Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Worked Examples on Bending and Shearing stresses

To solve for the maximum bending and shearing stress in a statically determinate constant cross-
section beam:

Step 1: Solve for the support reactions and plot the shear force diagram to arrive at the Moment
Diagram.

Step 2: From the moment and shear force diagram read off the maximum moment (negative or
positive) 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 and shear force 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 in the beam.

Step 3: Calculate the location of the centroid of the section.

Step4: Calculate the moment of inertia for the section about its centroid 𝐼.

Step5: Determine the distance from the centroid to the extreme fiber of the section 𝑦.

Step 6: Calculate 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥

𝑀𝑦 𝑉𝑄
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐼 𝐼𝑏

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Example 1

The simply supported beam in Figure (a) has a rectangular cross section 120𝑚𝑚 wide and
200𝑚𝑚 high.

i. Draw shear force and bending moment diagram.

ii. Determine the location and values of the maximum bending moment and shear force.
iii. Determine maximum tensile and compressive stresses due to bending, state where on the
beam these occur and sketch the bending stress distribution over the cross section.
iv. Compute the bending stress at a point on section B that is 25𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam
v. Determine maximum shearing stresses due to shear force and state where on the beam
these occur.
vi. Compute the shearing stress at a point on section B that is 25𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam
vii. At the location of maximum shearing force, determine shear stress at 𝑦 =
0, 25𝑚𝑚, 50𝑚𝑚, 75𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 100𝑚𝑚 from the Neutral axis of the cross section and
sketch the bending stress distribution over the cross section.

Solution

Step 1: Drawing the FBD of the beam under the loads and support conditions.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Step2: Determine the reaction of the beam using equilibrium equation

Referring FBD in Step 1:

→ + ∑ 𝐹𝐻 = 0 , 𝑹𝑨𝑯 = 𝟎

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 → 𝑅𝐴𝑉 + 𝑅𝐸𝑉 − 6 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚 ∗ 3𝑚 − 15 = 0

𝑅𝐴𝑉 + 𝑅𝐸𝑉 = 33𝑘𝑁 … … … … … … 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛1

6∗32
 + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 → 𝑅𝐸𝑉 ∗ 3𝑚 − ( 2
) − 15 ∗ 2 = 0 → 𝑹𝑬𝑽 = 𝟏𝟗𝒌𝑵

From 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛1, 𝑹𝑨𝑽 = 33 − 𝑹𝑬𝑽 → 𝑹𝑨𝑽 = 33 − 19 = 𝟏𝟒𝒌𝑵

Step3: Determine the variation shear force and bending moment along the longitudinal axis of
the beam

Section 1-1:
+↑ ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 → 14 − 6𝑥 − 𝑉 = 0

→ 𝑉 = 14 − 6𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚
𝑥
+↺ ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 → 𝑀 − 14𝑥 + 6𝑥 ( ) = 0
2
→ 𝑀 = 14𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚
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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Section 2-2:

+↑ ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 → 14 − 6𝑥 − 15 − 𝑉 = 0

→ 𝑉 = −1 − 6𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 2𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3𝑚
𝑥
+↺ ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 → 𝑀 − 14𝑥 + 6𝑥 ( ) + 15(𝑥 − 2) = 0
2
→ 𝑀 = −𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 + 30 𝑓𝑜𝑟 2𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3𝑚

0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚 2𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3𝑚
Shear force 14 − 6𝑥 −1 − 6𝑥
Bending moment 14𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 30 − 𝑥 − 3𝑥 2
Step 4: Draw shear force and bending moment diagram

ii. Determine the location and values of the maximum bending moment and shear force.

From shear force diagram, 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 19𝑘𝑁 located at point E which is 3𝑚 from point A to the
right.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

From bending moment diagram, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 16𝑘𝑁𝑚 located at point D which is 2𝑚 from point A
to the right.

Step 5: Calculate the location of the centroid of the section and moment of inertia for the section
about its centroid 𝐼.
The given cross section is rectangular.
ℎ 200
 Centroid = 2 = = 100𝑚𝑚
2
𝑏ℎ3 120𝑚𝑚∗(200𝑚𝑚)3
 Moment of inertia about its centroid 𝐼 = =
12 12
6 4
= 80 ∗ 10 𝑚𝑚

Step 6: Determine bending stress in the beam

iii. Determine maximum tensile and compressive stresses due to bending, state where on the
beam these occur and sketch the bending stress distribution over the cross section.

