MODULE 3

BENDING STRESSES IN BEAMS

When a beam is loaded, it’s subjected to bending moments, thus longitudinal or bending
stresses are induced in the cross-section. Relationship between the radius of curvature to
which the beam bends, the bending moment, the bending stress and its cross sectional
dimensions is established using the bending equation.

Assumptions in Theory of Bending

1. The material of the beam is perfectly homogenous throughout.
2. The stress induced is proportional to the strain and at no place the stress exceed the
elastic limit.
3. The value of modulus of elasticity (E) is same for the fibres of the beam under
compression or tension.
4. The transverse section of the beam, which is plane before bending, remains plane
after bending.
5. There is no resultant pull or push on the cross-section of the beam.
6. The loads are applied in the plane of bending.
7. The transverse section of the beam is symmetrical about a line passing through the
centre of gravity in the plane of bending.
8. The radius of curvature of the beam before bending is very large in comparison to its
transverse dimensions.

Note: For the beam shown in Figure 1 below. The outer radii material under loading will
be in tension and at the inner radii there will be compression. At some radius there will be
no stress. This layer of material is called the neutral layer or neutral axis.

Figure 1
Note: Figure 2 shows the longitudinal section of the beam. The neutral axis being bent to
form an arc of a cycle of radius R. The neutral layer is then before bending the length pq
which after bending becomes p1q1.

1
 Figure 2
Consider layer rs at a distance y from pq, which after bending becomes r1s1. Let p1q1
subtend an angle α at the center of curvature.
p1q1 = Rα (1)
and r1s1 = (R-y) α (2)
Initially pq = rs and since there is no stress at neutral axis, then there is no strain.
p1q1 = pq
Now, the strain in
𝑟𝑠 − 𝑟 1 𝑠1
𝑟𝑠 = (3)
𝑟𝑠

but rs = pq = p1q1

𝑝1 𝑞 1 − 𝑟 1 𝑠 1
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = (4)
𝑝1 𝑞 1

but 𝑝1 𝑞1 = 𝑅𝛼

and 𝑟 1 𝑠1 = (𝑅 − 𝑦)𝛼
𝑅𝛼 − (𝑅 − 𝑦)𝛼 𝑦
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 = = (5)
𝑅𝛼 𝑅
If the stress in 𝑟𝑠 = 𝜎 and the Young Modulus is E then
𝜎
𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛 =
𝐸
𝜎 𝑦 𝜎 𝐸
Therefore =𝑅 or =𝑅 (6)
𝐸 𝑦

Considering the transverse section of the beam (see Figure 2) as shown in Figure 3

2
 Figure 3
Let a strip of area δɑ lie at a distance y from the neutral axis. Thus, the normal force on
𝐸
this area 𝛿ɑ = 𝑅 𝑦𝛿ɑ
Now the moment M of this force about the neutral axis is given by
𝐸 𝐸 2
𝑀= 𝑦𝛿ɑ × y or 𝑦 𝛿ɑ (7)
𝑅 𝑅
This is the resisting moment of the material caused by the stress produced and the total
resisting moment is given by
𝐸 2 𝐸
𝑀=∑ 𝑦 𝛿ɑ or ∑ 𝑦 2 𝛿ɑ (8)
𝑅 𝑅
But 𝑦 2 𝛿ɑ is the second moment of area about the neutral axis 𝐼𝑁𝐴
𝐸
Thus resisting moment 𝑀 = 𝑅 × 𝐼

But since the resisting moment balances the applied bending moment

𝐸 𝑀 𝐸
𝑀= ×𝐼 𝑜𝑟 = (9)
𝑅 𝐼 𝑅
𝐸 𝜎
But =
𝑅 𝑦

𝑀 𝜎 𝐸
Therefore = = is called bending equation
𝐼 𝑦 𝑅

Where M= Moment of resistance

I= Moment of inertia of the section about neutral axis (N.A)/
E= Young modulus of elasticity
R= Radius of curvature of N.A
𝜎 = Bending stress

3
Position of Neutral Axis

Consider the cross section of the beam in Figure 3. The force acting on a small area 𝛿ɑ at a
distance y from the neutral axis is given by:

