Chapter 4

ILD and Rolling Loads

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS

☞☞ Introduction ☞☞ M
 aximum bending moment under a chosen
☞☞ Influence line wheel load
☞☞ ILD for simply supported beams ☞☞ Absolute maximum bending moment
☞☞ Simply supported beams with overhang ☞☞ Muller–Breslau principle
☞☞ Maximum shear at a given section ☞☞ Influence line diagram for bridge truss
☞☞ Maximum bending moment at a given section members

Introduction X 1

In this chapter, the structures subjected to live loads or mov- A B

O
ing loads or rolling loads are discussed. The common types
of rolling loads are the axle loads of moving trucks or vehi- RA I RB
cles, wheel loads of a railway train or wheel loads of a gantry
assembly on a gantry girder etc. The variation of the shear
force and bending moment due to these moving loads are best
1
described by using the influence line. Therefore influence
lines have important application for the design of structures
that resist large live loads. The determination of the absolute
maximum shear and moment in a member is also discussed.
A B

Influence Line ILD for Reaction RB

An Influence line represents the variation of either the reac-
tion, shear, moment or deflection at a specific point in a
member as a moving load moves from one end to another 1
of member.

ILD for Simply Supported Beams

ILD for Reactions at the Supports
Let a unit load move from left end ‘A’ to the right end ‘B’ ILD for Reaction RA
of the beam.

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ILD for Shear Force at a Given Section I+e

I
X 1
1
A O B (+)
C E
a b D A B (−)
f
I
I
b/I
ILD for RA

b/I
(+)
e/I
A B
(−) C
(+) (+) E
D A (−) C B (−)

a/I f/I
a/I
ILD for SF at ‘C’
ILD for SF at ‘C’

ILD for Bending Moment ab/I

at a Given Section
(+)
D E
X 1 (−) A (−)
C B
A C B
O eb fa
a b I I
I
ILD for BM at C
ab/I
NOTE
(+)
The ILD for overhang beam is similar to that of a sim-
ply supported beam between supports and just extend the
A B influence line to the side where overhang is present.
ILD for BM at C
Maximum Shear at
Simply Supported Beams a given Section
with Overhang Wheel Loads
A simply supported beam with overhangs on both left and
1. For a single concentrated load, maximum shear at a
right end of support is shown in the following figures:
section occurs when the load is placed at the section
itself.
A C B
D E 2. For a series of wheel loads, maximum shear at a section
a b occurs if it satisfies the following condition. That is,
RA RB
The load rolled past the section Sum of all the loads
e I f If <
Succeeding wheel space Span

I+f
I Uniformly Distributed Load
Maximum positive shear at C: For this condition, the tail
1
D A
(+) of the UDL should be at the section itself.
(−) B E W /unit m
C
e
I A B

ILD for RB

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Load position for max +ve SF at C: ab/I

(+)
C
A B Y3 Y4
(−) Y2 (+) Y5
Y1 Y6
A C B

Maximum negative shear at C: For this condition the The following table form is used in order to easily find the
head of the load moving from the end A must arrive at C as average loads.
shown below:
Load crossing Average load Average load
W /unit m C the section C on AC on CB Remarks
A B

Uniformly Distributed Load

Load position for max –ve SF at C:
Two Cases
Case 1: When the length of the load is greater than the span.
C Since length of UDL is greater than the length of span, to
A B
(−) get maximum bending moment, UDL should be entirely
loaded on span as shown below.
C
A B
Maximum Bending Moment a b

at a Given Section I
ab/I
Wheel Loads
1. For a single concentrated load, maximum bending
moment at a section occurs when the load is at the
section itself. (+)

2. For two concentrated loads, maximum bending

A C B
moment at any section may be the maximum of the
following two cases. Maximum BM at C = Intensity of UDL × Area of ILD
(a) When the leading is at the section covered
(b) When the trailing load is at the section. Case 2: When the length of the load is shorter than span
3. For several loads, the maximum bending moment at a I1
given section of a beam occurs when the load system
is so placed that the average load on the left segment W /unit m
is equal to the average load on the right segment. A B
Z C Z1
For example: A simply supported beam subjected to a
series of loads W1, W2, …, W6 on the span. The maximum
a b
bending moment a section ‘C’ occurs only when the loads
are placed on span such that average load to LHS of section I
is equal to average loads to the RHS of section.
ab/I
W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6

