Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Chapter 6

STRESSES IN BEAMS

Beams are subjected to bending moment and shearing forces which vary
from section to section. To resist the bending moment and shearing
force, the beam section develops stresses.

Bending is usually associated with shear. However, for simplicity we

neglect effect of shear and consider moment alone (this is true when the
maximum bending moment is considered---- shear is ZERO) to find the
stresses due to bending. A theory wherein stresses due to bending alone
is considered, it is known as PURE BENDING or SIMPLE BENDING theory.

Example of a beam that experienced a pure bending:

Pure Bending: Prismatic members subjected to equal and opposite

couples acting in the same longitudinal plane.

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Bending Action:

Sagging:

• Fibers below the neutral axis (NA) get stretched, Fibers are under
tension.

• Fibers above the NA get compressed, Fibers are in compression.

Compression

N.A.

Tension

sC

stress diagram
st

Hogging:(reverse of sagging)

o In between there is a fiber or layer which neither under goes

tension nor compression. This layer is called Neutral Layer
(stresses are zero).

o The trace of this layer on the c/s is called the Neutral Axis.

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Assumptions made in Pure bending theory:

1. The beam is initially straight and every layer is free to expand or

contract.
2. The material is homogenous and isotropic.
3. Young’s modulus (E) is same in both tension and compression.
4. Stresses are within the elastic limit.
5. The radius of curvature of the beam is very large in comparison to
the depth of the beam.
6. A transverse section of the beam which is plane before bending
will remain plane even after bending.
7. Stress is purely longitudinal.

Derivations of the Formula for Bending/Flexural Stress:

Consider a beam segment of length L.

After deformation, the length of the neutral surface remains L.

At other sections,

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L = ( − y )
 = L − L = ( − y ) −  = − y
 y y
x = =− =− (strain varies linearly)
L  
c c
m = or ρ=
 m
y
x = − m
c

o For a linearly elastic material,(Hooke’s Law)

y
 x = E x = − E m
c
y
= −  m (stress varies linearly)
c
o For static equilibrium

 y 
M =  − y x dA =  − y  −  m  dA
 c 
m 2  mI
M =  y dA =
c c
Mc M
m = =
I S
y
Substituti ng  x = − m
c
My
x = −
I
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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Where:

M = absolute bending moment (obtain from the M-d) at the particular

point
y = distance from the netral axis (N.A.) of the section to the particular
point
I = moment of inertia of the section about the N.A
I/c = S = Section modulus
c = distance from the N.A. to the farthest fiber of the section

Moment of Inertia (I) and Section Modulus (S) of Common Figures:

Rectangle:

h/2
𝑏ℎ3 𝑏ℎ2
h 𝐼= 𝑆=
N.A 12 6
h/2

Triangle:

2
ℎ 𝑏ℎ3 𝑏ℎ2
3
h 𝐼= 𝑆=
36 24
N.A
1
ℎ
3
b

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Circular:

𝜋𝑟 4 𝜋𝑟 3
𝐼= 𝑆=
r 4 4
N.A
𝜋𝑑 3
𝜋𝑑 4 𝑆=
𝐼= 32
64
d

Procedure in Solving for Bending/Flexural Stress:

o Use the method of sections to determine the bending moment M

(with its correct sign) at the cross section containing the given
point.
o Determine the location of the neutral axis.
o Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area
aboutthe neutral axis. ( If the beam is a standard structural
shape, its cross-sectionalproperties are listed.
o Determine the y-coordinate of the given point. Note that y is
positiveif the point lies above the neutral axis and negative if it
lies below theneutral axis.
o Compute the bending stress from the given formula above. If
correct signs are usedforMand y, the stress will also have the
correct sign (tension positive,compression negative).

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Sample Problem 5.1:

For a rectangular 2 in x 8 in beam, find maximum bending stress at a
point 1 ft. from the left support, and the maximum value of the bending
stress of the beam.

10 kips/ft

2 ft 4 ft
R1 R2
Solution:
• The shear and moment diagram of the beam;

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

12 kips/ft

2 ft 4 ft
16 kips 32 kips
16 kips

32 kips-ft

4/3 m

32
32
32 kips
16

a) the maximum bending stress at a point 1 ft from the left support.

ℎ
6𝑀 𝑀𝑐 𝑀( )
2
𝜎= = = 𝑏ℎ3
𝑏ℎ2 𝐼
12

𝑏 = 2 𝑖𝑛., ℎ = 8 𝑖𝑛.

𝑀 = 16 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡, moment at the point 1 ft from the left support.

