BEAMS

Shear force and bending moment of beams

2.1 Beams
A beam is a structural member resting on supports to carry vertical loads. Beams are generally
placed horizontally; the amount and extent of external load which a beam can carry depends
upon:
a. The distance between supports and the overhanging lengths from supports;
b. The type and intensity of load;
c. The type of supports; and
d. The cross-section and elasticity of the beam.

2.2 Classification of beams

1. Cantilever Beam
A Built-in or encastre' support is frequently met. The effect is to fix the direction of the
beam at the support. In order to do this the support must exert a "fixing" moment M and a
reaction R on the beam. A beam which is fixed at one end in this way is called a Cantilever.
If both ends are fixed in this way the reactions are not statically determinate. In practice, it is
not usually possible to obtain perfect fixing and the fixing moment applied will be related to
the angular movement of the support. When in doubt about the rigidity, it is safer to assume
that the beam is freely supported.

Fig. 8 Cantilever beam

2. Simply Supported Beam

It is a beam having its ends freely resting on supports.

Fig. 9 Simply supported beam

3. Overhanging Beam
A beam having one or both ends extended over supports is known as overhanging beam.

Fig. 10. (i) Overhanging at one end (ii) Overhanging at both ends

4. Propped Cantilever Beam

When a support is provided at some suitable point of a Cantilever beam, in order to resist the
deflection of the beam, it is known as propped Cantilever beam.

Fig. 11. Propped Cantilever beam

5. Fixed Beam
A beam having its both ends rigidly fixed or built0in to the supporting walls or colums is
known as fixed beam.

Fig. 12. Fixed beam

 2.3 TYPES OF LOADING
1. Point Load or Concentrated Load
These loads are usually considered to be acting at a point. Practically point load cannot be
placed on a beam. When a member is placed on a beam it covers some space or width. But for
calculation purpose, we consider the load as transmitting at the central with of the member.

Fig. 13. Concentrated load

2. Uniformly Distributed Load or U.D.L
Uniformly distributed load is one which is spread uniformly over beam so that each unit of
length is loaded with same amount of load, and are denoted by Newton/metre.

Fig. 14. UDL

3. Gradually Varying Load
If the load is spread, varying uniformly along the length of a beam, then it is called uniformly
varying load.

Fig. 15 Gradually varying load

4. Continuous Beam
A beam which rests on more than two supports is known as continuous beam. This may either be
overhanging at one or both ends.

Fig. 16. Overhanging beam

2.4. Span
Clear Span: This is the clear horizontal distance between two supports
Effective Span: This is the horizontal distance between the Centre of end bearings of support.
Effective Span = clear span + oce bearing.

Fig. 17. Effective and clear span

 2.5. Shear force
At any section in a beam carrying transverse loads the shearing force is defined as the algebraic
sum of the forces taken on either side of the section. Similarly, the bending moment at any
section is the algebraic sum of the moments of the forces about the section, again taken on either
side. In order that the shearing-force and bending-moment values calculated on either side of the
section shall have the same magnitude and sign, a convenient sign convention has to be adopted.
Shearing-force (S.F.) and bending-moment (B.M.) diagrams show the variation of these
quantities along the length of a beam for any fixed loading condition.

Fig. 18 Shear force and bending moment diagram

 Fig. 19 Loading in beams, shear force and bending moment

At every section in a beam carrying transverse loads there will be resultant forces on either side
of the section which, for equilibrium, must be equal and opposite, and whose combined action
tends to shear the section in one of the two ways. The shearing force (S.F.) at the section is
defined therefore as the algebraic sum of the forces taken on one side of the section. Which side
is chosen is purely a matter of convenience but in order that the value obtained on both sides
shall have the same magnitude and sign a convenient sign convention has to be adopted.

a. Shearing force (S.F.) sign convention

Forces upwards to the left of a section or downwards to the right of the section are positive.
Thus Fig. --a shows a positive S.F. system at X-X and Fig. ---b shows a negative S.F. system
 Fig. 20 shear force sign convection

In addition to the shear, every section of the beam will be subjected to bending, i.e. to a resultant
B.M. which is the net effect of the moments of each of the individual loads. Again, for
equilibrium, the values on either side of the section must have equal values. The bending moment
(B.M.) is defined therefore as the algebraic sum of the moments of the forces about the section,
taken on either side of the section. As for S.F., a convenient sign convention must be adopted.

b. Bending moment (B.M.) sign convention

Clockwise moments to the left and counterclockwise to the right are positive. Thus
Fig. a - shows a positive bending moment system resulting in sagging of the beam at X-X and
Fig. b- illustrates a negative B.M. system with its associated hogging beam.

