FACULTY OF ENGINEERING

1
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS
STL470S / STL471S

Continuous Beams
Lecture Slides – Shigley, Hearn, Pytel & Kiusalaas
Lecture #1

Lecturer:

TZ Ngewana

2024
STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1
Mr TZ NGEWANA
 1.0 CONTINUOUS BEAMS 2

 What are continuous beams?

 When a beam is supported on more than two supports it is termed
a continuous beam.
 In cases such as these, it is not possible to determine directly, the
reactions at the three or more supports by the normal equations of
static equilibrium since there are too many unknowns.
 An extension of Mohr’s area-moment method is therefore used
to obtain a relationship between the bending moments (B.M.s) at
the supports, from which the reaction values can then be
determined and the B.M. and S.F. diagrams drawn.
 See the examples of continuous beams below

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
1.2 EXAMPLES OF CONTINUOUS BEAMS 3

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
1.2 EXAMPLES OF CONTINUOUS BEAMS (CONT.) 4

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
 1.3 THE 3-MOMENT EQUATION (Clapeyron equation) FOR
5
CONTINUOUS BEAMS

 Consider the beam shown

in Fig. 1.1
• The areas A1 and A2 , are
the “free” B.M. diagrams,
treating the beam as
simply supported over two
separate spans L1 and L2.
• In general, the B.M.s at
the three supports will not
be zero as this diagram
suggests, but will have
some values M1, M2 and
M3 .
• Thus, a Fixing-moment
diagram must be
introduced as shown, the
actual B.M. diagram then
being the algebraic sum of
the two diagrams.

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
1.3 THE 3-MOMENT EQUATION (Clapeyron equation) FOR
6
CONTINUOUS BEAMS (CONT.)

The bottom figure 1.1 shows the deflected position of the

beam, the deflections δ1 and δ2 being relative to the left-
hand support. If a tangent is drawn at the centre support
then the intercepts at the end of each span are z1 and z2 and
θ is the slope of the tangent, and hence the beam, at the
centre support.
Now, assuming deflections are small,
𝑧𝑧1 + 𝛿𝛿1 𝑧𝑧2 + 𝛿𝛿2 −𝛿𝛿1
𝜃𝜃 𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = =
𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2
𝑧𝑧1 𝛿𝛿1 𝑧𝑧2 (𝛿𝛿2 −𝛿𝛿1 )
+ = +
𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿2

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
 1.3 THE 3-MOMENT EQUATION (Clapeyron equation) FOR
7
CONTINUOUS BEAMS (CONT.)
But from Mohr’s area-moment method,
𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥̅
𝑧𝑧 =
𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸
where A is the area of the B.M. diagram over the span to which z refers.
Please note 𝐴𝐴𝑥𝑥̅ = 𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅1 + 𝐴𝐴2 𝑥𝑥̅2 + ⋯ + 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥̅𝑛𝑛

1 𝑀𝑀1 𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿1 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿1 2𝐿𝐿1

𝑧𝑧1 = − 𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅1 + × + ×
𝐸𝐸𝐼𝐼1 2 3 2 3
1 𝑀𝑀1 𝐿𝐿21 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿21
𝑧𝑧1 = − 𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥̅ + +
𝐸𝐸𝐼𝐼1 1 1 6 3

1 𝑀𝑀3 𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿2 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿2 2𝐿𝐿2

𝑧𝑧2 = 𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥̅ + × + ×
𝐸𝐸𝐼𝐼2 2 2 2 3 2 3

1 𝑀𝑀3 𝐿𝐿22 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿22

𝑧𝑧2 = 𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥̅ + +
𝐸𝐸𝐼𝐼2 2 2 6 3
STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1
Mr TZ NGEWANA
 1.3 THE 3-MOMENT EQUATION (Clapeyron equation) FOR
8
CONTINUOUS BEAMS (CONT.)
N.B. - Since the intercepts are in opposite directions, they are of opposite sign.

𝑀𝑀1 𝐿𝐿21 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿21 𝑀𝑀3 𝐿𝐿22 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿22

𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅1 + 6 + 3 𝐴𝐴2 𝑥𝑥̅2 + 6 + 3
𝛿𝛿1 (𝛿𝛿 2 − 𝛿𝛿1 �
− + = +
𝐸𝐸𝐼𝐼1 𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿1 𝐸𝐸𝐼𝐼2 𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿2

𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅1 𝑀𝑀1 𝐿𝐿1 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿1 𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸1 𝐴𝐴2 𝑥𝑥̅2 𝑀𝑀3 𝐿𝐿2 𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿2 𝐸𝐸(𝛿𝛿2 −𝛿𝛿1 )
− − − + = + + +
𝐼𝐼1 𝐿𝐿1 6𝐼𝐼1 3𝐼𝐼1 𝐿𝐿1 𝐼𝐼2 𝐿𝐿2 6𝐼𝐼2 3𝐼𝐼2 𝐿𝐿2