 The maximum tensile and compressive bending stresses acting at any given cross section
occur at points located farthest from the neutral axis (i.e. exterior fiber). Let us denote by
𝒚𝟏 and 𝒚𝟐 the distances from the neutral axis to the extreme elements in the positive and
negative y directions respectively.

Applying flexural formula with 𝒚𝟏 = 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝒎𝒎, the absolute maximum bending stress is

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 ∗𝒚𝟏 (16∗106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(100𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑐,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = −20𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at point D which is 2𝑚
𝐼 𝟖𝟎∗𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑚𝑚4

from point A to the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the top exterior fiber from
Neutral axis on the cross section.

The negative sign indicates that this bending stress is compressive which is expected because the
bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie above the neutral axis.

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 ∗𝒚𝟐 (16∗106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(−100𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑡,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = +20𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at point D which is 2𝑚
𝐼 𝟖𝟎∗𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑚𝑚4

from point A to the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the bottom exterior fiber
from Neutral axis on the cross section.

The positive sign indicates that this bending stress is tensile which is expected because the
bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie below the neutral axis.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

iv. Compute the bending stress at a point on section B that is 25𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam

Let us first determine bending moment at point B. Point B is located at 0.8𝑚 to the right of point
A. From 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚, the moment equation is given by 𝑀 = 14𝑥 − 3𝑥 2 . Therefore, 𝑀𝐵 = 14 ∗
0.8 − 3(0.8)2 = 9.28𝑘𝑁𝑚. Thus, at point B where 𝑦𝐵 = 75𝑚𝑚, the bending stress becomes

𝑀 ∗ 𝑦𝐵 (9.28 ∗ 106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(75𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝐵 = − =− = −8.7𝑀𝑝𝑎
𝐼 𝟖𝟎 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝑚𝑚4

The negative sign indicates that this bending stress is compressive which is expected because the
bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie above the neutral axis.

Step 7: Determine shearing stress in the beam

v. Determine maximum shearing stresses due to shear force and state where on the beam
these occur.

Maximum shear stress occur at the Neutral Axis, since b is constant throughout the cross section
and Q is the largest for this case.

100𝑚𝑚
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑦 = (120𝑚𝑚)(100𝑚𝑚) ( ) = 60 ∗ 104 𝑚𝑚3
2

Using the shear force 𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟏𝟗𝒌𝑵 and the shear formula

𝑉𝑄 (19∗103 𝑁)(60∗104 𝑚𝑚4 )

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = == (80∗106 𝑚𝑚4 )(120𝑚𝑚)
= 1.1875𝑀𝑝𝑎
𝐼𝑏

We can also compute the maximum shear stress for rectangular cross-section using

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

3𝑉 3(19∗103 𝑁)
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2𝐴 = 2(120𝑚𝑚)(200𝑚𝑚) = 1.1875𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at point E which is 3𝑚 from

point A to the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the Neutral axis on the cross
section.

vi. Compute the shearing stress at a point on section B that is 25𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam

A horizontal section line is drawn through point B and the partial area 𝐴′ is shown shaded, hence

25𝑚𝑚
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑦 = (120𝑚𝑚)(25𝑚𝑚) (100𝑚𝑚 − ) = 𝟐𝟔. 𝟐𝟓 ∗ 𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝒎𝒎𝟑
2

Point B is located at 0.8𝑚 to the right of point A. From 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚, the shear equation is given
by 𝑉 = 14 − 6𝑥 . Therefore, 𝑉𝐵 = 14 − 6 ∗ 0.8 = 9.2𝑘𝑁.

Shear stress at point B

Using the shear force 𝑽 = 𝟗. 𝟐𝒌𝑵 and the shear formula

𝑉𝐵 𝑄 (9.2∗103 𝑁)(𝟐𝟔.𝟐𝟓∗𝟏𝟎𝟒 𝒎𝒎𝟒 )

𝜏𝐵 = = (80∗106 𝑚𝑚4 )(120𝑚𝑚)
= 0.25𝑀𝑝𝑎
𝐼𝑏

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

vii. At the location of maximum shearing force, determine shear stress at 𝑦 =

0, 25𝑚𝑚, 50𝑚𝑚, 75𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 100𝑚𝑚 from the top surface of the beam cross section and
sketch the bending stress distribution over the cross section.

𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟏𝟗𝒌𝑵

𝑉𝑄 𝑉 ℎ2 2
19 ∗ 103 2002
𝜏= = ( −𝑦 )= 6
( − 𝑦 2 ) = 1.1875 ∗ 10−4 (10000 − 𝑦 2 )
𝐼𝑏 2𝐼 4 2 ∗ 80 ∗ 10 4

Distance from the top surface (mm) 𝑦1 (𝑚𝑚) 𝜏(𝑀𝑃𝑎)

0 100 0
25 75 0.52
50 50 0.89
75 25 1.113
100 (NA) 0 1.1875

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Example 2

The overhanging beam in Figure (a) has the T-shaped cross section shown.

i. Draw shear force and bending moment diagram.

ii. Determine the location and values of the maximum bending moment and shear force.
iii. Determine maximum tensile and compressive stresses due to bending, state where on the
beam these occur and sketch the bending stress distribution over the cross section.
iv. Compute the bending stress at a point on section C that is 25𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam
v. Determine maximum shearing stresses due to shear force and state where on the beam
these occur.
vi. Compute the shearing stress at a point on section C that is 40𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam
vii. At the location of maximum shearing force, determine shear stress at 𝑦 =
0, 25𝑚𝑚, 50𝑚𝑚, 75𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝐴 from the Neutral axis of the cross section and sketch
the bending stress distribution over the cross section.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Solution

Step 1: Drawing the FBD of the beam under the loads and support conditions.

Step2: Determine the reaction of the beam using equilibrium equation

Referring FBD in Step 1:

→ + ∑ 𝐹𝐻 = 0 → 𝑹𝑨𝑯 = 𝟎

↑ + ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 → 𝑅𝐴𝑉 + 𝑅𝐵𝑉 − 30 𝑘𝑁⁄𝑚 ∗ 2𝑚 − 30 = 0

𝑅𝐴𝑉 + 𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 90𝑘𝑁 … … … … … … 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛1

30∗22
 + ∑ 𝑀𝐴 = 0 → 𝑅𝐵𝑉 ∗ 4𝑚 − ( 2
) − 30 ∗ 6 = 0 → 𝑹𝑩𝑽 = 𝟔𝟎𝒌𝑵

From 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛1, 𝑹𝑨𝑽 = 90 − 𝑹𝑩𝑽 → 𝑹𝑨𝑽 = 90 − 60 𝑹𝑨𝑽 = 𝟑𝟎𝒌𝑵

Step3: Determine the variation shear force and bending moment along the longitudinal axis of
the beam

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Section 1-1:

+↑ ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 → 30 − 30𝑥 − 𝑉 = 0 → 𝑉 = 30 − 30𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚

𝑥
+↺ ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 → 𝑀 − 30𝑥 + 30𝑥 ( ) = 0 → 𝑀 = 30𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚
2

Section 2-2:

+↑ ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 → 30 − 30 ∗ 2 − 𝑉 = 0

→ 𝑉 = −30𝑘𝑁 𝑓𝑜𝑟 2𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4𝑚

+↺ ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 → 𝑀 − 30𝑥 + 30 ∗ 2(𝑥 − 1) = 0

→ 𝑀 = 60 − 30𝑥 𝑓𝑜𝑟 2𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4𝑚

Section 3-3:

+↑ ∑ 𝐹𝑉 = 0 → 30 + 60 − 30 ∗ 2 − 𝑉 = 0

→ 𝑉 = 30𝑘𝑁 𝑓𝑜𝑟 4𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6𝑚

+↺ ∑ 𝑀𝑥 = 0 → 𝑀 − 30𝑥 + 30 ∗ 2(𝑥 − 1) − 60(𝑥 − 4) = 0

→ 𝑀 = 30𝑥 − 180 𝑓𝑜𝑟 4𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6𝑚

0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚 2𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4𝑚 4𝑚 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6𝑚

Shear force 30 − 30𝑥 −30𝑘𝑁 30𝑘𝑁

Bending moment 30𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 60 − 30𝑥 30𝑥 − 180

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Step 4: Draw shear force and bending moment diagram

ii. Determine the location and values of the maximum bending moment and shear force.

From shear force diagram, 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 30𝑘𝑁 located at point A, C, B and D.

From bending moment diagram, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 (+𝑣𝑒) = 15𝑘𝑁𝑚 located at 1𝑚 from point A to the right.

From bending moment diagram, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 (−𝑣𝑒) = −60𝑘𝑁𝑚 located at 4𝑚 from point A to the
right.

