Strength of Materials AASTU

3 STRESSES IN BEAMS
3.1 Theory of Pure Bending

Pure bending (Theory of pure bending) is a condition of stress where a bending moment is
applied to a beam without the simultaneous presence of axial, shear, or torsional forces. The
followings are the assumptions in theory of pure bending:
 The material of the beam is isotropic and homogeneous and follows Hook’s law.
 The stress induced is proportional to the strain and the stress at any point does not
exceed the elastic limit.
 Transverse sections of the beam that were plane before bending remains plane even
after bending.
 The beam is initially straight and having uniform cross section.
 The modulus of elasticity is same for the fibers of the beam under tension or
compression.
 The beam is subjected to pure bending and therefore bends in an arc of a circle.
 The radius of curvature is large compared to the dimensions of the section.
 There is no resultant pull or push on the cross section of the beam.
 The loads are applied in the plane of bending. The beam has an axial plane of
symmetry, which we take to be the xy plane (see Figure 3-1). The applied loads (such
as F1, F2 and F3 in Figure 3-1) lie in the plane of the symmetry and are perpendicular
to the axis of the beam (the x-axis).The axis of the beam bends but does not stretch.
 The transverse section of the beam is symmetrical about a line passing through the
centre of gravity in the plane of bending.
The above assumptions lead us to the following conclusion:
Each cross section of the beam rotates as a rigid entity about a line called the neutral axis of
the cross section. The neutral axis passes through the axis of the beam and is perpendicular to
the plane of symmetry, as shown in Figure 3-1. The xz-plane that contains the neutral axes of
all the cross sections is known as the neutral surface of the beam.

Figure 3-1

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3.2 Flexure Stress

The stresses caused by the bending moment are known as bending stress, or flexure stresses.
The relationship between these stresses and the bending moment is called the flexure formula.
Consider a prismatic member AB possessing a plane of symmetry and subjected to equal and
opposite couples M acting in that plane (Figure 3-2a). If a section is passed through the member
AB at some arbitrary point C, the conditions of equilibrium of the portion AC of the member
require the internal forces in the section to be equivalent to the couple M (Figure 3-2b).

Figure 3-2: (a) A member in a state of pure bending. (b) Any intermediate portion of AB will
also be in pure bending.

Figure 3-3: Initially straight members in pure bending deform into a circular arc
We will now analyze the deformations of a prismatic member possessing a plane of symmetry.
Its ends are subjected to equal and opposite couple M acting in the plane of symmetry. The
member will bend under the action of the couples, but will remain symmetric with respect to
that plane (Figure 3-3). Moreover, since the bending moment M is the same in any cross
section, the member will bend uniformly. Thus, the line AB along the upper face of the member
intersecting the plane of the couples will have a constant curvature. In other words, the line AB
will be transformed into a circle of center C, as will the line A’B’ along the lower face of the
member. Note that the line AB will decrease in length when the member is bent (i.e., when M
> 0), while A’B’ will become longer.

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Figure 3-4: Establishment of neutral axis. (a) Longitudinal-vertical view. (b) Transverse
section at origin.
It follows from above that a surface parallel to the upper and lower faces of the member must
exist where ϵx and σx are zero. This surface is called the neutral surface. The neutral surface
intersects the plane of symmetry along an arc of circle DE (Figure 3-4a), and it intersects a
transverse section along a straight line called the neutral axis of the section (Figure 3-4b). The
origin of coordinates is now selected on the neutral surface rather than on the lower face of the
member so that the distance from any point to the neutral surface is measured by its coordinate
y.
Denoting by ρ the radius of arc DE (Figure 3-4a), by θ the central angle corresponding to DE,
and observing that the length of DE is equal to the length L of the undeformed member, we
write
𝐿 = 𝜌𝜃
Considering the arc JK located at a distance y above the neutral surface, its length L’ is
𝐿′ = (𝜌 − 𝑦)𝜃
Since the original length of arc JK was equal to L, the deformation of JK is
𝛿 = 𝐿′ − 𝐿 = (𝜌 − 𝑦)𝜃 − 𝜌𝜃 = −𝑦𝜃
The longitudinal strain ϵx in the elements of JK is obtained by dividing δ by the original length
L of JK. Write
𝛿 𝑦𝜃
𝜖𝑥 = =−
𝐿 𝜌𝜃
𝑦
𝜖𝑥 = −
𝜌
The minus sign is due to the fact that it is assumed the bending moment is positive, and thus
the beam is concave upward. Because of the requirement that transverse sections remain plane,
identical deformations occur in all planes parallel to the plane of symmetry. Thus, the
longitudinal normal strain ϵx varies linearly with the distance y from the neutral surface.

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Figure 3-5: Normal strain vary linearly with distance from the neutral axis.
The strain ϵx reaches its maximum absolute value when y is largest. Denoting the largest
distance from the neutral surface as c (corresponding to either the upper or the lower surface
of the member) and the maximum absolute value of the strain as σm, we have
𝑐
𝜖𝑚 =
𝜌
𝑐
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜌 = −𝑦⁄𝜖𝑥 ⟹ 𝜖𝑚 =
(−𝑦⁄𝜖𝑥 )
𝑦
𝜖𝑥 = − 𝜖𝑚
𝑐
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐻𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑒 ′ 𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑤, 𝜎𝑥 = 𝐸𝜖𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜖𝑚 = 𝜎𝑚 ⁄𝐸 :
𝑦 𝑦 𝜎𝑚 𝑦
𝜎𝑥 = 𝐸𝜖𝑥 = 𝐸 (− 𝜖𝑚 ) = 𝐸 [− ( )] = − 𝜎𝑚
𝑐 𝑐 𝐸 𝑐
𝒚
𝝈𝒙 = − 𝝈𝒎
𝒄

This equation describes the stress distribution over the cross-sectional area. The sign
convention established here is significant. For positive M, which acts in the +z direction,
positive values of y give negative values for σx, that is, a compressive stress, since it acts in the
negative x direction. Similarly, negative y values will give positive or tensile values for σx.

Figure 3-6: Bending stresses vary linearly with distance from the neutral axis.
This result shows that, in the elastic range, the normal stress varies linearly with the distance
from the neutral surface (Figure 3-6).
Internal Moment and Stress Relations: On any point on the cross section, we have σx, the
normal stress, and τxy and τxz, the components of the shearing stress. The system of these

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elementary internal forces exerted on the cross section is equivalent to the couple M (Figure
3-7).

