Chapter 8

BIAXIAL BENDING

8.1 DEFINITION

A cross section is subjected to biaxial (oblique) bending if the normal

(direct) stresses x from section are reduced to two bending moments My and
Mz. Generally oblique bending is accompanied by oblique shearing, when
the shear stresses x are reduced to two shear forces Vz and Vy. If the shear
forces Vz = Vy = 0, we discuss about pure oblique bending.
The positive convention of the vectors moment My and Mz is presented
in Fig. 8.1. From figure we may conclude that the vectors moments My and
Mz, which are included in the cross section plan, are positive if My acts
inversely principal axis Gy, while Mz acts in the positive direction of
principal axis Gz. In other words My and Mz are positive, when the resultant
moment Mi stretches (tensions) the cross section first quadrant.

G y
My>0 y
z

Mi Mz>0
x
z
Fig.8.1

8.2 MODE OF LOADING

There are 2 main modes of loading which produce biaxial bending:

~
a. The loads are applied perpendicular to the torsion axis C x , in two plans
which are parallel to the principal plans xGy and xGz.
We assume that for a certain cross section the systems of axis of the
significant centers G and C are shown in Fig. 8.2.

x
f.l.(Pz) P2z qz
P1z qy
P2y
Tz
P1y
f.l.(Py) y
Ty C

My y n.a.(Pz)
x G
z Mz
z
Fig. 8.2

! The forces lines must pass through the shear center C in order to have only
oblique bending with shearing. Otherwise this compound solicitation is
accompanied by torsion in that cross section.
From Fig. 8.2 we may conclude:
a.1 The vertical forces Pz will produce the shear force Vz acting in the shear
center C, and the bending moment My acting in the centroid G.
~ ~ ~
The forces plan is x C z and the forces line in any cross section is C z axis.
The neutral axis for bending is Gy axis.
a.2 The vertical forces Py will produce the shear force Vy acting in the shear
center C, and the bending moment Mz acting in the centroid G.
~ ~ ~
The forces plan is x C y and the forces line in any cross section is C y axis.
The neutral axis for bending is Gz axis.

b. All forces act in a plan that passes through the shear center C (which
~
contains x axis), but it is inclined with respect to the principal plans xGy and
xGz with an angle (Fig. 8.3).
 x
f.l.(P) q
P2
P1

x
Tz y
C T
Ty

x
My y n.a.(Pz)
z G
Mz
M z
Fig. 8.3

The forces plan is inclined with the angle , and the intersection of this plan
with any cross section defines the forces line which is also inclined with the
~
angle with respect to C z axis. Due to the forces acting in this inclined
plan, shear forces V and bending moments M will subject any cross section.
This case of loading may be reduced to the first one ( a. ), decomposing
from the beginning the forces P with respect to Gy and Gz axis:
Pz = P cos and Py = P sin
As in the first case of loading, Pz will produce the shear force Vz and the
bending moment My, while Py will produce the shear force Vy and the
bending moment Mz.
My
In the first case of loading the ratio Mz
isnt constant along the bar, so
that the deformed axis will be a skew curve in space. In the second case of
My
loading the ratio Mz
is constant in any cross section and the deformed
axis will be a plane curve, but situated in a different plan with respect to the
forces plan.

8.3 THE NORMAL STRESSES
IN OBLIQUE BENDING

We consider a simple supported beam subjected to pure oblique bending, on

the interval CD from this beam (Fig. 8.4). The forces P, inclined with an
angle with respect to Gz axis, produce between C and D sections only a
bending moment M (without shear force), having a constant distribution on
C-D interval. For simplicity we assume the cross section is symmetrical
~ ~ ~
double, so G C and the systems xyz x y z , are identically.
x
P Pz B
f.l. P Pz
Py D
Py C a
A b
a y Mz
z
My

Fig.8.4

In cross section the plan of action the bending moment is A-A (Fig. 8.5),
inclined with the angle with respect to Gz axis. Also, the same angle is
between the vector moment M and Gy axis (Gy and Gz are principal axis).

f.l. My
A z

My G=C (n.a.My)

