SME
Structural Analysis · Problem type
Where to put live load on a continuous beam
Use this for “Three equal 5 m spans: where should 12 kN/m of live load go for the most moment at the middle of span 2?”
Explore
Put a hinge at C and turn the two sides by one unit: the beam bends into the influence line for MC.
It is positive only over span 2, with 0.875 m at C, so load span 2 alone: MC = 22.5 kN·m.
Assumptions
•
Three equal spans on a pin and rollers; EI is the same throughout.
•
Müller-Breslau: release the quantity and bend the beam by one unit there; that shape is its influence line.
•
Live load goes where the line has the sign you want; its effect is w times the area under it there.
Topic check
See what you know: 5 questions on this topic
New questions each time. Pass to mark it complete.