Stresses in Beams
Forces and couples acting on the beam cause bending stress(flexural stresses)
and shearing stresses on any cross section of the beam and deflection
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam. If couples are applied to the ends
of the beam and no forces act on it, the bending is said to be pure bending. If forces
produce the bending, the bending is called ordinary bending.
Assumptions
In using the following formulas for flexural and shearing stresses, it is assumed that
a plane section of the beam normal to its longitudinal axis prior to loading remains
plane after the forces and couples have been applied, and that the beam is initially
straight and of uniform cross section and that the moduli of elasticity in tension and
compression are equal.
Consider a beam to be loaded as shown.
Consider a fiber at a distance y from the neutral axis, because of the beam's
curvature, as the effect of bending moment, the fiber is stretched by an amount of
cd. Since the curvature of the beam is very small, bcd and Oba are considered as
similar triangles.
The strain on this fiber is ε=cd/ab=y/ρ
By Hooke's law, ε=σ/E , then σ/E=y/ρ ;σ=yE/ρ
which means that the stress is proportional to the distance y
from the neutral axis.
For this section, the notation fb will be used instead of σ
.
Considering a differential area dA
at a distance y
from N.A., the force acting over the area is
dF=fbdA=yEρdA=EρydA
The resultant of all the elemental moment about N.A. must be equal to the bending
moment on the section.
M=∫dM=∫ydF=∫y(EρydA)
M=Eρ∫y2dA
but ∫y2dA=I
, then
M=EIρorρ=EIM
Substituting ρ=Ey/fb
Eyfb=EIM
𝑀𝑦
Then, fb =
𝐼
𝑴𝒄 𝑴
fb = = Flexural stress Formula or
𝑰 𝑺
𝟔𝑴
fb = ( if the beam is rectangular in section)
𝒃𝒅𝟐
moment capacity = allowable bending stress x section modulus
𝐼
M= fb x S but S =
𝐶
𝐼 𝑀𝑐
M= fb x or fb =
𝐶 𝐼
6𝑀
( for beam with rectangular section) , fb =
𝑏𝑑 2
4𝑀
( for beam with circular section) , fb =
𝜋𝑟 3
𝑉𝑄 3𝑉
fv = Shear stress formula or fv = ( if the beam is rectangular in section)
𝐼𝑏 2𝑏𝑑
Q – statistical moment of sheared area.
𝑀𝑐
From the flexure formula fb =
𝐼
fb = allowable bending stress
I = moment of Inertia of the cross section
c = the distance from the neutral axis to the extreme fiber
S = section modulus ( constant for a particular section.)
fV = allowable shear stress at any specific point in the cross section of beam.
V= total vertical shear at the section.
Q = statical moment with respect to neutral axis of the area of the cross section
above (or below) the point at which fv is to be determined.( an area multiplied by
the distance of its centroid from the given axis)
Q= Ay
, it can be seen that the bending stress at the neutral axis, where c=0
is zero and increases linearly outwards. This means that for a rectangular or circular
section a large portion of the cross section near the middle section is understressed.
For steel beams or composite beams, instead of adopting the rectangular shape, the
area may be arranged so as to give more area on the outer fiber and maintaining the
same overall depth, and saving a lot of weight.
When using a wide flange or I-beam section for long beams, the compression flanges
tend to buckle horizontally sidewise. This buckling is a column effect, which may be
prevented by providing lateral support such as a floor system so that the full
allowable stresses may be used, otherwise the stress should be reduced. The
reduction of stresses for these beams will be discussed in steel design.
Section Modulus
𝑀𝑐 𝐼
In the formula fb = ; =S which is called the section
𝐼 𝑐
modulus
with units of mm3 (in3). The maximum bending stress may then be written as
𝑀
fb =
𝑆
This form is convenient because the values of S are available in handbooks for a
wide range of standard structural shapes.
Srequired ≥ Slive−load or Srequired ≥ Mlive−load /(fb)max
The equation above indicates that the required section modulus of the beam must be
equal or greater than the ratio of bending moment to the maximum allowable stress.
In selecting a structural section to be used as a beam, the resisting moment must be
equal or greater than the applied bending moment. Note: (fb)max=M/S
.
When using a wide flange or I-beam section for long beams, the compression
flanges
Problem 1.
A cantilever beam, 50 mm wide by 150 mm high and 6 m long, carries a load that varies
uniformly from zero at the free end to 1000 N/m at the wall. (a) Compute the magnitude and
location of the maximum flexural stress. (b) Determine the type and magnitude of the stress
in a fiber 20 mm from the top of the beam at a section 2 m from the free end.
