NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL AND PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

MP2071 LABORATORY 2A
P2.3 NORMAL AND SHEAR STRESSES IN OPEN
SECTIONS

CONTENTS

1) Introduction
2) Objectives of experiment
3) Procedure
4) Calculations and theoretical data
5) Experimental results
6) Graphical representation of data
7) Discussion
8) Conclusion

I. INTRODUCTION
Applying a load perpendicular to the axis of an open section beam results in bending,
twisting, shearing and deformation. Different structural physics of the beam will yield
distinct characteristically behaviour.

However, many other components come into play when the load is applied and upon
observation of its physical behaviour. In this experiment we focus on studying the effect
of applying offset loadings to open section beams that are N shaped and C shaped
orientated.

Figure 1 shows the application of the load P symmetrically through the vertical axis of an
N-shaped open section beam. The beam will experience deformation due to bending,
shearing but no twisting. This corresponds to its physical shear stress concentration and
normal stress distribution (as shown in figure 3). This is illustrated in the bending
moment and shear stress equations as follows:
My
I
VQ

It

x
ave

Fig 1: Effect of loading P directly on the vertical axis passing through the centroid of the
N shaped orientated beam.
However when the beams orientation is turned anticlockwise to form a C shaped beam,
the same load P applied through its centroid, it will experience effects of torsion
(twisting), bending and shearing deformations, as shown in figure 2. This is illustrated in
the bending moment and shear stress equations as follows:

My
(due to pure bending only)
I
VQ

(due to other additional effects of torque)

It

x
ave

Fig 2: Effect of loading P directly on the vertical axis passing through the centroid of the
C shaped orientated beam.

The difference in physical behaviour between the 2 orientated beams could be due to the
different shear stress and normal stress distribution along side the thin walls (Figure 3 and
4). This is because the centroid of each beam orientation is differently located, as well
as the shear center.

Fig. 3 Shear stress

distributions for N
shaped orientated open
section beam

Fig. 4 Shear stress

distributions for C
shaped orientated open
section beam

Note that the direct loading of P as described above has a similar effect of doing a
double loading test which will be explained in the procedure.
A single loading test (loading of P at only 1 side of the beam) is carried out to further
enhance the effect of twisting and torsion on both orientation type beams.

II. OBJECTIVES
1.) To

study

the

characteristics

of

bending,

shearing

and

twisting

deformation/deflection/stress components in the thin-walled open section beam

under the load applied to :
i)

a N-shaped orientated thin walled section beam ; long and short

ii)

a C-shaped orientated thin walled section beam ; long and short

2) To extricate the difference between the effects of bending, shearing and twisting
due to double loading and single-sided loading applied to long and short beams
of both shape orientations.

III. PROCEDURE
Double-loading test
1.) The fixed load P (of 6 kg) is applied simultaneously equidistant from the
centroid of the subject open section beam.
2.) The process starts by loading from the furthest distance on both sides of the beam
and coming inwards towards the centroid and neutral axis of the beam.

3.) The left and right deflections A and B on the gauges is noted respectively. The
sign convention considered is positive for clockwise deflection and negative for
anti-clockwise deflection on the gauge meter.
4.) Readings are taken at loading points 100mm to 40mm away from the centroid of
the subject beam from both sides.
5.) Values of deflection due to pure bending = are calculated and
tabulated.
Values of deflection due to twisting, shearing and other factors = are
calculated and tabulated.
6.) This is repeated for both N and C shape orientated beams and its long and short
counterparts.

Single---loading test
1.) The fixed load 2P (of 12 kg) is applied only one side from the centroid of the
subject open section beam.
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2.) The process starts by loading from the furthest distance on right side of the beam
and coming inwards towards the centroid and neutral axis of the beam and
through to the left side.
3.) The left and right deflections A and B on the gauges is noted respectively. The
sign convention considered is positive for clockwise deflection and negative for
anti-clockwise deflection on the gauge meter.
4.) Readings are taken at loading points +100mm to -100mm away from the centroid
of the subject beam.
5.)Values of deflection due to pure bending = are calculated and tabulated. Values of
deflection due to twisting, shearing and other factors = are calculated and
tabulated.
6.) This is repeated for both N and C shape orientated beams and its long and short
counterparts.

V. CALCULATIONS

This section is to obtain individual data based on the dimensions of the specimens
involved. Hence a theoretical result can be obtained, and then compared to the
experimental results.

