ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 1

Chapter 3 Shear Stresses in Laterally Loaded

Symmetrical Beams
In this Chapter, we dealt with calculation of shear force and bending
moment when different types of beams are subjected to various kinds of
loads. We will discuss shear stresses associated with the shear force V
or Fxy .

Railroad ties act as beams that support very large

transverse shear loadings. As a result, if they are
made of wood, they will tend to split at their ends,
where the shear loads are the largest.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 2

Learning Objectives:
To study the distribution of the shear stresses, a comparison of the
magnitudes of the shear and bending stresses, and the design of
beams.

FxyQ
or  xy 
Ib

Some common formulas for stress analysis

and design of beam structures.
Shear flow in a wide-flange
beam.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 3

Contents:
• Shear Stresses in Beams
• Shear Stress Distribution in Rectangular
Beams
• Shear Stresses in Beams of Circular Cross
Section
• Shear Stress Distribution in Flanged Beams
• Comparison of Shear and Bending Stresses
• Design of Prismatic Beams
References:
• Ugural, A. C., Mechanics of Materials, John Wiley & Sons,
Inc, 2008.
• Hibbeler, R. C., Mechanics of Materials, 8th SI Edition,
Pearson, Prentice-Hall, 2011.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 4

Shear Stress in a Straight Beams

Transverse shear stress always has its associated longitudinal
shear stress acting along longitudinal planes of the beam.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 5

• Effects of Shear Stresses:

• Warping of cross section:

Note:
1. Warping” violates the assumptions of
“plane section remains plane” in
flexure and torsion formulae.
2. However, we can ignore the cross-
section warping due to small shear
stress compared with normal stress.
This is true for most common case of
slender beam, i.e. one that has a small
depth compared with its length.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 6

P
C
h
A L/2 L/2 B
P/2 P/2
P
C

A
B
x

P
M xz
C
 xx Compressive stress on top
Tensile stress on bottom
A
x Fxy gives  xy

Bending moment induces normal bending stresses in the direction

of the beam axis. Shear force induces shear stresses.
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 7

Consider an elemental length x of a beam where the shear force

is constant but there is a variation in the bending moment. e.g. a
simply-supported beam with a central point load.
2P
C
h
A a a B

P P

Fxy
P

P x

M xz M xz  M xz
M xz

x x x

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 8

2P
C
h
A a a B
P P
x
Fxy
P
y M xz
Fxy M xz  M xz P x

x Fxy N.A. M xz M xz  M xz
M xz

Compressive x x x
Normal stress
distribution N.A.

Tensile
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 9

When deriving the formula for shear stress, we will consider the general case
of loading for beams such as following cases.

A simply supported beam with a

vertical plane of symmetry that supports
concentrated, distributed loads and
bending moments.

A cantilever beam with a vertical plane of

symmetry that supports concentrated and
distributed loads.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 10

Consider the portion of the beam element above a vertical distance

y from the centroid of the cross-section; i.e. we have made an
imaginary horizontal cut at y and chosen the upper element which
has a surface exposed by the cut. We follow the Ugural’s sign
convention for the free-body diagram.
b
Fxy
x A*
 xx 2
Fxy Left Right
Fyx  xx1 plane plane
M xz y y Ugural’s sign convention

N.A.  xx1
 xx 2
z x
M xz  M xz Fyx y
M xz
M xz  M xz
Profile view
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 11

b
Fxy
x A*  xx 2  xx1
Fxy
M xz  xx 2
Fyx y
Fyx  xx1
y y M xz  M xz M xz
Plane 2 M xz  M xz
dA* N.A.
Plane 1 Profile view

z x

Force acting on differential element dA* equals to  xx1dA (plane 1)

Force acting on area A* is  *  xx1dA and towards right.

