Problem 7.25 - Graphical Methods for Shear Force & Bending Moment Diagrams

Problem Statement

A shelf is loaded with four boxes as shown. Assume W₁ = 5 lb, W₂ = 10 lb, and L = 1 ft. Determine the maximum internal shear force.

Picture of a shelf with four boxes. Box one was a weight of W1 over a distance L, box two has a weight of W2 over a distance L, box three has a weight of W3 over a distance L, and box four has a weight of W4 over a distance L. The shelf has two supports at L and 3L. — Figure 1: A shelf is loaded with four boxes.

[Problem adapted from © Kurt Gramoll CC BY NC-SA 4.0]