STRESSES IN BEAMS

PART 2
ECONOMIC SECTIONS
 Types of loads acting on a structure are:

Dead Load & Live Load ❖ Dead loads

❖ Live Loads or Imposed loads
❖ Wind loads
❖ Snow loads
The dead loads are permanent loads which result ❖ Earthquake loads
from the weight of the structure itself or from ❖ Special loads
other permanent attachments, for example, beams,
column, drywall, roof sheathing and weight of the truss.

Live loads or Imposed Loads are temporary loads;

they are applied to the structure on and off over the life
of the structure.

Live loads are either movable or moving loads with out

any acceleration or impact. These loads are assumed to
be produced by the intended use or occupancy of the
building including weights of movable partitions or
furniture etc.
In selecting a structural section to be used as a beam, the resisting
moment must be equal or greater than the applied bending moment. Note:
σmax=M/S.

A check that includes the weight of the selected beam is necessary to complete
the calculation. In checking, the beams resisting moment must be equal or greater
than the sum of the live-load moment caused by the applied loads and the dead-
load moment caused by dead weight of the beam. Actual/computed

Dividing both sides of the above equation by σmax, we obtain the

Actual/computed
checking equation
Example: A beam simply supported on a 36-ft span carries a uniformly distributed
load of 2000 lb/ft over the middle 18 ft. Using an allowable stress of 20 ksi, determine
the lightest suitable W shape beam. What is the actual maximum stress in the
selected beam?

Reactive Forces
Solution: Area of Shear = Moment
solved by equation
Mlive−load = 18000(9)+ (1/2) (9)(18000) of Equilibrium
Mlive−load = 243,000lb⋅ft
Mmax occurs at the
mispan
Srequired ≥ Mlive−load / σmax.allow
Srequired [≥ 243000(12)] / 20000
Srequired ≥ 145.8 in3 Reactive Forces
solved by equation
of Equilibrium

Mmax occurs at the

mispan
Use W24 × 68 with S = 154 in3. answer

From Appendix B, Properties of Wide-Flange Sections (W Shapes): SI Units,

of text book: or STEEL Table
 w
Imposed load Self weight

Checking:
Sresisting ≥ Slive−load + Sdead−load L
Mmax = 1/8 wL2
wL/2 wL/2
Where
Slive−load =145.8 in3
Sdead−load = [1/8(68)(362)(12)] / (20000) ; σallow = 20 ksi = 20000 psi (working stress)
Sdead−load = 6.61 in3
Actual bending moment:
Slive−load+Sdead−load = 145.8 + 6.61
M = Mlive−load+Mdead−load
Slive−load+Sdead−load = 152.41in3
M = 243000 + 1/8(68)(362)
M = 254016 lb⋅ft
Thus,
(Sresisting = 154 in3) > 152.41 in3 (okay!) Actual stress:

σmax = M / S
σmax = 254016(12) / 154
σmax = 19793.45 psi
σmax =19.79 ksi answer
FLOOR FRAMING:ECONOMIC SECTIONS
Floor Framing

In floor framing, the subfloor is supported by light beams called floor joists or simply
joists which in turn supported by heavier beams called girders then girders pass the
load to columns. Typically, joist act as simply supported beam carrying a uniform
load of magnitude “p” over an area of sL (s * L), where

Whereas:

p = floor load per unit area (Pa, kPa, psi)

L = length (or span) of joist
s = center to center spacing of joists and
wo = sp = intensity of distributed load in joist.
Example:
The 18-ft long floor beams in a building are simply supported at their ends and carry a floor
load of 0.6 lb/in2 (psi). If the beams have W10 × 30 sections, determine the center-line
spacing using an allowable flexural stress of 18 ksi.

