Bending Stresses in Beams

CE 1812 Mechanics of Materials

Jan 2019
Lecture by: Mr. Isuru Nanayakkara

1 Bending Stresses in Beam

1.1 Introduction

Bending moments and shear forces are developed in a beam when it is subjected to transverse
loading. Transverse loading is also referred to as flexural loads due to the action of bending
resulting from it.

When a beam is subjected to bending hogging moment, material within the top portion of
the beam will stretch causing tension, and bottom portion will compress causing compression
in that portion.

There is a surface between these two regions (of tension and compression) where the material
will not undergo any deformation. The surface formed by these unstressed fibres is called
the neutral surface. The line of intersection formed by the neutral surface with any cross
section of the beam is called the neutral axis of that section.
1.2 Simple theory of bending

1.2.1 Introduction

Simple theory of bending is applicable to:

1. beams subjected to pure bending

2. beams bending about principal axis

1.2.2 Assumptions

1. Material is homogeneous and linear elastic and it has the same modulus of
elasticity in compression and tension.

2. Transverse sections of the beam (originally plane) remain plane and normal to
the longitudinal axis of the beam.

Note 1. This is strictly true under pure bending only. Presence of shear
forces will violate this. However under typical sections and loading on
beams the effect of shear can be neglected.

3. Any deformation of the cross-section within its own plane is negligible.

Note 2. In reality this condition is violated due to the poisson effect. For
materials with low poisson ratios (e.g. steel, concrete) the effects shall be
neglected.

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1.2.3 Derivation of simple theory of bending

Bending stress (σ)

Consider a small element of length δx in a beam subjected to a hogging bending moment

of M .

Let R be the radius of curvature of the neutral surface, along the segment of length δx. R
can vary along the beam, but can be taken as constant for any small length.
Measuring y upward from the neutral surface (in the direction of the displacement due to
hogging moment) longitudinal strain in fibre EF at a distance y from neutral axis (N A) is
given by:

E 0 F 0 − EF
strain =  =
EF
(R + y)δθ − Rδθ (1)
=
Rδθ
y
=
R

Note 3. The above is the longitudinal strain (x ) and it varies linearly with
distance from neutral axis.

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Considering linear elastic material behaviour;

longitudinal stress = σ = E (2)

from Eq. (1) and Eq. (2);

σ E
= (A)
y R

Note 4. If the algebraic value of y is used the stress and strain vary linearly from
compression on one side through zero at the neutral surface, to tension on the
other side.

Note 5. For hogging bending moment, tensile stresses are developed at the top
surface and compressive stresses at the bottom; while for sagging bending mo-
ment tensile stresses at the bottom and compressive stresses at the top.

Note 6. For any strip of area at a given cross-section which is parallel to the
neutral axis (e.g. PQ), the longitudinal stain and the corresponding longitudi-
nal stress at every point on the strip is constant.

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Neutral axis and the centroid of the section

Consider an elemental area δA at a distance y from neutral axis O − z

E
stresses on area δA = σ = y (3)
R
E
force on area δA = σδA = yδA (4)
R
Z
Resultant normal force over A = σdA
ZA
E
= ydA
A ZR (5)
E
= ydA
R A
E
= Aȳ
R

R
Note that A ydA = Aȳ is the definition of the centroid, where ȳ is the distance to the
centroid from the neutral axis (∵ y is measured from the neutral axis).

By considering the horizontal equilibrium, net longitudinal force due to the bending stresses
is zero (i.e. the member is not subjected to any axial loading).

E
Aȳ = 0 ⇒ ȳ = 0 (6)
R
∴ The neutral axis passes through the centroid of the cross-sectional area at
every section.

Note 7. The neutral axis is also referred to as axis of bending; i.e. the axis about
which the section is going to bend.

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Resultant internal moment

Although the resultant force at the section is zero, there is a resultant internal moment at
the section. It is resisted by longitudinal stresses setup in the beam.

Consider an elemental area δA at a distance y from neutral axis O − z

moment of forces on element about NA = (σδA)y (7)

Z
resultant moment of section about NA = σydA
ZA
Ey
= ydA
A ZR (8)
E
= y 2 dA
R A
E
= Izz
R

R
Note that A y 2 dA = Izz is the definition of the second moment of area, where z − z axis is
along the neutral axis.

Since the resultant moment calculated above should be equal to the bending moment at the
section;
E
M = Izz (9)
R
reordering;
M E
= (B)
I R

from Eq. (A) and Eq. (B);

M σ E
= = (C)
I y R

This is the simple bending formula.

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Axis of bending and principal axis

Let us consider the resultant moment from longitudinal bending stresses about the O − y
axis.

moment of forces on element about O − y = (σδA)z (10)

Z
resultant moment of section about O − y = σzdA
ZA
Ey
= zdA
A ZR (11)
E
= yzdA
R A
E
= Izy
R

Since there is no internal bending moment about y axis;

E
Izy = 0 (12)
R
since E, 1/R 6= 0;
⇒ Izy = 0 (13)

∴ O − y and O − z are principal axes

i.e. axis of bending (neutral axis) is a principal axis

Note 8. The simple bending formula can be applied only when applied moment
is about a centroidal principal axis.

in Summary

M σ E
= = (C)
I y R
!
1
⇒ M = EI (C’)
R

M = the resisting moment developed by the beam at a section

1/R = the curvature of the neutral surface of the deflected beam at that section
EI = flexural rigidity or bending stiffness of the section

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Note 9. In general bending moment is not constant and shear force is not equal
to zero. However, experimental data indicates that the simple bending formula
can be used with negligible error.

Note 10. Axis of bending moment is the axis about which the bending moment
is applied to the section. This axis passes thorough the centroid of the section.

Note 11. When the axis of bending moment is a principal axis then the axis of
bending moment become the neutral axis (or axis of bending).

Note 12. When the axis of bending moment is a non-principal axis then the
neutral axis (or axis of bending) is inclined to the axis of bending moment.