MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

Strains
Chapter 6. Stress in Beams (Normal and Shear Stresses)
bending
moment

shear
forces

6.1 Introduction
So far, we have been concerned with finding distributions of shear force and bending
moment in statically determinate beams (statically indeterminate beams will be discussed later).
Irrespective of the type of beam involved, however, shear forces and bending moments represent
only the resultants of the internal stress distributions in the beam. In general, both normal and
shear stresses are involved, and are associated with the bending moment and shear force,
respectively. We must determine these stresses if we are to assess the ability of the beam to
support loads applied to it.

P
x

Assumptions:
1. Straight beams with constant cross section
area, (x axis is along the longitudinal axis).
2. The y axis is an axis of symmetry of the
cross section. (the x-y plane is the plane of
symmetry). In other words, the cross
section is symmetric with respect to the x-y
plane.
3. All the loads acts in the x-y plane

deflections occur in the x-y plane

plane of bending

pure bending constant bending moment over at least part of the beam

and shear force V = dM / dx = 0

nonuniform bending bending moment with shear forces

6-1

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

M1

M1

P
x

a
M1

P
V
0

0
M2
B

M2

-P

Pa

0
M
-M2

6.2 Strain-Displacement Analysis

After lateral loading, the longitudinal axis is bent into a curve.

To determine a curve use curvature.
recall, axial loading elongation.
torsional load angle of twist.
strains Hooke'
s
stresses
Law

Curvature
O'

m2

+d

m1

ds

ds

d
m2

m1

x
x

v +dv

dx

dx

O: center of curvature
: radius of curvature
1
: curvature =

d = ds d x
d 1
= =
dx

6-2

(small deflection)

(6.2.1)

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics
y

Fall, 2008
y

Positive curvature

Negative curvature

Normal Strains:
Euler-Bernoulli assumptions:
Cross sections of a beam remain plane after bending and normal to the longitudinal axis
y

e
O
M

s
c

y f

dx
n

neutral axis
z

d M

O'

m
y

dx
n

s
d

Apply positive bending moment positive curvature

upper surface (a b) under compression shortened
lower surface (c d) under tension elongated
there exists a surface (s s) which does not change in length ( x = 0 )
The surface (s s) which extends not only along the length of the beam but also across the width
of the beam is called neutral surface of the beam
Its line of intersection of the neutral surface with the beam cross section is called the neutral axis
of the cross section. For instance, in the above figure, the z-axis is the neutral axis for the cross
section.
d
d = d x
(
= )
dx
Strain: length of ef before loading: dx
length of ef after loading: ( y)d = dx ydx
6-3

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

( y)d d x
= y (Strain-displacement Equation)
dx
The above equation establishes the expression for the basic kinematic hypothesis for the flexure
theory. However, it is clear that the strain in a bent beam varies along the beam depth linearly
with y, information is lacking for locating the origin of the y axis (so far, we know the distance y
is from the neutral surface). With the following Hookes law and an equilibrium equation, this
problem is resolved in the next section.
strain x =

6.3 Flexural Stresses in Linearly Elastic Beams

x = y
Hookes law
x = E x = E y

(6.3.1)
(6.3.2)

y
neutral axis

dA

c1

c2

d A = E y d A = E y d A

Since

dA = 0

(no resultant axial load )

ydA = 0

(first moment of cross sectional area)

Therefore, the z-axis passes through the centroid of the cross section
Since the y-axis is an axis of symmetry, the y-axis passes through the centroid of the cross
section
O (intersection of y and z axes) is the centroid of the cross section.

zd A = 0

Because

ydA = 0

y and z axes are principal centroidal axes

* Neutral axis can be found by locating the centroid of the cross section under pure bending.
moment (moment about the neutral axis)
d M = x yd A
M = x y d A

M = x ydA = E y 2 dA
M = EI

I=

y dA = moment of inertia with respect to the neutral z-axis

2

6-4

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

M
EI

EI: flexural rigidity

(6.3.4)

My
I

flexural formula

(6.3.5)

Fall, 2008

recall x = E y

x =
x : bending stress.

In the beam under any arbitrary loading the flexural formula can be written more specifically

x ( x, y ) =

M ( x) y
I
y

Negative bending
moment

Positive bending
moment

+M

+M

Negative
curvature

-M

Positive
curvature

-M
x

Analogous to the torsion problem:

Shear stress varies linearly from the axis of a circular shaft.
Normal stress varies linearly from the neutral surface of the beam.
y

Compressive stresses

Tensile stresses

1
c1

c2

c1

+M
x

Positive
bending

-M

x
Negative
bending
moment

c2

moment

Tensile stresses

1 = Max. compression stress

2 = Max. tensile stress

Compressive stresses

Mc1

Max. tensile stress

Mc 2

Mc1
I

Max. compression stress

Mc2
I

Define
I
,
c1
as section moduli of the cross sectional area.
S1 =

6-5

S2 =

I
c2

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

1 =

2 =

S1

M
S2

Fall, 2008

unit of S = in3 or m3

(6.3.6)