A

Similarly, force acting on area (pane 2) towards left side is Fyx   *  xx 2dA
A

Force equilibrium in the axial direction  A*

 xx1dA   Fyx    xx 2dA  0
A*

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 12

M xz y
Using  xx   , we obtain
Iz
( M xz  M xz ) y M y
A *

Iz
dA  Fyx   *  xz dA  0
A Iz
( M xz  M xz ) y M y
 Fyx    * dA   * xz dA
A Iz A Iz b
Fxy
M xz x A*
 Fyx  
Iz  * ydA
A
 xx 2
Fxy
M xz
Dividing by x and letting x  0 Fyx  xx1
and taking the limit, we get y y M xz  M xz
Plane 2
dA* N.A.
dFyx 1 dM xz
dx

I z dx  * ydA
A
Plane 1
x
z
Q   * ydA  A* y (first moment of area about the z-axis)
A

A* : area of the cross-section isolated by the horizontal cut; i.e. above the
location of the shear stress being determined (i.e. above y)
y : vertical distance between the centroidal axis and the CG of isolated section A*
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 13

Centroid of an Area
The first moments of the area A
about the x and y axes are:

Qx   ydA Qy   xdA
A A

The centroid of the area A is

denoted by C of the coordinates of
x and y

x
Qy

 xdA
A y
Qx

 ydA
A

A  dA A
A  dA A

Composite Areas

x
Ax i i
y
Ay i i

A i A i

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 14

M    Fdx  (area under shear force curve)


Since M xz   Fxy dx , we differentiate with respect to x

dM xz
dx
  Fxy or 
dM xz
dx
 Fxy note :
d
dx
 F dx   F
xy xy

dFyx 1 dM xz
as
dx

I z dx 
A*
ydA

dFyx 1  dM xz  1 FxyQ
    A* ydA  ( Fxy ) A y 
*

dx I z  dx  Iz Iz

Note : Q   * ydA  A* y
A

dF yx This term is known as the “shear force per unit length” or shear
flow. The shear flow is useful in the study of connection in section
dx
of a built-up beams formed by joining two or more materials.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 15

Shear stress
b
Fxy
shear force x A*
 yx   xx 2
area Fxy
dFyx Fyx  xx1
 M xz y y
b  dx
N.A.
Since  yx   xy
z x
M xz  M xz
1 dFyx dFyx 1
  xy  as  ( Fxy ) A* y
b dx dx Iz
1 Fxy *
 Ay
b Iz

1 Fxy * F Q
The Shear Formula  xy  A y  xy (3.1)
b Iz I zb

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 16

Example 3.1

Determine the shear stress distribution in a beam of rectangular cross-

section ( b  h ) subjected to the loading shown below.

2P
C y
h
A a y a B

P P

Fxy
P

P x
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 17

Solution.
Consider the cross-section at y-y.

Fxy A* y
 xy   yx 
I zb P

Fxy  P at section y - y
h 
A*    y1 b
2 
1h 
y  y1    y1 
22 
1
I z  bh 3
12

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 18

By using the shear formula, we have

h   1h 
P   y1 b  y1    y1 
2 22
 xy     
1 3
bh b
12
h  1  h 
P   y1     y1 
2  2  2  P

1 3
bh
12
6 P  h  
2

 3    y12 
bh  2  
3P 3P
At y1  0,  xy   max   (3.2)
2bh 2 A
A: area of cross-section
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 19

y
(compressive)
 xx (-ve)
M M
x N. A.
P
 avg 
A
 xx (+ve)
(tensile)
3P
 max 
2A Bending stress distribution

Shear stress distribution

The shear stress distribution is parabolic; maximum at the centroidal

axis and zero at the top and bottom. (Contrast this with the normal
stress distribution caused by bending, where the maximum stresses
occur furthest from the centroidal axis).

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 20

Limitations on the Use of Shear Formula:

FxyQ
 xy  where Q   ydA  yA
*

I zt A*

• For narrow beams ( b  0.5h ), the solutions are in reasonably good.