Fig. 21 Bending moment sign cnvection

It should be noted that whilst the above sign conventions for S.F. and B.M. are somewhat
arbitrary and could be completely reversed, the systems chosen here are the only ones which
yield the mathematically correct signs for slopes and deflections of beams in subsequent work
and therefore are highly recommended.

c. Shearing force
The shearing force (SF) at any section of a beam represents the tendency for the portion of the
beam on one side of the section to slide or shear laterally relative to the other portion. The
diagram shows a beam carrying loads , and . It is simply supported at two points where
the reactions are R1 and R2. Assume that the beam is divided into two parts by a section XX. The
resultant of the loads and reaction acting on the left of AA is F vertically upwards, and since the
whole beam is in equilibrium, the resultant force to the right of AA must be F downwards. F is
called the Shearing Force at the section AA. It has been defined as The shearing force at any
section of a beam is the algebraic sum of the lateral components of the forces acting on either
side of the section. Where forces are neither in the lateral or axial direction they must be resolved
in the usual way and only the lateral components are used to calculate the shear force.

Fig 22 shear force through a section

d. Bending Moment
In a similar manner it can be seen that if the Bending moments (BM) of the forces to the left of
AA are clockwise, then the bending moment of the forces to the right of AA must be
anticlockwise.
Bending Moment at AA has been defined as the algebraic sum of the moments about the section
of all forces acting on either side of the section. Bending moments are considered positive when
the moment on the left portion is clockwise and on the right anticlockwise. This is referred to as
a sagging bending moment as it tends to make the beam concave upwards at AA. A negative
bending moment is termed hogging.

Fig. 23 mendinng moment through a section

Bending Stress in Beams

Bending Stress

When a beam is loaded with external loads, all the sections of the beam will experience bending
moments and shear forces. The shear forces and bending moments at various sections of the
beam can be evaluated as discussed in the earlier chapter. In this chapter, the bending and
bending stress distribution across a section will be dealt with.

Some practical applications of bending stress shall also be dealt with. These are

1. Moment carrying capacity of a section

2. Evaluation of extreme normal stresses due to bending
3. Design of beam for bending
4. Evaluation of load bearing capacity of the beam

The major stresses induced due to bending are normal stresses of tension and compression. But
the state of stress within the beam includes shear stresses due to the shear force in addition to the
major normal stresses due to bending although the former are generally of smaller order when
compared to the latter.

Simple Bending or Pure Bending

A beam or a part of it is said to be in a state of pure bending when it bends under the action of
uniform/constant bending moment, without any shear force.

Alternatively, a portion of a beam is said to be in a state of simple bending or pure bending when
the shear force over that portion is zero. In that case there is no chance of shear stress in the
beam. But, the stress that will propagate in the beam as a result will be known as normal stress.
Bending Stress in Beams

However, in practice, when a beam is subjected to transverse loads, the bending moment at a
section is accompanied by shear force. But, it is generally observed that the shear force is zero
where the bending moment is maximum. Therefore, the condition of pure bending or simple
bending is deemed to be satisfied at that section.

Examples of pure bending are –

1. Bending of simple supported beam due to end coupling (Uniform pure bending)
2. Bending of cantilever beam with end moment (Uniform pure bending)
3. Bending of the portion between two equal point loads in a simple supported beam with
two-point loading (Non-uniform pure bending)

The four point bending of the simply supported beam

Bending Stress in Beams

Theory of Simple Bending

The theory which deals with the determination of stresses at a section of a beam due to pure
bending is called theory of simple bending. In this chapter, bending of straight homogeneous
beams of uniform cross sectional area with vertical axis of symmetry shall be considered. The
application of this theory can be extended to beams with two or more different materials as well
as curved beams.

Several cross-sections of beams satisfying the above conditions are shown in the Fig. 5.