Solution: CONVERSION FACTOR

wo = (0.6lb/in2)(12in/ft)2(sft) → (w = wo = s*p)
wo = 86.4 s lb/ft →(load intensity w = wo = force/length)

Equation of Equilibrium:
R1 = R2 = ½ (86.4 s)(18) → (woL/2)
R1 = R2 = 777.6 s lb

Mmax = 777.6 s (9) − 86.4 s (9)(4.5) → (Mmax occur @ the

Midspan

Mmax = 3499.2 s lb⋅ft

From Steel
Table or
Appendix B of
textbook:
Properties of
Wide-Flange
Sections (W-
Shapes)
From ASEP Table:

W10 x 30
S = 532.2 x103 mm3 = 32.4 in3

σ=M/S
18000 = 3499.2s (12) 32.4
s = 13.9 ft answer
Example
A portion of the floor plan of a building is shown in the Figure. The total loading (including live
and dead loads) in each bay is as shown. Select the lightest suitable W-shape if the
allowable flexural stress is 120 MPa.
 wo = 9 * 2.5 = 22.5 kN/m
S = 2.5m

4.5kN/m2
4.5kN/m2

“MIDDLE
STRIP”
For Member B – 1

Srequired = M / σ
Srequired = [1/8 (22.5)(52)(10002)] /120
Srequired = 585.94×103mm3

From Appendix B, Properties of Wide-Flange Sections (W Shapes): SI Units,

of text book: or STEEL Table
Use W410 × 39 with S = 634 x103 mm3 for member B - 1. answer
 From (B-1)

For Member G – 1

M = 2.5(28.125)
M = 70.3125 kN⋅m
M = 70.31 kN.m

Srequired = M / σ =70.31 (10002)120

Srequired = 585.92×103mm3

From Appendix B, Properties of Wide-Flange Sections (W Shapes): SI Units,

of text book: or STEEL Table
Use W410 × 39 with S = 634 x103 mm3 for member G - 1. answer
 Wo-2 = (7.5+4.5) * 2.5 = 30 kN/m TYPICAL LOADINGDIAGRAM
FOR MEMBER B-2
S = 2.5m S = 2.5m
From (G-1)

“MIDDLE
STRIP”

Wo-1 = 7.5 * 2.5 = 18.75 kN/m

 For Member B – 2: Wo-2 = (7.5+4.5) * 2.5 = 30 kN/m

+ΣMR =02
7R = 28.125(5)+18.75(2)(6)+30(5)(2.5)
From (G-1)
1
R1 = 105.804 kN = 105.80 kN Wo-1 = 7.5 * 2.5 = 18.75 kN/m

+ΣMR =01
7R = 28.125(2)+18.75(2)(1)+30(5)(4.5)
2
R2 = 109.821kN = 109.82 kN

Location of Maximum Moment:

(X /109.821) = (5−x / 40.179)
40.179x = 549.105−109.821x
x = 3.6607m or x = 3.66m
From Appendix B, Table B Properties of Wide-
Maximum Moment Flange Sections (W Shapes): SI Units, of text
M= ½ (3.66)(109.82) book: or STEEL TABLE
M = 200.97 kN⋅m Use W610 × 82 with
S = 1 870 × 103 mm3 for member B - 2. answer
Srequired = M / σ
Srequired = [(200.97)(10002)] / 120
Srequired = 1674.76×103mm3
 Wo-3 = (7.5+7.5) * 2.5 = 37.5 kN/m
S = 2.5m S = 2.5m
TYPICAL LOADINGDIAGRAM
FOR MEMBER B-3

“MIDDLE
STRIP”
For Member B – 3

Srequired = M / σ
Srequired = [1/8 (37.5)(72)(10002) ] /120
Srequired = 1914.06 ×103mm3

From Appendix B, Table B Properties of Wide-

Flange Sections (W Shapes): SI Units, of text
book: or STEEL TABLE

Use W610 × 92 with

S = 2 140 × 103 mm3 for member B - 3. answer

SUMMARY:
SUPERIMPOSED OR BUILT – UP BEAMS
If a beam is composed of two or more thin layers placed on each other without any
attachment, the separate layers would slide past each other and the total strength of
the beam would be the sum of the strengths of the various layers. The strength of this
beam is lesser than a solid beam having the same cross-sectional area.

Neglecting friction between any two adjacent layers, the

following relationships may be used:

Curvature, M / EI = constant
PRISMATIC Fabricated Beams (Steel)

Built-up Sections

❑ For a very large loads, we use a deep I-

shaped section to resist the moments.