• For square beams ( b  h ), the maximum shear stress error is about 13%.
• For beams with b  4h, the maximum shear stress error is about 100%.
• Clearly, shear formula developed is only applicable to narrow beams.
• The shear formula is particularly useful, as beams of single or composite
narrow rectangular cross-sectional forms are often employed in practice.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 21

Example 3.2
A hollow rectangular area as shown in the figure. Calculate the moment
of inertia of the area about a horizontal axis through its centroid.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 22

Solution.
Location of Centroid. The coordinates are selected as shown in the Fig. (a).
The shaded area may be regarded as consisting of the original rectangle A1 minus
rectangle A2 as shown in Fig. (b).

y
Ay i i

A1 y1  A2 y2 (80 120)60  (40  60)70
  56.7 mm
A i A1  A2 80 120  40  60

y
y

A1 y 56.7 mm A1 60 mm 70 mm

z
A2
C1 z C2
3.3 mm A2
63.3 mm 13.3 mm

(a) (b) (c)

 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 23

Moment of Inertia. Referring to Fig. (a), we find that application of the

parallel-axis theorem (Appendix C) leads to
1 
I z   ( I z  Ad y2 )    bh3  Ad y2 
 12 
1 1
 (80)(120)3  (80)(120)(3.3) 2  (40)(60)3  (40)(60)(13.3) 2
12 12
 10480008 mm 4  10.5 106 mm 4  10.5 106 m 4

y
y

A1 y 56.7 mm A1 60 mm 70 mm

z
A2
C1 z C2
3.3 mm A2
63.3 mm 13.3 mm

(a) (b) (c)

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 24

Example 3.3

A box beam is loaded as shown in the Figure. The moment of

inertia I about neutral axis is 10.5  106 m 4. Draw shear force and
bending moment diagrams and calculate
(a) the shearing and bending stresses at point E,
(b) the maximum shear and bending stresses.

Pt E 40 y
mm from
top fibre
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 25

Solution. From equilibrium RA  3 kN, RB  11 kN

Pt E 40 mm
from top
fibre

Fxy (kN) 7

A C B D x
3 E
4 The shear force and
M xz bending moment
(kNm) diagrams can be
( M xz ) E 6 6
 4.5
1.5 2 constructed as shown.
 ( M xz ) E  4.5 kNm
A E C B D x

8

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 26

Using a different approach to determine y A2 & A3

A1
 60 
(120  80  40  60) y  (80  40  20)  2(20  60)   40  
A4
 2 
 20 
 20  80   100  
 2 

7200 y  64 103  168 103  176 103

408 103
 y  56.7 mm
7200 A1
y

A2 A3

A4
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 27

(a) Stresses at Point E. Fxy (kN) 7

Shear stress at point E
Fxy  3 kN A C B D x
A y  80  40  (56.7  20)  10 m
* 9 3
3 E
4
6
 117.4  10 m 3

Fxy A* y  3  103  117.4  106

 xy  
Ib 10.5  106  b
A1 20 mm
 3  103  117.4  106 y
  0.839 MPa
10.5  106  ( 2  0.02)
A2 A3
Q: What should the value of b be? 120  y
If aa is slightly above b  80 mm A4
If aa is slightly below b  20  20 mm
So 80 mm? or (20+20 mm)?
Answer: 20+20 mm
Note: Along section aa, b is taken as 40 mm (20+20 mm)
as this will result in a higher shear stress and is ‘safer’
from a design view point.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 28

M xz
Bending stress at point E (kNm)
4.5 6

M xz  4.5 kNm A E C B D x
My
 xx   8
I
4.5  103  (56.7  40)  103

10.5  106
 7.16 MPa
A1 20 mm
y
 xx  7.16 MPa,  xy  0.839 MPa
A2 A3
0.839 MPa 120  y
A4
E 7.16 MPa
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 29

(b) Largest Stresses.

Fxy (kN) 7
Maximum shear stress occurs at N.A.

