A beam of the cross-section

section shown is made of a steel that is assumed to be

elastoplastic with E=200GPa and sy=240MPa. For bending about the z-axis,
z
determine the bending moment at which
a) yield first occurs
b) the plastic zones at the top and the bottom of the bar are 30mm thick.

Correction.

(a) Maximum elastic moment

M .y
From simple bending theory, σ =−
I
I .σ Y
Since the beam is compressed on the top part, ME =
y
y=45mm

I=Izz

I zz = I1 + I 2 + I 3 1
= I1 + 2 × I 2
 0.03 × 0.093   0.015 × 0.033  2 3
=  + 2 ×  
 12   12 
= 1.89 × 10 −6 m 4

(note that other choices are possible

for calculating Izz, but they will often
require using the parallel axis theorem)
 1.89 × 10 −6 × 240 × 106
ME =
45 × 10−3 M E = 10.08 kN .m
= 10.08 kN .m

(b) Bending moment when plastic zones at the top & bottom are 30mm
thick ? (i.e. pink central core is within the elastic limit of the material)

Method 1 – Integration

This is a case where we have a partially plastic moment. Let MPP denote the
required moment. Applying the principle of static equilibrium to a beam section,
section
0.015
M PP + (moment due to stresses in top & bottom portions ) + ∫
−0.015
σ . y.ds = 0

(moment due to stresses in top portion) = −σ Y × area × momen

moment arm
= −240 × 106 × (0.03 × 0.03) × 0.03
= −6480 N .m

(moment due to stresses in bottom portion) = σ Y × area × mo

moment arm
= 240 × 106 × (0.03 × 0.03) × −0.03
= −6480 N .m

σY
For the central portion, the stress distribution is given by, σ =− y and
0.015
ds = 0.06.dy
Therefore,
0.015 0.015
σ Y × 0.06
∫
−0.015
σ . y.ds = ∫
−0.015
−
0.015
. y 2 .dy

0.015
σ Y × 0.06 0.015
σ Y × 0.06  y 3 
∫
2
=− × y dy = − × 
0.015 −0.015
0.015  3  −0.015
240 × 106 × 0.06  0.0153 ( −0.015 ) y 
3

=− × − 
0.015  3 3 
= −2160 N .m

0.015
M PP = −(moment due to top & bottom portions ) − ∫
−0.015
σ . y.ds

= −(2 × −6480) − (−2160)

= 15.12kN .m

M PP = 15.12 kN .m

Method 2 – Use formula giving the bending moment for a rectangular

section with an elastic core.
Let MPP denote the required moment.

MPP = Moment due to stresses in the central vertical portion (elastoplastic) +

moments due to stresses in the side portions (elastic)

= M1 + M2

[Moments are counted POSITIVE if they are anticlockwise around the

z-axis]

Partially plastic moment for a rectangular section,

 h2 d 2 
M PP (rectangle) = b × σ Y  −  (refer to lecture notes for details on notation)
 4 3 

 0.092 0.0152 
M 1 = 0.03 × 240 × 106 ×  − 
 4 3 
= 14040 N .m

Moment for the side portions can be calculated using the simple bending equation,

M .y σ .I
σ =− ⇒ M =−
I y

Note that the required moment of inertia for this calculation is that of the 2 side
portions only,

0.015 × 0.032
I = 2× = 6.75 × 10−8 m 4
12

−σ Y .I 240 × 106 × 6.75 × 10−8

M2 = − =
0.015 0.015
= 1080 N .m

M PP = M 1 + M 2
= (14040 + 1080 ) N .m
= 15.12 kN .m
Method 3 – Use simple bending equation formula for central elastic core
and (stress X area X moment arm) for top and bottom yielded
portions.

Let MPP denote the required moment.

MPP = Moment due to stresses in central horizontal elastic core + moments due to
stresses in top & bottom portions (plastic)

= M1 + M2

[Moments are counted POSITIVE if they are anticlockwise around the

z-axis]

Moment for central elastic core (use simple bending equation),

M .y σ .I
σ =− ⇒ M =−
I y

(moment off inertia for this calculation is that of the horizontal elastic core),
core)

0.06 × 0.032
I= = 1.35 × 10−7 m 4
12

−σ Y .I 240 × 106 × 1.35 × 10 −7

M1 = − =
0.015 0.015
= 2160 N .m
Moment due to the stresses in the yielded top and bottom portions,

M 2 = ( −σ Y × [ 0.03 × 0.03] × 0.03) + (σ Y × [ 0.03 × 0.03] × −0.03 )

= −12960 N .m
= 12960 N .m

M PP = M 1 + M 2
= ( 2160 + 12960 ) N .m
= 15.12 kN .m

Conclusion

The 3 methods require approximately equal amount of work. It’s all down to which
method you feel more comfortable with, and most importantly, in which case you
have a better understanding.

Note that when you use the principle of static equilibrium, you automatically get the
correct sign for the partially plastic moment. No further assumption is necessary
(anticlockwise moment +ve and clockwise momet –ve) regarding the signs of the
different moments involved in the calculations.