❑ The sections are usually welded or bolted to

form the built – up section.

PRISMATIC Fabricated Beams (Wood)

Built-up Sections

❑ Wooden Box beams are made from plywood

webs and larger boards for the flanges.

❑ For very large span, glulam beams are used.

Such members are made from several glue-
laminated together.
PRISMATIC BEAM DESIGN

IMPORTANT

➢ Beams support loadings that are applied

perpendicular to their axes.

➢ If they are designed on the basis of strength, they

must resist allowable shear and bending stresses.

➢ The maximum bending stress in the beam is

assumed to be much greater than the localized
stresses caused by the application of loadings on the
surface of the beam.
EXAMPLE: BUILT UP BEAM PROBLEM
A beam is composed of 6 planks, each 100 mm wide and 20 mm thick, piled loosely on each other to an
overall dimension of 100 mm wide by 120 mm high. (a) Compare the strength of such a beam with that of a
solid beam of equal overall dimensions. (b) What would be the ratio if the built-up beam consisted of a 12
planks each 100 mm wide by 10 mm thick?

Solution: Part (b)

Part (a)
1
For 1 plank 2
For 1 plank
I1 = bh3/12 3 I1 = bh3/12
I1 = 100(203) /12 4 I1 = 100(103) / 12
I1 = 200000 /3 mm4 5 I1 = 25000 / 3 mm4
6
For the whole beam For the whole beam
I = 6 * I1= 6(200000/3) I = 12 * I1 = 12(25000/3)
I = 400 000 mm4 I = 100 000 mm4

{M / [E(400000)]} = {M1 / [E(200000 / 3)]} {M / [E(100000)]} = {M1 / [E(200000 / 3)]}

M1 / M = 1 / 6 answer M1 / M = 1 / 12 answer
Built Up Beam Problem
A T section has the dimensions given in Fig. P-561. Show that the neutral axis is 3 inches
below the top and that INA = 166.7 in4. If the tensile stress at the bottom of the flange is 1000
psi, calculate (a) the total tensile force in the flange and (b) the total compressive force in the
cross section. Also compute (c) the moment of the compressive force about the NA, and (d)
the moment of the total tensile force about the NA. (e) How does the sum of (c) and (d)
compare with the total applied bending moment as computed from the flexure formula?
 Given Tensile
Stress
σ

Moment of Inertia
wrt to centroidal
axis

σbt

σbt
Using Parallel Axis Theorem

σbc

σbc
 Solving for average stresses
σflange * A1 at Tension and Compression
Fiber
σbottom of flange σtop of flange
σflange

σflange
σflange

σbelow NA Abelow NA

σat NA + σbottom of section

σbelow NA

σbelow NA
σbelow NA
Abelow NA
Fflange TENSION FIBER

COMPRESSION FIBER
 3” A2
A1 Fflange = 24 kips

7/3 =
2.33” 2” dflange = 13/6 in. = 2.17 in.
σweb above NA+ Aweb above NA 1”

σat NA + σ at bottom of flange

σweb above NA

σweb above NA
Aweb above NA
UNSYMMETRICAL:BUILT UP BEAM PROBLEM
In any beam section having a maximum stress fb,
show that the force on any partial area A' in the
Figure is given by F = ( σ / c)A'(barred y') , where
(barred y') is the centroidal coordinate of A'. Also
show that the moment of this force about the NA is
M' = σ I'/c, where I' is the moment of inertia of the
shaded area about the NA.

σ σI
σ y1 σ y2 M = [ (σ
σ1 + σ2
σ1 σ1
σ' M = [ (σ
σ2
σ1 σ y1 σ
σ'
σ σ
σ'
σI σI
M=(σ
σ2 σ
σ’ A’ M = σ I’
σ2 σ y2
F = (σ
UNSYMMETRICAL:BUILT UP BEAM EXAMPLE

A box beam is made from 2-in. by 6-in. pieces screwed together as shown in the Figure. If
the maximum flexure stress is 1200 psi, compute the force acting on the shaded portion
and the moment of this force about the NA. Hint: Use the results of derived formula in the
first example.