6(16 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡)(12𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡)

𝜎= = 𝟗 𝒌𝒔𝒊
2𝑖𝑛(8 𝑖𝑛)2

b) the maximum bending stress of the beam

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

6𝑀
𝜎=
𝑏𝑑 2

𝑏 = 2 𝑖𝑛., 𝑑 = 8 𝑖𝑛.

𝑀 = 32 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡, 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡.

6(32 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 𝑓𝑡)(12𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡)

𝜎= = 𝟏𝟖 𝒌𝒔𝒊
2𝑖𝑛(8 𝑖𝑛)2

Bending Stress for Unsymmetrical Section:

For positive moment (the bending is concave upward):

Compression
y = yc
N.A. N.A.

y = yt

Tension

My c
σc =
I

My t
σt =
I
Note: reverse the bending for the negative moment.

Sample Problem 5.2:

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

The simply supported beam has the T-shaped cross-section shown.

Determine the values of the maximum; a) tensile bending stress, b)
compressive bending stress.
400 lb/ft 1000 lb

10 ft 4 ft

6 in
0.8 in

0.8 in
8 in

Solution;

• The shear and moment diagram:

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Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

400 lb/ft 1000 lb

10 ft 4 ft

1600 lb
3400 lb

1600 lb 1000 lb

4 ft

-2400lb

3200 lb-ft

4000 lb-ft

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

• Locating the neutral axis:

6 in

2 0.8 in
N.A.

0.8 in
1 8 in
𝑦̅

Solving for 𝑦̅:

𝐴 𝑇 (𝑦̅) = 𝐴1 𝑦1 + 𝐴2 𝑦2

[(8)(0.8) + (6)(0.8)](𝑦̅) = 6.4(4) + 4.8(8.4)

𝑦̅ = 5.886 𝑖𝑛.

• Solving for the centroidal moment of inertia:

By transfer formula, 𝐼 = 𝐼 ̅ + 𝐴𝑑 2

𝐼𝑁.𝐴. = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2

𝐼1 = 𝐼1̅ + 𝐴1 𝑑12 ,

0.8𝑖𝑛(8𝑖𝑛)3
𝐼1 = + (0.8𝑖𝑛)(8𝑖𝑛)(5.886𝑖𝑛 − 4𝑖𝑛)2 = 56.9𝑖𝑛4
12

𝐼2 = 𝐼2̅ + 𝐴2 𝑑22 ,

6𝑖𝑛(0.8𝑖𝑛)3
𝐼2 = + (0.8𝑖𝑛)(6𝑖𝑛)(8.4𝑖𝑛 − 5.886𝑖𝑛)2 = 30.59 𝑖𝑛4
12

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

𝑰𝑵.𝑨. = 𝟓𝟔. 𝟗𝒊𝒏𝟒 + 𝟑𝟎. 𝟓𝟗𝒊𝒏𝟒 = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟓 𝒊𝒏𝟒

Solving for the bending stresses:

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑦
𝜎𝑏 =
𝐼

• For Positive bending: 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3200 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡

Compression

N.A.

Tension

For the tensile stress in the positive bending:

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑦
𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐼
12𝑖𝑛
3200 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡 (5.886 𝑖𝑛)( 1𝑓𝑡 )
𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 𝟐𝟓𝟖𝟑. 𝟏𝟏 𝒑𝒔𝒊
87.5 𝑖𝑛4

For the compressive stress in the positive bending:

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑦
𝜎𝑐𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐼
12𝑖𝑛
3200 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡( 2.914 𝑖𝑛) ( 1𝑓𝑡 )
𝜎𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 𝟏𝟐𝟕𝟖. 𝟖𝟑 𝒑𝒔𝒊
87.5 𝑖𝑛4

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

• For Negative bending: 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 4000 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡

Tension

N.A.

Compression

y = 2.914 in
N.A.

y = 5.886 in

For the tensile stress in the negative bending:

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑦
𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐼
12𝑖𝑛
4000 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡 (2.914 𝑖𝑛)( 1𝑓𝑡 )
𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 𝟏𝟓𝟗𝟖. 𝟓𝟒 𝒑𝒔𝒊
87.5 𝑖𝑛4

For the compressive stress in the positive bending:

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑦
𝜎𝑐𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐼
12𝑖𝑛
4000 𝑙𝑏. 𝑓𝑡 (5.886 𝑖𝑛)( 1𝑓𝑡 )
𝜎𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 𝟑𝟐𝟐𝟖. 𝟖𝟗 𝒑𝒔𝒊
87.5 𝑖𝑛4

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

a) Therefore, the maximum tensile bending stress is

𝜎𝑇𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝟐𝟓𝟖𝟑. 𝟏𝟏 𝒑𝒔𝒊

b) Therefore, the maximum compressive bending stress is

𝜎𝐶𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝟑𝟐𝟐𝟖. 𝟖𝟗 𝒑𝒔𝒊

Shear Stress

If a beam were composed of many thin layers placed on one another,

bending would produce the effect shown in the figure. The separate
layers would slide past one another, and the total bending strength of the
beam would be the sum of the strengths of the individual layers.