Fmax  7 kN, 2  x  4 (m) A C B D x

3 E
4
16.7
Qmax  A1* y1  2 A2* y2  80  40  (56.7  20)  2  20  16.7 
2
 (80  40  36.7  2  20  16.7  8.4)  109 m3
 123  106 m3
y  56.7 mm

FmaxQmax
 max 
Ib
40 mm
7  103  123  106 y

10.5  106  (2  0.02)
 2.05 MPa

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 30

Question:

Is it okay if I calculate the value of Q

using the area below the neutral axis?
A1 20 mm
y
Answer: Yes 16.7 mm

A2 A3
120  y
Calculate the value of Q below the N.A. 43.3 mm
A4
120  y  120  56.7  63.3 mm  0.0633 m

Qmax  0.08  (0.0633)  (0.0633 / 2)  0.04  (0.0433)  (0.0433 / 2)

 123  106 m3

FmaxQmax 7  103  123  106

 max    2.05 MPa
Ib 10.5  106  (2  0.02)
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 31

For maximum bending stress,

M max  8 kNm at x  4 m

M max y
 max  
I
 8  103  ( 63.3)  103

10.5  106
 48.2 MPa (compression)
M xz (kNm) 4m
Maximum y values:
6
4.5
56.7 mm or  63.3 mm
A E C B D x
Note:  xy (max) occurs at N.A.
 xx (max) occurs at bottom fibre 8
(at support B).

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 32

Shear Stress Distribution in Circular Cross Section Beams

Consider a cantilever beam of circular cross section of radius c supporting a
concentrated load P at free end. The shear force is constant Fxy   P. The shear
stress distribution at line ab is not parallel to y axis as shown Fig. (b) and
cannot be determined by   FxyQ / I z b. However, the max. shear stresses occur
along N. A. and parallel to y axis.
c 4 c 2  4 c  2 c 3
Iz  , QA y *
 
4 2  3  3
FxyQ 4 Fxy 4 Fxy
b  2c   max  I b  3c 2  3 A (3.3)
z
y

2r

r 4
Ix  I y 
4
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 33

Shear Stress Distribution in Circular Cross Section Beams

Fxy A* y Fxy  * ydA

 xy   A Q   * ydA  A* y
A
bI z bI z
first moment of shaded area about the z-axis
2 2
b b b
   y 2
 c 2
    c 2
 y 2
or  c2  y 2
2 2 2

 c4
b  2 c  y , dA  bdy  2 c  y dy, I z 
2 2 2 2
y
4
b
Fxy A* y Fxy c A*
 xy 
bI z

c 4  y1
2 y c 2  y 2 dy
d
2 c2  y 2 y1 y
4 y c
Q   * ydA
4 Fxy c
A N.A. z
  y c  y dy
2 2

 c4 c2  y 2 y1

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 34

Shear Stress Distribution in Circular Cross Section Beams

4 Fxy c y
 xy 
 c4 c2  y 2
 y1
c 2  y 2 ydy
b
A*

4 Fxy c
d
2 y1
 xy  c 2  y 2 d (c 2  y 2 )(1/ 2) y y1 y
c c  y
4 2 c
1 n 1 N.A. z
 
n
c x dx x
2 Fxy (c 2  y 2 )3/2 n 1

 c4 c2  y 2 3/ 2 y1

4 Fxy (c 2  y12 )3/2 At y  y1


3 c 4 c 2  y 2 4 Fxy (c 2  y12 )3/2 4 Fxy (c 2  y12 )
 xy  
y  y1
3 c 4
c y
2 2
1
3 c 4
This is a parabolic distribution of shear stress having maximum stress
at y1  0
4F 4F
 max y 0  xy2  xy
1
3 c 3A
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 35

Shear Stress Distribution in Hollow Circular Beams

First, we find out the centroid of a semicircle. The area shown shaded in the Figure
as dA  dd . This gives
 c  
A   dd  ( c 2  b2 )  (c  b)( c  b)
0 b 2 2
First moment Qx .
 c
Qx   ydA     sin d d
A 0 b
 c
   2 sin  dd
0 b

1 
 ( c 3  b3 )  sin d
3 0

2 2
 ( c 3  b3 )  ( c  b)( c 2  bc  b2 )
3 3
Ordinate of centroid.
Q
y x 
 ydA  Q
A x

