CHAPTER 5: STRESSES IN BEAMS PROCEDURES FOR DETERMINING BENDING STRESSES

INTRODUCTION: STRESS AT A GIVEN POINT:

In previous chapters, we considered stresses in bars caused by axial loading and torsion. Here  Use the method of sections to determine the bending moment M
we introduce the third fundamental loading: BENDING.  Determine the location of the neutral axis
 Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis
BENDING STRESS  Determine the y-coordinate of the given point
The stresses caused by the bending moment are known as bending stresses, or flexure  Compute the bending stress
stresses. The relationship between these stresses and the bending moment is called the flexure
formula. In deriving the flexure formula, we make the following assumptions: MAXIMUM BENDING STRESS: SYMMETRIC CROSS SECTION
 The beam has an axial plane of symmetry, which we take to be the xy-plane (see Figure If the neutral axis is an axis of symmetry of the cross section, the maximum tensile and
below). compressive bending stresses in the beam are equal in magnitude and occur at the section of
the largest bending moment.

PROCEDURE:
 Draw the bending moment diagram
 Identify the bending moment Mmax that has the largest magnitude
 Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis.
 Calculate the maximum bending stress

 The applied loads such as F1, F2, and F3 in the figure lie in the plane of symmetry and TENSILE AND COMPRESSIVE BENDING STRESSES: UNSYMMETRICAL CROSS SECTION
are perpendicular to the axis of the beam (the x-axis). If the neutral axis is not an axis of symmetry of the cross section, the maximum tensile and
 The axis of the beam bends but does not stretch (the axis lies somewhere in the plane compressive bending stresses may occur at different sections.
of symmetry; its location will be determined later). Procedure:
 Plane sections of the beam remain plane (do not warp) and perpendicular to the  Draw the bending moment
deformed axis of the beam.  Identify the largest positive and negative bending moments
 Changes in the cross-sectional dimensions of the beam are negligible.  Determine the location of the neutral axis and record the distances c top and cbot from the
neutral axis to the top and bottom of the cross section
FLEXURE FORMULA; SECTION MODULUS
 Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross section about the neutral axis
Where: M = bending moment  Calculate the bending stresses at the top and bottom of the cross section with the largest
y = distance of fiber from the neutral axis positive bending moment. Repeat the calculations for the section with the largest
I =centroidal moment of inertia
negative bending moment
Maximum Flexural Stress:
 Inspect the four stresses thus computed to determine the largest tensile (positive) and
Where: c = distance from the neutral axis
compressive (negative) bending stresses in the beam.
or to the outermost fiber
S = section modulus
= I/c
SAMPLE PROBLEM #1 SAMPLE PROBLEM #2
The simply supported beam in the figure shown has a rectangular cross section. Compute the The simply supported beam in the figure shown has the T-shaped cross section shown.
maximum bending stress in the beam. Compute the bending stress at a point on section B that Determine the values and locations of the maximum tensile and compressive bending stresses.
is 25 mm below the top of the beam.
SAMPLE PROBLEM #3 SAMPLE PROBLEM #4
A wood beam carries the loading shown in the figure. Determine the smallest allowable width b of the Determine the maximum tensile and compressive bending stresses in the beam shown.
beam if the working stress in bending is 10 MPa.
SHEAR STRESS SAMPLE PROBLEM #5
If a beam were composed of many thin layers placed on one another, bending would produce the The simply supported wood beam in the figure shown is fabricated by gluing together three 160-
effect as shown. mm by 80-mm planks as shown. Calculate the maximum shear stress in (1) the glue; and (2) the
wood.

The separate layers would slide past one another, and the total bending strength of the beam
would be the sum of the strengths of the individual layers. Such a built-up beam would be
considerably weaker than a solid beam of equivalent dimensions.

HORIZONTAL SHEARING STRESS

Where: V = vertical shear

Q= static moment of area
= Ay
I = centroidal moment of inertia
b = width of cutting edge

RECTANGULAR SECTIONS:

PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF SHEAR STRESS

 Use equilibrium analysis to determine the vertical shear force V acting on the cross
section containing the specified point (the construction of a shear force diagram is usually
a good idea)
 Locate the neutral axis and compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area
about the neutral axis.
 Compute the first moment Q of the cross-sectional area that lies above (or below) the
specified point
 Calculate the shear stress from  = VQ/Ib
SAMPLE PROBLEM #6 SAMPLE PROBLEM #7
The manufactured wood beam carries the concentrated loads shown. What is the maximum safe The box beam in the figure shown supports the concentrated loads 2P and P. Compute the
value of P if the working stress in shear is 6 MPa? maximum allowable value of P if the working stresses in bending and shear are w = 1000 psi
and w = 100 psi, respectively.

DESIGN FOR FLEXURE AND SHEAR

We now explore the design of beams that satisfy the prescribed design criteria for both
bending and shear. In general, bending stress governs the design of long beams, whereas shear
stress is critical in short beams.
The most direct method for satisfying both design criteria is to perform two separate
computations: one based on the bending stress criterion and the other on the shear stress
criterion. Examination of the results will then reveal which of the designs satisfies both criteria.
SAMPLE PROBLEM #6 ASSIGNMENT
The cast iron inverted T-section supports two concentrated loads of magnitude P. The working Prob.1
stresses are 48 MPa in tension, 140 MPa in compression, and 30 MPa in shear. (a) Show that Draw the shear and bending-moment
the neutral axis of the cross section is located at d = 48.75 mm and that the moment of inertia of diagrams for the beam and loading
the cross-sectional area about this axis is I = 11.918 x 106 mm4. (b) Find the maximum allowable shown and determine the maximum
value of P. normal stress due to bending.

Prob.2
Determine the largest permissible value of
P for the beam and loading shown, knowing
that the allowable normal stress is +10 ksi
in tension and -20 ksi in compression.

Prob.3
For the beam and loading
shown, consider section n-n and
determine (a) the largest
shearing stress in that section,
(b) the shearing stress at point a.

Prob.4
For the beam and loading shown, consider section n-n and determine the shearing stress at (a)
point a, (b) point b.