Bending Stress in Beams

Bending Stress

When a beam is loaded with external loads, all the sections of the beam will experience bending
moments and shear forces. The shear forces and bending moments at various sections of the
beam can be evaluated as discussed in the earlier chapter. In this chapter, the bending and
bending stress distribution across a section will be dealt with.

Some practical applications of bending stress shall also be dealt with. These are

1. Moment carrying capacity of a section

2. Evaluation of extreme normal stresses due to bending
3. Design of beam for bending
4. Evaluation of load bearing capacity of the beam

The major stresses induced due to bending are normal stresses of tension and compression. But
the state of stress within the beam includes shear stresses due to the shear force in addition to the
major normal stresses due to bending although the former are generally of smaller order when
compared to the latter.

Simple Bending or Pure Bending

A beam or a part of it is said to be in a state of pure bending when it bends under the action of
uniform/constant bending moment, without any shear force.

Alternatively, a portion of a beam is said to be in a state of simple bending or pure bending when
the shear force over that portion is zero. In that case there is no chance of shear stress in the
beam. But, the stress that will propagate in the beam as a result will be known as normal stress.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams

However, in practice, when a beam is subjected to transverse loads, the bending moment at a
section is accompanied by shear force. But, it is generally observed that the shear force is zero
where the bending moment is maximum. Therefore, the condition of pure bending or simple
bending is deemed to be satisfied at that section.

Examples of pure bending are –

1. Bending of simple supported beam due to end coupling (Uniform pure bending)
2. Bending of cantilever beam with end moment (Uniform pure bending)
3. Bending of the portion between two equal point loads in a simple supported beam with
two-point loading (Non-uniform pure bending)

The four point bending of the simply supported beam

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

Theory of Simple Bending

The theory which deals with the determination of stresses at a section of a beam due to pure
bending is called theory of simple bending. In this chapter, bending of straight
homogeneous beams of uniform cross sectional area with vertical axis of symmetry shall be
considered. The application of this theory can be extended to beams with two or more different
materials as well as curved beams.

Several cross-sections of beams satisfying the above conditions are shown in the Fig. 5.

A beam of rectangular cross-section with typical loading condition is shown in the Fig. 6. Also
shown in the Fig. 7 is the three-dimensional beam with longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry,
with the cross-section symmetric about this plane. It is assumed that the loading and supports are

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

also symmetric about this plane. With these conditions, the beam has no tendency to twist and
will undergo bending only.

A beam subjected to sagging moment is shown in the Fig. 8. The beam is imagined to be
consisting of a number of longitudinal fibres; one such fibre is is shown in colour. It is obvious
that the fibres near the upper side of the beam are compressed; hence an element in the upper
part is under compression. The fibres at the bottom side of the beam get stretched and, hence, the
elements on the lower side are subjected to tension. Somewhere in between, there will be a plane
where the fibres are subjected to neither tension nor compression. Such a plane is termed as
neutral surface or neutral plane.

In the conventional coordinate system attached to the beam in Fig. 8, x axis is the longitudinal
axis of the beam, the y axis is in the transverse direction and the longitudinal plane of symmetry
is in the x- y plane, also called the plane of bending.

Neutral Surface

The longitudinal surface of a beam under bending which experiences neither tension nor
compression is known as neutral surface. There is only one neutral surface in a beam.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Neutral Axis

The line of intersection of transverse section of beam with the neutral surface is known as neutral
axis. In other words, the line of intersection of the longitudinal plane of symmetry and the neutral
surface is known as neutral axis. Neutral axis experiences no extension or contraction.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 5
Bending Stress in Beams

Axis of beam

The intersection of the longitudinal plane of symmetry and the neutral surface is called the axis
of the beam. In other words, the line through the centroid of all the cross-sections of the beam is
known as axis of the beam.

Assumptions for theory of pure bending:

The assumptions made in the theory of simple bending are as follows:

1. The material of the beam is perfectly homogeneous (i.e. of the same kind throughout) and
isotropic (i.e. of same elastic properties in all directions).
2. The material is stressed within elastic limit and obeys Hooke's law.
3. The value of modulus of elasticity for the material is same in tension and compression.
4. The beam is subjected to pure bending and therefore bends in the form of an arc of a
circle.
5. The transverse sections, which are plane and normal to the longitudinal axis before
bending, remain plane and normal to the longitudinal axis of the beam after bending.
6. The radius of curvature of the bent axis of the beam is large compared to the dimensions
of the section of beam.
7. Each layer of the beam is free to expand or contract independently.
8. The cross-sectional area is symmetric about an axis perpendicular to the neutral axis.