To further illustrate shear stress, consider the simply supported beam

shown below. We isolate the shaded portion of the beam by using two
cutting planes:

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

The formula to calculate the shearing stress in beams is given:

VAy' VQ
= =
Ib Ib
V = Shear force at location along the beam where we wish to find from
the horizontal shear stress
A = cross sectional area, from point where we wish to find the shear
stress at, to an outer edge of the beam cross section (top or bottom)
y' = distance from neutral axis to the centroid of the area A.
I = moment of inertia for the beam cross section.
b = width of the beam at the point we wish to determine the shear
stress.
(In some texts, the product Ay' is given the symbol Q and used in the
shear stress equation)

Shearing stress diagram/distribution of a rectangular section:

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

𝑏ℎ ℎ
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 ( )( ) 3𝑉
2 4
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏ℎ 3
=
𝑏 2𝑏ℎ
12
note:
o the maximum shear stress is develop at the neutral axis
o the shear stress at the top/bottom fiber is zero

Sample Problem 5.3:

For a rectangular 2 in x 8 in beam, find the shear stress at 3 ft from the

left support, 2 inches from the bottom of beam and the maximum value
of the shearing stress of the beam.

4 kips/ft

A C C
2m B 2m

Solution:

Formula:
𝑉𝑄
𝜏=
𝐼𝑏

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

a) Shear stress at 3 ft from the left support, 2 inches above the bottom of
the beam;

4 kips/ft

A C
M
2m B

3m V
2 kN

𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝑉 = 2𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 − 4 (1𝑓𝑡) = −2 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠,
𝑓𝑡
or
say, V = 2 kips

For a rectangular cross-section; (2 in x 8 in)

8 in N.A
y
2 in

𝑄 = 𝐴(𝑦) = [2𝑖𝑛(2𝑖𝑛)](3𝑖𝑛) = 𝟏𝟐 𝒊𝒏𝟑

𝑏ℎ3 2𝑖𝑛(8𝑖𝑛3 )
𝐼= = = 𝟖𝟓. 𝟑𝟑 𝒊𝒏𝟒
12 12

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Solving for the shear stress;

𝑉𝑄 2𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠(12𝑖𝑛3 )
𝜏= = = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒 𝒌𝒔𝒊
𝐼𝑏 85.33 𝑖𝑛4 (2𝑖𝑛)

b) the maximum value of the shearing stress of the beam;

The shear and moment diagrams;

4 kips/ft

A C C
2m B 2m

2 kips 6 kips

4.5 6 kips
4

For the maximum shear stress of a rectangular cross-section;

3 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 3 6 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = ( ) = 𝟎. 𝟓𝟔𝟐𝟓 𝒌𝒔𝒊
2 𝑏ℎ 2 2𝑖𝑛 𝑥 8𝑖𝑛

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Sample Problem 5.4:

The overhanging beam beam has the T-shaped cross-section shown.
Determine the values of the maximum; a) shearing stress at the
connection of the web and the flange of the section (at the red line), b)
shearing stress of the beam.

400 lb/ft 1000 lb

10 ft 4 ft

6 in
0.8 in

0.8 in
8 in

Solution:

Formula:
𝑉𝑄
𝜏=
𝐼𝑏

The shear diagram; to determine the maximum shear.

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

400 lb/ft 1000 lb

10 ft 4 ft

1600 lb 3400 lb

1600
1000 1000

2400

From the shear diagram, Vmax = 2400 lb.

For the moment of inertia about the N.A.( refer to the solution of sample problem
5.3)
6 in

0.8 in
N.A.

0.8 in
8 in
̅ = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒊𝒏.
𝒚

𝑰𝑵.𝑨. = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟓 𝒊𝒏𝟒

a) shearing stress at the connection of the web and the flange of the
section.

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

𝑉𝑄
𝜏=
𝐼𝑏

6 in

y 0.8 in
N.A.

0.8 in
8 in
̅ = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒊𝒏.
𝒚

𝑰𝑵.𝑨. = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟓𝒊𝒏𝟒

Solving for the value of Q;

5.886
𝑄 = 𝐴(𝑦) = [5.886𝑖𝑛(0.8𝑖𝑛)] ( 𝑖𝑛) = 1𝟑. 𝟖𝟔𝒊𝒏𝟑
2
2.114
𝑄 = 𝐴(𝑦) = 6(0.8)(2.514) + 2.114(. 8) ( ) = 13.86
2

• Solving for the maximum shear stress at the connection of the

web and the flange of the section.

