EAT103 – Applied Mechanics

Dr Nida Naveed
Theory of bending stress
(Part 2)
 Aims

To understand the theory of bending

stresses and its application.
 Bending Theory Equation
• The complete bending theory equation is as follows:
𝑴 𝝈 𝑬
= =
𝑰 𝒚 𝑹
• M = bending moment at section concerned (N m)
• σ = stress (N m–2) at any layer of material, distance y (m) from the neutral
axis. Usually we need to know maximum stress values, in which case: σ =
maximum stress when
• y = maximum distance from neutral axis to extreme edge of section
• (extreme fibre distance)
• E = modulus of elasticity for material of beam (N m-2)
• I = second moment of area of section about neutral axis (m4)
• R = radius of curvature of bent beam (m)
 Section modulus
𝑀 𝜎 𝐼
Since = , therefore 𝑀 = 𝜎
𝐼 𝑦 𝑦

𝐼
• Now, for any given section is a constant and is denoted by Z
𝑦
• Z is called the Section Modulus
• Units for the section modulus are length3… cm3
• 𝑀= 𝜎𝑧
 Section modulus
• For sections symmetrical about
a given axis, there will be one
value of section modulus (ZXX)
about that axis.

• For sections not symmetrical

about a given axis, there will be
two values of section modulus
about that axis.
Concentrated point load
(Maximum Moment)
Uniformly distributed load
(Maximum Moment)
 Example 4
• Determine the maximum bending moment which may be applied to a
universal ('I' section) beam 134 mm wide × 270 mm deep. The beam is
simply supported over a span of 5 m and maximum stress in the material
must not exceed 60 MN m–2. The second moment of area of the section
about its neutral axis is 2887 cm4.
• Determine the radius of curvature at the point of maximum bending
moment. Take the modulus of elasticity (E) as 178 GN m–2

Solution

𝑴 𝝈 𝑬
= =
𝑰 𝒚 𝑹
 Solution 4
✓ Size of the beam= 134 mm wide × 270 mm deep
✓ Length (L) = 5 m
✓ 𝜎 (max) = 60MN/m2= 60 x 106 N/m2
✓ I = 2887 cm4 = 2.887 x 10 -5 m4
✓ Y = 270 / 2 = 135 mm = 0.135 m

The maximum bending moment in the beam

𝑴 𝝈 𝝈𝑰
= 𝑴=
𝑰 𝒚 𝒚
Radius of curvature
𝝈 𝑬
M max = (60 x 106 * 2.887 x 10 -5 ) / 0.135 =
𝒚 𝑹

M max = 12831 N m R = 0.135*178X10^9/60x10^6

R = 400.5 m
 Example 5
• An 'I' section beam as shown below has a section modulus of 308 cm3 and
a depth of 260 mm. It is simply supported at each end over a span of 6 m
and carries a uniformly distributed load of 8 kN m–1 over its entire length.
Take the modulus of elasticity (E) as 205 GN m–2.
• Determine:
(i) the maximum bending moment
(ii) the maximum stress in the beam
(iii) the radius of curvature at the point of maximum bending moment.

The loading diagram for the beam is shown below.

 Solution 5

✓Section Modulus (Z) = 308 cm3 = 3.08 x 10-4 m3

✓d = 260 mm = 0.26 m
✓Length (L) = 6 m
✓w = 8 kN/m = 8x103 N/m
✓E = 205 GN/m2 = 205x109 N/m2
➢ M (max) = ?
➢ 𝜎 (max) = ?
➢ R=?
Part 1: M (max)

M (max) = wl2/8 = (8x103 * 62 )/8 = 36x103 N m

Part 2: 𝜎 (max)
𝐼 𝑀
𝑀= 𝜎 or 𝑀 = 𝜎 𝑧 or 𝜎 =
𝑦 𝑍
𝜎 (max) = 36x103 / 3.08 x 10-4 = 116.88 x 106 Pa
 Solution 4

Part 3: R (Radius of curvature)

𝑬𝒚 ✓d = 260 mm = 0.26 m
𝝈 𝑬
= 𝑹= ✓Y = d/2 = 0.26 /2 = 0.13 m
𝒚 𝑹 𝝈
✓E = 205 GN/m2 = 205x109 N/m2
✓𝜎 (max) = 116.88 x 106 Pa
205x109 ∗ 0.13
𝑹=
116.88 x 106

𝑹 = 228 m
 Past Exam Question 2018
An ‘I’ section beam as shown in the diagram below has a section modulus of 433 cm3
and a depth of 256 mm. It is simply supported at each end over a span of 10 m and
carries a uniformly distributed load of 2.5 kN m-1 over its entire length. The modulus of
elasticity can be taken as 205 GN m-2.
Determine:
• The maximum bending moment
• The maximum stress in the beam
• The radius of curvature at the point of maximum bending moment