Chapter Seven

Unsymmetrical Bending

7.1 Introduction
Symmetrical bending: the couple exerted on the section acts in the plane of symmetry of the
member and is represented by the couple vector M, in both cases the neutral axis of the cross
section is found to coincide with the axis of the couple.

Fig. 1

Unsymmetrical Bending: situations where the bending couples do not act in a plane of
symmetry of the member either because they act in a different plane or the member do not posses
ant plane of symmetry.

Fig. 2
7.2 Moment applied about principal axis
Consider the beam’s cross section to have the unsymmetrical shown in Fig. 3, we require the
stress distribution acting over the entire cross section area to have a zero force resultant , the
resultant internal moment about the y axis to be zero and the resultant about the z axis to equal
M.

Fig. 3
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These three conditions can be expressed mathematically by considering the force acting on the
differential element dA located at (0, 𝑦, 𝑧). This force is 𝑑𝐹 = 𝜎𝑑𝐴, and therefore we have

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 𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠: ∫ 𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴 = 0 …………………….1

𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑦 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: ∫ 𝑧𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴 = 0 ……………………..2

𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑧 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: ∫(−𝑦𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴) = 𝑀 ……………………3

Since the z axis represents the neutral axis for the cross section, the normal stress will vary
linearly from zero at the neutral axis to a maximum at y = c. Hence the stress distribution is
defined by 𝜎 = − (𝑦⁄𝑐 )𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 . When this equation is substutited in to eq.3 and integerated, it
leades to the flexure formula 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑀𝑐⁄𝐼 . When it is substituded in to eq. 2, we get
𝜎𝑚 𝑦
∫ 𝑧 (− ) 𝑑𝐴 = 0 𝑜𝑟 ∫ 𝑦𝑧𝑑𝐴 = 0 …………………4
𝑐

The integral ∫ 𝑦𝑧 𝑑𝐴 represents the product of inertia Iyz of the cross section with respect to the y
and z axes , and will be zero of these axes are the principal centroidal axes of the cross section.
We thus conclude that the neutral axis of the cross section will coincide with axis of the couple
M representing the forces acting on that section of and only if the couple vector M is directed
along one of the principal centroidal axes of the cross section.
7.3 Moment arbitrarily applied

Consider first a member with a vertical plane of symmetry (Fig. 4a), which is subjected to
bending couples M and M’ acting in a plane forming an angle 𝜃 with the vertical plane. The
couple M representing the forces acting on a given section will form same angle 𝜃 with the
horizontal z axis. Resolving the vector M in to component vectors Mz and My along the z and y
axes, respectively, we write

𝑀𝑧 = 𝑀𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 𝑀𝑦 = 𝑀𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 . .…………………….5

a b
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 c Fig. 4 d

Since the y and z axes are the principal centroidal axes of the cross section, we can use he flexure
equation to determine the stress resulting from the application of either of the couples
represented by Mz and My. The couple Mz acts in vertical plane and bends the member in that
plane. The resulting stresses are

𝑀𝑧 𝑦
𝜎𝑥 = − …………………………….6
𝐼𝑧

On the other hand, the couple My acts in a horizontal plane and bend the member in that plane.
The resulting stress are found to be

𝑀𝑦 𝑧
𝜎𝑥 = + …………………………….7
𝐼𝑦

The distribution of the stresses caused by the original couple is obtained by superposing the
stress distributions defined by the above eqs.6 and 7 respectively. We have

𝑀𝑧 𝑦 𝑀𝑦 𝑧
𝜎𝑥 = − + ……………………….8
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦

The above eqn. shows that the distribution of stress caused by unsymmetrical bending is linear.
However as we have indicated earlier in this section, the neutral axis of the cross section will not,
in general coincide with axis of the bending couple, since the normal stress is zero at any point of
the neutral axis, the equation defining that axis can be obtained by setting σx = 0. We write

𝑀𝑧 𝑦 𝑀𝑦 𝑧
− + =0 ……………………….9
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦

Or solving for y and substituting for Mz and My from the above eqs.5

𝐼𝑧
𝑦 = ( 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃) 𝑧 ……………………….10
𝐼𝑦
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The equation obtained is that of a straight line of slope 𝑚 = (𝐼𝑧 ⁄𝐼𝑦 ) tan 𝜃. Thus the angle ϕ that
the neutral axis forms with z axis is defined by the relation

