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
w = 6 kN/mAB6 m

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

L = 6 mw = 6 kN/m from 0 to 6 m
Mmax = kN·m
2.Easy
P = 60 kNABsection3 m2 m

The cantilever is fixed at A and carries a point load P at its free end B. Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 3 m from the fixed support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 5 mP = 60 kN at 5 mx = 3 m
Mx = kN·m
3.Medium
w = 12 kN/mABsection6 m4 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 6 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 10 mw = 12 kN/m from 0 to 10 mx = 6 m
Mx = kN·m
4.Medium
5 kN/m25 kNABCDEFG2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 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.

25 kN @ 6 m5 kN/m, 4–10 m
  1. 1A (x = 0 m)
  2. 2B (x = 2 m)
  3. 3C (x = 4 m)
  4. 4D (x = 6 m)
  5. 5E (x = 8 m)
  6. 6F (x = 10 m)
  7. 7G (x = 12 m)
5.Hard
w = 4 kN/mAB2 m4 m4 m

The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load over part of its span. Find the distance x0 from A to the section where the bending moment is largest.

L = 10 mw = 4 kN/m from 2 to 6 m
x0 = 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. Mmax = 27 kN·m
  2. 2. Mx = −120 kN·m
  3. 3. Mx = 144 kN·m
  4. 4. D (x = 6 m)
  5. 5. x0 = 4.4 m
  6. 6. Mmax = 4.5 kN·m

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