Figure 3-7: Stresses resulting from pure bending moment M

Selecting arbitrarily the z-axis shown in Figure 3-7, the equivalence of the elementary internal
forces and the couple M is expressed by writing that the sums of the components and moments
of the forces are equal to the corresponding components and moments of the couple M:

𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠: ∫ 𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴 = 0

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑦 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: ∫ 𝑧𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴 = 0

𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑧 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠: ∫(−𝑦𝜎𝑥 )𝑑𝐴 = 𝑀

The minus sign in moments about z axis is due to the fact that a tensile stress (σx> 0) leads to a
negative moment (clockwise) of the normal force σxdA about the z axis.
Three additional equations could be obtained by setting equal to zero the sums of the y
components, z components, and moments about the x-axis, but these equations would involve
only the components of the shearing stress and the components of the shearing stress are both
equal to zero.
Location of Neutral Axis: To locate the position of the neutral axis, we require the resultant
force produced by the stress distribution acting over the cross-sectional area to be equal to zero.
Noting that the force dP = σdA acts on the arbitrary element dA, we have

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, ∫ 𝜎𝑥 𝑑𝐴 = 0

𝑦
∫ (− 𝜎𝑚 ) 𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝑐
𝜎𝑚
− ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴 = 0
𝑐
∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴 = 0

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This equation shows that the first moment of the cross section about its neutral axis must be
zero. It can be zero only if the neutral axis passes through centroid C of the cross-sectional
area. Thus, for a member subjected to pure bending and as long as the stresses remain in the
elastic range, the neutral axis passes through the centroid of the section. Hence, once the
centroid for the member’s cross-sectional area is determined, the location of the neutral axis is
known.
Bending Moment: We can determine the stress in the beam if we require the moment M to be
equal to the moment produced by the stress distribution about the neutral axis.

↺ + ∑ 𝑀𝑧 = 𝑀, ∫(−𝑦𝜎𝑥 )𝑑𝐴 = 𝑀
𝑦 𝜎𝑚
∫(−𝑦) (− 𝜎𝑚 ) 𝑑𝐴 = ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝑀
𝑐 𝑐
Recall that for pure bending the neutral axis passes through the centroid of the cross section
and ∫ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 = 𝐼 is the moment of inertia or second moment of area of the cross section with
respect to a centroidal axis perpendicular to the plane of the couple M.
𝜎𝑚
𝐼=𝑀
𝑐
Solving for σm,
𝑀𝑐
𝜎𝑚 =
𝐼
We obtain the normal stress σx at any distance y from the neutral axis:
𝑦 𝑦 𝑀𝑐
𝜎𝑥 = − 𝜎𝑚 = − ( )
𝑐 𝑐 𝐼
𝑴𝒚
𝝈𝒙 = −
𝑰
This equation, called the flexure formula, shows that the stresses are directly proportional to
the bending moment M and inversely proportional to the moment of inertia I of the cross
section. Also, the stresses vary linearly with the distance y from the neutral axis, as previously
observed. Stresses calculated from the flexure formula are called bending stresses or flexural
stresses.

Figure 3-8: Relationships between signs of bending moments and directions of normal
stresses: (a) positive bending moment and (b) negative bending moment

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If the bending moment in the beam is positive, the bending stresses will be positive (tension)
over the part of the cross section where y is negative, that is, over the lower part of the beam.
The stresses in the upper part of the beam will be negative (compression). If the bending
moment is negative, the stresses will be reversed. These relationships are shown in Figure 3-8.
Maximum Stresses at a Cross Section: The maximum tensile and compressive bending
stresses acting at any given cross section occur at points located farthest from the neutral axis.
Denote by c1 and c2 the distances from the neutral axis to the extreme elements in the positive
and negative y directions, respectively (see Figure 3-8). Then the corresponding maximum
normal stresses
𝑴𝒄𝟏 𝑴𝒄𝟐
𝝈𝟏 = − , 𝝈𝟐 = −
𝑰 𝑰
The ratio I/c depends only on the geometry of the cross section. This ratio is defined as the
elastic section modulus S, where
𝐼
𝐸𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑙𝑢𝑠, 𝑆=
𝑐
𝑀 𝑴 𝑀 𝑴
𝝈𝟏 = − =− , 𝝈𝟐 = − =−
𝐼 ⁄𝑐1 𝑺𝟏 𝐼 ⁄𝑐2 𝑺𝟐
𝐼 𝐼
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑆1 =
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆2 =
𝑐1 𝑐2
The quantities S1 and S2 are known as the section moduli of the cross-sectional area.
Doubly Symmetric Shapes: If the cross section of a beam is symmetric with respect to the z-
axis as well as the y-axis (doubly symmetric cross section), then c1=c2= c and the maximum
tensile and compressive stresses are equal numerically:
𝑴𝒄 𝑴 𝑴𝒄 𝑴
𝝈𝟏 = −𝝈𝟐 = − =− , 𝒐𝒓 𝝈𝒎𝒂𝒙 = =
𝑰 𝑺 𝑰 𝑺
Table 3-1: The section moduli of standard structural shapes

Shape Representation Moment of Inertia (I) Section Modulus (S)

𝑏ℎ3
𝐼𝑥 = 𝑏ℎ2
12 𝑆=
ℎ𝑏 3 6
𝐼𝑦 =
12
Rectangle

𝜋𝑟 4 𝜋𝑑 4 𝜋𝑟 3 𝜋𝑑3
Circle 𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑦 = = 𝑆= =
4 64 4 32

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𝜋(𝑟 4 0 − 𝑟 4 𝑖 ) 𝜋(𝑟 4 0 − 𝑟 4 𝑖 )
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑦 = 𝑆=
4 4𝑟0
Circular Or Or
Tube
𝜋(𝑑 4 0 − 𝑑 4 𝑖 ) 𝜋(𝑑 4 0 − 𝑑4 𝑖 )
𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑦 = 𝑆 =
64 32𝑑0
1 ℎ3 𝑤
𝑆 = (𝑏ℎ2 − (𝑏
6 ℎ
𝑏ℎ3 (𝑏 − 𝑡𝑤 )ℎ3 𝑤
I-Beam 𝐼𝑥 = −
12 12 − 𝑡𝑤 ))

𝑏ℎ3 𝑏ℎ2
𝐼𝑥 = 𝑆=
36 24
Triangle

The following are the procedures for determination of Bending/flexure Stresses:

a) Stress at a Given Point

 Use the method of sections to determine the bending moment M at the cross section
containing the given point.
 Determine the location of the neutral axis.
 Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross- sectional area about the neutral axis.
 Determine the y-coordinate of the given point. Note that y is positive if the point lies
above the neutral axis and negative if it lies below the neutral axis.
 Compute the bending stress from σ=-My/I If correct sign are used for M and y, the stress
will also have the correct sign (tension positive, compression negative).
b) Maximum Bending Stress: Symmetric Cross Section
If the neutral axis is an axis of symmetric of the cross section, the maximum tensile and
compression, bending stresses are equal in magnitude and occur at the section of the largest
bending moment. The following procedure is recommended for determining the maximum
bending stress in a prismatic beam:
 Draw the bending moment diagram. Identify the bending moment Mmax that has the largest
magnitude (disregard the sign)
 Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross- sectional area about the neutral axis
 Calculate the maximum bending stress from σmax= [Mmax]c/I, where c is the distance from
the neutral axis to the top or bottom of the cross section
c) Maximum Tensile and Compressive Bending Stresses: Unsymmetrical Cross Section
If the neutral axis is not an axis of symmetry of the cross section, the maximum tensile and
compressive bending stresses may occur at different sections.
 Draw the bending moment diagram. Identify the largest positive and negative bending
moments.

