Point Load vs UDL: Same Load, Different Bending Moment? | SFD & BMD Explained

Same total load and same support reactions… so why are the shear force and bending moment diagrams different? Point load vs uniformly distributed load (UDL) on a simply supported beam, explained simply for civil and structural engineers. In this lesson, we compare a centred point load with a UDL on the same 4 m simply supported beam. You'll follow the load path, watch the shear force diagram (SFD) and bending moment diagram (BMD) develop, compare the moment 1 m from the support, and see how the loading shape changes beam deflection and the tension reinforcement. Chapters: 00:00 Two beams, same load? 00:17 Point load and slab load 00:42 Same or different? 01:00 Real joints and ideal supports 01:22 Isolate the beam 01:29 Point-load shear and moment 02:17 Uniformly distributed load 02:53 Shared-scale comparison 03:23 Reinforcement and deflection 04:23 Check by analysis before designing Assumptions: ideal pin and roller supports, static vertical loads, beam self-weight excluded. Teaching idealisations only; real concrete joints have partial restraint. Not a substitute for project-specific analysis or design. General design guidance — verify for your project. #civilengineering #structuralengineering #bendingmoment #shearforce #UDL