Internal forces in structural members2D
Movable section cut
Expose and verify normal force, shear force, and bending moment using independent isolated-body calculations.
Open the complete lessonInteractive engineering simulation
Movable Section-Cut Explorer
Solve the left and right free bodies independently and compare N, V, and M.
Tension-positive N · sagging-positive M
Sign convention: positive tension. On the left cut face, positive shear acts downward and positive moment counterclockwise; arrows reverse on the right face. Downward distributed load is positive, so and .
Load w(x)0.00 kN/m
Shear V(x)-4.35 kN
Moment M(x)58.23 kN·m
Left N
-0.00 kN
Left V
-4.35 kN
Left M
58.23 kN·m
Right N
0.00 kN
Right V
-4.36 kN
Right M
58.23 kN·m
Independent consistency error
3.55e-15
Cursor shear
-4.35 kN
Cursor moment
60.40 kN·m
Left reaction
15.65 kN
Right reaction
20.56 kN
Maximum moment
62.58 kN·m at 4.00 m
Zero-shear locations
None
Piecewise shear equation
V(x)=15.645⟨x-0.00⟩⁰ + 20.555⟨x-10.00⟩⁰ - 20.000⟨x-4.00⟩⁰ - 3.600⟨x-5.50⟩¹ + 3.600⟨x-10.00⟩¹
Piecewise moment equation
M(x)=15.645⟨x-0.00⟩¹ + 20.555⟨x-10.00⟩¹ - 20.000⟨x-4.00⟩¹ - 1.800⟨x-5.50⟩² + 1.800⟨x-10.00⟩²
Model scope and verification
Use the displayed units and idealizations, then verify the governing balance or compatibility equation before interpreting the result.