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 Determine the location of the neutral axis and record the distance ctop and cbot from the
neutral axis to the top and bottom of the cross section.
 Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross section about the neutral axis.
 Calculate the bending stresses at the top and bottom of the cross section where the largest
positive bending moment σ= -My/ I.
 At the top of the cross section, where y = ctop ,we obtain σtop =-M ctop/ I
 At the bottom of the cross section, where y = -cbot ,we obtain σbot =M cbot/ I
 Repeat the calculations for the cross section that carries the largest negative bending
moment.
 Inspect the four stresses thus computed to determine the largest tensile (positive) and
compressive (negative) bending stresses in the beam
Curvature: The deformation of the member caused by the bending moment M is measured by
the curvature of the neutral surface. The curvature is defined as the reciprocal of the radius of
curvature ρ and can be obtained by
1 𝜖𝑚 (𝜎𝑚 ⁄𝐸 ) 𝜎𝑚 (𝑀𝑐 ⁄𝐼 )
= = = =
𝜌 𝑐 𝑐 𝐸𝑐 𝐸𝑐
𝟏 𝑴
∴ =
𝝆 𝑬𝑰
This equation known as the moment-curvature equation, shows that the curvature is directly
proportional to the bending moment M and inversely proportional to the quantity EI, which is
called the flexural rigidity of the beam. Flexural rigidity is a measure of the resistance of a
beam to bending, that is, the larger the flexural rigidity, the smaller the curvature for a given
bending moment.
Comparing the sign convention for bending moments with that for curvature, note that a
positive bending moment produces positive curvature and a negative bending moment
produces negative curvature (see Figure 3-9).

Figure 3-9: Relationships between signs of bending moments and signs of curvatures

3.3 Shear Stress

The applied shear force will induce shear stress across transverse section of the beam. At each
point on a section, the transverse shear stress will produce a complementary horizontal shear
stress. The longitudinal shear stresses will balance the variation of bending stresses along the
beam. If the bending moment is constant, there is no shear force and hence no shear stress. If
there is no variation of bending stress between successive transverse sections, there can be no
longitudinal shear stresses.

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Shearing stresses are important, particularly in the design of short, stubby beams. Figure 3-10
graphically expresses the elementary normal and shearing forces exerted on a transverse
section of a prismatic beam with a vertical plane of symmetry that are equivalent to the bending
couple M and the shearing force V. Six equations can be written to express this. Three of these
equations involve only the normal forces σdA and have been discussed in Sec. 3.1. These are
the sum of the normal forces is zero and that the sums of their moments about the y and z-axes
are equal to zero and M, respectively. Three more equations involving the shearing forces τxydA
and τxzdA now can be written. One equation expresses that the sum of the moments of the
shearing forces about the x-axis is zero and can be dismissed as trivial in view of the symmetry
of the beam with respect to the xy plane. The other two involve the y and z components of the
elementary forces and are

𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠: ∫ 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑑𝐴 = −𝑉

𝑧 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠: ∫ 𝜏𝑥𝑧 𝑑𝐴 = 0

Figure 3-10: All the stresses on elemental areas (left) sum to give the resultant shear V and
bending moment M.
Consider a prismatic beam AB with a vertical plane of symmetry that supports various
concentrated and distributed loads (Figure 3-11).

Figure 3-11: Transversely loaded beam with vertical plane of symmetry.

At a distance x from end A, we detach from the beam an element CDD’C’ with length of Δx
extending across the width of the beam from the upper surface to a horizontal plane located at
a distance y1 from the neutral axis (Figure 3-12).

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Figure 3-12: Short segment of beam with stress element CDD’C’ defined.
The forces exerted on this element consist of vertical shearing forces V’C and V’D, and a
horizontal shearing force ΔH exerted on the lower face of the element, elementary horizontal
normal forces σCdA and σDdA, and possibly a load wΔx (Figure 3-13).

Figure 3-13: Forces exerted on element CCD‘C’.

The equilibrium equation for horizontal forces is
.
→ + ∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0, ∆𝐻 + ∫ (𝜎𝐶 − 𝜎𝐷 )𝑑𝐴 = 0
ℴ

where the integral extends over the shaded area α of the section located above the line y=y1.
Solving this equation for ΔH and using, σ=My/I, to express the normal stresses in terms of the
bending moments at C and D, provides
𝑀𝐷 − 𝑀𝐶 .
∆𝐻 = ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴
𝐼 ℴ
.
∫ℴ 𝑦𝑑𝐴 represents the first moment with respect to the neutral axis of the portion α of the cross
section of the beam that is located above the line y = y1 and will be denoted by Q. On the other
hand, the increment MD-MC of the bending moment is
𝑀𝐷 − 𝑀𝐶 = ∆𝑀 = (𝑑𝑀⁄𝑑𝑥)∆𝑥 = 𝑉∆𝑥
𝑀𝐷 − 𝑀𝐶 . ∆𝑀 𝑉𝑄
∆𝐻 = ∫ 𝑦𝑑𝐴 = 𝑄= ∆𝑥
𝐼 ℴ 𝐼 𝐼

The horizontal shear per unit length, which will be denoted by q, is obtained by dividing both
sides by Δx:
∆𝐻 𝑉𝑄
𝑞= =
∆𝑥 𝐼
Recall the at Q is the first moment with respect to the neutral axis of the portion of the cross
section located either above or below the point at which q is being computed and that I is the

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centroidal moment of inertia of the entire cross-sectional area. The horizontal shear per unit
length q is also called the shear flow.
Consider again a beam with a vertical plane of symmetry that is subjected to various
concentrated or distributed loads applied in that plane. If, through two vertical cuts and one
horizontal cut, an element of length Δx is detached from the beam (Figure 3-13), the magnitude
ΔH of the shearing force exerted on the horizontal face of the element can be obtained by ∆𝐻 =
𝑉𝑄
𝐼
∆𝑥. The average shearing stress τave on that face of the element is obtained by dividing ΔH
by the area ΔA of the face. Observing that ΔA = tΔx, where t is the width of the element at the
cut, we write
𝑉𝑄 ∆𝑥 𝑉𝑄
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = =
𝐼 𝑡∆𝑥 𝐼𝑡
This equation is used in practical applications to determine the shearing stress at any point of
the cross section of a narrow rectangular beam (i.e., a beam of rectangular section of width b
and depth h with b ≤ 0.25h) because of the variation of the shearing stress τxy across the width
of the beam is less than 0.8% of τave.