Mz y
M

A

Mz z (n.a.Mz)
z

Fig.8.5
The components of the bending moment M, with respect to Gy and Gz axis,
are:
M y = M cos and M z = M sin (8.1)
They produce bending in plans xGz, respectively xGy. Each moment will
generate normal stresses x , calculated with Naviers formula:
M My Mz
x y = z and xM z = y
Iy Iz
Taking into account the hypothesis used in Mechanics of Materials, the
hypothesis of the small deformations and the material has a linear elastic
behaviour, the normal stresses x may be calculated superposing the effects
of the two straight bending (from My and Mz):
M
x = x + xM , or:
y z

My Mz
x = z+ y (8.2)
Iy Iz
The positive moments My and Mz are those which produce tensional stresses
x in any point from the first quadrant of the principal system of axis yGz
(positive y and z coordinates).
Replacing My and Mz from (8.1) in the relation of x (8.2), we get:
z cos y sin
x = M + (8.3)
I I
y z
The neutral axis equation is obtained from the condition x = 0. As, in (8.3)
the bending moment M 0, the single solution is:
z cos y sin Iy
+ = 0 , or: z = tg y (8.4)
Iy Iz Iz
M z M sin
Replacing: = = tg , in (8.4), we obtain another form for the
M y M cos
neutral axis equation:
Mz Iy
z= y (8.5)
M y Iz
Equations (8.4) and (8.5) represent the equation of the neutral axis in case of
oblique bending, which can be written shorter:
z = m y (8.6)
where m: represent the neutral axis slope
Mz Iy
m= = tg (8.7)
M y Iz
Replacing (8.7) in equation (8.6), we obtain:
z = tg y (8.8)
This final equation (8.8) shows that the neutral axis is a straight line passing
through the centroid G(0,0) and being inclined with the angle with respect
to Gy axis.
! Note that in case of oblique bending, the neutral axis does no more
coincide with the support of the moment vector M (M doesnt act around the
Iy
neutral axis, because tg tg ). Exception to this observation, are the
Iz
cross sections having the moments of inertia I y = I z tg = tg (as for the
square or circular cross sections).
! As , the neutral axis is no more perpendicular to the forces line.
Mz Iy
To trace the neutral axis we either determine the angle ( = arctg ),

M I
y z
or we define the second point Q (figure 8.6) through which the neutral axis
will pass (the first point is the centroid G), of abscissa 1 and ordinate m:
Q(1,-m).

.
n.a
Ac
2
Q
At

My G

Mz y
M
My>0
x2 1 Mz>0
z

x1

Fig.8.6

! Note that the neutral axis passes always through the quadrant limited by
the two vectors moment My and Mz.
After tracing the neutral axis, two parallels to the neutral axis which are
tangent to the cross section contour, are also traced. These two parallels
(fig.8.6) will pass through the extreme points 1(y1,z1) and 2(y2,z2).
The normal (direct) stress x diagram is drawn considering the reference line
(which is even the cross section) perpendicular to the neutral axis and having
extreme values, maximum tensile stress and maximum compressive stress,
in point 1, respectively 2 (fig.8.6):
 My Mz
x1 = z1 + y1 > 0
Iy Iz
My Mz
x2 = z2 + y2 < 0
Iy Iz
As in practical calculations we have to check the strength capacity of the
most subjected cross section, meaning that the strength condition x max R
must be verified, we are interested mainly in computing the maximum
normal stress (tension or compression, in case of steel cross sections):
M y max M z max
xmax = z max + ymax R (8.9)
Iy Iz
This means that we shall work in the critical (most dangerous) sections,
where My and Mz have maximum values. If My and Mz arent maximum in
the same section we have to consider 2 critical sections:
Section 1: My max. and Mz afferent
Section 2: My afferent and Mz max.
The strength condition will be:
x = max( x , x ) R
max 1 2
(8.10)
In case of sections that may be inscribed in a rectangle (Fig.8.7) and if there
is material in the corners of rectangle (ex: rectangle, double T(I) shaped
cross sections, or any other composed section which form a rectangle) we
may determine that normal stresses without determining first the neutral axis
position. The maximum stresses

will be, no doubt, in the cross
section corners:
 


=
 

(-)

y y y

(+ )
z z z x

Fig.8.7