4 c 2  bc  b2
A  dA A 3 cb
A

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 36

Equation  max  4 Fxy / 3 A is applicable with rigor to circular tube as shown in

the Figure since the same assumption as in the previous derivation are valid.
By the following equations,

x
Ax , i i
y
Ay i i

A i A i

where xi , yi represent the coordinates of the centroids of the component areas

Ai (i  1,2,, n ), we have
2 3 3
Q ( c2  c1 ), b  2( c2  c1 ), A   (c22  c12 ),
3

Iz  ( c24  c14 )
4

Hence, the maximum shear stress is given by

4 Fxy c22  c2c1  c12

FxyQ
 max   (3.4)
I zb 3A c22  c12
Hollow circular cross-section
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 37

Example 3.4
A simply supported beam of rectangular cross-section is subjected
to a concentrated load P =12 kN at its midspan as shown in Fig. (a).
Calculate the principal stresses at point A, B, C, D and E of the
beam.

Simple beam with a central load P

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 38

Solution.
• The bending moment and shear force at a section 0.6 m from the left
support are obtained from the equilibrium for a segment of the beam
as shown in Fig. (b). The required geometric properties are
A  0.025  0.12  0.003 m 2
1
I (0.025)(0.12)3  3.6 106 m 4
12
QB  QD  (0.025)(0.03)(0.045)  33.75  106 m3

• Bending and shear stresses. The cross-sectional

stresses at each point can be calculated as FBD at section AE
Mc (3000)(6)
 A, E    50 MPa
I 3.6 106
A
A D 45 mm
 B,D   25 MPa
2
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 39

VQB (6000)(33.75  106 )

 B,D    2.25 MPa
Ib 3.6 106 (0.025)
3V (1.5)(6000)
C    3 MPa
2A 0.003
The foregoing stresses are shown in Fig. (c)
as having horizontal and vertical faces.

Combined stresses due

to shear and bending
at section AE
45 mm

FBD at section AE

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 40

• The largest normal stresses. The principal stresses and their directions
at points B and C are
2
25  25 
( 1 ) B        (2.25) 2  12.5  12.7  0.2 MPa
2  2 
2
25  25 
( 2 ) B        (2.25) 2  12.5  12.7  25.2 MPa
2  2 
( 1 )C  0  0  (3) 2  3 MPa, ( 2 )C  0  0  (3) 2  3 MPa

1 2 xy 1 2(2.25)
( p ) B  arctan  arctan  5.10
2 x 2 25
1 2 xy 1 2(3) 1
( p )C  arctan  arctan  (900 )  450
2 x 2 0 2

FBD at section AE
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 41

( 1 ) B  0.2 MPa

( 2 ) B  25.2 MPa

( 1 )C  3 MPa
( 2 )C  3 MPa

( p ) B  5.10 Principal stresses

at section AE
FBD at section AE
( p )C  450
( 1 ) D  25.2 MPa
Similarly, we obtain
( 2 ) D  0.2 MPa
( p ) D  5.10
Principal stress trajectories for a rectangular beam under a central load.
The principal stresses at many cross sections can Section AE
be computed to generate trajectories. Direction of
tensile stresses ( 1 ) are represented by solid line
and direction of compressive stresses (  2) are
depicted by dashed line.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 42

Example 3.5
A cantilever steel beam is loaded as shown in Fig. (a). Determine the
maximum normal stress and maximum shearing stress at the flange-
web junction for two cases: (a) L = 300 mm. (b) L = 500 mm.

y
60 kN
L 10.3mm 102mm
A
B x B 80mm
C C
6.6mm 80mm
E

(a)
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 43

Solution.
• The 2nd moment of area I Q   * ydA  A* y 10.3mm 102mm A
A

1
I (102  1603  95.4  139.43 )  13.28  106 mm4 B 80mm
12 6.6mm C 80mm
QB  A yB  102 10.3  74.85  78.6 10 mm
* 3 3

QC  A* yC  A* yB  6.6  69.7  34.85  94.6 103 mm3

0.3 m
(a) For L = 300 mm. The bending 60 kN
A
moment at section AE is
60  103 (0.3)  18 kNm
E
My A 18 10  0.08
3
A
A     108.4 MPa
I 13.28 106 B
MyB 18  103  0.0697
B     94.5 MPa,
I 13.28 106
or
A 80  (69.7) 108.4(69.7) (b)
  B  A   94.5 MPa
 B 69.7 80 80

