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.

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1.Easy
P = 50 kNABsection1 m5 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 1 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 6 mP = 50 kN at 1 mx = 1 m
Mx = kN·m
2.Easy
w = 8 kN/mAB5 m

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

L = 5 mw = 8 kN/m from 0 to 5 m
MA = kN·m
3.Medium
6 kN/m15 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.

15 kN @ 4 m6 kN/m, 2–6 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)
4.Medium
w = 8 kN/mABsection2 m8 m

Find the shear force Vx at the section x = 2 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 10 mw = 8 kN/m from 0 to 10 mx = 2 m
Vx = kN
5.Hard
w = 10 kN/mP = 20 kNABsection1.5 m2.5 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 1.5 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 4 mP = 20 kN at 1.5 mw = 10 kN/m from 0 to 4 mx = 1.5 m
Mx = kN·m
6.Hard
w = 4 kN/mAB2 m2 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 = 4 mw = 4 kN/m from 0 to 2 m
Mmax = kN·m

Answer key

  1. 1. Mx = 41.67 kN·m
  2. 2. MA = −100 kN·m
  3. 3. E (x = 4 m)
  4. 4. Vx = 24 kN
  5. 5. Mx = 37.5 kN·m
  6. 6. Mmax = 4.5 kN·m

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