Figure 3-14: Shearing stress distribution on transverse section of rectangular beam.

Observing that c=h/2, and the distance from the neutral axis to the centroid of A’ is 𝑦̅ = 𝑦 +
1 1
(𝑐 − 𝑦) = (𝑐 + 𝑦).
2 2

Recalling that 𝑄 = 𝐴′𝑦̅,

1 1
𝑄 = 𝐴′ 𝑦̅ = 𝑏(𝑐 − 𝑦) (𝑐 + 𝑦) = 𝑏(𝑐 2 − 𝑦 2 )
2 2
𝑏ℎ3 2 3
ℎ = 2𝑐, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 = = 𝑏𝑐
12 3
𝑉𝑄 𝑉𝑄 3 𝑐2 − 𝑦2
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = = 𝑉
𝐼𝑡 𝐼𝑏 4 𝑏𝑐3
or noting that the cross-sectional area of the beam is A= 2bc,
3 𝑐2 − 𝑦2 3 𝑐2 − 𝑦2 3𝑉 𝑦2
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 𝑉 = 𝑉 = (1 − )
4 𝑏𝑐3 2 (2𝑏𝑐)𝑐2 2𝐴 𝑐2
As we can observe from this equation, the shearing stresses are zero at the top and bottom of
the cross section (y=±c). Making y=0, the value of then maximum shearing stress in a given
section of a narrow rectangular beam is

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3𝑉
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2𝐴
This relationship shows that the maximum value of the shearing stress in a beam of rectangular
cross section is 50% larger than the value V/A obtained by wrongly assuming a uniform stress
distribution across the entire cross section.
The following are the procedure for analysis of shear stress:
 Use equilibrium analysis to determine the vertical shear force V acting on the cross
section containing the specified point ( the construction of a shear force diagram is
usually a goodidea).
 Locate the neutral axis and compute the moment of inertia I of the cross- sectional area
about the neutral axis (If the beam is a standard structural shape, its cross- sectional
properties are listed in steel section table.)
 Compute the first moment Q of the cross- sectional area that lies above (or below)the
specified point.
 Calculate the shear stress from τ = VQ/(Ib), where b is the width of the cross section at
the specified point.
 The maximum shear stress τmax on a given cross section occurs where Q/b is largest.
 If the width b is constant, then τmax occurs at the neutral axis because that is where Q
has its maximum value.
 If b is not constant, it is necessary to compute the shear stress at more than one point in
order to determine its maximum value.
3.4 Worked Examples

Example 3.1: The simply supported beam has a rectangular cross section 120 mm wide and
200 mm high. Compute the maximum bending stress in the beam and the bending stress at a
point on section B that is 25 mm below the top of the beam.

Solution
Preliminary Calculations
The shear force and bending moment diagrams.

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Strength of Materials AASTU

Mmax = +16kNm, occurring at D. Because Mmax is positive, the top half of the cross section is
in compression and the bottom half is in tension.
The neutral axis (NA) is an axis of symmetry of the cross section. Due to symmetry of the cross
section about the neutral axis, the maximum tensile and compressive stresses are equal in
magnitude.

The distance c between the neutral axis and the top (or bottom) of the cross section is c =
100mm = 0.1m.
The moment of inertia of the cross section about the neutral axis is
𝑏ℎ3 0.12 × 0.23
𝐼= = = 800 × 10−6 𝑚4
12 12
The maximum bending stress in the beam on the cross section that carries the largest bending
moment, which is the section at D.
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑐 (16 × 103 ) × 0.1
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 20 × 106 𝑃𝑎 = 20𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 800 × 10−6
From Fig. (c) we see that the bending moment at section B is M = + 9.28kNm. The y-coordinate
of the point that lies 25 mm below the top of the beam is y = 100-25 = 75mm = 0.075m.
𝑀𝐵 𝑦 (9.28 × 103 ) × 0.075
𝜎𝐵 = − = = −8.70 × 106 𝑃𝑎 = −8.70𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 800 × 10−6

GIRUM MINDAYE 65
Strength of Materials AASTU

Example 3.2: 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.
Solution

𝑦 1000 500 1 1 500 250 2

= ⟹𝑦= 𝑥, 𝐹 = (𝑥𝑦) = [𝑥 ( 𝑥)] = 𝑥
𝑥 6 3 3 2 3 3
1 250 2 1 250 3
↺ + ∑ 𝑀 = 0, 𝑀𝑥 = −𝐹 ( 𝑥) = − ( 𝑥 ) ( 𝑥) = − 𝑥
3 3 3 9
Part (a):
The maximum moment occurs at the support (the wall) or at x = 6m.
250 3
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − (6 ) = −6,000𝑁𝑚
9

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑐 (−6000 × 1000) × 75

𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = 32𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 50 × 1503 ⁄12
Part (b):
At a section 2 m from the free end or at x = 2 m at fiber 20mm from the top of the beam:
250 3 2000
𝑀𝑥=2 = − (2 ) = − 𝑁𝑚
9 9

2000
𝑀𝑦 (− 9 × 1000) × 55
𝜎𝑥=2𝑚,𝑦=55𝑚𝑚 =− =− = 0.8691𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 869.1𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐼 50 × 1503 ⁄12
Example 3.3: Determine the minimum height h of the beam shown in figure if the flexural
stress is not to exceed 20 MPa.

GIRUM MINDAYE 66
Strength of Materials AASTU

Solution:
1
𝑐= ℎ,
2
𝑏ℎ3 80ℎ3 20ℎ3
𝐼= = =
12 12 3
𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑐 (5 × 106 )(ℎ⁄2)
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 =− → 20 = −
𝐼 20ℎ3 ⁄3
2
ℎ = 18750 → ℎ = 137𝑚𝑚

Example 3.4: The simply supported beam has the T-shaped cross section as shown in figure.
Determine the values and locations of the maximum tensile and compressive bending stresses.

Solution
a) Find the largest positive and negative bending moment.