Step 5: Calculate the location of the centroid of the section and moment of inertia for the section
about its centroid 𝐼.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Locate the centroid of T-shaped cross section

Part 𝐴𝑖 (𝑚𝑚2 ) 𝑥̅ 𝑖 (𝑚𝑚) 𝑦̅ 𝑖 (𝑚𝑚) 𝐴𝑖 𝑥̅ 𝑖 (𝑚𝑚3 ) 𝐴𝑖 𝑦̅ 𝑖 (𝑚𝑚3 )

1 10,000 0 275 0 2,750,000

2 6,250 0 125 0 781,250

Sum 16,250 0 3,531,250

∑ 𝐴𝑖 𝑥̅ 𝑖 0
𝑥̅ = = =0
∑ 𝐴𝑖 16,250

∑ 𝐴𝑖 𝑦̅ 𝑖 3,531,250
𝑦̅ = = = 217.31𝑚𝑚
∑ 𝐴𝑖 16,250

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

The Moment of inertia about its centroid 𝐼 can be computed by using procedures for composite
figures and using parallel axis theorem.

Part 𝐴 (𝑚𝑚2 ) 𝑑𝑥 (𝑚𝑚) 𝑑𝑦 (𝑚𝑚) 𝐴𝑑𝑥 2 (𝑚𝑚3 ) 𝐴𝑑𝑦 2 (𝑚𝑚3 ) 𝐼𝑥̅ (𝑚𝑚4 ) 𝐼𝑦̅ (𝑚𝑚4 )

1 10,000 57.69 0 576,900 0 1 1

(200)(503 ) (50)(2003 )
12 12

2 6,250 92.31 0 576,937.5 0 1 1

(25)(2503 ) (250)(253 )
12 12
Total 16,250 1,153,837.5 0 34,635,416.664 33,658,854.164

𝐼𝑥 = ∑ 𝐼𝑥̅ + ∑ 𝐴𝑑𝑦 2 = 34,635,416.664 + 0 = 34,635,416.664𝑚𝑚4

𝐼𝑦 = ∑ 𝐼𝑦̅ + ∑ 𝐴𝑑𝑥 2 = 33,658,854.164 + 1,153,837.5 = 34,812,691.664𝑚𝑚4

Step 6: Determine bending stress in the beam

iii. Determine maximum tensile and compressive stresses due to bending, state where on the
beam these occur and sketch the bending stress distribution over the cross section.

 The maximum tensile and compressive bending stresses acting at any given cross section
occur at points located farthest from the neutral axis (i.e. exterior fiber). Let us denote by
𝒚𝟏 and 𝒚𝟐 the distances from the neutral axis to the extreme elements in the positive and
negative y directions respectively.

For maximum positive bending moment, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 (+𝑣𝑒) = 15𝑘𝑁𝑚

Applying flexural formula with 𝒚𝟏 = 𝟖𝟐. 𝟔𝟗𝒎𝒎, the absolute maximum bending stress is

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 ∗𝒚𝟏 (15∗106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(82.69𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑐,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = −35.81𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at 1𝑚 from point A to
𝐼𝑥 𝟑𝟒,𝟔𝟑𝟓,𝟒𝟏𝟔.𝟔𝟔𝟒𝑚𝑚4

the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the top exterior fiber from Neutral axis on
the cross section. The negative sign indicates that this bending stress is compressive which is
expected because the bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie above the neutral
axis.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 ∗𝒚𝟐 (15∗106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(−217.31𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑡,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = +94.1𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at point 1𝑚 from
𝐼 𝟑𝟒,𝟔𝟑𝟓,𝟒𝟏𝟔.𝟔𝟔𝟒𝑚𝑚4

point A to the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the bottom exterior fiber from
Neutral axis on the cross section. The positive sign indicates that this bending stress is tensile
which is expected because the bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie below the
neutral axis.

For maximum negative bending moment, 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 (−𝑣𝑒) = 60𝑘𝑁𝑚

Applying flexural formula with 𝒚𝟏 = 𝟖𝟐. 𝟔𝟗𝒎𝒎, the absolute maximum bending stress is

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 ∗𝒚𝟏 (60∗106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(82.69𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑐,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = −143.246𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at 4𝑚 from point A
𝐼𝑥 𝟑𝟒,𝟔𝟑𝟓,𝟒𝟏𝟔.𝟔𝟔𝟒𝑚𝑚4

to the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the bottom exterior fiber from Neutral
axis on the cross section. The negative sign indicates that this bending stress is compressive
which is expected because the bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie above the
neutral axis.

