Shear force & bending moment worksheet with answers

Free printable Shear force & bending moment worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

For teachers: free to print, copy and use in class. Every new worksheet has new values and its own answer key. A link to ExamProblems on your course page is appreciated.

Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy
P = 15 kNABsection8 m2 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 8 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 10 mP = 15 kN at 8 mx = 8 m
Mx = kN·m
2.Easy
30 kNABCDEFG1 m1 m1 m1 m1 m1 m

The marks A to G split the beam into six equal parts. At which mark is the bending moment largest in size, sagging or hogging? Click it in the diagram.

30 kN @ 5 m
  1. 1A (x = 0 m)
  2. 2B (x = 1 m)
  3. 3C (x = 2 m)
  4. 4D (x = 3 m)
  5. 5E (x = 4 m)
  6. 6F (x = 5 m)
  7. 7G (x = 6 m)
3.Medium
w = 6 kN/mABsection0.5 m5.5 m

Find the shear force Vx at the section x = 0.5 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 6 mw = 6 kN/m from 0 to 6 mx = 0.5 m
Vx = kN
4.Medium
w = 8 kN/mP = 25 kNAB1 m1 m

The cantilever is fixed at A. It carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole length and a point load P at 1 m from A. Find the bending moment MA at the fixed support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 2 mP = 25 kN at 1 mw = 8 kN/m from 0 to 2 m
MA = kN·m
5.Hard
w = 2 kN/mP = 30 kNABsection5 m3.5 m1.5 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 8.5 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 10 mP = 30 kN at 5 mw = 2 kN/m from 0 to 10 mx = 8.5 m
Mx = kN·m
6.Hard
w = 16 kN/mAB2 m6 m

The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load over part of its span. Find the maximum bending moment Mmax in the beam.

L = 8 mw = 16 kN/m from 0 to 2 m
Mmax = kN·m

Answer key

  1. 1. Mx = 24 kN·m
  2. 2. A (x = 0 m)
  3. 3. Vx = 15 kN
  4. 4. MA = −41 kN·m
  5. 5. Mx = 35.25 kN·m
  6. 6. Mmax = 24.5 kN·m

Full step-by-step solutions: practise this topic on examproblems.com.