GIRUM MINDAYE 67
Strength of Materials AASTU

The results are shown in figure. The largest positive and negative bending moment are
3200lb·ft and 4000 lb.ft respectively.
b) Compute the moment of inertia I about the neutral axis.
The cross section to be composed of the two rectangles with areas A1= 0.8 (8) = 6.4in2 and A2=
0.8(6) = 4.8in2. The centroidal coordinates of the areas are ̅̅̅
𝑦1 = 4𝑖𝑛 and ̅̅̅
𝑦2 = 8.4𝑖𝑛, measured
from the bottom of the cross section. The coordinate 𝑦̅ of the centroid C of the cross section is
𝐴1 ̅̅̅
𝑦1 + 𝐴2 ̅̅̅
𝑦2 6.4 × 4 + 4.8 × 8.4
𝑦̅ = = = 5.886𝑖𝑛
𝐴1 + 𝐴2 6.4 + 4.8
Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis. Using the
parallel-axis theorem, 𝐼 = ∑[𝐼̅𝑖 + 𝐴𝑖 (𝑦̅𝑖 − 𝑦̅)2 ] where 𝐼̅𝑖 = 𝑏𝑖 ℎ𝑖 3 ⁄12 is the moment of inertia
of a rectangle about its own centroidal axis. Thus,

0.8 × 83 2
6 × 0.83
𝐼=[ + 6.4(4 − 5.886) ] + [ + 4.8(8.4 − 5.886)2 ] = 87.49𝑖𝑛4
12 12
c) Maximum Bending stresses
The distances from the neutral axis to the top and the bottom of the cross section are
𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑝 = 8.8 − 𝑦̅ = 8.8 − 5.886 = 2.914𝑖𝑛 and 𝑐𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 𝑦̅ = 5.886𝑖𝑛. Because these distances
are different, we must investigate stresses at two locations: at x = 4ft (where the largest positive
bending moment occurs) and at x = 10ft (where the largest negative bending moment occurs).
Stresses at x = 4ft: The bending moment at this section is M = +3200 lb.ft causing compression
above the neutral axis and tension below the axis. The resulting bending stresses at the top and
bottom of the cross section are
𝑀𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑝 (3200 × 12) × 2.914
𝜎𝑡𝑜𝑝 = − =− = −1279𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐼 87.49
𝑀𝑐𝑏𝑜𝑡 (3200 × 12)(−5.886)
𝜎𝑏𝑜𝑡 = − =− = 2580𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐼 87.49
Stresses at x = 10 ft: The bending moment at this section is M = -4000lb.ft, resulting in tension
above the neutral axis and compression below the neutral axis. The corresponding bending
stresses at the extremities of the cross section are
𝑀𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑝 (−4000 × 12) × 2.914
𝜎𝑡𝑜𝑝 = − =− = 1599𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐼 87.49

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Strength of Materials AASTU

𝑀𝑐𝑏𝑜𝑡 (−4000 × 12)(−5.886)

𝜎𝑏𝑜𝑡 = − =− = −3230𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐼 87.49
Inspecting the above results, we conclude that the maximum tensile and compressive stresses
in the beam are
𝜎𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 2580𝑃𝑠𝑖 ( 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 4 𝑓𝑡 )
𝜎𝑏𝑜𝑡 = −3230𝑃𝑠𝑖 ( 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 10 𝑓𝑡 )
Example 3.5: The cantilever beam is composed of two segments with rectangular cross
sections. The width of the each section is 2in, but the depths are different, as shown in the
figure. Determine the maximum bending stress in the beam.

Solution:
Because the cross section of the beam is not constant, the maximum stress occurs either at the
section just to the left of MB= - 8000lb.ft) or at the section at D (MD= -16000lb.ft).
The section moduli of the two segments are
𝑏(ℎ𝐴𝐵 )2 2 × 42 16 3
𝑆𝐴𝐵 = = = 𝑖𝑛
6 6 3
𝑏(ℎ𝐵𝐷 )2 2 × 62
𝑆𝐵𝐷 = = = 12𝑖𝑛3
6 6
The maximum bending stresses on the two cross sections of the interest are
[𝑀𝐵 ] (8000 × 12)
(𝜎𝐵 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 18000𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝑆𝐴𝐵 16⁄3
[𝑀𝐷 ] (16000 × 12)
(𝜎𝐷 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 16000𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝑆𝐵𝐷 12
Comparing the above values, we find that the maximum bending stress in the beam is
(𝜎𝐵 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 18000𝑃𝑠𝑖 (𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑓𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐵)

GIRUM MINDAYE 69
Strength of Materials AASTU

This is an example where the maximum bending stress occurs on a cross section at the bending
moment is not maximum.
Example 3.6: The simply supported beam has the cross-sectional area shown in figure.
Determine the absolute maximum bending stress in the beam and draw the stress distribution
over the cross section at this location. Also, what is the stress at point B?

Solution
(a) Maximum Internal Moment.
The maximum internal moment in the beam, M = 22.5kNm, occurs at the center, as indicated
on the moment diagram, Fig. c.

(b) Section Property.

By reasons of symmetry, the neutral axis passes through the centroid C at the mid height of the
beam, Fig. b. The area is subdivided into the three parts shown, and the moment of inertia of
each part is calculated about the neutral axis using the parallel-axis theorem. Choosing to work
in millimeters, we have

𝐼 = ∑ 𝐼 ̅ + 𝐴𝑑 2
20 × 3003 250 × 203 20 2
𝐼=[ ] + 2[ + (250 × 20) (150 + ) ] = 301 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
12 12 2

(c) Applying the flexural formula

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑐 (22.5 × 106 )(170)
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 12.71𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 301 × 106
A three-dimensional view of the stress distribution is shown in Fig. d. Specifically, at point B,
yB= 150 mm, and so as shown in Fig. d,

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Strength of Materials AASTU

𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑦𝐵 (22.5 × 106 )(150)

𝜎𝐵 = − =− = −11.21𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 301 × 106

Example 3.7: Determine (a) the moment M that will produce a maximum stress of 70MPa on
the cross section and (b) the maximum tensile and compressive bending stress in the beam if it
is subjected to a moment of M = 6kNm.

Solution
(a) Section Property.
The coordinate 𝑦̅ of the centroid of the cross section from the bottom is
∑ 𝐴𝑖 𝑦̅𝑖
𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 =
∑ 𝐴𝑖
(12 × 250)(250⁄2) + (99 × 12)(250 + 12⁄2) + 2(12 × 75)(250 − 75⁄2)
=
(12 × 250) + (99 × 12) + 2(12 × 75)

𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 177.29𝑚𝑚

𝑦̅𝑡𝑜𝑝 = 250 + 12 − 𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 250 + 12 − 177.29 = 84.71𝑚𝑚

Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis.