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 𝐼𝑧
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜙 = 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 ……………………….11
𝐼𝑦

Fig. 5
7.4 Elastic bending with axial loads
Consider a straight member AB subjected to equal and opposite eccentric axial forces P and P’
(Fig.6), and let a and b denote the distance from the line of action of the forces to the principal
centroidal axes of the cross section of the member. The eccentric force P is statically equivalent
to the system consisting of a centric force P and of two coupes M and M’ of moments My= Pa
and Mz=Pb represented in the Fig 6. Similarly, the eccentric force P’ is equivalent to centric
force P’ and the couples M’y and M’z.

Fig. 6

The stresses due to the loading can be obtained by superimposing the stress corresponding to the
centric axial load P and to the bending couples My and Mz, a long as the conditions of
applicability of superposition are satisfied. We write, therefore,

𝑃 𝑀𝑧 𝑦 𝑀𝑦 𝑧
𝜎𝑥 = − + ………………………………….12
𝐴 𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦

Setting 𝜎𝑥 = 0 in the above eq. 12, obtain the equation of a straight line, which represents the
neutral axis of the section:
𝑀𝑧 𝑦 𝑀𝑦 𝑧 𝑃
− = ………………………………….10
𝐼𝑧 𝐼𝑦 𝐴
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7.5 Bending of Curved Beams

In previous classes, we have analyzed stresses due to bending on straight members. In this
section we will consider the stresses caused by the application of equal and opposite couples to
members that are initially curved. Our discussion will be limited to curved members of
uniform cross section possessing a plane of symmetry in which the bending couples are applied,
and it will be assumed that all stresses remain below the proportional limit.

Consider the curved member of uniform cross section shown in Fig. 7. Its transverse section is
symmetric with respect to the y-axis (Fig. 7b) and, in its unstressed state; its upper and lower
surfaces intersect the vertical xy plane along arcs of circle AB and FG centered at C (Fig.7a)

After Bending
Before Bending

Fig. 7 Curved beam in bending

We now apply two equal and opposite couples M and M’ in the plane of symmetry of the
member (Fig 7c). The various arcs of circle indicated in Fig. 7a will be transformed in to circular
and concentric arcs with a center C’ different from C. More specifically, if the couples M and M’
are directed as shown, the curvature of the various arcs of the circle will increase; that is A’C’<
AC. We also note that the couples M and M’ will cause the length of the lower surface to increase
(F’G’> FG). We conclude that a neutral surface must exist in the member, the length of which
remains constant. The intersection of the neutral surface with the xy plane has been represented
in Fig. 7a by the arc DE of Radius R, and in Fig. 7c by the arc D’E’ of radius R’. Denoting by
𝜃 and 𝜃 ′ the central angles corresponding respectively to DE and D’E’, we express the fact that
the length of the neutral surface remains constant by writing

𝑅𝜃 = 𝑅 ′ 𝜃 ′ ……..…………………………1
5

Considering now the arc of circle JK located at a distance y above the neutral surface , and
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denoting respectively by r and r’ the radius of this arc before and after the bending couples have
been applied , we express the deformation of JK as

𝛿 = 𝑟 ′ 𝜃 ′ − 𝑟𝜃 ……..…………………………2

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Observing from Fig. 7

𝑟 =𝑅−𝑦 𝑟 ′ = 𝑅′ − 𝑦 ……..…………………………3

And substituting these expressions in to eq.2, we write

𝛿 = (𝑅 ′ − 𝑦)𝜃 ′ − (𝑅 − 𝑦)𝜃

Or, recalling eq. 1 and setting 𝜃 ′ − 𝜃 = ∆𝜃

𝛿 = −𝑦∆𝜃 ……..…………………………4

The normal strain 𝜖𝑥 in the elements of JK is obtained by dividing the deformation 𝛿 by the
original length 𝑟𝜃 of arc JK. We write

𝛿 𝑦∆𝜃
𝜖𝑥 = =−
𝑟𝜃 𝑟𝜃
Or, recalling the first of the relation eq.3

∆𝜃 𝑦
𝜖𝑥 = − ……..…………………………5
𝜃 𝑅−𝑦
The relation obtained shows that, while each transverse section remains plane, the normal strain
𝜖𝑥 does not vary linearly with the distance y from the neutral surface.