𝑉𝑄 2400𝑙𝑏(13.862𝑖𝑛3 )
𝜏= = = 475.2𝒑𝒔𝒊
𝐼𝑏 87.5 𝑖𝑛4 𝑖𝑛4 (0.8 𝑖𝑛)

b) maximum shearing stress of the beam:

𝑉𝑄
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐼𝑏

Solving for the value of Q;

6 in
𝑰𝑵.𝑨. = 𝟖𝟕. 𝟓𝒊𝒏𝟒
0.8 in
N.A.
y
0.8 in
8 in 142
̅ = 𝟓. 𝟖𝟖𝟔 𝒊𝒏.
𝒚
 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

𝑄 = 𝐴 (𝑦) = [5.886𝑖𝑛(0.8𝑖𝑛)](2.943𝑖𝑛) = 𝟏𝟑. 𝟖𝟓𝟖 𝒊𝒏𝟑

• Solving for the maximum shear stress

𝑉𝑄 2400𝑙𝑏(13.858𝑖𝑛3 )
𝜏= = = 𝟒𝟕𝟓. 𝟏𝟑𝒑𝒔𝒊
𝐼𝑏 87.5 𝑖𝑛4 (0.8 𝑖𝑛)

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

Problems:

1. A square box beam is made of 20 mm thick plate. Calculate the

moment of inertia and section modulus of the beam.

200 mm

150 mm

2. A section modulus of ½-in thick circular pipe is 1.75 in 3. Calculate

the outer diameter of the pipe.

3. The maximum bending moment in a rectangular 150 mm x 200

mm, 8 m foot long beam is 2.4 kN.m. Determine the maximum
bending stress in the beam.

4. A 15-in high rectangular wooden cantilever beam has a maximum

bending moment of 4800lb.ft. If the allowable bending stress is
2.4 ksi. What is the minimum width of the beam needed to
support the load?

5. A W10x25 (I = 133 in4) steel cantilever beam is 12 feet long.

Determine the maximum point load that a beam can carry at the
midpoint without exceeding the allowable bending stress of 24 ksi.

6. Determine the minimum section modulus needed for a8 m beam

to carry a uniformly distributedload of 12 kN/m. The beam is
simply supported at its ends with allowable bending stress of 18
MPa.
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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

7. A 10 m long rectangular 100 mm x 200 mm beam has a

distributed load of 500 Newton per meter. It is simply supported
at its ends. Determine the maximum shear stress in the beam.

8. Determine the maximum concentrated load that can be put at the

end of a 6-ft. long 4-in. diameter cantileverbeam. The maximum
allowable shear stress for construction fir is 98 psi.

9. Determine the maximum uniformly distributed load that can be

carried by an 12 m. long 150 mm x 250 mm beamwhich is simply
supported at its ends. The allowable bending stress is 20 MPa.
What is the maximumshear stress in the beam?

10. For a rectangular 100 mm x 150 mm beam, find (a) the bending
stress at x = 4 m, and (b) the shear stress at x = 4 m, 25 mm
belowfromtoppestfiberof beam.

60 kN 30 kN

y 10 kN/m

C
x
2m 8m
Problem 10

11. The simply supported timber beam has a circular cross section 100
mm in diameter. Find the maximum bending stress and the
maximum shear stress in the beam.

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

40 kN
20 kN-m

1m 1m 2m

Problem 11

12. Calculate the maximum bending stress and the maximum shear
stress of the beam shown below with T-section.(Section
dimensions: bf = 100 mm, tf = 10 mm, dw = 90 mm, and tw = 10
mm)

20 kN/m
flange

web
4m

Problem 12

13. Calculate the maximum tensile and compressive bending stress,

and also the maximum shear stress of the beam
shown.
60 kN 40 kN

10 kN/m 100 mm

150 mm
C
2m 3m 2m
150 mm
Problem 13

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 Mechanics of Deformable Bodies (Strength of Materials)

14. The simply supported beam is made of 20-mm-thick boards as

shown. Determine the largest permissible value of the load
intensity w0if the workingstresses are1.2 MPa for shear and 18
MPa for bending.

Wo (kN/m)
200 mm

C
3m
Problem 14 200 mm

15. The overhanging beam carries concentrated loadW and a

uniformlydistributed load of magnitude 6W. The working stresses
are 40 MPa in tension, 65 MPa in compression, and 55 MPain
shear.
W
160

6W (total load) 100

200
150
C
5m 2m
Problem 15 Units are mm

147