GIRUM MINDAYE 71
Strength of Materials AASTU

𝐼 = ∑ 𝐼 ̅ + 𝐴𝑑 2
12 × 2503 250 2 99 × 123
𝐼=[ + (12 × 250) (177.29 − ) ]+[ + (99 × 12)(84.71 − 6)2 ]
12 2 12
12 × 753 75 2
+ 2[ + (12 × 75) (84.71 − 12 − ) ] = 34.2773 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
12 2

(b) Applying the flexural formula

 Moment M that will produce a maximum stress of 70MPa
𝑀𝑐 (𝑀)(177.29)
𝜎= ⟹ 70 = ⟹ 𝑀 = 13.53 × 106 𝑁𝑚𝑚 = 13.53𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝐼 34.2773 × 106
 Maximum tensile and compressive bending stress if M = 6kNm.
𝑀𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 (6 × 106 )(−177.29)
(𝜎𝑏𝑜𝑡 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 =− =− = 31.03𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑇)
𝐼 34.2773 × 106
𝑀𝑦̅𝑡𝑜𝑝 (6 × 106 )(84.71)
(𝜎𝑡𝑜𝑝 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = − =− = −14.83𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝐶)
𝐼 34.2773 × 106
Example 3.8: If the beam is subjected to an internal moment of M = 30kNm, determine (a) the
maximum bending stress in the beam, and (b) the resultant force caused by the bending stress
distribution acting on the top flange A.

Solution
(a) Section Property.
Because of doubly symmetry of the section the centroid 𝑦̅ = ℎ⁄2 = 75𝑚𝑚
𝑦̅𝑡𝑜𝑝 = 𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 75𝑚𝑚

Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis.

𝐼 = ∑ 𝐼 ̅ + 𝐴𝑑 2

100 × 1503 45 × 1203

𝐼=( ) − 2( ) = 15.165 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
12 12

GIRUM MINDAYE 72
Strength of Materials AASTU

(b) Applying the flexural formula

 Maximum bending stress
𝑀𝑐 (30 × 106 )(75)
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 148.37𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 15.165 × 106
 Bending stress distribution acting on the top flange A.
At y = 60 mm,
𝑀𝑦 (30 × 106 )(60)
𝜎|𝑦=60𝑚𝑚 = = = 118.69𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼 15.165 × 106
The bending stress distribution across the cross section is shown in Fig. a.

The resultant force acting on flange A is equal to the volume of the trapezoidal stress block
shown in Fig. a. Thus,
1
𝐹𝑅 = (148.37 + 118.69)(100 × 15) = 200,295𝑁 ≈ 200.30𝑘𝑁
2
Example 3.9: If the beam is subjected to a moment of M = 100kNm, determine the bending
stress at points A, B, and C. And determine the maximum moment M that can be applied to the
beam if the beam is made of material having an allowable tensile and compressive stress of
(σallow)t = 125 MPa and (σallow)c = 150 MPa, respectively.

GIRUM MINDAYE 73
Strength of Materials AASTU

Solution
(a) Section Property.
The coordinate 𝑦̅ of the centroid of the cross section from the bottom is
∑ 𝐴𝑖 𝑦̅𝑖 (300 × 30)(15) + (30 × 300)(30 + 300⁄2)
𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 = = = 97.5𝑚𝑚
∑ 𝐴𝑖 (300 × 30) + (30 × 300)

𝑦̅𝑡𝑜𝑝 = 30 + 300 + −𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 = 330 − 97.5 = 232.5𝑚𝑚

Compute the moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis.

𝐼 = ∑ 𝐼 ̅ + 𝐴𝑑 2
300 × 303 30 × 3003
𝐼=[ + (300 × 30)(97.5 − 15)2 ] + [ + (30 × 300)(232.5 − 150)2 ]
12 12
= 190.6875 × 106 𝑚𝑚4

(b) Applying the flexural formula

 Bending stress at points A, B, and C if M=100kNm
The distance from the neutral axis to points A, B, and C is yA= 232.5mm, yB= 97.5mm, and yC=
97.5-30=67.5mm.
𝑀𝑦𝐴 (100 × 106 )(232.5)
𝜎𝐴 = − =− = −121.93𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝐶)
𝐼 190.6875 × 106
𝑀𝑦𝐵 (100 × 106 )(−97.5)
𝜎𝐵 = − =− = 51.13𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑇)
𝐼 190.6875 × 106
𝑀𝑦𝐶 (100 × 106 )(−67.5)
𝜎𝐶 = − =− = 35.40𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑇)
𝐼 190.6875 × 106
Using these results, the bending stress distribution across the cross section is shown in figure.

 Maximum moment M if (σallow)t = 125 MPa and (σallow)c = 150 MPa

𝑀𝑦̅𝑏𝑜𝑡 (𝑀)(−97.5)
(𝜎𝑡 )𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = − ⟹ 125 = − 6
⟹ 𝑀 = 244.47 × 106 𝑁𝑚𝑚
𝐼 190.6875 × 10
∴ 𝑀 = 244.47𝑘𝑁𝑚

GIRUM MINDAYE 74
Strength of Materials AASTU

𝑀𝑦̅𝑡𝑜𝑝 (𝑀)(232.5)
(𝜎𝑐 )𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = − ⟹ −150 = − ⟹ 𝑀 = 123.02 × 106 𝑁𝑚𝑚
𝐼 190.6875 × 106
∴ 𝑀 = 123.02𝑘𝑁𝑚 (𝑔𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑠)
Example 3.10: The simply supported wood beam is fabricated by gluing together three 160mm
by 80mm plans as shown in the figure below. Calculate the maximum shear stress in the glue
and the wood.

Solution
From the shear force diagram in Fig. (b), the maximum shear force in the beam is Vmax= 24kN,
occurring at the supports.
The moment of inertia of the cross-sectional area of the beam about the neutral axis is
𝑏ℎ3 0.16 ×. 243
𝐼= = = 184.32 × 10−6 𝑚4
12 12
The shear stress is the glue corresponds to the horizontal shear stress. Its maximum value can
be computed from τmax=VmaxQ/(Ib), where Q is the first moment of the area A’ shown in Fig.(c);
that is,
̅ = (0.16 × 0.8)(0.8) = 1.024 × 10−3 𝑚3
𝑄 = 𝐴′ 𝑦′

Therefore, the shear stress in the glue, which occurs over either support, is
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑄 (24 × 103 )(1.024 × 10−3 )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 8.33 × 103 𝑃𝑎 = 8.33𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑏 (184.32 × 10−6 )(0.16)
Because the cross section is rectangular, the maximum shear stress in the wood can be
calculated by:
3 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 3 24 × 103
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = ( ) = 938 × 103 𝑃𝑎 = 938𝑘𝑃𝑎
2 𝐴 2 0.16 × 0.24

GIRUM MINDAYE 75
Strength of Materials AASTU

𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑄
The same result can be obtained from𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = , where now A’ is the area above the
𝐼𝑏
neutral axis, as indicated in Fig. (d).

