CE-212: MECHANICS OF SOLIDS-II

Unsymmetrical
Bending

Courtesy of
PROF. DR. MOHAMMAD ASHRAF
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
• The flexural formula (σ = My/I) is applicable only when the bending moment (M) is applied about any one
of the principle axes. As any axis of symmetry of a section is always the principle axis and in most cases the
moment is applied about the axis of symmetry or its perpendicular, the bending is known as symmetrical
bending.
• When the bending moment is applied about an axis other than the principle axes of the section, it is called
unsymmetrical bending.
• Consider a beam with cross section as shown, subjected to a bending moment (M) about an axis inclined
at angle (θ) with principle z-axis.
• Resolve M into its rectangular components (Mz and My) along principle axes.
𝑀𝑧 = 𝑀𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑀𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
• The problem has become a combined stress case with bending moments
about both principle axes, given by:
𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦 𝑀𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑀𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜎𝑥 = − 𝑦+ 𝑧=− 𝑦+ 𝑧 −−−− −(𝑎)
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
• At neutral axis, stress is zero, i.e.
𝜎𝑥 = 0
𝑀𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑀𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
⇒− 𝑦+ 𝑧=0
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦
𝑦 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑧
⇒ = = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃
𝑧 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝐼𝑦 𝐼𝑦
• If α is the inclination of neutral axis, then 𝑦/𝑧 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼, therefore:
𝐼𝑧
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 −−− −(𝑏)
𝐼𝑦
• Thus in case of unsymmetrical bending, the neutral axis rotates and do not shift. From equation (b)
angle α will be equal to angle θ i.e. neutral axis will coincide with moment axis when 𝐼𝑧 = 𝐼𝑦
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Example 1.4: A 100 x150 beam shown in figure is used to support a uniformly distributed load of 4 kN
(total) on a simple span of 3 m. The applied load acts in a plan making an angle of 30 o with the vertical as
shown in figure. Calculate maximum stress at midspan and for the same section locate neutral axis.
Neglect the weight of the beam.
Solution: The maximum bending moment produced at the midspan of the simply supported beam is:
𝑊𝐿 4.0 𝑥3.0
𝑀= = = 1.5 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚 = 1.5𝑥106 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚
8 8
𝑀𝑧 = +𝑀𝑐𝑜𝑠30 = +1.30𝑥106 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚
𝑀𝑦 = +𝑀𝑠𝑖𝑛30 = +0.75𝑥106 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚

Now the geometric properties of the section are:

3
100 150
𝐼𝑧 = = 28.125 𝑥 106 𝑚𝑚4
12
3
150 100
𝐼𝑦 = = 12.500 𝑥 106 𝑚𝑚4
12
Now the stress equation is:
𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦 1.30𝑥106 0.75𝑥106
𝜎𝑥 = − 𝑦+ 𝑧=− 𝑦+ 𝑧 = −0.046𝑦 + 0.060𝑧 −− −(𝑎)
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 28.125𝑥106 12.500𝑥106
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Example 1.4: At neutral axis, the stress is zero. Therefore
𝑦 0.060
−0.046𝑦 + 0.060𝑧 = 0 ⇒ = ⇒ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 = 1.304
𝑧 0.046
⇒ 𝛼 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 1.304 = 52.5𝑜
The stresses at corners A, B, C and D are calculated from equation (a) using the
corresponding coordinates.

Point y Z Stress (MPa)

A -75 50 6.45
B -75 -50 0.45
C 75 -50 -6.45
D 75 50 -0.45

Therefore, the maximum tensile stress is at corner A and the maximum

compressive stress is at corner C.
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Prob. 1336: A cantilever beam 10 ft long with a Tee section as shown carries two
concentrated loads applied as shown in figure. Compute the inclination of the neutral axis
at the wall, and the maximum compressive and tensile stresses.
Solution: Calculate the geometric properties of section.
σ 𝐴𝑦 8 4 + 6 8.5
𝑦ത = = = 5.93 𝑖𝑛
σ𝐴 8+6
1 8 3 6 1 3
𝐼𝑧 = ෍ 𝐼𝑧 + 𝐴𝑑 2 = + 8 5.93 − 4 2
+ + 6 8.5 − 5.93 2
= 112.6 𝑖𝑛4
12 12

8 1 3 1 6 3
𝐼𝑦 = ෍ 𝐼𝑦 + 𝐴𝑑 2 = +0+ + 0 = 18.67 𝑖𝑛4
12 12

The bending moment produced at wall due to the applied loads are separately calculated:
𝑀1 = 1414 10 = 14140 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 = 169,680 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛
𝑀2 = 1000 6 = 6000 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑓𝑡 = 72,000 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Prob. 1336: Resolving each moment vector into its components along both principle axes.
𝑀𝑧 = −𝑀𝑧1 − 𝑀𝑧2 = −𝑀1 𝑐𝑜𝑠 45 − 𝑀2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30
𝑀𝑧 = − 169,680 𝑐𝑜𝑠 45 − 72,000 𝑐𝑜𝑠 30 = −182,336 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛
𝑀𝑦 = −𝑀𝑦1 + 𝑀𝑦2 = −𝑀1 𝑠𝑖𝑛 45 + 𝑀2 𝑠𝑖𝑛 30
𝑀𝑦 = − 169,680 𝑠𝑖𝑛 45 + 72,000 𝑠𝑖𝑛 30 = −93,982 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛

Using unsymmetrical formula the stress equation is:

𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦 −182,336 −93,982
𝜎𝑥 = − 𝑦+ 𝑧=− 𝑦+ 𝑧
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 112.6 18.67
𝜎𝑥 = 1619𝑦 − 5035𝑧 −− −(𝑎)

At neutral axis, the stress is zero. Therefore:

𝑦 5035
1619𝑦 − 5035𝑧 = 0 ⇒ = ⇒ 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 = 3.11
𝑧 1619
⇒ 𝛼 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛−1 3.11 = 72.2𝑜
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (KNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Prob. 1336: Stresses at all corner of the section are calculated from equation (a). Results are
given in the table below. The maximum tensile and compressive stresses are:
𝜎𝑇 = +20,075 𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝜎𝐶 = −12,118 𝑝𝑠𝑖

Point y z Stress, psi

1 3.07 3.0 -10,135
2 2.07 3.0 -11,754
3 2.07 0.5 834
4 -5.93 0.5 -12,118
5 -5.93 -0.5 -7,083
6 2.07 -0.5 5,869
7 2.07 -3.0 18,456
8 3.07 -3.0 20,075
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (UNKNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
• If principle axes of section are not known, i.e. y and z are not the principle axes of a section, then the
stresses may be calculated from the following equation:
𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦 + 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑧 + 𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦𝑧
𝜎=− 2 𝑦+ 2 𝑧
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 − 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 − 𝐼𝑦𝑧
• For neutral axis, the stress is equal to zero, i.e.
𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦 + 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑧 + 𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦𝑧
− 2 𝑦+ 2 𝑧=0
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 − 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 − 𝐼𝑦𝑧
𝑦 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑧 + 𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦𝑧
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝛼 = =
𝑧 𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦 + 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑦𝑧
Where 𝛼 is the inclination of neutral axis.
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (UNKNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Example 1.5: A simply supported beam made with angle section
(unsymmetrical section) is loaded with a concentrated load of 10 kN as
shown in figure. Locate NA and calculate maximum tensile and compressive
stresses.
Solution: The geometric properties of this angle section have already been
calculated in Example 1.1.
𝐼𝑧 = 807,756 𝑚𝑚4
𝐼𝑦 = 387,756 𝑚𝑚4
𝐼𝑧𝑦 = −323,077 𝑚𝑚4

The maximum bending moment is below the concentrated load and is

produced about z axis.
10 6 3 6
𝑀𝑧 = = 18 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚 = 18 10 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚
10
𝑀𝑦 = 0
UNSYMMETRICAL BENDING (UNKNOWN PRINCIPLE AXES)
Example 1.5: The stress equation is given by:
18 10 6 387,756 + 0 0 + 18 10 6 −323,077
𝜎=− 2
𝑦+ 2
𝑧
387,756 807,756 − −323,077 387,756 807,756 − −323,077
𝜎 = −33.42y − 27.85z −−− −(a)
For neutral axis stress is zero, i.e.
𝑦
−33.42y − 27.85z = 0 ⇒ = −0.833 ⇒ 𝑡𝑎𝑛 𝛼 = −0.833
𝑧
𝑜
α = −39.8
Stress at various corner of the angle section are calculated from equation (a):
Point y z Stress, MPa
1 -16.54 43.46 -657.6
2 -26.54 43.46 -323.4
3 -26.54 -16.54 1347.6
4 53.46 -16.54 -1326.0
5 53.46 -6.54 -1604.5
6 -16.54 -6.54 734.9
SUMMARY
Known Principe Axes
𝑃𝑥 𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦
• Combined Stress: 𝜎𝑥 = + − 𝑦 + + 𝑧
𝐴 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦

𝑃 𝑃𝑒𝑦 𝑃𝑒𝑧
• Short Prismatic Member: 𝜎𝑥 = + 𝑦+ 𝑧
𝐴 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦

𝑀𝑧 𝑀𝑦
• Unsymmetrical Bending: 𝜎𝑥 = − 𝑦 + 𝑧
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦

Unknown Principe Axes

𝑃 𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦 +𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑧 +𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦𝑧
• Combined Stress: 𝜎 =𝐴− 2 𝑦+ 2 𝑧
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 −𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 −𝐼𝑦𝑧

𝑃 𝑃 𝑒𝑦 𝐼𝑦 −𝑒𝑧 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝑃 𝑒𝑧 𝐼𝑧 −𝑒𝑦 𝐼𝑦𝑧

• Short Prismatic Member: 𝜎 =𝐴+ 2
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 −𝐼𝑦𝑧
𝑦+ 2
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 −𝐼𝑦𝑧
𝑧

𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦 +𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝑀𝑦 𝐼𝑧 +𝑀𝑧 𝐼𝑦𝑧

• Unsymmetrical Bending: 𝜎=− 2 𝑦+ 2 𝑧
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 −𝐼𝑦𝑧 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 −𝐼𝑦𝑧