ! " B a b FQC FQC
L MC L

Virtual displacement Virtual displacement

Real Force Real Force

• Release the shear constraint by inserting a sliding device, which

M C × α + M C × β − 1× δ P = 0 ab/L b resists axial force and bending moment but not shear force, at C.
δp A B
MC = =δp MC • Apply positive shear force FQC to the beam, and the beam then
α +β deflects to the shape, where α + β = 1 is satisfied.

%&# %&$
Example 9: Simply supported beam Influence Lines for Beams
Influence line for shear force FQC :
x FP = 1 β
A B A α B Example 10: Multi-span beam by Müller-
C
a b FQC FQC Breslau’s Principle
L
Virtual displacement
Real Force
x FP = 1
H K E F G
FQC ×αa + FQC × βb − 1× δ P = 0
!
b/L A B C D

"
1
1m 3m 2m 2m 3m 2m 2m 1m
δ A B
FQC = p = δ p -a/L
+b
aα+β FQC

%&* %%&

Example 10: Multi-span beam Example 10: Multi-span beam

Influence line for bending moment MK : Influence line for shear force FQK:
x FP = 1 x FP = 1
H K E F G H K E F G
A B C D A B C D
1m 3m 2m 2m 3m 2m 2m 1m 1m 3m 2m 2m 3m 2m 2m 1m

1 1
H E G H K E G
Virtual Virtual F
F
Displacement MK Displacement A B C D
A B C D
6/5 FQK
4/5 2/5
H E G 1/5 1 K E 4/15 G
MK
-2/5 A K B C F D -2/5 FQK H A B C F D -2/15
-6/5 -2/5
-3/5
%%% %%'
Example 10: Multi-span beam Influence Lines for Beams
x FP = 1
H E F G
A B C D
Example 11: Multi-layer beam by Müller-
1m 3m 2m 2m 3m 2m 2m 1m
Breslau’s Principle
1
C F D
MC
G
-2
A F 1 B C
1 D G 2 E
D
FYF G
F -0.5
1m 2m 1m 2m 2m 1m 1m 1m
1.5

FYD
F D G
%%! %%(

Example 11: Multi-layer beam Influence Lines for Beams

A F 1 B C
2 E
D
G H
1m 2m 1m 2m 2m 1m 1m 1m Example 12: Girder with floor beams by Müller-
3/4
M2
Breslau’s Principle
1/2 3/4

-3/8 -3/4
P=1
3/8 1/4 Q2
-1/2
-1/4 A B C D E F G
-3/4
1 1m 3m 3m 2m 4m 2m 2m 1m
1/2
-3/8 RD
3m!6=18m

1 Q1
%%" %%)
Example 12: Girder with floor beams
P=1

A B C D E F G
1m 3m 3m 2m 4m 2m 2m 1m
3m!6=18m
Qualitative influence lines
MA

-2m -1m
-3m
1 1 RD

-1/2
1/3 1/2 1

QD,R
-1/2
!"#$%&&/
%%#

Live Load on Bridges Live Load on Bridges

To get maximum span moment in BC,
A B C D E
A B C D E
L L L L
To get maximum
L L L L
support moment
+
at B,
- +
- -
+
Moment at support B -
-
Influence lines for four spans. Moment at centre of span B-C

Influence lines for four spans.

!"#$%&&* !"#$%&'+
 The End

!"#$%&'&