𝑴𝑴𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 𝑴𝑴𝟑𝟑 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 𝑨𝑨𝟏𝟏 �

𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨𝟐𝟐 �
𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 (𝜹𝜹𝟐𝟐 −𝜹𝜹𝟏𝟏 ) 𝜹𝜹𝟏𝟏
− − 𝟐𝟐𝑴𝑴𝟐𝟐 + − = 𝟔𝟔 + + 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 − ...... (1.1)
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏

This is the full three-moment equation; it can be greatly simplified if the beam is
uniform, i.e. I1 = I2 = I as follows

𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅ 1 𝐴𝐴2 𝑥𝑥̅ 2 (𝛿𝛿2 −𝛿𝛿1 ) 𝛿𝛿1

−𝑀𝑀1 𝐿𝐿1 − 2𝑀𝑀2 𝐿𝐿1 + 𝐿𝐿2 − 𝑀𝑀3 𝐿𝐿2 = 6 + + 6𝐸𝐸 − … (1.2)
𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿2 𝐿𝐿1

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
 1.3 THE 3-MOMENT EQUATION (Clapeyron equation) FOR
9
CONTINUOUS BEAMS (CONT.)

If the beam is uniform, I1 = I2 = I and supports are on the same level, i.e. δ1 =
δ2 = 0
𝑨𝑨𝟏𝟏 �
𝒙𝒙𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨𝟐𝟐 �
𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐
−𝑴𝑴𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 − 𝟐𝟐𝑴𝑴𝟐𝟐 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 + 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 − 𝑴𝑴𝟑𝟑 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 = 𝟔𝟔 + ….. (1.3)
𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐

If supports 1,2 &3 are renamed supports A, B & C the equation becomes

�𝟏𝟏 𝑨𝑨𝟐𝟐 𝒙𝒙
𝑨𝑨𝟏𝟏 𝒙𝒙 �𝟐𝟐
−𝑴𝑴𝑨𝑨 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 − 𝟐𝟐𝑴𝑴𝑩𝑩 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 + 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 − 𝑴𝑴𝑪𝑪 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐 = 𝟔𝟔 +
𝑰𝑰𝟏𝟏 𝑳𝑳𝟏𝟏 𝑰𝑰𝟐𝟐 𝑳𝑳𝟐𝟐

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

Mr TZ NGEWANA
 CONTINUOUS BEAMS : EXAMPLES 10

 Example 1.1
 Calculate the magnitude of the forces in the reactions of the
beam shown in figure 1.1 (a).

Figure 1.1
STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1
Mr TZ NGEWANA
 CONTINUOUS BEAMS : Example 1.1 Solution 11

• Draw the “free” bending moment diagrams for the spans AB, BC &
CD as if they were simply supported.
• Draw the “fixing” bending moment diagram of MA , MB , Mc and MD.
• Take note that MA = MB = 0. This implies only two unknowns viz. MB &
MC . Therefore, we need only two equations from spans AB & BC and
BC & CD.
• Spans AB & BC
𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅ 1 𝐴𝐴2 𝑥𝑥̅ 2
• −𝑀𝑀𝐴𝐴 𝐿𝐿1 − 2𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 𝐿𝐿1 + 𝐿𝐿2 − 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 𝐿𝐿2 = 6 +
𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2
1 2 1 1 2
−2∗2∗4∗3∗2+2∗2∗4∗ 2+3∗2 ∗4∗4∗2
• −0 − 2𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 4 + 4 − 4𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = 6 + 3
4 4
• −16𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 − 4𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = 40 …………………..(1)
• Spans BC & CD
2 1 1 1 2
∗4∗4∗2 ∗1∗4 2+3∗1 +2∗2∗4∗3∗2
• −4𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 − 2𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 4 + 3 − 3𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐷 = 6 3
+ 2
4 3
• −4𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 − 14𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = 52 …………………(2)
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 CONTINUOUS BEAMS : Example 1.1 Solution (cont.) 12