The first moment of this area about the neutral axis is

̅ = (0.16 × 0.12)(0.6) = 1.152 × 10−3 𝑚3
𝑄 = 𝐴′ 𝑦′
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑄 (24 × 103 )(1.152 × 10−3 )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 938 × 103 𝑃𝑎 = 938𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑏 (184.32 × 10−6 )(0.16)
which agrees with the previous result.
Example 3.11: The W12×40 section is used as a beam. If the vertical shear acting at a certain
section of the beam is 16 kips, determine the following at that section: (a) the minimum shear
stress in the web; (b) the maximum shear stress in the web; and (c)the percentage of the shear
force that is carried by the web.

Solution
The W12×40 section is shown in Fig.(b), where the dimensions were
obtained from the steel section tables. The drawing approximates the web
and the flanges by rectangles, thereby ignoring the small fillets and
rounded corners present in the actual section. The tables also list the
moment of inertia of the section about the neutral axis as I = 310in4.
a) The minimum shear stress in the web occurs at the junction with the
flange, where Q/b is smallest (note that b = 0.295in is constant within
the web). Q is the first moment of the area A1’ shown in Fig.(b) about the neutral axis:
11.94 − 0.515
𝑄 = 𝐴′1 ̅̅̅̅
𝑦1 ′ = (8.005 × 0.515) ( ) = 23.55𝑖𝑛3
2
The minimum shear stress in thus becomes
𝑉𝑄 (16 × 103 )(23.55)
𝜏𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = = 4120𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐼𝑏 310 × 0.295

GIRUM MINDAYE 76
Strength of Materials AASTU

b) The maximum shear stress is located at the neutral axis, where Q/b is largest. Hence, Q is
the first moment of the area above (or below) the neutral axis.
The moment of A1’ was calculated in part (a). The moment of A2’ about the neutral axis is
where
11.94
𝐴1 ′ = ( − 0.515) (0.295) = 1.6092𝑖𝑛2
2

̅̅̅̅ 1 11.94
𝑦1 ′ = ( − 0.515) = 2.7275𝑖𝑛
2 2
𝑄 = 𝐴′1 ̅̅̅̅
𝑦1 ′ + 𝐴′2 ̅̅̅̅
𝑦2 ′ = 23.55 + (1.6092)(2.7275) = 27.94𝑖𝑛3
The maximum shear stress in the web becomes
𝑉𝑄 (16 × 103 )(27.94)
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 4890𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐼𝑏 310 × 0.295

c) Percentage of the shear force carried by the web.

The distribution of the shear stress in the web is shown in Fig.(c).The shear force carried by
the web is
Vweb= (cross section area of web) × (area of shear diagram)
The shear stress distribution is parabolic. Recalling that the area of a parabola is (2/3) (base×
height).
2
𝑉𝑤𝑒𝑏 = (10.91 × 0.295) [4120 + (4890 − 4120)] = 14910𝑙𝑏
3
Therefore the percentage of the shear force carried by the web is
𝑉𝑤𝑒𝑏 14910
× 100 = × 100 = 93.2%
𝑉 16000
The result confirms that the flanges are ineffective in resisting the vertical shear
Note that for wide flanges (W-shapes), we can use 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉 ⁄𝐴𝑤𝑒𝑏 as a rough approximation
for the maximum shear stress.

GIRUM MINDAYE 77
Strength of Materials AASTU

𝑉 16000
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 4970𝑃𝑠𝑖
𝐴𝑤𝑒𝑏 10.91 × 0.295
Which differs from τmax= 4890 psi computed in Part (b) by less than 2%.
Example 3.12: The beam shown in Fig. a is made from two boards. Determine the maximum
shear stress in the glue necessary to hold the boards together along the seam where they are
joined.

Solution
Internal Shear: The support reactions and the shear diagram for the beam are shown in
Fig.b. It is seen that the maximum shear in the beam is 19.5kN.

Section Properties: The centroid and therefore the neutral axis will be determined from the
reference axis placed at the bottom of the cross-sectional area, Fig. a. Working in units of
milimeters, we have
∑ 𝑦̃𝐴 (75)(30 × 150) + (165)(150 × 30)
𝑦̅ = = = 120𝑚𝑚
∑𝐴 (30 × 150) + (150 × 30)
The moment of inertia about the neutral axis, Fig. a, is therefore
30 × 1503 150 × 303
𝐼=[ + (30 × 150)(120 − 75)2 ] + [ + (150 × 30)(165 − 120)2 ]
12 12
= 27 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
The top board (flange) is held onto the bottom board (web) by the glue, which is applied over
the thickness t = 30mm. Consequently Q is taken from the area of the top board, Fig. a. We
have

̅ = (150 × 30) (180 − 30 − 120) = 20.25 × 104 𝑚𝑚3

𝑄 = 𝐴′ 𝑦′
2
Shear Stress: Applying the shear formula,

GIRUM MINDAYE 78
Strength of Materials AASTU

𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑄 (19.5 × 103 )(20.25 × 104 )

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 4.88𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡 (27 × 106 )(30)
The shear stress acting at the top of the bottom board is shown in Fig. c.

Note. It is the glue’s resistance to this longitudinal shear stress that holds the boards from
slipping at the right support.
Example 3.13: A steel wide-flange beam has the dimensions shown in figure. If it is subjected
to a shear of V = 80kN, plot the shear-stress distribution acting over the beam’s cross section.

Solution
Since the flange and web are rectangular elements, then like the previous example, the shear-
stress distribution will be parabolic and in this case it will vary in the manner shown in Fig. b.

Due to symmetry, only the shear stresses at points B’, B, and C have to be determined. To show
how these values are obtained, we must first determine the moment of inertia of the cross-
sectional area about the neutral axis. Working in milimeters, we have

GIRUM MINDAYE 79
Strength of Materials AASTU

15 × 2003 300 × 203 20 2

𝐼=[ ] + 2[ + (300 × 20) (100 + ) ] = 155.6 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
12 12 2
For point B', t'B = 300mm, and A' is the dark shaded area shown
in Fig. c. Thus,

