Aircraft Structures 1

Lecture 4: Shear of Thin-Walled Beams

2023
Thin-walled Beams
Thanh/Dầm thành mỏng

• Typical aircraft structures are thin-walled:

wings, fuselage, tails

• For bending of thin-walled beams: the di erence from thick/solid

section is only the thickness

• For shear of thin-walled beams, needs further analysis:

Stress, strain and displacement general relationships

Shear stress distribution within the cross sections

Deformation due to shear

• Several assumptions need to be made

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Thin-walled Beams
Assumptions

• Axial constraint e ects are negligible

• Shear stresses normal to the beam surface may be neglected
since they are zero at each surface and the wall is thin

• Normal and shear stresses on planes normal to the beam surface

are constant across the thickness

• Beams have uniform section, with skin thickness varying around

the section but constant along length of the beam

• Ignore squares and higher powers of thickness t in the

calculation of section constants
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Stress Element
Phần tử ứng suất

• s: distance around the cross section, • Assumption: t = const on δs

references to a convenient point
• Normal stress σz: due to bending
• τsz = τzs = τ
moments or bending e ect of shear • Introduce new term Shear Flow
loads q: shear force per unit length
• Hoop stress σs: due to internal q = τt
pressure
• Shear stress τ: due to shear and • q is positive in the direction of
torsion (closed section) increasing s
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Equilibrium Equations
Equilibrium in z direction:

( ∂z ) ( ∂s )
∂σz ∂q
σz + δz tδs − σztδs + q + δs δz − qδz = 0

∂q ∂σz
+t =0
∂s ∂z
Equilibrium in s direction:

( ∂s ) ( ∂z )
∂σs ∂q
σs + δs tδz − σstδz + q + δz δs − qδs = 0

∂q ∂σs
+t =0
∂z ∂s
Strain - Displacement Relation
Quan hệ giữa Độ biến dạng và Chuyển vị
Displacement of a point on the section wall

• w: axial displacement in Cz axis

• vt: tangential displacement in xy plane,
positive with s

• vn: normal displacement in xy plane,

positive outward

Strain – displacement relation

∂w ∂vt vn
• Normal strain: εz = ∂z , εs = ∂s + r

• Shear strain: γ = ϕ1 + ϕ2
∂w ∂vt
or γ = +
∂s ∂z
Displacement of Cross-Section

Further assumptions: A cross-section

moves as a rigid body in its own plane
and exible in its normal direction
(because of the sti ened ribs)

Tangential displacement of any point

on the wall:

vt = pθ + u cos ψ + v sin ψ (*)

Rigid body move: axes move (u, v, θ);
Pure torsion: equivalent to pure rotation
about center of twist R(xR, yR)
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Displacement of Cross-Section
In case of pure rotation:

vt = pRθ ; pR = p − xR sin ψ + yR cos ψ

⇨ vt = pθ − xRθ sin ψ + yRθ cos ψ

∂vt dθ du dv
⇨ =p + cos ψ + sin ψ
∂z dz dz dz
∂vt dθ dθ dθ
From (*) =p − xR sin ψ + yR cos ψ
∂z dz dz dz
dv/dz du/dz
xR = − , yR =
dθ/dz dθ/dz
Shear of Open Section Beam
Consider a beam:

• Arbitrary open section

• No hoop stress σs = 0

• Shear loads Sx, Sy pass through shear

center: create no twist

Shear ow - normal stress relation:

Reminder:
∂q ∂σz ∂My ∂Mx
+t =0 Sx = ; Sy =
∂s ∂z ∂z ∂z
From bending theory:

∂σz (∂My /∂z)Ixx − (∂Mx /∂z)Ixy (∂Mx /∂z)Iyy − (∂My /∂z)Ixy

= x+ y
∂z Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2 Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2
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Shear of Open Section Beam
∂q ∂σz
+t =0
∂s ∂z
∂σz Sx Ixx − SyIxy SyIyy − Sx Ixy
= x+ y
∂z Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2 Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2

∂q Sx Ixx − SyIxy SyIyy − Sx Ixy

⇨ =− tx − ty
∂s Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2 Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2

∂q s Sx Ixx − SyIxy s SyIyy − Sx Ixy s

∫0 ∂s 2 ∫ 2 ∫
⇨ qs = ds = − tx ds − ty ds
Ixx Iyy − Ixy 0 I I
xx yy − Ixy 0

In case Cx or Cy is axis of symmetry

Sx s Sy s

Iyy ∫0 Ixx ∫0
qs = − tx ds − ty ds
Example
Example 17.1, p. 529
Problem:
Determine the shear ow distribution in the
thin-walled Z-section due to a shear load Sy
applied through the shear centre of the section.