Special cases
(1) The cross section is symmetric with respect to the z-axis ( c1 = c2 = c)
Mc
M
I
section modulus
1 = 2 =
= , S =
I
S
c
(2) Rectangular cross section
y

h/2
z

I=
h/2

bh 3
,
12

S=

bh 2
6

(3) Circular cross section

y

I=

d 4
64

S=

d 3
32

Example 6.3.1 Determine max

q = 6.4 kN/m
h =240 mm

b=
140mm

L = 3.5 m
qL
2

V
0

6-6

qL
2

From the previous handout

qL2 1
Mmax =
= (6.4 kN / m)(3.5) 2
8
8
= 9800 N m

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

bh 2 1
S=
= (140 mm)(240 mm)2
6
6
= 1.344 10 6 mm3
M
9800N m
max = max =
S
1.344 106 mm 3

qL2
8

M
0

= 7.29MPa
Example 6.3.2 Determine maximum tensile stress t , maximum compressive stress c .
200 lb
20 lb/ft

5 ft

3 ft

I = 2.81 in.4 ( with respect to the neutral axis )

Mmax = Pa +

qL2
2

1
lb
2
Mmax = (200lb)(5ft.) + (20 )(8ft)
2
ft.
= 1,640ft lb = 19,680 in lb
M c
(19,680 in lb)(0.606in.)
t = max 1 =
2.81in. 4
I
= 4,240 psi
M c
(19,680in lb)(2.133in.)
c = max 2 =
2.81in. 4
I
= 14,900 psi

0.606 in.

z
2.133 in.

Example 6.3.3
P

b1
c

h1

L
h2

Ra

Rb

P=1.8 kip, L=9 ft, c = 3.5 ft., b=3 in., b1=1 in., h=4 in., h1=3 in..
Determine maximum t , minimum c ?
(I) Statics:
c
P,
L
Ra = 700lb,
Ra =

FBD

Lc
P
L
Rb = 1100 lb

Rb =

1) 0 < x < L c
6-7

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

M =0,

M(x) = Ra x

Ra

2) L c < x < L
P

M =0,

M( x ) = Ra x P( x L + c )

Ra

Mmax

Mmax = Ra ( L c ) = 46,200 in lb
0

(II) Determine I
y=

c1

y1 = (

2.5

z
c2

(1)

1.5

d1
d2

(2)

z'

I = I1 + I2

y2 =

h1

2
h2

1
yi Ai
A

+ h2 ) = (1.5 + 1) = 2.5

= 0.5
2
A1 = h1b1 = 3(1) = 3, A2 = h2 b = 1(3) = 3
3(2.5 + 0.5)
y=
= 1.5in.
3+3
( use parallel axis thm. )

b1 h13
bh3
2
2
+ A1d1 ) + ( 2 + A2 d2 )
12
12
(1)33
(3)13
=(
+ 3(1)2 ) + (
+ 3(1)2 ) = 8.5in 4
12
12
46,200 2.5
Mmax c 2 46,200 1.5
M c
t =
=
= 8.15 ksi, c = max 1 =
= 13.59 ksi
8.5
I
I
8.5
=(

6.4 Design of Beams

Example 6.4.1

6-8

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

allow = 1200 psi , determine dmin ?

( neglect the weight of the beam )

d
x

M =0

Ma = 750 7.2 = 5400 ft lb

= 64800in lb
Mmax = 64800in lb

750 lb.

7.2 ft.
Ma

S=
3
min

d
dmin

750 lb.

d 3

Mmax

32 allow
= 550.0in 3
= 8.19 in

64800 in lb
1200 psi

0
M

-64,800 in-lb

Example 6.4.2
y

c1

50
mm

N.A.

top 7
= , determine t ?
bot 3

c2
120 mm

c1

7
= ,
c2 3

c1 =

c2
3
7
c1 + c 2 = 50,
(1 + )c 2 = 50
3
c 2 = 15,
c1 = 35
50 t
t
(120t) + 2
+ t t(50 t)
y i Ai 2

c2 =
=
= 15
120t + 2t(50 t)
Ai
t2 90t + 800 = 0
t = 10 mm
6.8 Shear Stress and Shear Flow in Beams

Recall: shear stress comes with two pairs in the mutually perpendicular planes.

6-9

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

: horizontal shear stress

: transverse shear stress

( vertical )

At the top and bottom of the beam

=0

at

y=

h
2

V
?
A
Approach: (different from the derivation of normal stress x )
A relationship for shear stress is obtained from the equilibrium requirement of force
balance along the longitudinal axis of the beam.

ave =

Existence of horizontal shear stresses

(a)
The strips are connected by gluing. The slipping
for the most part is prevented by the shear stresses
developed in the glue.