𝑀𝑐
Solution: fb =
𝐼
𝑥
M=F( )
3
𝑦 1000
=
𝑥 6
500𝑥
y=
3
1
F= xy
2
𝑥 500𝑥
F= ( )
2 3
250 2
F= (x )
3
250 2 𝑥 250 3
M= (x )( ) then, M= (x )
3 3 9
Part (a):
The maximum moment occurs at the support (the wall) or at x = 6 m.
250 3
M= (6 )
9
M=6000 N⋅m
𝑀𝑐 𝑀𝑐
fbmax = 1 =
𝐼 𝑏ℎ3
12
(6000𝑥103 )(75)
fbmax = 1
(50)(150)3
12
(fb)max=32MPa answer
Part (b):
At a section 2 m from the free end or at x = 2 m at
fiber 20 mm from the top of the beam:
Part (a):
The moment occurs at x = 2 m. from the free end
250 3
M= (2 )
9
2000
M= N⋅m
9
𝑀𝑦 𝑀𝑦
fb = =1
𝐼 𝑏ℎ3
12
2000
( 𝑥103 )(55)
9
fb = 1
(50)(150)3
12
fb=0.8691MPa=869.1kPa tension answer
2. Problem
A timber beam AB, 6 in wide by 10 in deep and 10 ft long, is supported by a guy wire
AC in the position shown in the figure .The beam carries a load, including its own
weight, of 500 lb for each foot of its length. Compute the maximum flexural stress at
the middle of the beam.
Solution 516
x=10cos15∘
x=9.66ft
z=10sin30∘
z=5ft
ΣMB=0
𝑥
Tz=500(10)( )
2
9.66
5T=500(10)( )
2
T=4829.63lb
At midspan:
𝑍 𝑥
T(( )−500(5)( ( )-M=0
2 4
𝑍 𝑥
M=T(( )−500(5)( ( )
2 4
5 9.66
M=4829.63(( )−500(5)( ( )
2 4
M=6036.58lb⋅ft
𝑀𝑐 𝑀𝑐
fbmax = = 1
𝐼 𝑏ℎ3
12
(6036.58 x 12)(5)
fbmax = 1
(6)(10)3
12
fb=724.39psi answer
Problem about Horizontal Shearing Stress (induced shear)
Problem 3.
A timber beam 80 mm wide by 160 mm high is subjected to a vertical shear V = 40
kN. Determine the shearing stress developed at layers 20 mm apart from the top to
bottom of the section.
Solution
1 1
I= 12
𝑏𝑑3 = 12
(80)(160)3=27.31×106 mm4
3
𝑉𝑄 (40 𝑋10 )𝑄
fv = , fv = ; fv=(18.31×10−6)Q
𝐼𝑏 (27.31 𝑋 106 )(80)
Layer 1 (20 mm from top and bottom layers)
Q= Ay
Q1=80(20)(70)
Q1=112000 mm3
fv1=(18.31×10−6)(112000)
fv1=2.0508 MPa answer
Layer 2 (40 mm from top and bottom layers)
Q2=Q1+80(20)(50)
Q2=112000+80000
Q2=192000 mm3
fv2=(18.31×10−6)(192000)
fv2=3.5156 MPa answer
Layer 3 (60 from top and bottom layers)
Q3=Q2+80(20)(30)
Q3=192000+48000
Q3=240000mm3
fv3=(18.31×10−6)(240000)
fv3=4.3945 MPa answer
Layer 4 (The Neutral Axis, NA)
Q4=Q3+80(20)(10)
Q4=240000+16000
Q4=256000mm3
fv4=(fv)max=(18.31×10−6)(256000)
fv4=(fv)max=4.6875 MPa answer
Checking:
For rectangular section
3𝑉
fv = ( if the beam is rectangular in section)
2𝑏𝑑
3(40𝑋103 )
(fv)max=
2(80)(160)
(fv)max=4.6875MPa (okay!)
4. Problem
A laminated beam is composed of five planks, each 6 in. by 2 in., glued together to
form a section 6 in. wide by 10 in. high. The allowable shear stress in the glue is 90
psi, the allowable shear stress in the wood is 120 psi, and the allowable flexural
stress in the wood is 1200 psi. Determine the maximum uniformly distributed load
that can be carried by the beam on a 6-ft simple span.
Solution :
Maximum moment for simple beam
1 1
Mmax= 𝑤𝐿2 = wo(6)2
8 8
Mmax=4.5wo lb⋅ft
Maximum shear for simple beam
1
Vmax= woL
2
1
Vmax= wo(6)
2
Vmax=3wo lb
For bending stress of wood
6𝑀
fb =
𝑏𝑑 2
6(4.5𝑤∗12 )
1200 =
6(10)2
wo=2222.22 lb/in *12 = 26,666.64 lb/ft.