Specification of dimensions

b
L

nn

cc

Inn
h

Icc

Deflection due to bending

bm = PL3
3EInn
where P is shear force, E is young modulus of steel (69Gpa)

nn = 0.5bt2+2t(h-t)[(h-t)/2+t]
bt+2t(h-t)

cc = ht2/2+ht(b-t/2)+tb(b-2t)/2
2ht+t(b-2t)

Moment of inertia for rectangle

I=1/12 bh3 (1)

Parallel axis theorem

I'=I+Ad2

(2)

Using equation (1) and (2)

Inn = 2[th3/12+ht(h/2- )2]+(b-2t)t3/12+t(b-2t)( -t/2)2

Icc = ht3/12+2ht(b/2-t/2)2+t(b-2t)3/12

Shear centre

e = th2b2
4Icc

THEORETICAL DATA for BOTH N and C shaped orientated beams.

Short
beam

Long beam

10

nn /mm

17.34

17.291

cc /mm
Inn /10-9

25.48
48.32

25-32
50.36

83.42

86.66

0.020

0.152

0.0116

0.0887

23

23

m4

Icc /10-9
4

bm
(nn) /mm

bm
(cc) /mm
e /mm

Those readings highlighted are vital readings that will be compared against the result
obtained experimentally (from the graphs).

VI. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS / DATA

Double Loading

11

Long Beam---N Shape (in mm)

Distance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40

0.37
0.36
0.35
0.35
0.35
0.36
0.35

0.37
0.36
0.37
0.38
0.38
0.36
0.37

(A-B)/2
0
0
-0.01
-0.015
-0.015
0
-0.01

(B+A)/2
0.37
0.36
0.36
0.365
0.365
0.36
0.36

Short Beam---N shape (in mm)

Distance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40

0.08
0.08
0.07
0.07
0.07
0.06
0.07

0.08
0.07
0.08
0.08
0.08
0.08
0.07

(A+B)/2
0.080
0.075
0.075
0.075
0.075
0.070
0.075

(B-A)/2
0.000
0.005
-0.005
-0.005
-0.005
-0.010
0.000

Long Beam - C shape (in mm)

Distance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40

-0.15
-0.30
-0.29
-0.30
-0.30
-0.29
-0.29

0.53
0.77
0.76
0.76
0.74
0.70
0.71

0.190
0.235
0.235
0.230
0.220
0.205
0.210

-0.340
-0.535
-0.525
-0.530
-0.520
-0.495
-0.500

-0.165
-0.162
-0.155
-0.147

0.270
0.247
0.240
0.242

Short Beam - C shape (in mm)

Distance

100
90
80
70

0.090
0.085
0.085
0.099

0.450
0.410
0.395
0.390

12

60
50
40

0.080
0.075
0.080

0.360
0.370
0.360

-0.140
-0.147
-0.140

0.220
0.222
0.220

1.560
1.480
1.390
1.290
1.230
1.100
1.050
0.350
0.258
0.175
0.100
0.025
-0.060
-0.140

-2.960
-2.775
-2.555
-2.323
-2.165
-1.895
-1.750
-0.150
0.0575
0.255
0.440
0.633
0.845
1.055

Single Loading
Long Beam - C shape (in mm)
Distance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100

-1.40
-1.29
-1.16
-1.02
-0.93
-0.79
-0.70
0.20
0.31
0.43
0.54
0.66
0.78
0.91

4.52
4.26
3.95
3.62
3.40
3.00
2.80
0.50
0.20
-0.08
-0.34
-0.61
-0.91
-1.20

Short Beam - C shape (in mm)

Distance

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
-40

-0.495
-0.460
-0.380
-0.355
-0.320
-0.360
-0.300
0.050

1.470
1.410
1.170
1.140
1.210
1.265
1.100
0.050

13

-0.983
-0.935
-0.775
-0.748
-0.785
-0.813
-0.700
0.000

0.488
0.475
0.395
0.393
0.425
0.423
0.400
0.050

-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100

0.085
0.120
0.265
0.320
0.365
0.370

-0.025
-0.100
-0.300
-0.420
-0.500
-0.470

0.055
0.110
0.283
0.370
0.433
0.420

0.030
0.010
-0.018
-0.050
-0.068
-0.050

Long Beam---N Shape (in mm)

Distance

(A-B)/2

(B+A)/2

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
-40
-50
-60
-70
-80
-90
-100

-1.57
-1.38
-1.15
-0.95
-0.83
-0.63
-0.44
1.19
1.42
1.62
1.83
2.02
2.17
2.37

2.45
2.23
1.97
1.77
1.63
1.41
1.21
-0.46
-0.68
-0.89
-1.07
-1.17
-1.24
-1.34

-2.01
-1.805
-1.56
-1.36
-1.23
-1.02
-0.825
0.825
1.05
1.255
1.450
1.595
1.720
1.825

0.440
0.425
0.410
0.410
0.400
0.390
0.385
0.365
0.370
0.365
0.380
0.425
0.450
0.515

Short Beam--- N Shape (in mm)