Solution:
Section properties:
h 3t h 3t h 3t
Ixx = ; Iyy = ; Ixy =
3 12 8
Shear ow distribution:
qs on 1-2, 2-3, 3-4
Sx Ixx − Sy Ixy s Sy Iyy − Sx Ixy s
Ixx Iyy − Ixy ∫0 Ixx Iyy − Ixy ∫0
qs = − 2
tx ds − 2
ty ds

Sy
q12 = 3 (5.16s12 − 1.74hs1)
h
Sy
q23 = 3 (0.42h 2 + 3.42hs2 − 3.42hs22)
h
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Shear Center of Open Section Beam
Tâm trượt của mặt cắt hở

• A point through which shear loads produce

no twist
• Centre of twist when torsional loads
applied
• Any shear load may be represent by a shear
load applied through shear centre and a
torque
• Shear centre lies on the axis of symmetry if
there’s one
 Example
Example 17.2, p. 532
Problem:
Calculate the position of the shear centre of
the thin-walled channel section shown in the
gure. The thickness t of the walls is constant.

Solution:

12 ( h )
h 3t 6b
Section properties: Ixx = 1+
Shear ow distribution: apply an arbitrary
shear load Sy through the shear centre Notes:
Sy s −12Sy s In case of an unsymmetrical
Ixx ∫0 h 3(1 + 6b/h) ∫0
qs = − ty ds = y ds section, coordinate (ξs, ηs) is
Moment Equilibrium: about the mid-point of determined by applying rst Sy
the web then Sx
b
h 3b 2
∫0
Syξs = 2 q12 ds1 ⇨ ξs =
2 h(1 + 6b/h)
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Shear of Closed Section Beam
Shear ow solution is similar to that of open section except for 2 di erences:

• Sx, Sy may be applied through any point in the section

• At the origin of s, the value of shear ow is unknown
Consider a beam:

• Arbitrary closed section

• Shear loads Sx, Sy

Shear ow - normal stress relation:

∂q ∂σz
+t =0
∂s ∂z
s
∂q Sx Ixx − Sy Ixy s Sy Iyy − Sx Ixy s
∫0 ∂s Ixx Iyy − Ixy ∫0 Ixx Iyy − Ixy ∫0
⇨ ds = − tx ds − ty ds
2 2
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Shear of Closed Section Beam

• At the origin: s = 0, qs = qs,0

Sx Ixx − SyIxy s SyIyy − Sx Ixy s

2 ∫ 2 ∫
qs − qs,0 = − tx ds − ty ds
Ixx Iyy − Ixy 0 Ixx Iyy − Ixy 0

qs = qb + qs,0

• qb represents the shear ow of an open section with shear load

pass through S.C
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Shear of Closed Section Beam
Determine qb: assuming the closed section was cut →
open section → qb = shear ow in this open section

Sx Ixx − SyIxy s SyIyy − Sx Ixy s

∫0 ∫0
qb = − tx ds − ty ds
Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2 Ixx Iyy − Ixy
2

Determine qs,0: based on equilibrium between internal

moment and moment generated by shear forces.

∮ ∮ ∮
Sxη0 − Syξ0 = pq ds = pqb ds + qs,0 p ds

∮
Sxη0 − Syξ0 = pqb ds + 2Aqs,0

In case ξ0 = 0 and η0 = 0

∮
pqb ds + 2Aqs,0 = 0
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Twist of Shear Loaded Closed Section
Sự xoắn của mặt cắt kín chịu cắt/trượt

• Shear loads which are not applied through

the shear centre of a closed section beam
cause cross-sections to twist and warp

• In addition to rotation, they su er out of

plane axial displacements

• Shear ow - displacement relation:

( ∂s ∂z )
∂w ∂vt
qs = Gtγ = Gt +

qs ∂w dθ du dv
⇨ = +p + cos ψ + sin ψ
Gt ∂s dz dz dz
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Twist of Shear Loaded Closed Section
Take integration along s of the shear ow - displacement relation:
s s s AOs s dx s dy
qs ∂w dθ du dv
∫0 Gt ∫0 ∂s dz ∫0 dz ∫0 dz ∫0
ds = ds + p ds + cos ψ ds + sin ψ ds

s
qs dθ du dv
∫0 Gt
⇨ ds = (ws − w0) + 2AOs + (xs − x0) + (ys − y0)
dz dz dz
Continuing the integration completely around the cross-section:
qs dθ
∮ Gt
ds = 2A
dz
Then we have the rate of twist of closed section:

dθ 1 qs
2A ∮ Gt
= ds
dz
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Warping of Shear Loaded Closed Section
Độ vênh của mặt cắt kín chịu cắt/trượt

