Bending stress

Worked examples

Worked example 1:

Vertical axis of symmetry: Yes.

Horizontal axis of symmetry: Yes

So the neutral axis passes through the centroid of the beam cross-section (at halfway through
the depth of the beam).

Calculate second moment of area for beam cross-section using:

n 2
I =  y dA i
z i=1 i

Using parallel axis theorem

8  202 3  100  14 3 
Iz = + 2   + 108 2  100  14 
12  12 
Parallel axis theorem (a 2 A)

Web 2 Flanges
= 5.49  10 6 + 32.71  10 6
= 38.20  10 6 mm 4
= 38.20  10 −6 m 4
Without using parallel axis theorem (easier!)
100  230 3 46  202 3
Iz = − 2
12 12
= 38.20  10 mm
6 4

Would a beam of this cross-section support M=60 kNm if the stress must not exceed 75
MN/m2 ?

60  103  115  10 −3
 x, max =
M max ymax
I
=
38.2  10 −6
= 180.63MN / m 2 (  75MN / m , i.e. beam fails )
2
Worked example 2:

Vertical axis of symmetry: Yes.

Horizontal axis of symmetry: No

So must determine position of centroid from (first) moment of area.

Draw a reference axis at any convenient position (in this case the bottom of the section).
Divide the beam section convenient parts (in this case 3 rectangles).

Using:
n
Ay =  yi dAi
c i=1

gives:

( A1 + A2 + A3 )yc = y1 A1 + y 2 A2 + y3 A3
(160  80 + 90  150 + 200  50)yc = 240 (160  80) + 125 (90  150) + 25 (200  50)
i.e.
y c = 138.0mm

So the neutral axis passes through the centroid of the beam cross-section (at 138.0 mm from
the base of the beam cross-section).

Calculate second moment of area for beam cross-section using:

n 2
I =  y dA i
z i=1 i
(have no choice but to use parallel axis theorem in this case).
 160  80 3
Iz = + (240 − 138)  160  80 A1
2

12
90  150 3
+ + (125 − 138)  90  150 A2
2

12
200  50 3
+ (25 − 138)  200  50
A3
+
2

12

Parallel axis theorem (a 2 A)

= 297.4  10 6 mm 4
= 297.4  10 −6 m 4

Would a beam of this cross-section support M=60 kNm if the stress must not exceed 75
MN/m2 ?

60 103 142 10 −3

 x, max =
M max ymax
I
=
297.4 10 −6
= 28.65MN / m 2 (  75MN / m , i.e. beam OK )
2
Worked example 3:

(a) and (b): See the Bending moment diagrams Worked examples sheet where the BM
diagram was sketched.
70

60
Bending moment, M (kNm)

60kNm
50

40
40kNm
30

20

10

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
x (m)

40kN 10kN/m
W

2m 2m 2m

x
From the bending equation:

 x , max M max
=
y max I
y max M max
I
 x , max
D 4 ( D 2)  60 10 3

64 75 10 6
D 3  8.149 10 −3
D  0.201 m