Distance

(A+B)/2

(B-A)/2

100
90
80
70
60
50
40
-40
-50
-60
-70

0.48
0.4
0.33
0.28
0.22
0.16
0.11
-0.24
-0.31
-0.36
-0.42

-0.68
-0.59
-0.50
-0.45
-0.39
-0.31
-0.26
0.09
0.16
0.21
0.25

-0.10
-0.095
-0.085
-0.085
-0.085
-0.075
-0.075
-0.075
-0.075
-0.075
-0.085

0.58
0.495
0.415
0.365
0.305
0.235
0.185
-0.165
-0.470
-0.285
-0.335

14

-80
-90
-100

-0.50
-0.57
-0.70

0.32
0.41
0.51

-0.090
-0.080
-0.095

-0.410
-0.490
-0.605

VI. DISCUSSION
From the results obtained from graphical method and comparing directly with the
theoretical results, it is evident that a certain degree of difference is noted between the
two. We will discuss the results obtained from double and single loading procedures.

Comparison of deflection values

For N Shape Double Loading Experimental and Theoretical value of
deflection due to Pure Bending Moment ()

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Type(Long)
Experimental
Theoretical
Ratio

0.38mm
0.152mm
2.5
Short Beam
0.075mm
0.02mm
3.75

Experimental
Theoretical
Ratio

1.

0.02mm
-0.13
-

From the above table as shown, it explains that the value for is very close to zero.
This shows that deflection is nearly purely caused by pure bending only, and the
effects of shearing and torsion is a bare minimal. Thus, we only consider the

bending moment that will affect the system due to =

My
I

2. For short beam, has a higher value, due to large contribution from shearing
stresses.
3. The ratio between experimental and theoretical values of deflection due to pure
bending for short has a higher ratio as compare to the long beam. Based on the

equation =

My
and M = F x L, the long beam has a bigger length value as
I

compared to the short beam. Therefore the Bending moment of long beam has a
bigger value. So if the other attributes (like shearing stresses) arise during the
experiment, they are more likely to appear in short beams. Same reason goes to

the

A B
in short beams for which the value will be bigger than the long
2

beam, with its value of

A B
closer to zero.
2

16

4. Through Single Loading test for N Shape for both length, it is found has an
increased value. This could be due to more significant effect of torsion or
twisting as the load is only applied on one side.

For C Shape Double Loading Experimental and Theoretical value of

deflection due to Pure Bending Moment
Type--Long
Experimental
Theoretical
Ratio
Experimental
Theoretical
Ratio

0.195mm
0.0887mm
2.2
Short beam
0.23mm
0.0115mm
19.8

1. The ratio between experimental and theoretical values for short beam has a higher
value as compared to long beam. This could be due to the fact that for short
beam, it constitutes for a large shearing stress and twisting effect.
2. For Single Loading tests, it is found that the difference in ratio has a greater due to
large contribution from a larger torsion with the other remaining factors. This
applied to both lengths.

Why is the experimental shear center (obtained from

intersection points of graph), different as compared to the
theoretically calculated shear center location?
1. e =

Fh
Vth 2 h
b 2th 2
=
=
V
4I V
4I

Because we consider the F = V but there is an angle formed due to twisting. As a result,
F V.

17

F = V sin . Therefore, we only need to consider of e =

Therefore:

b 2th 2
.
4 I sin

(Experimental) e > e (Theoretical)

2. The ratio of long beam shear center is greater than the ratio of short beam shear
center, because of the of the long beam is greater than the of the short beam.

Further discussion on single loading

Why the deflection due to bending moment is not constant?
1. From the formula = , the torsion will change and vary proportionally with the
angle . Compare the deflection between the two beam, the is a bigger than the
short beam due to deflection for long beam.
2. Since the angle for both beam have the different angle. The angle for long beam
is larger than short beam. Based on the graph, we compared both beams we
found out long beam have the bigger slope as compare to the short ones.
3. Due to torsion, will cause the change in angle, the plane shear stress varies
according the angle . When has changed, the will change. Hence the
deflection due to bending moment is different

Other possible explanations/discussions

The excessive and irregular beam deflection or deformation resulted from

continuous loading could result in a small degree of plastic deformation in

18

the beams walls. This could contribute to varying readings and then
apparent errors.

When the beam is orientated in a C shape orientation as compared to an N

shape orientation, the forces acting on the thin walls of the beam are
distributed along a different spatial orientation, giving much more
allowance for bending at joints between the thin walls. Thus this could
possibly explain the distinct differences when the beam is rotated 90
degrees to a C shape orientated beam.

VII. CONCLUSION
Through this experiment it is apparent that it is critical to study the behavior of
thin wall beams and how they react and deform corresponding to the physical structural
orientation and the way that the load is applied. It is important for engineers to bear in
mind all the factors that come into play that causes deformation like normal and shear
stresses, torsion and torques and bending moments, and give it a better understanding to
aid in designing a structure that do not fail readily under harsh circumstances.

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