A beam of rectangular cross-section with typical loading condition is shown in the Fig. 6. Also
shown in the Fig. 7 is the three-dimensional beam with longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry,
with the cross-section symmetric about this plane. It is assumed that the loading and supports are
Bending Stress in Beams

also symmetric about this plane. With these conditions, the beam has no tendency to twist and
will undergo bending only.

A beam subjected to sagging moment is shown in the Fig. 8. The beam is imagined to be
consisting of a number of longitudinal fibres; one such fibre is is shown in colour. It is obvious
that the fibres near the upper side of the beam are compressed; hence an element in the upper
part is under compression. The fibres at the bottom side of the beam get stretched and, hence, the
elements on the lower side are subjected to tension. Somewhere in between, there will be a plane
where the fibres are subjected to neither tension nor compression. Such a plane is termed as
neutral surface or neutral plane.

In the conventional coordinate system attached to the beam in Fig. 8, x axis is the longitudinal
axis of the beam, the y axis is in the transverse direction and the longitudinal plane of symmetry
is in the x- y plane, also called the plane of bending.

Neutral Surface

The longitudinal surface of a beam under bending which experiences neither tension nor
compression is known as neutral surface. There is only one neutral surface in a beam.
Bending Stress in Beams

Neutral Axis

The line of intersection of transverse section of beam with the neutral surface is known as neutral
axis. In other words, the line of intersection of the longitudinal plane of symmetry and the neutral
surface is known as neutral axis. Neutral axis experiences no extension or contraction.
Bending Stress in Beams

Axis of beam

The intersection of the longitudinal plane of symmetry and the neutral surface is called the axis
of the beam. In other words, the line through the centroid of all the cross-sections of the beam is
known as axis of the beam.

Assumptions for theory of pure bending:

The assumptions made in the theory of simple bending are as follows:

1. The material of the beam is perfectly homogeneous (i.e. of the same kind throughout) and
isotropic (i.e. of same elastic properties in all directions).
2. The material is stressed within elastic limit and obeys Hooke's law.
3. The value of modulus of elasticity for the material is same in tension and compression.
4. The beam is subjected to pure bending and therefore bends in the form of an arc of a
circle.
5. The transverse sections, which are plane and normal to the longitudinal axis before
bending, remain plane and normal to the longitudinal axis of the beam after bending.
6. The radius of curvature of the bent axis of the beam is large compared to the dimensions
of the section of beam.
7. Each layer of the beam is free to expand or contract independently.
8. The cross-sectional area is symmetric about an axis perpendicular to the neutral axis.

Explanation of the assumptions

Bending Stress in Beams

According to assumption No. 5, plane section ABCD before bending as shown in Fig. 10 remains
plane after bending as shown by A’B’C’D’. This assumption, also known as Bernoulli’s
assumption, is perfectly valid for beams with pure bending. If there is any shear along with the
bending, the shear deformation distorts the plane and A’B’ will not remain plane. However, for
beams with smaller depth (d<1/10th span) shear deformation is small and this assumption is not
much affected. In case of deep beams, with shear forces, this assumption fails.

Assumption No. 6, the radius of curvature is large compared to depth is valid if deflections are
less than 1/10th to 1/5th of depth of beam. Therefore, the theory derived with this assumption
may be called small deflection theory.

Relationship between Bending Stress and Radius of Curvature

Consider a part of beam ABCD of length dx subjected to pure bending of bending moment M as
shown in the Fig. 11. As the beam is subjected to pure bending, it bends into a circular arc.

The topmost layer AB is contracted to A’B’. The layer PQ below it is compressed to a lesser
degree than it. The bottom most layer CD is elongated to C’D’. All other layers are subjected to
different degrees of elongation or contraction degrees depending upon their position. However,
one layer MN has not suffered any change in its length. This layer is called the neutral layer or
neutral surface.

Let dθ be the angle formed by the planes A’C’ and B’D’ and R be the radius of the neutral layer.
Consider a fibre PQ at a distance of y from the neutral layer.
Original length of the fibre, PQ = dx = Rdθ
After deformation, the length of the fibre is compressed to P’Q’.
Bending Stress in Beams

Decrease in length of the fibre PQ  PQ  P Q 

 R d  R  y  d
 y d
Let the projection of C’ A’ and D’ B’ meet at O.
Decrease in length
Strain in the fibre PQ, 
Original length
y d y
  
R d R
Let σ be the stress in the fibre PQ.

