LESSON 32 DESIGN OF CURVED BEAMS

32.1 Introduction
Beam having its neutral axis curved in unloaded condition is
known as curved beam. Neutral axis and centroidal axis of a
curved beam do not coincide. Neutral axis of curved beams is
shifted towards the centre of curvature. Also the bending stress
in case of curved beam, varies hyperbolically with the distance
from the neutral axis and variation is not linear as in case of
straight beams. Figure 32.1 shows distribution of stress in
curved beam.

Figure 32.1 Distribution of Stress in a Curved Beam

In stress analysis of curved beam, following assumptions are
made:
Let Ro = radius of outer fibre (mm)
R1 = radius of inner fibre (mm)
R = radius of centroidal axis (mm)
RN = radius of neutral axis (mm)
hi = distance of inner fibre from neutral axis (mm)
ho = distance of outer fibre from neutral axis (mm)
M = bending moment with respect to centroidal axis (N-mm)
A = area of the cross-section (mm2)
Eccentricity between centroidal and neutral axis is given by,
Bending stress in any fibre, at distance ‘y’ from the neutral axis,
is given by,

Equation indicates that stress has hyperbolic distribution with

respect to y. Maximum stress occurs either at the inner fibre or
at the outer fibre.

In symmetrical cross-sections (circular, rectangular etc.),

maximum bending stress always occurs at the inner fibre. But
for unsymmetrical sections, stress must be calculated for inner
and outer fibre to find its maximum value. Value of e is
generally very small but its precise calculation is very important
to avoid error in stress determination. Expressions for
calculation of R and RN, for some standard cross-sections are
given in table 32.1.
Table 32.1 R and RN for some Standard Cross-sections
References
1. Design of Machine Elements by VB Bhandari
2. Analysis and Design of Machine Elements by V.K. Jadon
3. Design of Machine Elements by C.S. Sharma & K. Purohit
4. Machine Design by P.C. Sharma & D.K. Aggarwal
5. Machine Design by R.S. Khurmi