𝛿𝐹 = 𝜎𝛿ɑ

𝐸
= 𝑦𝛿ɑ
𝑅
Therefore, the total force normal to the section is given by

𝐸
𝐹= ∑ 𝑦 𝛿ɑ
𝑅
For zero resultant force ∑ 𝑦 𝛿ɑ = 0

Now ∑ 𝑦 𝛿ɑ is the moment of the sectional area about the neutral axis, and since this moment
is zero, the axis must pass through the centre of area. Thus, the neutral axis or neutral layer
passes through the centre of area.

Section Modulus

Making reference to the bending equation

𝑀 𝜎
=
𝐼 𝑦
𝑀𝑦 𝑀 𝑀
We have 𝜎 = =𝐼 = Where 𝑍 = 𝐼⁄𝑦 = 𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠
𝐼 ⁄𝑦 𝑍

The section modulus is usually quoted for all standard sections and practically is of greater
use than the second moment of area.

Note; The strength of a beam section depends on the section modulus.

CASE 1: Section modulus for rectangular section

Figure 4

4
Figure 4 shows a rectangular section of width b and depth d. Let the horizontal centroidal
axis be neutral axis
𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐚 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐬
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐙 =
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐬

𝐼
𝐒ection modulus Z =
𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑏𝑑3 𝑑
But 𝐼= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
12 2

𝑏𝑑3⁄
12
Therefore Z = 𝑑⁄
2

𝑏𝑑2
Z= 6

Moment of resistance M = σZ

1
M = σ × 𝑏𝑑 2
6
CASE 2: Section modulus for hollow rectangular section

Figure 5
From Figure 5, the moment of inertia about the neutral axis is given by

𝐵𝐷3 𝑏𝑑 3
𝐼= −
12 12
1
𝐼= (𝐵𝐷3 − 𝑏𝑑3 )
12
𝐷
And 𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2

5
 𝐼
Therefore, Section modulus 𝑍 =
𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥

(𝐵𝐷 3 −𝑏𝑑3 )/12

𝑍= 𝐷⁄
2

(𝐵𝐷 3 −𝑏𝑑3 )
𝑍= 6𝐷

(𝐵𝐷 3 −𝑏𝑑3 )
Moment of resistance 𝑀 = 𝜎𝑍 = 𝜎 × 6𝐷

CASE 3: Section modulus for circular section

Figure 6
From Figure 6, the moment of inertia about the neutral axis is given by

𝜋𝑑4 𝑑
I= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
64 2

𝐼
Therefore, section modulus 𝑍 = 𝑦
𝑚𝑎𝑥

𝜋𝑑4 /64
=
𝑑/2

𝜋𝑑3
=
32
𝜋𝑑3
Moment of resistance 𝑀 = 𝜎𝑍 = 𝜎 × 32

6
CASE 4: Section modulus for hollow circular section

Figure 7
From Figure 7, the moment of inertia about the neutral axis is given by
𝜋 𝐷
𝐼 = 64 (𝐷4 − 𝑑4 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2

𝐼
Section modulus 𝑍 = 𝑦
𝑚𝑎𝑥

𝜋(𝐷4 − 𝑑 4 ) 2
= ×
64 𝐷

𝜋 𝐷4 − 𝑑4
= ( )
32 𝐷

𝜋 𝐷 4 −𝑑4
Moment of resistance 𝑀 = 𝜎𝑍 = 𝜎 × 32 ( )
𝐷

EXAMPLE 1: A 250mm (depth) by 150 (width) rectangular beam is subjected to maximum

bending moment of 750kNm. Determine:
(i) The maximum stress in the beam.
(ii) If the value of E for the beam material is 200GN/m2. Find out the radius of
curvature for that portion of the beam were the bending is maximum.
(iii) The value of the longitudinal stress at the distance of 65mm from the top surface
of the beam.

