To understand the term bending moment we have to first understand what is moment

of force.

Force:

The basic definition of force that we have learned is that force is push and pull. Force
when applied to an object tends to change its motion or its shape.

In structural engineering we have well defined cross sections and the members have a
longitudinal axis and a lateral axis.

A force applied in the longitudinal axis of the member would tend to elongate (Tensile
Force) or compress (Compressive Force) the member.

A force applied in the lateral axis would try to slice off the member (Shear force) or
would try to bend the member (Bending Moment).
How and why is bending moment different from the other three?

The amount of elongation, compression or shearing is directly dependent on the

magnitude of the force applied.

More is the force more is it effect.

But same is not the case with rotation. The same amount of force if applied at a greater
distance would produce greater rotation.

In the above figure with the same magnitude of force(F) the rotation would be more in
the second case since the lever arm is more and thus the moment is more.

Thus it’s not the magnitude of the force but also the distance at which it is applied that
tells us about its effect. So we multiplied the two quantities and gave it a name as
the moment of force.

The turning effect of a force is known as the moment. Moment of force is the product of
force and the distance of the force from the point of interest.

If this moment of force tries to twist the member then we call it twisting moment or

torsional moment and if this moment of force tries to bend the member then we call
it bending moment.