Then,  , where E is the Modulus of elasticity of the material.
E
 y
  
E R
E
  y
R
Bending Stress in Beams

Hence, the stress intensity in any fibre is proportional to the distance of the fibre from the neutral
layer.

Position of Neutral Axis

Consider a beam of arbitrary cross-section as shown in the Fig. 12. Consider an elemental are δa
at a distance y from the neutral axis. Let the bending stress on the element be σ.

Force on the elemental area   a

Force over the entire cross-section of the beam    a

E
We also know,   y
R
Substituting the value of σ, we get
E E
Force over the entire cross-section of the beam   ya   ya
R R
Since there is no axial force on the beam, from equilibrium consideration, the above axial force
should be zero.
E
Hence,
R
 ya  0
E
Since,
R
is constant for a given section, we have  yδa  0
We know, A y   yδa

Where, A is the area of cross-section of the beam.

So, Ay  0
Bending Stress in Beams

or y0

y is the distance of the centroid from the neutral axis. Hence, the neutral axis of the section
coincides with the centroid of the section. Thus, to locate the neutral axis of a section, the
centroid of the section should be determined. The line passing through the centroid, parallel to
the plane of bending is the neutral axis of the beam section.

Relationship between Moment and Radius of Curvature

Consider an elemental area δa from the neutral axis of a beam section as shown in the Fig. 13.
E
The stress on the elemental area,   y
R
E
Force on the elemental are  δa  y δa
R
Moment of resistance offered by this elemental area about the neutral axis
E  E
  y δa  y  y 2 δa
R  R
Total moment of resistance, M offered by the cross-sectional area of beam,
E 2
M  y δa
R
E
M 
R
 y 2 δa

But,  y δa is the moment of inertia I of the beam section about the neutral axis.
2

E
 M  I
R
M E

I R
 E
We have earlier seen that, 
y R
Combining the two equations, we get
M  E
  , which is known as the bending equation.
I y R
Bending Stress in Beams

Where, M = bending moment at a section,

I = moment of inertia of the beam section,
σ = stress at any layer of the beam,
y = distance of the layer from the neutral axis,
E = Young’s Modulus and
R = radius of curvature.
M and I are constants for a particular beam section. Hence, σ varies proportionally to the distance
y. So, maximum stress occurs at extreme fibres. The stress distribution will be triangular as
shown in the Fig. 13.

The formula for flexural stress derived as above applies only to cases where the material behaves
elastically. The important concepts used in deriving the flexural formula may be summed up as
follows.

11
Bending Stress in Beams

1. Strains in different layers of beam vary linearly with their distances from the neutral axis.
2. Properties of materials are used to relate strain and stress.
3. Equilibrium conditions are used to locate the neutral axis and to determine the internal
stresses.

The internal bending moment developed by the induced flexural stresses due to bending at a
section is known as moment of resistance of the section. For equilibrium of the section, the
moment of resistance of a section should be equal to or greater than the applied external moment.

Flexural rigidity:

From equation of flexure, we have

M E

I R

EI  MR

EI is known as flexural rigidity. Flexural rigidity is the measure of flexural strength of a beam
section. Higher is the flexural rigidity better is the flexural strength. It depends upon the material
as well as the geometric property of the section. Elastic modulus, E reflects the material
character and moment of inertia, I reflects the geometric characteristic

Economical section

In a beam of rectangular or circular section, the fibres near neutral axis are under-stressed
compared to those at the top and bottom. As a result, a large portion of the beam cross-section
remains under-stressed and under utilized for resisting flexure or bending.
Bending Stress in Beams


The expression M  I indicates that moment of resistance of a section can be greatly
y
increased by increasing the moment of inertia by rearranging or redistributing the area while
keeping the cross-sectional area and the depth of the beam unchanged. This can be achieved by
changing the geometry of the section so as to spread the area farther from the neutral axis.

In order to increase the moment of resistance to bending of a beam section, it is advisable to use
sections which have large area away from the neutral axis. Hence, I-section and T-sections are
preferable to rectangular section.