• The equations can be represented in matrix format as AX = B

• The solution is X=A-1B
−16 −4 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 40
• = → 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 = −1.69 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘; 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐 = −3.23 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
−4 −14 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 52
• Reaction Forces
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 = −1.69 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 4𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 + 8 → 𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 = −2.42 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = −3.23 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 3𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷 − 6 ∗ 1 → 𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷 = 0.92 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = −3.23 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 8𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 + 4𝑅𝑅𝐵𝐵 + 8 − 2 ∗ 4 ∗ 2 = 8 ∗ −2.42 + 4𝑅𝑅𝐵𝐵 + 8 − 16
• → 𝑅𝑅𝐵𝐵 = 6.03 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 = −1.69 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 7𝑅𝑅𝐷𝐷 + 4𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 − 6 ∗ 5 − 2 ∗ 4 ∗ 2 = 7 ∗ 0.92 + 4𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 − 30 − 16
• → 𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 = 9.47 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
Check !! Upward forces = Downward forces
-2.42+6.03+9.47+0.92 = 2*4 +6
14 = 14

STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1

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 CONTINUOUS BEAMS : Example 1.2 Solution 13

• Example 1.2
• A uniform continuous beam ABC is built-in at C; as shown in
• figure 1.2(a). Determine the reactions at the supports and the
• position of the point of contra-flexure nearest to the left-hand side
• of the beam.

Figure 1.2
STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1
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 CONTINUOUS BEAMS : Example 1.2 Solution (cont.) 14

• Draw the “free” bending moment diagrams for the spans AB & BC as if they
were simply supported.
• Draw the “fixing” bending moment diagram of MA , MB and MC
• Take note that MA = -10 kN/m*1 m*0.5 m = -5 KNm.
• ∴ There are now only two unknown moments, at B and C, viz. MB & MC . In the
case of a built-in end, such as at point C, we extend the beam an· imaginary
distance (equal to zero) to a point D where there is a reaction with zero force.
• Since there are only two unknowns MB & MC , therefore we need only two
equations from spans AB & BC and BC & CD.
• Spans AB & BC
𝐴𝐴1 𝑥𝑥̅ 1 𝐴𝐴2 𝑥𝑥̅ 2
• −𝑀𝑀𝐴𝐴 𝐿𝐿1 − 2𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 𝐿𝐿1 + 𝐿𝐿2 − 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 𝐿𝐿2 = 6 +
𝐿𝐿1 𝐿𝐿2
2 1 1 1 2
∗3∗11.25∗1.5 [2∗2∗10 1+3∗2 +2∗1∗10∗3∗1]
• −3𝑀𝑀𝐴𝐴 − 2𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 3 + 3 − 3𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = 6 3
3
+ 3
• −12𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 − 3𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = 92.5 …………………..(1)
• Spans BC & CD
1 2 1 1
∗2∗10∗3∗2+2∗1∗10∗(2+3∗1)
• −3𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 − 2𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 3 + 0 − 0 ∗ 𝑀𝑀𝐷𝐷 = 6 2
3
+0
• −3𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 − 6𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = 50 …………………(2)
STL471S/ STL470SS – 2024 Semester 1
Mr TZ NGEWANA
 CONTINUOUS BEAMS : Example 1.2 Solution (cont.) 15

• The equations can be represented in matrix format as AX = B

• The solution is X=A-1B
−12 −3 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 92.5
• = → 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 = −6.43 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘; 𝑀𝑀𝑐𝑐 = −5.12 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
−3 −6 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 50
• Reaction Forces
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 = −6.43 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 3𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 − 10 ∗ 4 ∗ 2 → 𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 = 24.52 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐶𝐶 = −5.12 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 3𝑅𝑅𝐵𝐵 + 6𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 − 15 ∗ 1 − 10 ∗ 4 ∗ 5 → 𝑅𝑅𝐵𝐵 = 20.92 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
• ∑ 𝑀𝑀𝐵𝐵 = −6.43 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 = 3𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 − 15 ∗ 2 − 5.12 → 𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 = 9.56 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
Check !! Upward forces = Downward forces
𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 +𝑅𝑅𝐵𝐵 +𝑅𝑅𝐶𝐶 = 10 kN/m*4 +15 kN
24.52 + 20.92 + 9.56 = 40 + 15
55 = 55
Point of Contraflexure
𝑀𝑀𝑝𝑝 = 0 = 𝑅𝑅𝐴𝐴 𝑥𝑥 − 1 − 5𝑥𝑥 2 where 1 ≤ 𝑥𝑥 ≤ 4
−5𝑥𝑥 2 + 24.52𝑥𝑥 − 24.52 = 0
𝑥𝑥 = 1.4 𝑚𝑚 ∴ The point of contraflexure is 1.4 m from the LHS end of beam

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Derivation & Use of Formulae on a Simply supported beam
with Point load 16

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Mr TZ NGEWANA
Derivation & Use of Formulae on a Simply supported beam
with Uniformly Distributed Load
17

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Example 3 18

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Example 3: Solution 19

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Example 3: Solution (cont.) 20

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Example 3: Solution (cont.) 21

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Example 3: Solution (cont.) 22

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