Mechanics of Materials

Lecture 10 Beams
Recall
• The flexure formula
Section Moduli

The corresponding normal stresses are σ1 and σ2

Where S1 and S2 are known as the section moduli

 Doubly symmetric beams
• Cross section is symmetric with respect to the
z axis as well as the y axis, then c1 = c2 = c
• The max tensile and compressive stresses are
equal numerically

• For a beam of rectangular cross section and

circular cross section
 Designing of beams for bending
stresses
• Consider only the bending stresses (i.e. The
stresses obtained from the flexure formula)
• Begin by calculating the required section
modulus
• If the beam has a doubly symmetric cross
section and the allowable stresses are the
same for both tension and compression then:
 Designing of beams for bending
stresses
• Allowable stress is based on material props
and factors of safety
• To ensure beam is not overstressed we need a
beam with a section modulus equal or greater
than S calculated on the previous slide
• Other goals minimise weight, material
• Most efficient beams have most of their
material furthest away from the NA
Shear stresses in beams of rectangular
cross sections
• Assume shear stresses act parallel to
shear forces
• Assume shear forces are uniformly
distributed over the width of the beam,
but may vary over the height
τ
m O
• Shear stresses acting on one side of an
element are accompanied by shear
stresses acting on perpendicular faces of
the element

• At the top and bottom of the beam the

horizontal shear stresses must vanish
τ = 0 at y = +-h/2
 Derivation of shear formula

• Easier to evaluate the horizontal forces rather than vertical forces

• Remember vertical shear stresses have the same magnitude as the horizontal
shear stresses

• Take a beam in non-uniform bending

 Derivation of shear formula
• On cross sections mn and m1n1 are:

• As given by the flexure formula

• Next isolate a sub element mm1p1p by passing
a horizontal plane through pp1
 Derivation of shear formula
• The top face of this element is the top of the
beam and its bottom surface is at a distance y1
from the NA
• If the bending moment varies along the x-axis
of the beam we can determine the shear
stress acting on the bottom surface of the sub-
element
 Derivation of shear formula
• Isolate an element dA
• The force acting on this element is σdA
• On the left-hand mp face the force is:
 Derivation of shear formula
Horizontal forces on the sub element

m m1

F1 F2 h/2
p p1

F3 y1
x
 Derivation of shear formula

• The integration is performed over the limits

y=y1 to y =h/2
• Similarly F2 acting on the opposite face is:
 Derivation of shear formula
• Since the sub-element is in equilibrium we can
sum the forces in the x direction

• F3 =F2 – F1

• or
 Derivation of shear formula
• If the shear stresses are uniformly distributed
over the width b of the beam the force F3 is
also equal to:

• Equating the two equations for F3 and solving

for the shear stress:
 Shear Formula

• Shear formula can be used to determine the shear

stresses at any point in the cross section of a rectangular
beam
• Note the variable is Q which is dependent on the
distance y1 from the NA
 Limitations
• Only valid for linear elastic materials with small
deflections
• The accuracy depends on the height to width
ratio:
– E.g. When b=h the true max shear stress is
approximately 13% higher
• Not applicable to triangular or semi-circular
beams
– The edges of the cross section must be parallel to the
y-axis
– The shear stresses must be unifrom accross the width