Sections of different geometry, (i) rectangular section and (ii) I-section of equal cross-sectional
area and same depth are shown in the Fig. 15.

Moment carrying capacity of a section:

From equation of flexure, we have

 M

y I

M
  y
I

It is obvious that bending stress is maximum on the extreme fibre at the top and bottom of the
beam where y is maximum. In design of beam, the extreme fibre stress should not be allowed to
exceed the allowable or permissible stress of the material. If  allow is the allowable stress for
bending, then for safe design

 max   allow

M
y max   allow
I

If M is taken as the maximum moment carrying capacity of the section,

M
y max   allow
I
Bending Stress in Beams

I
M   allow
y max

The moment of inertia I and the extreme fibre distance ymax are the geometrical properties of the
section. The ration of the moment of inertia and the extreme fibre distance I y max  for a given
cross-section of beam is constant and is known as section modulus (Z). Thus the moment
carrying capacity of a beam is given by

M   allowZ

If  allow in tension and compression are same, doubly symmetric section is selected. Doubly
symmetric section means a section which is symmetric about the vertical as well as neutral axis.
If  allow in tension and compression are different, un-symmetric cross-section is selected such
that the distance to the extreme fibers are nearly the same ratio as the respective allowable
stresses. In the latter case, the moment carrying capacity in tension and compression are found
separately and the smaller one is taken as the moment carrying capacity of the section.

Section Modulus of Sections of Standard Geometry

1. Rectangular section

Let us consider a rectangular section of width b and depth d as shown in the Fig. The neutral axis
coincides with the centroidal axis of the beam.

bd 3
Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, I 
12
d
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y max 
2
I bd 3 2
Section modulus, Z  
y max 12 d
Bending Stress in Beams

1 2
bd
6
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.
1
Moment of resistance, M  Z  bd 2
6
2. Hollow Rectangular section

Let us consider a hollow rectangular section of size B  D with a symmetrical opening b  d as

shown in the Fig. 17.

BD 3 bd 3
Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, I  
12 12
D
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y max 
2
I BD 3  bd 3 2
Section modulus, Z  
y max 12 D

1 BD 3  bd 3 

6 D
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.
1 ( BD 3  bd 3 )
Moment of resistance, M  Z  
6 D

3. Circular section

Let us consider a circular section of diameter d as shown in the Fig. 18.

Bending Stress in Beams

d 4
Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, I 
64
d
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y max 
2
I d 4 2
Section modulus, Z  
y max 64 d

d 3

32
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.
d 3
Moment of resistance, M  Z  
32

4. Hollow Circular section

Let us consider a hollow circular section of external and internal diameter D and d respectively
as shown in the Fig. 19.


Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, I 
64
D 4
d4 
Bending Stress in Beams

D
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y max 
2

Section modulus, Z
I
y max

64
D 4

d4 
2
D



32 D
D 4
d4 
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.

Moment of resistance, M  Z 
32 D
D 4
d4 
Design of beam for bending

Design of beam involves the determination of the size (cross-section) of the beam for given
loading condition. The maximum bending moment of the beam is determined from the loading
condition. Given the bending moment and permissible bending stress of the material of the beam,
the section modulus of the beam is determined from the expression of bending stress. Once the
section modulus is known, width and depth can easily determined assuming the depth to width
ratio.

Beam of uniform strength

In practice, a beam of uniform cross section is designed for moment of resistance same as the
maximum bending moment that the beam is supposed to carry. Hence, the material in all sections
except the section of maximum bending moment remains under-stressed and underutilized.
Although practical, such a beam is uneconomical. Ideally, a beam of varying cross-section
should be designed so that all sections attain the maximum permissible stress simultaneously. A
beam in which permissible stress at all sections is reached simultaneously under a given loading,
is called a beam of uniform strength.

A beam of uniform strength can be obtained in different ways

a) By varying the width of beam and keeping the depth constant

b) By varying the depth of beam and keeping the width constant
c) By varying both width and depth

By varying the width of beam and keeping the depth constant

Bending Stress in Beams

Derive the formula for cross section of a rectangular beam of uniform strength for a cantilever
beam of length L carrying concentrated load at free end by keeping the depth constant.

