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MODULE 7: Flexural Stresses

Intended Learning Outcomes

After studying this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

1. Analyze the structural member subjected to bending load.

2. Determine the flexural stresses of the material.
3. Solve numerical problems related to bending in beams.

Introduction

Flexural strength, also known as modulus of rupture, bend strength, or fracture strength a
mechanical parameter for brittle material, is defined as a material's ability to resist deformation
under load. The transverse bending test is most frequently employed, in which a rod specimen
having either a circular or rectangular cross-section is bent until fracture using a three-point flexural
test technique. The flexural strength represents the highest stress experienced within the material at
its moment of rupture. It is measured in terms of stress, here given the symbol σ.

Flexural Stresses

When a member is being loaded similar to figure 1,

flexure stress (or bending stress) will result. Bending
stress is a more specific type of normal stress. When a
beam experiences load, the top fibers of the beam undergo
a normal compressive stress. The stress at the horizontal
plane of the neutral axis is zero. The bottom fibers of the
beam undergo a normal tensile stress. It can be concluded
therefore that the value of the bending stress will vary
linearly with distance from the neutral axis.

Figure 1.
Illustration of the beam subjected to bending.

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Formula:

Where:
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = the maximum normal stress in the member, which occurs at a point on the cross-sectional
area farthest away from the neutral axis
M = the resultant internal moment, determined from the method of sections and the equations of
equilibrium, and calculated about the neutral axis of the cross section
c = perpendicular distance from the neutral axis to a point farthest away from the neutral axis. This is
where 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 acts
I = the moment of inertia of the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis

CENTROID OF AN AREA. The centroid of an area refers to the point that defines the geometric center
for the area.
Based on the principle of symmetry the locations of the centroid for common area shapes are listed
on the next page.

Figure 2. Geometric properties of area element.

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Composite Areas. Often an area can be sectioned or divided into several parts having
simpler shapes. Provided the area and location of the centroid of each of these “composite shapes”
are known, one can eliminate the need for integration to determine the centroid for the entire area.

Below are the formula to be used to determine the centroid of the composite areas.

MOMENT OF INERTIA FOR AN AREA. The moment of inertia of an area often appears in
formulas used in mechanics of materials. It is a geometric property that is calculated about an axis,
and for the x and y axes, it is defined as

A similar expression can be written for Iy, that is,

The formula to determine the moment of inertia for a common area shapes can be found in figure 2.

Composite Areas. Many cross-sectional areas consist of a series of connected simpler

shapes, such as rectangles, triangles, and semicircles. In order to properly determine the moment of
inertia of such an area about a specified axis, it is first necessary to divide the area into its composite
parts and indicate the perpendicular distance from the axis to the parallel centroidal axis for each
part. If this axis does not coincide with the specified axis, the parallel-axis theorem, 𝐼 = 𝐼̅ + 𝐴𝑑2
should be used to determine the moment of inertia of the part about the specified axis. The moment
of inertia of the entire area about this axis is then determined by summing the results of its
composite parts. In particular, if a composite part has a “hole,” the moment of inertia for the
composite is found by “subtracting” the moment of inertia for the hole from the moment of inertia
of the entire area including the hole.

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Sample Problem 1

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Sample Problem 2

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Sample Problem 3

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PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS FOR FLEXURAL STRESS

In order to apply the flexure formula, the following procedure is suggested.

• Internal Moment

 Section the member at the point where the bending or normal stress is to be
determined, and obtain the internal moment M at the section. The centroidal or
neutral axis for the cross section must be known, since M must be calculated
about this axis.

 If the absolute maximum bending stress is to be determined, then draw the

moment diagram in order to determine the maximum moment in the member.

• Section Property

 Determine the moment of inertia of the cross-sectional area about the neutral
axis.

• Normal Stress

 Specify the distance y, measured perpendicular to the neutral axis to the point
where the normal stress is to be determined. Then apply the equation
or if the maximum bending stress is to be calculated, use . When
substituting the data, make sure the units are consistent.

 The stress acts in a direction such that the force it creates at the point
contributes a moment about the neutral axis that is in the same direction as the
internal moment M, Fig. 6(c). In this manner the stress distribution acting over
the entire cross section can be sketched, or a volume element of the material
can be isolated and used to graphically represent the normal stress acting at
the point.

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Sample Problem 4

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Sample Problem 5

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Sample Problem 6

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Sample Problem 7

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CHAPTER TEST
Directions: Solve the following problems.

1. The rod is supported by smooth journal bearings at A and B that only exert vertical reactions
on the shaft. Determine its smallest diameter d if the allowable bending stress is σ allow = 180
MPa.
Answer: d=86.3mm

2. The steel beam has the cross-sectional area shown. If wo = 0.5 kip/ft, determine the absolute
maximum bending stress in the beam

Answer: I= 152.344 in4, σmax = 10.0 ksi

3. A simply supported beam, 2 in wide by 4 in high and 12 ft long is subjected to a concentrated

load of 2000 lb at a point 3 ft from one of the supports. Determine the maximum fiber stress
and the stress in a fiber located 0.5 in from the top of the beam at midspan.
Answer: (fb)max=10,125 psi , fb=5,062.5 psi

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4. Two designs for a beam are to be considered. Determine which one will support a moment of
M= 150 KNm with the least amount of bending stress. What is that stress?

Answer:

5. If the beam is subjected to a bending moment of M=20KN, determine the maximum bending
stress in the beam.

Answer: 74.5 MPa

References:

1. HIBBELER, R. C., Mechanics of Materials, 8th Ed. (USA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011)

2. e-Krishi Shiksha, 2012. Flexural Stresses. Viewed: 19 April 2021,

http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=3666

Module 7 Flexural Stresses