A B

C
a b A C B

l To get maximum bending moment, UDL should be placed

from section in such a way that section ‘C’ divides the UDL

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in same ratio as it divides the span. ‘C’ divides the span in Muller–Breslau Principle
the ratio a : b.
•• Muller–Breslau principle states that the influence line
UDL should also be divided by the section in the same
for a function (reaction, shear, or moment) is to the same
ratio as of span
scale as the deflected shape of the beam when the beam is
z : z1 = a : b acted upon by the function.
Load on LHS of section, i.e., •• It is the quick method for establishing the shape of the
influence line.
 a 
AC = z =  ×l1 •• Applicable for both determinate and indeterminate
a + b structures.
Load on RHS of section, i.e., •• The shape of influence line is linear for determinate struc-
 b  tures and non-linear in case of indeterminate structures.
CB = z1 =   × l1 •• The principle of virtual work can be used for establishing
a + b the proof of Muller–Breslau principle.
•• Muller–Breslau principle can be explained with the help
Maximum Bending Moment under of an example as below:
a Chosen Wheel Load Consider a simply supported beam of span ‘L’ with hinge
The bending moment under a chosen load of a wheel load at A and roller at B.
system will be a maximum, when the load system is so placed
A B
on the girder that the chosen load and the resultant of all the C
wheel loads are equidistant from the middle point of girder. L

Absolute Maximum Bending Influence line for RA: First remove the reaction at ‘A’ so
Moment that the beam can deflect easily when the function (reaction)
is applied.
Wheel Loads
1. For a single concentrated load, absolute maximum A B
bending moment occurs when the load is at centre of
the span.
2. In case of series of wheel loads, the wheel load In the above figure, the hinge support at A is replaced a
should be selected by inspection such that Bending roller guide which can resist horizontal force but not verti-
moment at mid span may be maximum and now the cal force.
load system is so placed on the span that the resultant The deflected shape obtained by applying the reaction at
of all the loads and chosen wheel loads should be A gives directly the influence line for reaction at A.
equidistant from mid-span.

Uniformly Distributed Load

B
1. The absolute maximum bending moment occurs at A
mid-span when the length of the uniformly distributed
load is greater than span and when the whole span is RA
loaded.
Deflected shape
2. When the length of the uniformly distributed load is
shorter than the span, the absolute maximum bending RA
moment occurs at the centre of span when the loading
is symmetrically placed on span.
I1
Influence line for RA
I1/2 I1/2
Influence line for shear at C: Follow the same producer
A B as above i.e., at ‘C’, a roller guide is to be placed which can
C resist moment and axial force but not shear.
I/ 2 I/ 2 Now apply a shear force at C. The deflected shape gives
directly the influence line diagram for shear at C.

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 Chapter 4 ■ ILD and Rolling Loads | 3.227

A C B U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7

Vc Deflected shape

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
C
A B R1 L = 6I R2

The Pratt truss

Vc U1U2, U2U3, U3U4, U4U5, U5U6, U6U7—Top chord members

Deflected shape L1L2, L2L3, L3L4, L4L5, L5L6, L6L7—Bottom chord members
U1L1, U2L2, U3L3, U4L4, U5L5, U6L6 U7L7—Vertical
members
+ U1L2, U2L3, U3L4, U5L4, U6L5, U7L6—Diagonal members
−
ILD for the top chord members: Consider a section (1)-(1)
passing through top chord member U2U3 as shown below.
Influence line for Vc (1)

Influence line for BM at C: A hinge is to be placed at a sec- U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7

tion where influence line for BM is required. This can resist
shear and axial force but not moment.
h
Then apply a positive moment at section and the deflected
shape gives directly the influence line for bending moment
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
at that section.
C R1 a (1) b R2
A B
ab
Ih

(+)

A C B
ILD for U2U3
Deflected shape ILD for bottom chord member: Top chord members will
be under compression (+) while bottom chord members will
be under tension (–).
+
The ILD for bottom chord member L3L4 is shown below.
Influence line for Mc (1)

U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7

Influence Line Diagram h

for Bridge Truss Members
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
•• Trussed bridges are classified into deck and through type
bridges. a (1) b
•• If the load is received at the top chord joints, the truss I
is called a deck type truss and if the load is received at ab
the bottom chord joints, the truss is called a through type Ih
truss. (−)

Pratt truss: Considering the case of through type bridges,

i.e., the unit load travels from one end to other through
bottom chord. ILD for L3L4

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Procedure: From equilibrium; ∑Fy = 0