The normal stress 𝜎𝑥 can now be obtained from Hook’s law, 𝜎𝑥 = 𝐸𝜖𝑥 by substituting for 𝜖𝑥
from eq. 5 we have

𝐸∆𝜃 𝑦
𝜎𝑥 = − ……..…………………………6
𝜃 𝑅−𝑦
Or alternatively, recalling the first of equations

𝐸∆𝜃 𝑅 − 𝑟
𝜎𝑥 = − ……..…………………………7
𝜃 𝑟

Eq. 6 shows that, like 𝜖𝑥 , the normal stress 𝜎𝑥 does not vary linearly with the distance y from the
neutral surface. Plotting 𝜎𝑥 versus y, we obtain an arc of parabola shown in the following Fig. 2
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Fig. 8 Stress distribution (𝜎𝑥 does not vary linearly with distance y)

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We now recall that the elementary forces acting on any transverse section must be statically
equivalent to the bending couple M. Expressing this in mathematical form.

∫ 𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴 = 0 ……..…………………………8

∫(−𝑦𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴) = 𝑀 ……..…………………………9

Substituting for 𝜎𝑥 from eq. 7 into eq. 9, we write

𝐸∆𝜃 𝑅 − 𝑟
∫− 𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝜃 𝑟
𝑅−𝑟
∫ 𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝑟
𝑑𝐴
𝑅∫ − ∫ 𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝑟

The distance R from center of curvature C to the neutral surface, is defined by the from the
relation,

𝐴
𝑅= ……..…………………………10
𝑑𝐴
∫ 𝑟
We note that the value obtained for R is not equal to the distance 𝑟̅ from C to the centroid of the
cross section, since 𝑟̅ is defined by a different relation, namely

1
𝑟̅ =
∫ 𝑟𝑑𝐴 ……..…………………………11
𝐴
Hence we conclude that in a curved member, the neutral axis of a transverse section does not
pass through the centroid of that section.

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Fig. 9 cross section of the beam

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Substituting now for 𝜎𝑥 from eq. 7 in to eq. 9, we write

𝐸∆𝜃 𝑅 − 𝑟
∫− 𝑦𝑑𝐴 = 𝑀
𝜃 𝑟

Or, since 𝑦 = 𝑅 − 𝑟,

𝐸∆𝜃 (𝑅 − 𝑟)2
∫ 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑀
𝜃 𝑟
Expanding the square in the integrand, we obtain after reductions

𝐸∆𝜃 2 𝑑𝐴
[𝑅 ∫ − 2𝑅𝐴 + ∫ 𝑟𝑑𝐴] = 𝑀
𝜃 𝑟

Recalling equations eq. 10 and eq.11, we note that the first term in the brackets is equal to RA
while the last term is equal to 𝑟̅ 𝐴. Therefore, we have

𝐸∆𝜃
(𝑅𝐴 − 2𝑅𝐴 + 𝑟̅ 𝐴) = 𝑀
𝜃

And solving for 𝐸∆𝜃⁄𝜃

𝐸∆𝜃 𝑀
= ……..…………………………12
𝜃 𝐴(𝑟̅ − 𝑅)

Referring to Fig.7, we note that ∆𝜃 > 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑀 > 0. It follows that 𝑟̅ − 𝑅 > 0, 𝑜𝑟 𝑅 < 𝑟̅ ,
regardless of the shape of the section. Thus the neutral axis of the transverse section is always
located between the centroid of the section and the center of curvature of the member.

Setting 𝑟̅ − 𝑅 = 𝑒, we write eq. 12 in the form

𝐸∆𝜃 𝑀
= ……..…………………………13
𝜃 𝐴𝑒
Substituting now for 𝐸∆𝜃⁄𝜃 from eq. 13 in to eq. 6 and eq. 7 we obtain the following alternative
expressions for the normal stress in a curved beam:
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𝑀𝑦
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𝜎𝑥 = − ……..…………………………14
𝐴𝑒(𝑅 − 𝑦)

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and
𝑀(𝑟 − 𝑅)
𝜎𝑥 = ……..…………………………15
𝐴𝑒𝑟

Fig. 10 Radius of neutral surface for various cross-sectional shapes

N.B.

M is positive if it tends to increase the curvature of the member and it is negative if it tends to
decrease the curvature of the member.

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