For shear stress of wood
3𝑉
(fv) =
2𝑏𝑑
3(3𝑤)
120=
2(6)(10)
wo=1600 lb/ft
For shear stress in the glued joint
𝑉𝑄
(fv)glue=
𝐼𝑏
Where:
Q=6(4)(3)=72 in3
1
I= (6)(10)3 = 500 in4
12
b=6 in
Thus,
(3𝑤)(72)
90=
(500)(6)
wo=1250 lb/ft
Use wo = 1250 lb/ft for safe value of uniformly distributed load. answer
5. Problem
A uniformly distributed load of 200 lb/ft is carried on a simply supported beam span.
If the cross-section is as shown , determine the maximum length of the beam if the
shearing stress is limited to 80 psi.
A.) Assume the load acts over the entire length of the beam.
B.) plot the shearing stress distribution across the section at a section where the
shearing force is V = 1800 lb.
𝑉𝑄
Solution: fv =
𝐼𝑏
Where:
fv=80psi
V=100L
Q=Ay
Q=8(5)(2.5)−6(4)(2)=52 in3
1 1 1
I= 𝑏𝑑 3 = (8)(10)3 - 12 (6)(8)3 =12323in4
12 12
b=8−6=2in
Thus,
𝑉𝑄 (100𝐿)(52)
fv = , 80=
𝐼𝑏 (12323)(2)
L=12.64 ft answer
b.) plot the shearing stress distribution across the section at a section where the
shearing force is V = 1800 lb.
𝑉𝑄 𝑉(𝐴𝑦)
fv = =
𝐼𝑏 𝐼𝑏
(1800)[1(8)(4.5)]
fv1=
(12323)(2)
fv1=78.90psi
(1800)[1(8)(4.5)+1(2)(3.5)]
fv2=
(12323)(2)
fv2=94.24psi
(1800)[1(8)(4.5)+1(2)(3.5)+1(2)(2.5)]
fv3=
(12323)(2)
fv3=105.19psi
(1800)[1(8)(4.5)+1(2)(3.5)+1(2)(2.5)+1(2)(1.5)]
fv4=
(12323)(2)
fv4=111.77psi
(1800)[1(8)(4.5)+1(2)(3.5)+1(2)(2.5)+1(2)(1.5)+1(2)(0.5)]
fv5=
(12323)(2)
fv5=113.96psi=(fv)max
Checking: at the neutral axis
(1800)(52)
(fv)max =
(12323)(2)
(fv)max=113.96 psi (okay!)
6.) Determine the maximum and minimum shearing stress in the web of the wide
flange section in Figure, if V = 100 kN. Also, compute the percentage of vertical
shear carried only by the web of the beam.
Solution
𝑉𝑄
fv =
𝐼𝑏
Where
V=100(1000)=100000N
1 3 1 3 - 1 (100)(160)3
I= 𝑏𝑑 = (120)(200) =45866666.67mm4
12 12 12
b=20mm
Maximum horizontal shear stress occurs at the neutral axis
QNA=120(20)(90)+20(80)(40)=280000mm3
Thus,
𝑉𝑄 (100000)(280000)
fv = ,(fv)max= = 30.52 MPa answer
𝐼𝑏 (45866666.67)(20)
Minimum horizontal shear stress in the web occurs at the junction of flange and web
Q=120(20)(90)=216000mm3
(100000)(216000)
(fv)min= = 23.55 MPa answer
(45866666.67)(20)
The horizontal shearing stresses vary parabolically from the top to the bottom of the
web. Recall that the average height of parabolic segment is 2/3 of its altitude
measured from its base. Thus,
2
(fv)ave=(fv)min +
3 [(fv)max−(fv)min]
2
(fv)ave=23.55+ [30.52−23.55] = 28.20 MPa
3
Shear force carried by web alone
Force = Stress × Area
Vweb=(fv)aveAweb
Vweb=28.20(160×20)
Vweb=90240 N
Percentage of shear force carried by web alone
%Vweb=Vweb/100000 ×100%
%Vweb=0.90240×100%
%Vweb=90.24% Answer
7.) A plywood beam is built up of 1/4-in. strips separated by blocks as shown in
Figure . What shearing force V will cause a maximum shearing stress of 200 psi?
𝑉𝑄
fv =
𝐼𝑏
Where:
fv=200 psi
Q=2[2(1)(5.5)]+3[6(1/4)(3)]
Q=35.5 in3
1 3 = 1 (4.75)(12)3 - 1 (2𝑥2)(10)3
I= 𝑏𝑑
12 12 12
=350.67 in4
b=3(1/4)=0.75 in
𝑉𝑄
Thus, fv =
𝐼𝑏
𝑉(35.5)
200 =
(350.67)(0.75)
V=1481.69 lb
answer