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 44

The shearing stresses at points B and C as shown in Fig. (c) are

VQB 60  103  78.6 106
B    53.8 MPa
2
x  y   x  y 
6
Ib 13.28 10  0.0066 1       xy
2

2 2  
VQC 60  103  94.6 106   x  y 
2
C    64.8 MPa  max      xy
2
Ib 13.28 106  0.0066  2 
The maximum principal stress and maximum shearing stress at the
junction of flange and web are
2  A  108.4 MPa
94.5  94.5  B
( 1 ) B      53.8  118.9 MPa
2
B
2  2 
C
2
 94.5 
( max ) B     53.8  71.6 MPa
2

 2  (b) (c)
The maximum normal stress does not occur at the extreme fibers of the
beam.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 45

(b) For L = 500 mm. The bending moment at section AE is

60 103 (0.5)  30 kNm . The normal stresses are

My A 30 103  0.08 10.3mm 102mm A

A     180.7 MPa
I 13.28 106 B 80mm
MyB 30  103  0.0697 6.6mm C 80mm
B     157.5 MPa,
I 13.28  106
or
A 80  (69.7) 180.7(69.7)
  B  A   157.5 MPa
 B 69.7 80 80

A
0.5 m B
60 kN
A

E
(b)

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 46

The shearing stresses at points B and C as shown in Fig. (c) are

VQB 60  103  78.6 106
B    53.8 MPa 10.3mm 102mm A
Ib 13.28 106  0.0066
B 80mm
VQC 60  103  94.6 106
C    64.8 MPa 6.6mm C 80mm
Ib 13.28 106  0.0066
The maximum principal stress and maximum shearing stress at the
junction of flange and web are
2  A  180.7 MPa
157.5  157.5  B
( 1 ) B      53.8  174.1 MPa
2
B
2  2 
C
2
 157.5 
( max ) B     53.8  95.4 MPa
2

 2  (b) (c)
In this case, the maximum normal stress occurs at the extreme fibers of
the beam.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 47

Example 3.6
An 80 mm diameter cantilever aluminum bar is loaded as shown in
the Figure. Allowable stresses in tension and shear on a section 320
mm from the free end are 90 MPa and 50 MPa, respectively. Let
T  0.2 R Nm and P  20 R N . Find the largest value of the vertical
load R.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 48

Solution. The geometry properties of the section are

A  c 2  (0.04) 2   16 (10-4 ) m 2 ,
d 4 
I  (0.08) 4  64 (108 ) m 4
64 64
J  2 I  128 (108 ) m 4

The normal stress at all points of the bar is

P 20 R 12,500 R
 x   
A 16 (104 ) 
and the torsional stress at the outer fiber of the bar is
Tc 0.2 R(0.04) 6250 R
t    
J 128 (10 )
8

The max. tensile stress occurs as point B of the section concerned. Hence,
for a  320 mm , we have
Mc 0.32 R(0.04) 20,000 R
 x   
I 64 (108 ) 
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 49

Since Q  As y  (c / 2)( 4c / 3 ) and b  2c , the maximum direct shearing

2

stress at point A (the centroid z axis of the cross-section) is Fxy FxyQ

I z b A*
 xy  ydA 
Fxy   R I zb
F Q 4F 4R 833R
c 4  d  xy  xy    Q   * ydA  A* y
Iz  I zb 3A 3(16  10 )
4
 A
4
Stress at Point A. The max. principal stress and max. shearing stress at point A,
as shown in Fig. (b)
2 2
12,500 R  12,500 R   6250 R 833R 
( 1 ) A        
2  2     
6250 R 9446 R 15,696 R
  
  
9446 R
( max ) 


ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 50

Stress at Point B. Similarly, at Point B as shown Fig. (c), the max. principal
stress and max. shearing stress are found as
2 2
32,500 R  32,500 R   6250 R 
( 1 ) B       
2  2    
16,250 R 17,411R 33,661R
  