7
Solution.

Width of the bean b=150mm=0.15m

Depth of the bean d=250mm=0.25m

Maximum bending moment M=750kNm

Young modulus of elasticity E=200GN/m2

(i) Maximum stress in the beam

𝑏𝑑3
Moment of inertia 𝐼 = 12
0.15 × 0.253
𝐼=
12
𝐼 = 0.0001953𝑚4

Distance of neutral axis (N.A) from the top surface of the beam

𝑑
𝑦=
2
0.25
𝑦=
2
𝑦 = 0.125𝑚
𝑀 𝜎
Using the relation = 𝑦 we get
𝐼

𝑀×𝑦
𝜎=
I

8
 750 × 103 × 0.125
𝜎=
0.0001953

𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑀𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝜎 = 4.8 × 108 N/m2 or 480MN/ m2

(ii) Radius of curvature

𝑀 𝐸
Using the relation = 𝑅 we get
𝐼

𝐸𝐼
𝑅=
𝑀
9
200 × 10 × 0.0001953
𝑅=
750 × 103
𝑅 = 52.08𝑚

(iii) Longitudinal stress at a distance of 65m from the top surface of the beam

Let Longitudinal stress at a distance of 65m from the top surface of the beam be 𝜎1
𝑀 𝐸 𝜎1
Using the relation = = we get
𝐼 𝑅 𝑦1

𝑀 × 𝑦1
𝜎1 =
𝐼
750 × 103 × (60 × 10−3 )
𝜎1 =
0.0001953
𝜎1 = 230.4𝑀𝑁/𝑚2

Note: y1 can also be determined as 125-65 = 60mm

EXAMPLE 2: A symmetrical section 200mm deep has a moment of inertia of 2.26 ×

10−5 𝑚4 about its neutral axis. Determine the longest span over which when simply
supported, the beam would carry a uniformly distributed load of 4kN/m run without the stress
due to bending exceeding 125MN/m2.

Solution:

Depth of the symmetrical section, d=200mm

Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, I= 2.26 × 10−5 𝑚4

Uniformly distributed load, w = 4kN/m run

9
Maximum bending stress, 𝜎 = 125 MN/m2
𝑀 𝜎
Using the relation =𝑦
𝐼

𝜎𝐼
𝑀=
𝑦

125 × 106 × 2.26 × 10−5

𝑀=
0.2⁄
2
𝑀 = 28.25 × 103 𝑁𝑚 ≡ 28.25𝑘𝑁𝑚

The maximum bending moment due to uniformly distributed load is

𝑤𝑙 2
𝑀=
8
4 × 𝑙2
28.25 =
8
𝑙 = 7.516𝑚

EXAMPLE 3: Determine the dimensions of joist of a timber for span 8m to carry a brick
wall 200mm thick and 5m high, if the density of brick work is 1850kg/m3 and the maximum
permissible stress is limited to 7.5MN/m2. Given that the depth of joist is twice the width.

Solution

Length of span l = 8m

Thickness of the brick wall = 200mm or 0.2m

Height of wall 5m Height of wall

Maximum permissible stress 7.5MN/m2

Density of brick work 1850kg/m3

let width and depth of joist be 𝒃 and 𝒅 respectively

Total weight of the wall W

= Length of span × thickness of wall × height of wall
× density of brick work per m3

Total weight of the wall 𝑊 = 8 × 0.2 × 5 × (1850 × 9.81)

10
𝑇otal weight of the wall W = 145188𝑁 𝑜𝑟 0.145𝑀𝑁

𝑊𝑙
Maximum bending moment =
8
0.145 × 8
=
8
= 0.145MNm

𝜎𝐼
Maximum of resistance M =
𝑦
3
𝜎 × (𝑏𝑑 ⁄12)
=
𝑑⁄
2
𝑏𝑑 2
=𝜎×
6
Equating moment of resistance to bending moment we get

𝑏𝑑2
0.145 = 7.5 × 𝑏𝑢𝑡 𝑑 = 2𝑏
6
𝑏 × (2𝑏)2 = 0.116
1
0.116 3
𝑏=( )
4
𝑏 = 0.307𝑚 𝑜𝑟 307𝑚𝑚, 𝑑 = 2𝑏 = 2 × 307 = 614𝑚𝑚

EXAMPLE 4: A floor has to carry a load of 12kN per square meter. The floor is supported
on a rectangular joist each 300mm × 100mm and 5m long. Calculate the distance apart (from
centre to centre) at which joist should be placed so that the maximum stress in the joist
should not exceed 8MN/m2.