1. The member under consideration (L3L4) is cut by a PU 2 L2 = R2 (tensile)
section (1)–(1) as shown in the figure. 3. The ILD for R2 is drawn below the reference line.
2. Take the meeting of the other members as a moment 4. When the unit load is on the right side of L3. Consider
centre, i.e. at a joint U3 in this case. the LHS of cut part.
ab
3. Draw a triangle with maximum ordinate as at From equilibrium; ∑Fy = 0
lh
moment centre U3. PU 2 L2 = R1 (Compressive)
4. These members will be in tension. 5. The ILD for reaction R1 is drawn above the reference
line.
NOTE 6. As the unit load moves from L2 to L3 force in U2L2
The ILD for top chord members may also be drawn in will change from tension to compression.
similar lines as that of bottom chord members. 7. The hatched part shown in the figure is ILD for the
vertical member U2L2.
ILD for vertical members: The ILD for the vertical mem-
ber U2L2 is shown below.
ILD for diagonal member:
(1)
U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7
U1 U2 U3 U4 U5 U6 U7

L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
(1) L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
L = 61 L1
R1 R2
R2
1
(ILD for R1 ) 1
R1 ILD for R 2 / sin θ sin θ
(+)

(−)
(+)
(−)
l /6 ILD for R 2 1
ILD for R 1 / sin θ
ILD for U2U2
Rolling loads and influence lines
Procedure:
1. Cut the vertical member U2L2 under consideration as
shown above.
2. Consider the RHS of cut part when the unit load to
left of L2.

Exercises
1. For which one of the following cases is the Muller–
Breslau principle applicable to get influence line?
(A) Reaction at the ends of a simple beam. L a
(B) Bending moment at a section.
(C) Shear force at a section.
(D) Forces and moments at any section.
2. The influence line diagram for the force in member ‘a’
4 spans of ‘L’ each
of the truss shown in the figure is given by

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(A) 0.5 1.0

(C) (D)
0.354 t

C 0.707
0.5
L 3L
(B) L 3L 4 4
4 4 S
C 0.707 R
6. A simply supported beam with an overhang is traversed
by a unit concentrated moment from the left to the right
(C) as shown below:
t 0.354
Direction of motion
C M = 1 kN/m A B
0.707

(D) L L
2
0.707
The influence line for reaction at B is given by
t (A) 1
L
c
0.354
1 B
−
3. Identify the FALSE statement from the following, per- 2L
taining to the methods of structural analysis. L L
(A) Influence lines for stress resultants in beams can 2
be drawn using Muller–Breslau’s principle.
L 1
(B) The moment distribution method is a force (B)
2 L
method of analysis, not a displacement method. 1
L
(C) The principle of virtual displacements can be used to L
establish a condition of equilibrium.
(D) The substitute frame method is not applicable to (C) 1
L
frames subjects to significant side sway.
1.5 L
4. Muller–Breslau principle in structural analysis is used
(A) drawing influence line diagram for any force func- (D) zero every where.
tion.
(B) writing virtual work equation. 7. Identify, from the following, the correct value of the
(C) superposition of load effects. bending moment MA (in kN/m units) at the fixed end A
(D) None of these in the statically determinate beam shown in the figure
5. In a beam of length L, four possible influence line (with internal hinges at B and D), when a uniformly
diagrams for shear force at a section located at a dis- distributed load of 10 kN/m is placed on the spans.
(Hint: Sketching the influence line for MA or applying
L
tance of from the left end support (marked as P, Q, the principle of virtual displacements makes the solu-
4 tion easy).
R and S) are shown in the following figures. The correct
influence line diagram is A B C D E
0.75 0.6
(A) (B)

0.25 2m 2m 2m 2m
0.6
L 3L L 3L
4 4 4 4 (A) -80 (B) -40
P Q (C) 0 (D) +40

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Direction for questions 8 to 10: c. 1

