Bi-Axial Bending

1 Bi-Axial Bending
Bi-Axial moment of the beams occurs when the bending moment is applied around the Non principal axis
or the section has Non zero product moment of area around the axis about which the bending moment is
applied.

Consider Longitudinal Strain

Figure 1: (a) Bending around x-y plane and x-z plane.

Consider Bending in x-y plane

(Ry +y)δθ1 −Ry .δθ1 y
Longitudinal stress at a distance y from the neutral axis = Ry δθ1 = Ry
Note: The direction of the strain is parallel to x axis.

Consider Bending in x-z plane

(Rz +z)δθ2 −Ry .δθ2 z
Longitudinal stress at a distance y from the neutral axis = Rz δθ2 = Rz
Note: The direction of the strain is parallel to x axis.

1
 Bi-Axial Bending

Total longitudinal strain at point (y,z )

y z
= + (1)
Ry Rz

thus
Total longitudinal stress at point (y,z )
y z
σ =E×[ + ] (2)
Ry Rz

From that we can deduce the equation of neutral axis by equating the σ to 0.

y z
[ + ]=0 (3)
Ry Rz
Ry
y=− z
Rz

Equation 1 gives the stress distribution over a particular cross section for values of y,z.

Consider the equilibrium of an arbitrary cross section perpendicular to x axis

Figure 2: (a) An arbitrary cross section perpendicular to x axis and force acting on a dA.

Moment about Z axis

Z
Mz = σ × dA × y (4)
A
Z
y z
Mz = E×[ + ] × dA × y
A R y R z

y2
Z
yz
Mz = E × [ dA + dA]
A Ry Rz
Mz Izz Iyz
=[ + ] (5)
E Ry Rz

Moment about y axis

Z
My = σ × dA × z (6)
A
Z
y z
Mz = E×[ + ] × dA × z
A R y R z

z2
Z
yz
My = E × [ dA + dA]
A Ry Rz
Iyz Iyy
[ + ]=0 (7)
Ry Rz

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 Bi-Axial Bending

For equilibrium
R
Resultant force in x direction = A
σ × dA
Z
My = σ × dA × z (8)
A
Z
y z
= E×[ + ] × dA
A Ry Rz
Since there is no moment about y axis
Aȳ Az̄
[ + ]=0
Ry Rz

ȳ z̄
[ + ]=0 (9)
Ry Rz

Note: Since the co-ordinates of the centroid satisfy the equation 3, It is proved that the Neutral axis passes
through the centroid of the system.

Method of solution

1 1
• From equation 5 and 7 determine Ry & Rz

• From equation2, σ = E × [ Ryy + z

Rz ], σ at any point (y,z) can be obtained

Iyy
Note: In special case where Iyz = 0 from equation 7 Rz = 0, Rz = ∞ since Iyy 6= 0.
··· No bending in x-z plane

Example - 01
A cantilever angle of length 1.2 m carries a vertical load of 10 kN at outer end. The line of action being parallel
to the vertical leg of the section such that there is no twisting takes place. The cross section of the section is
shown in figure. Find the maximum bending stresses in the cantilever. Find also the inclination of neutral axis.
Young’s modulus pf steel is 205 kN/mm2

Solution
Maximum bending moment = 10 kN ×1.2 m = 12 kNm
From equation 7

4777328 2826724
0= +
Rz Ry
2826724 4777328
=−
Ry Rz
2826724
Ry = − Rz
4777328
From equation 5

1.2 × 107 Nmm 4777328 2826724

2
= +
205000 N/mm Ry Rz
1.2 × 107 Nmm 4777328 2826724
2
= 2826724 +
205000 N/mm − 4777328 Rz Rz

1.2 × 107 Nmm 47773282 2826724

= − +
205000 N/mm2 2826724Rz Rz

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 Bi-Axial Bending

1.2 × 107 Nmm 47773282 2826724

2
= − +
205000 N/mm 2826724Rz Rz

1.2 × 107 Nmm 47773282 2826724

2
=− +
205000 N/mm 2826724Rz Rz
Rz = −89.6m
There fore
2826724
Ry = − −89.6m
4777328
Ry = 53.016m

Figure 3: Cross sectional property of the cantilever beam

Note
Point ’T’ and Point ’D’ are located far away from the neutral axis and point T and Point C experience Tension

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 Bi-Axial Bending

and Compression respectively. This can be deduced from the signs of radii Ry and Rz

From equation 2
Stress at ‘T’
(127 − 90.46) mm −36.54 mm
σ = 205000 N/mm2 × [ + ]
53016 mm −89600 mm

σ = 224.89 N/mm2

From equation 2
Stress at ‘C’
(−90.46) mm −23.54 mm
σ = 205000 N/mm2 × [ + ]
53016 mm −89600 mm

σ = −295.92 N/mm2

There fore the maximum stress is 295.92 N/mm2

The inclination of the neutral axis

Ry
y=− z
Rz
53016
y=− z
−89600
y = 0.5916z
θ = tan−1 (0.5916)
θ = 30.61o meauredfromzaxis

Alternative Approach to Bending About Non-Principal Axes

Figure 4: Super position of Stresses

σ1 ,σ2 can be found using simple bending formula
By principal of super position σ=σ1 +σ2
Note: This method is useful for sections when principal axes can be identified easily. i.e For sections with axes
of symmetry.

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 Bi-Axial Bending

Figure 5: Super position of Stresses

Example - 02
A rectangular beam with dimensions of 30mm × 40mm is subjected to a bending moment of 100 Nm about a
diagonal of its cross section.
(i) Find the neutral axis.
(ii) Find the maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the beam.

Figure 6: Super position of Stresses

1
Izz = × 30 × 403 = 160, 000mm4
12
1
Iyy = × 30 × 403 = 90, 000mm4
12
Note: To obtain a general expression for σ at a point (y,z), we must consider this point in positive quadrant of
yz. The tension is considered to be positive.
To obtain
Mz My
σ= ×y− ×z
Izz Iyy

60 × 103 80 × 103
σ= × y − ×z
16 × 104 9 × 104
To obtain the equation for neutral axis, the stress σ is made zero. which implies

3 8
×y− ×z =0
8 9

64
y= ×z
27

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 Bi-Axial Bending

Maximum tensile stress occurs at A; y=20 mm, z= -15mm

3 × 20 mm 8 × (−15 mm
σ= − = 20.83N/mm2
8 9

Maximum compressive stress occurs at B; y=-20 mm, z= 15mm

3 × (−20) mm 8 × (15 mm
σ= − = −20.83N/mm2
8 9

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