Solution.

Moment of Inertia of each joist

𝑏𝑑3
𝐼=
12
0.1 × 0.33
=
12
= 2.25 × 10−4 𝑚4

11
Maximum bending moment (M) to which each joist is subjected
𝜎𝐼
𝑀= 𝑦

8 × 2.25 × 10−4
=
0.3
2
= 0.012𝑀𝑁𝑚 = 12𝑘𝑁𝑚

Let 𝑥 be the spacing in meter of the joist from centre to centre. Each joist will share half of
the load of the floor between two floors joist on each side. The length of each joist is 5m.
Therefore, the total load on each joist( centre to centre) will be

= 12 × 𝑥 × 5 = 60𝑥𝑘𝑁

𝑊𝑙 60𝑥 × 5
Maximum bending moment M = =
8 8
But 𝑀 = 12𝑘𝑁𝑚

60𝑥 × 5
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 12 =
8
𝑥 = 0.32𝑚 𝑜𝑟 320𝑚𝑚

EXAMPLE 5: A cast iron water main 12m long with 500mm inside diameter and 25mm
wall thickness runs full of water and is supported at its ends. Calculate the maximum stress in
the metal if density of cast iron is 7200kg/m3 and that of water is 1000kg/m3

Solution

Inside diameter of cast iron 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑑 = 500𝑚𝑚 = 0.5𝑚

Wall thikness 𝑡 = 25𝑚𝑚 = 0.025𝑚

Therefore outside diameter of cast iron 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝐷 = 𝑑 + 2𝑡

= 500 + (2 × 25)

= 550 = 0.55𝑚
𝜋
Cross sectional area of cast iron 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 = (0.552 − 0.52 )
4
= 0.04123𝑚2

12
 𝜋
Weight of water in one meter long main = × 0.52 × 1 × 1000 × 9.81
4
= 1926.19𝑁

Weight of water main per metre length = 0.04123 × 1 × 7200 × 9.81

= 2912.16N

Total weight of pipe(per meter length)when full of water = 2912.16 + 1926.19

= 4838.35𝑁

𝑤𝑙 2
Bending moment M =
8
4838.35 × 122
=
8
= 87090.3𝑁𝑚
𝜋
moment of inertia I = [(0.55)4 − (0.5)4 ]
64
= 1.42384 × 10−3 𝑚4

𝐷
y=
2
0.55
= = 0.275𝑚
2

13
Using the relation

𝑀 𝜎
= we get
𝐼 𝑦

𝑀𝑦
𝜎=
𝐼
87090.3 × 0.275
= × 10−6
1.42384 × 10−3
= 16.82𝑀𝑁/𝑚2

EXAMPLE 6: A hollow circular bar having outside diameter twice the inside diameter is
used as a beam. From the bending moment diagram of the beam, it is found that the bar is
subjected to a bearing moment of 40kNm. It the allowable bending stress in the beam is to be
limited to 100MN/m2. Find the inside diameter of the bar.

Solution

Let the inside diamter of hollow circular bar = 𝑑

Then outside diamter of hollow circular bar = D = 2d

Bending moment to which the bar is subected to M = 40kNm

Allowable bending stress σ = 100MN/m2

𝜋 4
Moment of inertia I = [𝐷 − 𝑑 4 ]
64
𝜋
= [(2𝑑)4 − (𝑑)4 ]
64

15 4
= 𝜋𝑑
64
𝐷
but y =
2
2𝑑
=
2
=𝑑

Using the relation

14
 𝑀 𝜎
=
𝐼 𝑦
we get

𝑀𝑦
𝜎 =
𝐼
40 × 1000 × 𝑑
100 × 106 =
15
(64 𝜋𝑑 4 )

𝑑 3 = 0.0005432

𝑑 = 0.0816𝑚 = 81.6𝑚𝑚

15