Relative slipping between the thin strips

(b)

(c)

Assumptions: (1) The direction of the shear stresses is parallel to the shear force V;
(2) the distribution of shear stress is uniform across the width (b) of the beam.
Rectangular Cross section

6-10

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

t
V
h

M
n

(a)

n
m

(b)

m
h/2 M

(c)

p1

A*

x
M+dM

y1

y1

h/2

dA

m1

dx
n

n1

max

Side view of beam

Cross section

Shear stress

Consider the solid element

a1

m1

dx

m1

F1

b1

b
m

dA

F2
p
F3

p1

h/2
y1

p1

dx

Face m1a1b1p1
My
(M + d M)y
1 d A =
dA
2 d A =
dA
I
I
total horizontal force on mabp
total horizontal force on m1a1b1p1
My
(M + d M)y
F1 = *
dA
F
=
dA
A
2
*

I
A
I
horizontal force on maa1m1=0

Face mabp

6-11

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

horizontal force on pbb1p1 F3 = tdx

By equilibrium

F3 = F2 F1
dM
dM
b d x = A*
yd A =
ydA
*
I
I A
dM Q
=
dx It
where Q * y d A is the first moment of m1a1b1p1 (the first moment of the cross-sectional area
A

with respect to neutral axis above the level at which the shear stress is evaluated)
VQ
=
shear formula
It
Calculate Q:

(6.8.1)

In the beam under any arbitrary loading the shear formula can be written more specifically

( x, y ) =

V ( x)Q( y )
It ( y )

(1) Rectangular Cross Section

b
Q = A* y d A = y b y d y d z = by y d y = y2
1
1
2
2
h
2

b
2

h
2

h
2

y1

b h2
= ( y12 )
2 4

or

Q = * ydA = yA*
A

= ( y1 +

h
2

( y : centroid of A* )

y1 h
t h2
)t ( y1 ) = ( y12 )
2
2
2 4

VQ V h 2
=
= y12
It
2I 4

2
1. ~ y1 from neutral axis
h
2. = 0 at y =
2
3. max at neutral axis
Vh 2 3V
max =
=
8I
2A
h
t
1
1 2 2 V h2
2
= dA = h t
y1 dy1dz
A

A
th 2 2 2 I 4

h
V h2
V 1 3 V
1
h =
[ y1 y13 ]2 h =
2
th3 6
A
2 Ih 4
3
2
12

6-12

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

(2) Circular Cross Section

y

r
q

(3) Hollow Circular Cross Section

y

r2

r1

Fall, 2008

1. max occurs at the neutral axis ( y = 0 )

VQ
max = y =0 =
It
2
4r r
2r 3
r 4
]
=
, t = 2r , I =
[ Q = yA* =
3 2
3
4
4V
max =
3A

4 4
2
(r2 r1 ), t = 2(r2 r1 ) , Q = (r23 r13 )
4
3
2
2
VQ 4V r2 + r2 r1 + r1
max =
=
It
3 A r22 + r12
I=

A = (r22 r12 )

Example 6.8.1 A circular pole with diameter d under a concentrated load P. Determine
(a) The maximum shear stress max
(b) The maximum bending stress max
Constant shear V=P
P
Maximum moment at clamped end Mmax = PL
L
d

max =

4V
4P
4(2.5kN)
=
=
= 189 kPa
2
3A 3 d / 4 3 (150mm) 2 / 4

max =

PL
(2.5 kN)(2m)
Mmax
=
=
= 15.1MPa
3

d
S
(150mm )3 / 32
32

L=2 m
d=150 mm
P=2.5 kN

Example 6.8.2 A cantilever beam of rectangular cross section under a uniform load. Allowable
stress in bending allow , allowable stress in shear allow . Determine a formula for L0 below which
the shear stress governs the permissible load and above which the bending stress governs.

6-13

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

Bending

qL2
bh 2
, S=
2
6
Mmax 3qL2
=
=
2
S
bh

Mmax =

max
(allow)

qallow =

bh2 allow
2
3L

(1)

Shear

V max = qL , A = bh
3V
3qL
max = max =
2A
2bh
(allow)
2bh allow
qallow =
3L
Equating (1) and (2) to obtain L0
h
L0 = allow
2 allow

b
bending

qallow

(2)

shear

L0

Shear Stresses in the Webs of Beams with Flanges

In practice, the shear stresses in the web account for 95% of the total shear force.
y

a
h1 /2
y1

d
h1 /2
h

O
web

h1 /2

h1 /2

min
max

(shear stress in the web)

6-14

Dr. Yuan

MAE314

Solid Mechanics

Fall, 2008

h / 2 y1
h
h h h h / 2 h1 / 2
) + t( 1 y1 ) (y1 + 1
)
Q = b( 1 ) ( 1 +
2
2
2
2 2 2
Af

yf

Aw

yw

b
t
= (h2 h12 ) + (h12 4y12 )
8
8
VQ V
2
2
2
2
=
=
[b(h h1 ) + t(h1 4y1 )]
Ib 8It
bh3 (b t)h13 1

= (bh 3 bh13 + th13 ) ]

[ I=
12
12
12
Vb 2
t 2
2
max(y1 = 0) =
[(h h1 ) + h1 ]
8It
b if t << b,
max
min
Vb 2
2

[(h h1 )]
h =
min(y1 = 1 )

8It
2
V
ave =
th1

6-15

Dr. Yuan