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 ∗𝒚𝟐 (60∗106 𝑁𝑚𝑚)(−217.31𝑚𝑚)

𝜎𝑡,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− 𝜎𝑡,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = +376.453𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at point
𝐼 𝟑𝟒,𝟔𝟑𝟓,𝟒𝟏𝟔.𝟔𝟔𝟒𝑚𝑚4

4𝑚 from point A to the right on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the top exterior fiber
from Neutral axis on the cross section. The positive sign indicates that this bending stress is
tensile which is expected because the bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie
below the neutral axis.

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Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

iv. Compute the bending stress at a point on section C that is 25𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam

Let us first determine bending moment at point C. Point C is located at 2𝑚 to the right of point
A. From 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚, the moment equation is given by 𝑀 = 30𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 . Therefore, 𝑀𝐶 =
30 ∗ 2 − 15(2)2 = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚. Thus,

At point C where 𝑦𝐶 = 57.69𝑚𝑚, the bending stress becomes

𝑀𝐶 ∗ 𝑦𝐶 (0𝑁𝑚𝑚)(57.69𝑚𝑚)
𝜎𝐶 = − =− = 0𝑀𝑝𝑎
𝐼 𝟑𝟒𝟔𝟑𝟓𝟒𝟏𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝟒𝑚𝑚4

Step 7: Determine shearing stress in the beam

vi. Determine maximum shearing stresses due to shear force and state where on the beam
these occur.

Maximum shear stress occur at the Neutral Axis, since b is not constant throughout the cross
section.

50𝑚𝑚 32.69𝑚𝑚
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑦 = (200𝑚𝑚)(50𝑚𝑚) (32.69 + ) + (25𝑚𝑚)(32.69𝑚𝑚) ( )
2 2
= 590257.95𝑚𝑚3

Worked Examples on Bending and Shearing stresses Page 16

Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Using the shear force 𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟑𝟎𝒌𝑵 and the shear formula

𝑉𝑄 (30∗103 𝑁)(590257.95𝑚𝑚3 )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 20.45𝑀𝑝𝑎 → Located at point A, C and B which is
𝐼𝑏 34635416.664(25𝑚𝑚)

on the longitudinal axis of the beam and at the Neutral axis on the cross section.

vii. Compute the shearing stress at a point on section C that is 40𝑚𝑚 below the top of the
beam

A horizontal section line is drawn through point C and the partial area is shown shaded hence

40𝑚𝑚
𝑄 = 𝐴𝑦 = (200𝑚𝑚)(40𝑚𝑚) (82.69𝑚𝑚 − ) = 𝟓𝟎𝟏, 𝟓𝟐𝟎𝒎𝒎𝟑
2

Point C is located at 2𝑚 to the right of point A. From 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2𝑚, the shear equation is given
by 𝑉 = 30 − 30𝑥 . Therefore, 𝑉𝐶 = 30 − 30 ∗ 2 = −30𝑘𝑁.

Shear stress at point C

Using the shear force 𝑽𝑪 = −𝟑𝟎𝒌𝑵 and the shear formula

𝑉𝐵 𝑄 (30∗103 𝑁)(𝟓𝟎𝟏𝟓𝟐𝟎𝒎𝒎𝟑 )
𝜏𝐶 = = (34635416.664𝑚𝑚4 )(200𝑚𝑚) 𝜏𝐶 = 2.172𝑀𝑝𝑎
𝐼𝑏

Worked Examples on Bending and Shearing stresses Page 17

Department of Civil Engineering Strength of Materials

Note: The bending stress at point 𝜎𝐶 = 0. Hence, the given beam is under pure shear at point.

vii. At the location of maximum shearing force, determine shear stress at 𝑦 =

0, 25𝑚𝑚, 50𝑚𝑚, 75𝑚𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝐴 from the Neutral axis of the cross section and sketch
the bending stress distribution over the cross section.

𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟑𝟎𝒌𝑵

𝑉𝑄
𝜏=
𝐼𝑏

Distance from the top surface (mm) 𝑦1 (𝑚𝑚) 𝜏(𝑀𝑃𝑎)

0 82.69 0
25 75 1.52
50 50 2.5/19.987
75 25 20.096
82.69 (NA) 0 20.45

Worked Examples on Bending and Shearing stresses Page 18