  
17,411R   y 
2
( max )   max   x    xy2
  2 
Note that the stresses at B are more severe than those at A. Substituting
the given data into the foregoing, we have
33,661R
90(106 )  or R  8.4 kN

and
17,411R
50(106 )  or R  9 kN

The magnitude of the largest permissible load is therefore R  8.4 kN.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 51

Comparison of Shear and Bending Stresses

Consider the bending of simply supported rectangular beam subjected to a central
load. The max. bending moment occurring at mid-span has a value of PL/4 and
the shear force has a constant value of P/2 between each support and load P.

 xy  P/ 2

 P/ 2 x
P
Mxz Mmax  PL/ 4

3P 3P
At y1  0,  xy   max  
2bh 2 A
L/2 x (Example 3.1)

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 52

3 Fxy 3 P / 2 3 P
Thus, max. shear force  max    (a)
2 A 2 bh 4 bh

Mc ( PL / 4)( h / 2) 3 PL
and max. bending stress  max    (b)
I bh 3 / 12 2 bh 2
 max 1  h 
The ratio  max /  max is given by    (c)
 max 2  L 
If, for instance, L  10h , the quotient is only 1/20. For a slender beam, h  L ,
the shearing stress  xy is therefor much smaller than that of bending stress  xx .
The applied load is primarily by the bending stress in a slender beam. We
emphasize that only in very short beams are the shear stresses likely to be
of importance in comparison with the bending stresses.
 ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 53

Example 3.7
The part of hydraulic controlled loader arm is depicted in the Figure. The arm is
made of steel tubing, for which the ultimate stresses in tension and shear are
 u  450 MPa, and  u  290 MPa, respectively. The dimensions of the member are
c2  60 mm, c1  45 mm, L  2.4 mm. Find the maximum stress and factor of
safety.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 54

Solution. Assume the most likely failure point is at fixed end through H.
The effect of shear in the stress distribution is neglected.
The location of the critical point is at K, where the maximum moment and
the shear force are
M   PL  10( 2.4)  24 kNm
Fxy   P  10 kN

The cross-sectional area properties are z

A   ( c22  c12 )   (602  452 )  4948  103 mm2

 
I ( c24  c14 )  (604  454 )  6.958  106 mm4
4 4

The maximum tensile stress due to the bending occurs at point K.

Mc2 24(103 )(0.06)

 max    207 MPa
I 6.958(106 )
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 55

The maximum shearing stress takes place at the neutral axis z and is parallel to
y axis. By Eq. (3.4), we have

4 Fxy c22  c2c1  c12 4(10  103 ) 602  (60)( 45)  452
 max  
3A c22  c12 3( 4.948  103 ) 602  452
 3.98 MPa
This is a very low stress for the specified material. The bending stress
vanishes at the neutral axis,  H  0. The factor of safety is therefore

u 450
n   2.17
 max 207

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 56

Example 3.8
As the user tighten a lug nut on a lug bolt of an all-
terrain vehicle, a force F is applied to the wrench as
shown in the Fig. (a). The model of the wrench of
diameter d and length L is illustrated in Fig. (b). The
wrench is made of a high strength steel with yield
strength in tension  Y and yield strength in shear  Y .
The data are as follows:
d  20 mm, L  300 mm, F  500 N
 Y  345 MPa,  Y  210 MPa

Find: (a) The maximum bending stress and the

maximum shear stress in the wrench. (b) Factor of
safety
(b)
Assumption: The load F acts perpendicular to the axis
of the wrench in the vertical (xy) plane.
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 57

Solution. (a) The properties of the circular cross-sectional area of the

wrench are
d 20
c   10 mm  0.01 m
2 2
d 2  (20)2
A   314.159 mm2  314.159  106 m 2
4 4
d 4
 (20)4
I   7.854  103 mm4  7.854  109 m 4
64 64

Fxy y

z A
B

d  20 mm

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 58

From inspection, we see that the maximum tensile stress is at a stress element A
on the top surface at left end, while the largest shear stress occurs at an element
point B at the neutral axis along longitudinal axis of the wrench as shown in the
Figure. The bending moment M at the left end and the shear force Fxy at any
Cross-section are
M   FL  500(0.3)  150 Nm
Fxy   F  500 N
Hence, the stresses at A and B are respectively:

Mc 4F
 max   ,  max  xy
I 3A

N
Fxy y
z A
B

d  20 mm
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 59

Upon substituting the numerical values into the preceding equations, we obtain
the maximum stresses:
Mc 150(0.01)
 max     191 MPa
I 7.854(109 )
4F 4(500)
 max  xy    2.12 MPa
3A 3(314.159  106 )

(b) The factor of safety against yielding in bending is

Y 345
n   1.81
 max 191

The maximum shear stress, -2.12 MPa, is very low compared with the shear
yield strength of the steel.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 60

Example 3.9
An overhang beam ABC of rectangular cross section supports a
concentrated load P at the free end as shown in Fig. (a). The span length
from A to B is L, and length of overhang is L/2. The cross section has
width b and height h. Point D is located midway between the supports at
a distance d from the top face of beam. Knowing that the maximum
tensile stress (principal stress) at point D is  1  49 MPa , determine the
magnitude of load P. L  1.25 m, b  25 mm, h  150 mm, and d  25 mm.

P
d
A D
B C
L/2 L/2 L/2
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 61

Solution. The maximum principal stress is  1  49 MPa , determine the

load P.
• Support reactions
3
M A  0 : By ( L)  P (3L / 2)  0  By 
2
P

1
F y  0 : Ay  By  P  0  Ay   P
2

• Bending moment and shear force at point D. Imaginary cut at Point D

P
d
D
A A C
y By B
L/2 L/2 L/2

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 62

From FBD, we have

1 VD
Ay  VD  0  VD   Ay  P
2 D MD
A A
L L 1 y
M D  Ay    0  M D  Ay     PL L/2
2 2 4

Stresses at point D
bh3 (0.025)(0.153 )
I   7.031106 m 4 D 0.025
12 12 0.05
N.A.
My (0.25) P (1.25)(0.05) 0.0625
x     2222 P (Pa) 0.025
I 7.031 106

h d 
QD  A* yD  bd     0.025  0.025  (0.075  0.0125)
2 2
6 Q   ydA  A* y
 39.0625 10 m 3 A *
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 63

VD QD (0.5 P )(39.0625  106 )

 xy    111.11P (Pa)
Ib 7.031106 (0.025)

Principal stress
2
x  y    y 
1    x    xy
2

2  2 
2
2222 P  2222 P 
     (111.11P )  2228P (Pa)
2

2  2 

 1  49 MPa  49 106  2228P

49 106
 P  21.99 kN  22 kN
2228

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 64

Appendix C: Parallel-Axis Theorem

• Parallel-axis theorem relates the moment of inertia of an area
with respect to any axis to the moment of inertia around a parallel
axis through the centroid. The theorem is useful in determining
the moment of inertia of an area composed of several simple
shapes.
• To derive the parallel-axis
theorem, consider the area A as
shown in figure. Here x and y
represent the centroidal axes of the
area, parallel to the x and y axes,
respectively. The distance between
the two sets of axes and their
origins are d x ,d y and d o .
ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 65

• The moment of inertia about x axis is

I x   ( y  d y ) 2 dA   y 2 dA  2d y  ydA  d y2  dA
A A A A

The first term on the right represents the moment of inertia about
x axis, I x . The second term is zero since the x axis passes
through the area’s centroid C, that is,  ydA  yA  0 since y  0.
Hence,
I x  I x  Ad y2 (C.1a)

I y  I y  Ad x2 (C.1b)

This is the parallel-axis theorem: The moment of inertia of an

area about any axis is equal to the moment of inertia around a
parallel centroidal axis, plus the product of the area and the
square of the distance between the two axes.

ME2112 (Part 1) Chap 3 - 66

• Similarly, a relationship may be developed connecting the polar

moment of inertia J o of an area about arbitrary point O and the
polar moment of inertia J c about the centroid of the area:
J o  J c  Ad o2 (C.2)