STRESSES IN

BEAMS
ECONOMICAL SECTION

LEC.#10
REF: MECHANICS OF MATERIAL BY PYTEL & KIUSALAAS
ECONOMICAL SECTION

2
ECONOMICAL SECTION

3
STANDARD STRUCTURAL SHAPES

Wide-flange beam; W-shape.

I-beam; S-shape
4
STANDARD STRUCTURAL SHAPES

Wide-flange beam; W-shape.

Designation in Metric System

W610 x 140
nominal depth = 610 mm 5

mass per unit length = 140 kg/m.

STANDARD STRUCTURAL SHAPES

Wide-flange beam; W-shape.

Designation in English System

W36 x 302
nominal depth = 36 in. 6

weight = 302 lb/ft.

PROPERTIES OF STANDARD STRUCTURAL SHAPES

7
Procedure for selecting
Standard Shapes
• Neglecting the weight of the beam, draw the bending moment diagram to find
the largest bending moment Mmax.
• Determine the minimum allowable section modulus from 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝑀 𝑚𝑎𝑥 /𝜎𝑤 ,
where 𝜎𝑤 is the working stress.
• Choose the lightest shape from the list of structural shapes (such as in
Appendix B) for which 𝑆 ≥ 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛 and note its weight.
• Calculate the maximum bending stress 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 in the selected beam caused by
the prescribed loading plus the weight of the beam. If 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 ≤ 𝜎𝑤 , the
selection is finished. Otherwise, the second-lightest shape with 𝑆 ≥ 𝑆𝑚𝑖𝑛
must be considered and the maximum bending stress recalculated. The
process must be repeated until a satisfactory shape is found. 8
Note:
• When a structural section is selected to be used as a beam, the section modulus must be
equal to or greater than the section modulus determined by the flexure equation; that is,
𝑀 𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑆≥
𝑓𝑏𝑤
• If a beam is very slender (large L/r), it may fail by lateral buckling before the working
stress is reached. Lateral buckling entails loss of resistance resulting from a combination
of sideways bending and twisting. I-beams are particularly vulnerable to lateral buckling
because of their low torsional rigidity and small moment of inertia about the axis parallel to
the web. When lateral deflection is prevented by a floor system, or by bracing the flanges
at proper intervals, the full allowable stresses may be used; otherwise, reduced stresses
should be specified in design. Formulas for the reduction of the allowable stress are
specified by various professional organizations, such as the American Institute of Steel
Construction (AISC). In this chapter, we assume that all beams are properly braced
against lateral deflection.
9
Problem#1

• Find the lightest W-shape for the simply supported beam if the
working stress in bending is 18 ksi. What is the actual maximum
bending stress in the beam selected?

10
Properties of W-shape: Wide Flange

11
Problem#2

• Find the lightest W-shape for the beam shown if the working
stress in bending is 150 MPa. What is the maximum bending
stress in the beam selected?

12
Properties of W-shape: Wide flange

13
Properties of W-shape: Wide flange

14
Problem#3

• Find the lightest S-shape for the beam shown if the working
stress in bending is 120 MPa. What is the maximum bending
stress in the beam selected?

15
 Modified Board Work:
Economical Section
Find the lightest W shape for the beam shown if the
working stress in bending is 200 MPa. What is the
maximum bending stress in the beam selected?

16
 Modified Board Work:
Economical Section
Find the lightest W shape for the beam shown if the
working stress in bending is 200 MPa. What is the
maximum bending stress in the beam selected?

17
 Modified Board Work:
Economical Section
Find the lightest W shape for the beam shown if the
working stress in bending is 2.5 ksi. What is the maximum
bending stress in the beam selected?

18
Additional ref

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTCuDUTKahs&t=433s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCZ5jmPm1hw
• Strength of Materials: Economic Section for Beam Part 2 of 2 -
YouTube

19