Consider a cantilever beam of length L and uniform depth d carrying a concentrated load W at its
free end as shown in the Fig. 20. Let the width varies from a minimum at its free end to a
maximum of b near the fixed end.

It is obvious that the bending moment varies from minimum zero at the free end to maximum at
WL at the fixed support.

Bending moment at any section at a distance of x from the free end,

M  Wx

From expression of flexure, we xhave

M  Z

Wx  Z

Where σ is the maximum stress at every section of the beam.

bx d 2
If bx width at any section XX, then Z 
6
Bending Stress in Beams

Wx 6Wx
  2

bx d bx d 2
6

6WL
Similarly, maximum stress at support,  
bd 2

Equating equation () and (), we have

6Wx 6WL

bx d 2 bd 2

x
b x  b 
L

At free end, i.e., x = 0, the width of beam b0  0

L
At the fixed end, i.e., x = L, the width bL  b   b
L

By varying the depth of beam and keeping the width constant

Consider a cantilever beam of length L and uniform width b carrying a concentrated load W at its
free end as shown in the Fig. 20. Let the depth varies from a minimum at its free end to a
maximum of d near the fixed end.
Bending Stress in Beams

It is obvious that the bending moment varies from minimum zero at the free end to maximum at
WL at the fixed support.

Bending moment at any section at a distance of x from the free end,

M  Wx

From expression of flexure, we xhave

M  Z

Wx  Z

Where σ is the maximum stress at every section of the beam.

bd x2
If bx width at any section XX, then Z 
6

Wx 6Wx
  2

bd x bd x2
6

6WL
Similarly, maximum stress at support,  
bd 2

Equating equation () and (), we have

6Wx 6WL

bd x2 bd 2

x
dx  d  
 L

At free end, i.e., x = 0, the depth of beam, d 0  0

L
At the fixed end, i.e., x = L, the depth, d L  d    d
L
Bending Stress in Beams

Numerical

1. A rectangular beam of breadth 100 mm and depth 200 mm is simply supported over a span of
4 m. The beam is loaded with an uniformly distributed load of 5 kN/m over the entire span.
Find the maximum bending stresses.

Solution:

Breadth of the beam, b = 100 mm

Depth of beam, d = 200 mm

bd 3   100  200  66.67  10 6 mm 4

1 1
Moment of inertia, I 
3

12 12

Span of beam, l = 4 m

Uniformly distributed load, w = 5 kN/m

wl 2 5  4 2
Maximum bending moment at centre of beam, M  
8 8

 10 kN. M  10 7 N . mm

Neutral axis passes through the centroid of section.

The distance of top and bottom fibre from the neutral axis, y = 100 mm

M 10 7
Thus, maximum bending stress,   y  100
I 66.67  10 6
Bending Stress in Beams

 15 N / mm 2

2. A beam of I-section shown in Fig. 23 is simply supported over a span of 10 m. It carries a

uniform load of 4 kN/m over the entire span. Evaluate the maximum bending stresses.

Solution:

Moment of inertia, I 
1
12
 
BD 3  bd 3 
1
12

300  660 3  280  600 3 

 21.474  108 mm4

Span of the beam, l = 10 m

Uniformly distributed load, w = 4 kN/m

4  10 2
Maximum bending moment at centre of beam, M   50 kN. m
8

 5  10 7 N. mm

Neutral axis passes through the centroid of I-section.

The distance of top and bottom fibre from the neutral axis, y = 330 mm
Bending Stress in Beams

M 5  10 7
Thus, maximum bending stress,   y  330  7.68 N / mm 2
I 21.474  10 8

The bending stress at top and bottom fibres  7.68  108 N / mm2

3. A beam of an I-section shown in Fig. 24 is simply supported over a span of 4 m. Find the
uniformly distributed load the beam can carry if the bending stress is not to exceed 100
N/mm2.

Solution:

Moment of inertia, I 
1
12

BD 3  bd 3 
1
12
 
200  300 3  180  260 3 

 180.36  10 6 mm4

Maximum bending stress, σmax = 100 N/mrn2

Span of beam, l = 4 m

Extreme fibre distance, ymax = 150 mm

I 180.36  10 6
Section modulus, Z   1242400 mm3
y max 150

Maximum bending moment, M   max Z  100  1242400

 124240000 N. mm
Bending Stress in Beams

 124.24 kN. m

wl 2
But M
8

w  4 
2
124.24 
8

124.24  8
w  64.12 kN / m
16

The maximum uniformly distributed load the beam can carry = 64.12 kN/m.