• The warping distribution is determine from the rate of twist and

twisting distribution:
s
qs AOs qs du dv
∫0 Gt A ∮ Gt
(ws − w0) = ds − ds − (xs − x0) − (ys − y0)
dz dz
s
qs AOs qs dθ dθ
∫0 Gt A ∮ Gt
(ws − w0) = ds − ds − yR (xs − x0) − xR (ys − y0)
dz dz
• The last two terms represents: warping about a displaced origin
• In case the origin coincides with the centre of twist R:
s
qs AOs qs
∫0 Gt A ∮ Gt
(ws − w0) = ds − ds
Warping of Shear Loaded Closed Section
Warping at the origin of s

• Symmetrical section: zero-warping occurs at the intersection of an axis

of symmetry and the wall of the section → chosen as origin of s

• Unsymmetrical section: the resulting warping distribution will have

exactly the same form as the actual distribution but will be displaced
axially by the unknown warping displacement at the origin for s

• This value may be found by referring to the torsion of closed section

beams subject to axial constraint

• In such beams, it is assumed that the normal stress distribution set up

by the constraint is directly proportional to the free warping of the
section

σ = constant × w
Warping of Shear Loaded Closed Section
Warping at the origin of s

• In case of pure torque:

∮
resultant axial load = σt ds = 0

∮ ∮
wt ds = (ws − w0)t ds = 0

• Hence, warping at the origin of s is:

∮ wst ds
w0 =
∮ t ds
Shear Center of Closed Section
Tâm trượt của mặt cắt kín

• Determine the coordinate ξs: apply shear load Sy

through S → Calculate the shear ow due to Sy
→ Equate the internal and external moments

• Determine qs,0: based on zero-twist condition

dθ 1 qs No twist qs
2A ∮ Gt ∮ Gt
= ds 0= ds
dz

1
∮ Gt
0= (qb + qs,0) ds

∮ qb ds
If Gt = const qs,0 = −
∮ ds
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Example
Example 17.3, p. 518
Problem:
A thin-walled closed section beam has the
singly symmetrical cross-section shown in the
Figure. Each wall of the section is at and has
the same thickness t and shear modulus G.
Calculate the distance of the shear centre from
point 4.

Sy s

Ixx ∫0
Solution: qs =− ty ds + qs,0

Section properties:

∫41,12
Ixx = 2 y 2 d A = 1152a 3t
Moment equilibrium about point 2:
Shear ow distribution qb: 10a

∫0
qb,41, qb,12; qb,23 and qb,34 follow from Sy(ξs + 9a) = 2 q4117a sin θ ds1
symmetry
⇨ ξs = − 3.35a
Shear ow at origin of s: qs,0
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Example

• Determine the shear ow, shear centre and warping

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Torsion of Closed Thin-Walled Beam
Sự xoắn của thanh thành mỏng mặt cắt kín

Consider a beam:

• Arbitrary closed section

• Subjected to a pure torque T
• No axial constraint, no normal stress
From shear - normal stress relation:

∂q ∂σz ∂q
+t =0 ⇨ =0
∂s ∂z ∂s
q = const
∂q ∂σs ∂q
+t =0 ⇨ =0
∂z ∂s ∂z

The shear ow q is constant but the shear stress τ may be varied with s
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Torsion of Closed Thin-Walled Beam

Internal and external torque equilibrium:

∮
T= pq ds

∮
q = const p ds = 2A

T
q= Bredt-Batho formula
2A

Question: What will happen if O is positioned outside of the cross section?

Note the sign convention.
Torsion of Closed Thin-Walled Beam
Twist and Warping

Rate of twist:

dθ 1 qs Substituting q dθ T ds
2A ∮ Gt 4A 2 ∮ Gt
= ds =
dz dz

Warping:

2A ( δ A )
s
qs AOs qs Tδ δOs AOs
∫0 Gt A ∮ Gt
(ws − w0) = ds − ds (ws − w0) = −

s
ds ds
∮ Gt ∫0 Gt
where δ = and δOs =
Example
Example 18.1, p. 530
Problem:
A thin-walled circular section beam has a diameter of 200 mm and is 2 m long; it is rmly
restrained against rotation at each end. A concentrated torque of 30 kN.m is applied to the
beam at its mid-span point. If the maximum shear stress in the beam is limited to 200 N/
mm2 and the maximum angle of twist to 20, calculate the minimum thickness of the beam
walls. Take G = 25 000 N/mm2.

Solution:
Determine Tmax: internal torque diagram
Determine tmin based on Tmax:
Determine tmin based on twisting constraint: θmax = 2o
dθ T ds
4A 2 ∮ Gt
=
dz
Integrating along Oz for half of the length of the beam
T 200π
θ= × + C1
4A G2 tmin Ans: tmin = 2.7 mm

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