̅ = (300 × 20) (100 + 20) = 66 × 104 𝑚𝑚3

𝑄𝐵′ = 𝐴′ 𝑦′
2
so that
𝑉𝑄𝐵′ (80 × 103 )(66 × 104 )
𝜏 =
𝐵′ = = 1.13𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡𝐵′ (155.6 × 106 )(300)
For point B, tB = 15mm and QB = QB', Fig. c. Hence
𝑉𝑄𝐵 (80 × 103 )(66 × 104 )
𝜏𝐵 = = = 22.62𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡𝐵 (155.6 × 106 )(15)
For point C, tC = 15mm and A' is the dark shaded area shown in
Fig. d. Considering this area to be composed of two rectangles,
we have
𝑄𝐶 = ∑ 𝐴′ 𝑦′̅ = (300 × 20) (100 + 20) + (15 × 100) (100)
2 2
= 73.5 × 104 𝑚𝑚3
Thus,
𝑉𝑄𝐶 (80 × 103 )(73.5 × 104 )
𝜏𝐶 = = = 25.19𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡𝐶 (155.6 × 106 )(15)
From Fig. b, note that the largest shear stress occurs in the web and is almost uniform
throughout its depth, varying from 22.62 MPa to 25.19 MPa. It is for this reason that for design,
some codes permit the use of calculating the average shear stress on the cross section of the
web, rather than using the shear formula; that is,
𝑉 80 × 103
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 26.67𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴 15 × 200
Example 3.14: If the wide-flange beam is subjected to a shear of V = 20kN, determine (a) the
shear stress on the web at A, (b) the maximum shear stress in the beam and (c) the shear force
resisted by the web of the beam.

GIRUM MINDAYE 80
Strength of Materials AASTU

Solution
(a) Section Properties
Due to the doula symmetry of the section, the location of the centroid measured from the
bottom or top is h/2.
ℎ 20 + 300 + 20
𝑦̅ = = = 170𝑚𝑚
2 2
The moment of inertia of the cross-section about the neutral axis is
200 × 3403 90 × 3003
𝐼= − 2( ) = 250.1 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
12 12

(b) Shear stress on the web at A

̅ = (200 × 20) (170 − 20) = 64 × 104 𝑚𝑚3

𝑄𝐴 = 𝐴′ 𝑦′
2
Applying the shear formula,

𝑉𝑄𝐴 (20 × 103 )(64 × 104 )

𝜏𝐴 = = = 2.56𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡𝐴 (250.1 × 106 )(20)
The shear stress component at A is represented by the volume element shown in figure.

(c) Maximum shear stress in the beam

̅ = (200 × 20)(160) + (20 × 150)(75) = 86.5 × 104 𝑚𝑚3

𝑄𝑚𝑎𝑥 = ∑ 𝐴′ 𝑦′
The maximum shear stress occurs at the points along neutral axis since Q is maximum and
thickness t is the smallest.
𝑉𝑄𝑚𝑎𝑥 (20 × 103 )(86.5 × 104 )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 3.46𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡 (250.1 × 106 )(20)

(d) Shear force resisted by the web of the beam

GIRUM MINDAYE 81
Strength of Materials AASTU

For 0≤ y < 0.15m, Fig. a, Q as a function of y is

̅ = (200 × 20)(160) + [20 × (150 − 𝑦)] (𝑦 + 150)

𝑄 = ∑ 𝐴′ 𝑦′
2
(86.5 2) 4 3
= − 1000𝑦 × 10 𝑚𝑚
For 0 ≤ y < 0.15m, t = 0.02m. Thus,
𝑉𝑄 (20 × 103 )(86.5 − 1000𝑦 2 ) × 104
𝜏= = = (3.459 − 39.984𝑦 2 )𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡 (250.1 × 106 )(20)
The sheer force resisted by the web is
0.15 0.15

𝑉𝑤 = 2 ∫ 𝜏𝑑𝐴 = 2 ∫ [(3.459 − 39.984𝑦 2 ) × 106 ](0.02𝑑𝑦)

0 0
0.15
4 2 )𝑑𝑦 4
39.984𝑦 3 0.15
𝑉𝑤 = 4 × 10 ∫ (3.459 − 39.984𝑦 = 4 × 10 (3.459𝑦 − )|
3 0
0

𝑉𝑤 = 18,954.72𝑁 ≈ 18.95𝑘𝑁
Example 3.15: If the beam is subjected to a shear of V = 30kN, determine the web’s shear
stress at A and B. Indicate the shear-stress components on a volume element located at these
points. Set w= 200mm.

Solution

GIRUM MINDAYE 82
Strength of Materials AASTU

a) Section Properties:
The location of the centroid measured from the bottom is
∑ 𝑦̃𝐴 (10)(200 × 20) + (20 + 200)(20 × 400) + (20 + 400 + 10)(300 × 20)
𝑦̅ = =
∑𝐴 (200 × 20) + (20 × 400) + (300 × 20)
𝑦̅ = 243.33𝑚𝑚

The moment of inertia of the cross-section about the neutral axis is

200 × 203
𝐼=[ + (200 × 20)(243.33 − 10)2 ]
12
20 × 4003
+[ + (20 × 400)(243.33 − 220)2 ]
12
300 × 203
+[ + (300 × 20)(430 − 243.33)2 ] = 538.2 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
12
Referring to Fig. a,
̅ 𝐴 = (300 × 20)(440 − 243.33 − 10) = 112 × 104 𝑚𝑚3
𝑄𝐴 = 𝐴′𝐴 𝑦′

̅ 𝐵 = (200 × 20)(243.33 − 10) = 93.33 × 104 𝑚𝑚3

𝑄𝐵 = 𝐴′ 𝐵 𝑦′
b) Shear Stress: Applying the shear formula,
𝑉𝑄𝐴 (30 × 103 )(112 × 104 )
𝜏𝐴 = = = 3.12𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡𝐴 (538.2 × 106 )(20)
𝑉𝑄𝐵 (30 × 103 )(93.33 × 104 )
𝜏𝐵 = = = 2.60𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐼𝑡𝐵 (538.2 × 106 )(20)
These shear stresses on the volume element at points A and B are shown in Fig. b.

GIRUM MINDAYE 83
Strength of Materials AASTU

Example 3.16: Determine the maximum shear stress in the T-beam (a) at the critical section
where the internal shear force is maximum and (b) at point C. Show the result on a volume
element at this point.

Solution
(a) Maximum shear force
The shear diagram is shown in Fig. b. As indicated, Vmax=27.5kN

(b) Section properties

The neutral axis passes through centroid c of the cross-section, Fig. c.
∑ 𝑦̃𝐴 (75)(30 × 150) + (150 + 15)(150 × 30)
𝑦̅ = = = 120𝑚𝑚
∑𝐴 (30 × 150) + (150 × 30)
30 × 1503 150 × 303
𝐼=[ + (30 × 150)(120 − 75)2 ] + [ + (150 × 30)(165 − 120)2 ]
12 12

𝐼 = 27 × 106 𝑚𝑚4
From Fig. d,
̅ = (30 × 120)(60) = 21.6 × 104 𝑚𝑚3
𝑄𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐴′ 𝑦′

GIRUM MINDAYE 84