4. A timber beam of rectangular section carries a load of 2 kN at mid-span. The beam is simply
supported over a span of 3.6 m. If the depth of section is to be twice the breadth, and the
bending stress is not to exceed 9 N/mrn2, determine the cross-sectional dimensions.

Solution:

Span of the beam, l = 3.6 m

Uniformly distributed load, w = 2 kN

Allowable bending stress, σallow = 9 N/mm2

WL 2  3.6
Maximum bending moment at centre of beam, M    1.8 kN. m
4 4

 1.8  10 6 N. mm

M
From the flexural relationship, we have Z
 allow

1 2 1.8  10 6
bd 
6 9

1.8  10 6
bd  2
 6  1.2  10 6
9

Depth of section is to be twice the breadth, i.e., d = 2b

b2b   1.2  10 6
2
So, we have
Bending Stress in Beams

1.2  10 6
b3   0.3  10 6
4

b  64.94 mm

d  2  64.943  129.886 mm

Therefore, width of beam = 65 mm, and depth of beam = 130 mm

5. A rectangular beam of width 200 mm and depth 300 mm is simply supported over a span of 5
m. Find the safe uniformly distributed load that the beam can carry per metre length if the
allowable bending stress in the beam is 100 N/mm2.

Solution:

Span of beam, l = 5 m

Width Breadth of the beam, b = 100 mm

Depth of beam, d = 200 mm

Allowable bending stress, σallow = 100 N/mm2

1 2 1
Section modulus, Z bd   200  300 2  3  10 6 mm 3
6 2

Moment of resistance of the beam, M   allowZ  100  3  10 6

 300  10 6 N . mm  300 kN. m

Maximum bending moment at the centre of the beam,

wl 2
M
8

w  5
2
300 
8

300  8
 w  96 kN. m
25

So, the load that the beam can carry is 96 kN/m.

Bending Stress in Beams

6. A rectangular beam of size 60 mm x 100 mm has a central rectangular hole of size 15 mm x

20 mm. The beam is subjected to bending and the maximum bending stress is limited to 100
N/mm2. Find the moment of resistance of the hollow beam section.

Solution:

External dimension of hollow rectangular beam: B = 60 mm, D = 100 mm

Size of the central hole: b = 15 mm, d = 20 mm

Moment of inertia of the hollow beam section, I 

1
12
BD 3  bd 3   60  100 3  15  20 3 
1
12

 4.999  10 6 mm4

100
Extreme fibre distance, y max   50 mm
2

I 4.999  10 6
Section modulus, Z   9.98  10 4 mm3
y max 50

Allowable bending stress, σallow = 100 N/mm2

Moment of resistance, M   allowZ  100  9.98  10 4

 9.98  10 6 N. mm

 9.98 kN. mm

26
Bending Stress in Beams

9.
A cantilever of 2 m length and square section 200 mm x 200 mm, just fails in bending when a
point load of 12 kN is placed at its free end. A beam of rectangular cross section of same
material, 150 mm wide and 300 mm deep, is simply supported over a span of 3 m. Calculate
the maximum concentrated load that the beam can carry at its centre without failure.

Solution:
The two beams with loading conditions are shown in the Fig.

Maximum bending moment in cantilever beam, M

c  12  2  24 kN. m

 24106 N.mm

29
Bending Stress in Beams

1 2
Let σallow is the stress at which the beam fails, M c   allowZ  bd  allow
6
1
 200  200 2   allow  24  10 6
6
 allow  18 N / mm 2
Let W kN be the maximum central concentrated that the beam can carry without failure.
WL W  3
Maximum bending moment at the mid span, M s    0.75W kN. m
4 4
 0.75  10 6 W N . mm
Moment of resistance of simply supported beam section,
1
M R  allowZ  18   150  300 2
6
 40.5  10 6 N. mm

Equating maximum bending moment (Ms) to moment of resistance (MR), we have

0.75  10 6 W  40.5  10 6

W  54 kN