An influence line for any given point or section of structure is a curve whose

ordinates represent to scale the variation of a function such as shear force,

bending moment, deflection etc at a point or section, as the unit load moves
across the structure.

Influence line for determinate structures:

(1) Simply supported beam:

I.L.D. for reactions at the supports:

Let a unit load waves from the left end A to the right end B of the beam.

As x increases, increases and decreases.

At x=0, =0, =1

At x=l, = 1, =0

Thus, I.L.D. is shown in the figure below.

Uses of an Influence Line Diagram:

1. To determine the value of the quantity for a given system of loads on
the span of the structure.
2. To determine the position of live load for the quantity to have the
maximum value and hence to compute the maximum value of the quantity.
INFLUENCE LINE DIAGRAMS:
(1) For shear force at a given section of a simply supported
girder

Let a unit load move along the span of a simply supported girder AB of span
l.

Let D be a given section.

When the unit load is between A and D,

When the unit load is between D and B

(2) For the bending moment at a given section
When the unit load is between A and D.

When ,

When ,

When the unit load is between D and B,

When ,

When ,

(3) Simply supported beam with overhanging

MULLER BRESLAU PRINCIPLE:
This principle states that if a reaction (or internal force) acts through an
imposed displacement, the corresponding displaced shape of the structure is
to some scale the influence line for force quantities only.

(4) Continuous Beams

Consider a continuous beam ABC shown in figure below. Let it be required to
obtain the influence line for the vertical reaction at A. Assume that the
support A is removed (as in fig b). Let the given beam carry unit load at a.
Let the corresponding reaction at A be . Thus after removing the support
at A, apply an external forces at A so as to maintain the beam in its
position.

Now from Beltis theorem,

This means that the ordinate of the influence line for at the point n is
obtained by dividing the deflection at n by the deflection at point a.

Thus, influence line diagram for is given by

(5) Propped Cantilever

Figure (a) below shows a propped cantilever AB fixed at A and simply
supported at B.

Let and be the reacting forces at A and B respectively.

To draw the influence line for

Remove the support B and apply unit load at any point distance x from left
support (fig b). Again apply a unit load at right end and displacements were
measured at those two points.

As deflection at B is zero, therefore,

As per Beltis Law;

Thus, we can write

Thus the ordinate of the influence line for is obtained by dividing the
deflection at any section X by the deflection at the point B due to unit load B.