The procedure to calculate shear force (SF) and bending moment (BM) for a steel beam
under various loading conditions according to the Canadian Standards (CISC-
S16) involves the following steps:
1. Determine the Loading Conditions
Identify the types of loads acting on the beam:
Dead Load (DLDL): Permanent loads (self-weight of the beam, etc.).
Live Load ( LLLL): Temporary loads (traffic, furniture, etc.).
Point Loads ( PP): Concentrated forces at specific positions.
Uniformly Distributed Load ( ww): Load spread evenly along the length of the beam.
Moment (MM): Applied moments at specific locations.
2. Compute Factored Loads
Factor the loads using the Load Combinations provided in CSA S16 (aligned with CSA
S6 and CSA S136):
Common Load Combinations:
1.25DL+1.5LL1.25DL+1.5LL
1.25DL+0.4LL+1.5WL1.25DL+0.4LL+1.5WL (with wind load, WLWL)
Other combinations as needed based on specific scenarios.
3. Static Equilibrium
Calculate reaction forces at supports using static equilibrium equations:
1. Sum of Vertical Forces: ∑Fy=0∑Fy=0RA+RB−Total Loads=0RA+RB−Total Loads=0
support): ∑M=0∑M=0RA⋅L−∑(Load Magnitudes×Distances from A)=0RA⋅L−∑(Load Mag
2. Sum of Moments (about any point, typically one
nitudes×Distances from A)=0Solve for RARA and RBRB.
4. Shear Force Calculations
Shear Force at Any Section ( VxVx): Start from one end and move along the beam,
adding or subtracting forces:Vx=Reaction Force−Sum of Loads up to xVx
=Reaction Force−Sum of Loads up to x
Critical points for SF:
At supports.
At load application points.
At points where loads change (start/end of ww).
5. Bending Moment Calculations
Bending Moment at Any Section ( MxMx): Integrate the shear force or compute
directly using:Mx=(Reaction Force×Distance to Section)−(Effect of Loads)Mx
=(Reaction Force×Distance to Section)−(Effect of Loads)
Critical points for BM:
At supports.
At load application points.
Points of zero shear (maximum moment occurs here).
6. Shear and Moment Diagrams
1. Plot the Shear Force Diagram (SFD):
Use the calculated SF values along the length.
Include transitions at load changes (linear for ww, constant for PP).
2. Plot the Bending Moment Diagram (BMD):
Use the BM values and integrate shear force.
7. Design Resistance Checks
Verify that the beam satisfies CISC-S16 requirements for both bending and shear:
Mr=Fy⋅Sx/γMr=Fy⋅Sx/γ
1. Moment Resistance:
Where:
FyFy: Yield strength (MPa).
SxSx: Section modulus (mm3mm3).
γγ: Resistance factor (≈0.9≈0.9 for bending).
Ensure:
Mmax≤MrMmax≤Mr
Vr=Fy⋅Av3⋅γVr=3⋅γFy⋅Av
2. Shear Resistance:
Where:
AvAv: Shear area (mm2mm2).
FyFy: Yield strength (MPa).
Ensure:
Vmax≤VrVmax≤Vr
8. Deflection Check (Optional)
If serviceability criteria are considered:
1. Maximum Deflection:
For UDL: δmax=5wL4384EIδmax=384EI5wL4
For Point Load: δmax=PL348EIδmax=48EIPL3
2. Ensure deflection is within allowable limits ( L/240L/240 or as specified).
9. Document Results
Summarize RARA, RBRB, VmaxVmax, MmaxMmax, and check compliance.
Include the SFD and BMD for visualization.
Structure of the Template
Sheet 1: Inputs
The user will input the following data:
1. Beam Dimensions and Load Properties:
Beam length (LL) in meters.
Uniformly distributed load (ww) in kN/mkN/m.
Point load magnitudes (P1,P2,…P1,P2,…) in kNkN.
Positions of point loads (xP1,xP2,…xP1,xP2,…) in meters.
Yield strength (FyFy) in MPaMPa.
Section modulus (SxSx) in mm3mm3.
Shear area (AvAv) in mm2mm2.
2. Load Combination Factors:
Factored loads (DLDL, LLLL).
Sheet 2: Shear Force Calculations
This sheet will include:
Positions (xx) along the beam.
Reaction forces (RA,RBRA,RB), calculated using equilibrium equations.
Shear force at discrete positions:
V(x)=Reaction Force−Cumulative LoadsV(x)=Reaction Force−Cumulative Loads.
Sheet 3: Bending Moment Calculations
This sheet will calculate:
Bending moments at critical positions (x=0x=0, load points, x=Lx=L).
Maximum bending moment (MmaxMmax).
Sheet 4: Resistance Checks
This sheet verifies compliance with CISC-S16:
Moment resistance:Mr=Fy⋅Sx106⋅γMr=106⋅γFy⋅Sx
Shear resistance:Vr=Fy⋅Av3⋅γVr=3⋅γFy⋅Av
Ensure:
Mmax≤MrMmax≤Mr.
Vmax≤VrVmax≤Vr.
Sheet 5: Graphs
Shear Force Diagram (SFD): V(x)V(x) vs xx.
Bending Moment Diagram (BMD): M(x)M(x) vs xx.
Steps to Create Template
1. Define the layout and formulas in Excel.
2. Include automation for reaction forces, shear force, and bending moment calculations.
3. Add resistance checks with conditional formatting to highlight "Pass" or "Fail."
4. Generate plots for SFD and BMD.
1. Input Sheet: For beam properties, loads, and material specifications.
2. Shear Force Calculations: Automated calculations for shear at critical points.
3. Bending Moment Calculations: Bending moment evaluations at key positions.
4. Resistance Checks: Compliance with CISC-S16 standards.