A beam PQRS is 18 m long and is simply supported at P Q
points Q and R 10 m apart overhangs PQ and RS are 3 m
and 5 m respectively. A train of two point loads of 150 kN
L/2 L/2
and 100 kN, 5 m apart, crosses this beam from left to right
with 100 kN load leading. d. P 1
8. The maximum sagging moment under the 150 kN any- Q
where is
(A) 500 kN-m (B) 450 kN-m
L/2 L/2
(C) 400 kN-m (D) 375 kN-m
9. During the passage of the loads, the maximum and List II
the minimum reactions at supports ‘R’ in kN, are 1.
respectively 3
L
(A) 300 and -30 (B) 300 and -25 16
(C) 225 and -30 (D) 225 and -25
10. The maximum hogging in the beam anywhere is 2.
(A) 300 kN-m (B) 450 kN-m L
(C) 500 kN-m (D) 750 kN-m
11. Influence line for redundant structures can be obtained 3. L
by 4
(A) Castigliano’s theorem.
(B) Muller–Breslou principle.
4. 3
(C) Unit load theorem. L
16
(D) Maxwell–Betti reciprocal theorem.
12. Assertion (A): Whether it is maximum BM at a section
5. L/2
or absolute maximum BM, the moving UDL should
cover the entire span of a simple beam if span is less Codes:
than load length. a b c d a b c d
Reason (R): Whether it is maximum BM at a section (A) 2 1 3 5 (B) 3 1 4 5
or absolute maximum BM, the moving UDL should be (C) 2 5 3 4 (D) 1 3 5 4
divided by the section in the same ratio in which the 14. Which one of the following statements is correct?
section divides the span, if the span is greater than load The influence line diagram (ILD) for bending moment
length. at a section in a cantilever is a triangle extending
(A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explana- between the section and the
tion of A. (A)  fixed end with maximum ordinate under the
(B) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct expla- section.
nation of A. (B) fixed end with maximum ordinate under the fixed
(C) A is true but R is false. end.
(D) A is false but R is true. (C) unsupported end with maximum ordinate at the
13. Match List I (Beam) with List II (Influence line for BM) section.
and select the correct answer using the given codes: (D) unsupported end with maximum ordinate at the
unsupported end.
List I
15. What is the variation of influence line for stress function
a. P in a statically determinate structure?
1
Q (A) Parabolic
(B) Bilinear
L (C) Linear
(D) Uniformly rectangular
b. 1
16. What is/are the use(s) of influence lines?
P Q (A)  To study the effect of moving loads on the
L/4 structure.
(B) To calculate the value of stress function with the
L
critical load condition.

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(C) To find the position of live load for a maximum (C) 15 kN and 45 kN-m
value of particular stress function. (D) 30 kN and 15 kN-m
(D) Towards all the above purposes.
21. For a given beam, match the following.
17. Consider the beam PQRS and the influence line as w/m
shown in the figure. The influence line pertains to
P Q R S
A B

L L 2L L

1 List I List II

P Q R S a. Moment at B 1. 3
wL
8
(A) reaction of P, RP . 4EI
(B) shear force Q, VQ . b. Slope at A 2.
L
(C) shear force on left of Q, VQ− . c. Reaction of A 3. 1.5 M, where
(D) shear force on right of Q, VQ+ . wl 2
M=
18. The ordinate of the influence line diagram for bending 12
moment have dimension of _____. d. Stiffness of AB 4. ML
, where
(A) length (B) force 4EI
wl 2
(C) length/force (D) None of these M=
12
19. Muller–Breslau principle used for _____.
(A) to super impose the load effects. Codes:
(B) to draw influence line diagrams for any force func- a b c d a b c d
tion. (A) 3 4 1 2 (B) 3 2 4 1
(C) to write virtual work equation. (C) 2 1 3 4 (D) 1 2 4 3
(D) All of these 22. A pin jointed truss is loaded as shown in the figure.
20. The given figure shows a beam with its influence line Match List I (member) with List II (Force induced).
for shear force and bending moment at section ‘1’. E
10 kN
1

1 45°
30 kN D 2m
9m C
3m

A 45° B

+ 2m
0.75
− 0.25 IL for SF
List I List II
a. Member AB 1. 30 kN
2.25
b. Member AC 2. 50 kN

+ c. Member BD 3. Zero
d. Member CD 4. 10 kN
IL for BM
Codes:
The value of shear force and bending movement at sec- a b c d
tion ‘1’ due to concentrated road of 30 kN placed at (A) 3 2 1 4
mid-span will be _____. (B) 4 3 2 1
(A) 30 kN and 30 kN-m (C) 3 4 2 1
(B) 15 kN and 30 kN-m (D) 4 3 1 2

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Previous Years’ Questions

1. The influence line diagram (ILD) shown, is for the member [GATE, 2007]
P Q

R S

Tension

Compression

(A) PS       (B) RS       (C) PQ       (D) QS

Answer Keys

Exercises
1. D 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. A 6. C 7. C 8. C 9. A 10. D
11. B 12. B 13. A 14. D 15. C 16. D 17. B 18. A 19. B 20. C
21. A 22. C

Previous Years’ Questions

1. A

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