Explanation of the assumptions

Dr. S. K Nayak, 6
Bending Stress in Beams

According to assumption No. 5, plane section ABCD before bending as shown in Fig. 10 remains
plane after bending as shown by A’B’C’D’. This assumption, also known as Bernoulli’s
assumption, is perfectly valid for beams with pure bending. If there is any shear along with the
bending, the shear deformation distorts the plane and A’B’ will not remain plane. However, for
beams with smaller depth (d<1/10th span) shear deformation is small and this assumption is not
much affected. In case of deep beams, with shear forces, this assumption fails.

Assumption No. 6, the radius of curvature is large compared to depth is valid if deflections are
less than 1/10th to 1/5th of depth of beam. Therefore, the theory derived with this assumption
may be called small deflection theory.

Relationship between Bending Stress and Radius of Curvature

Consider a part of beam ABCD of length dx subjected to pure bending of bending moment M as
shown in the Fig. 11. As the beam is subjected to pure bending, it bends into a circular arc.

The topmost layer AB is contracted to A’B’. The layer PQ below it is compressed to a lesser
degree than it. The bottom most layer CD is elongated to C’D’. All other layers are subjected to
different degrees of elongation or contraction degrees depending upon their position. However,
one layer MN has not suffered any change in its length. This layer is called the neutral layer
or neutral surface.

Let dθ be the angle formed by the planes A’C’ and B’D’ and R be the radius of the neutral layer.
Consider a fibre PQ at a distance of y from the neutral layer.
Original length of the fibre, PQ = dx = Rdθ
After deformation, the length of the fibre is compressed to P’Q’.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 7
Bending Stress in Beams

Decrease in length of the fibre PQ

 PQ  P Q 

 R d   R  y  d
 y d
Let the projection of C’ A’ and D’ B’ meet at O.

Strain in the fibre PQ, Decrease in length

 
Original length

   y d 
y R d R

Let σ be the stress in the fibre PQ.

Then,   , where E is the Modulus of elasticity of the material.


E
 y
   
E R
E
    y
R

Dr. S. K Nayak, 8
Bending Stress in Beams

Hence, the stress intensity in any fibre is proportional to the distance of the fibre from the neutral
layer.

Position of Neutral Axis

Consider a beam of arbitrary cross-section as shown in the Fig. 12. Consider an elemental are δa
at a distance y from the neutral axis. Let the bending stress on the element be σ.

Force on the elemental area

  a

Force over the entire cross-section of the beam   a

We also know,  E
 
yR
Substituting the value of σ, we get
E E
Force over the entire cross-section of the beam   y a   y a
R R
Since there is no axial force on the beam, from equilibrium consideration, the above axial force
should be zero.

Hence, E
y a  0
R 
Since, E is constant for a given section, we have
R  yδa  0

We know,
Ay  yδa
Where, A is the area of cross-section of the beam.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 9
Bending Stress in Beams
So, Ay 0

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams

or y 0

y is the distance of the centroid from the neutral axis. Hence, the neutral axis of the section
coincides with the centroid of the section. Thus, to locate the neutral axis of a section, the
centroid of the section should be determined. The line passing through the centroid, parallel to
the plane of bending is the neutral axis of the beam section.

Relationship between Moment and Radius of Curvature

Consider an elemental area δa from the neutral axis of a beam section as shown in the Fig. 13.
E
The stress on the elemental area,   R y
E
Force on the elemental are  δa  y δa
R
Moment of resistance offered by this elemental area about the neutral axis


E y δa  y E y 2δa
 R
 
R 
Total moment of resistance, M offered by the cross-sectional area of beam,
E 2
M y δa
R
E
M 2 y
δaR

But,  y 2δa is the moment of inertia I of the beam section about the neutral axis.
E
 M I
R

M
EI R

We have earlier seen that, oE 

y R
Combining the two equations, we get
M E
   , which is known as the bending equation.
I y R

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams

Where, M = bending moment at a section,

I = moment of inertia of the beam section,
σ = stress at any layer of the beam,
y = distance of the layer from the neutral axis,
E = Young’s Modulus and
R = radius of curvature.
M and I are constants for a particular beam section. Hence, σ varies proportionally to the distance
y. So, maximum stress occurs at extreme fibres. The stress distribution will be triangular as
shown in the Fig. 13.

The formula for flexural stress derived as above applies only to cases where the material behaves
elastically. The important concepts used in deriving the flexural formula may be summed up as
follows.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams

1. Strains in different layers of beam vary linearly with their distances from the neutral axis.
2. Properties of materials are used to relate strain and stress.
3. Equilibrium conditions are used to locate the neutral axis and to determine the internal
stresses.

The internal bending moment developed by the induced flexural stresses due to bending at a
section is known as moment of resistance of the section. For equilibrium of the section,
the moment of resistance of a section should be equal to or greater than the applied external
moment.

Flexural rigidity:

From equation of flexure, we have

M
EI R

EI  MR

EI is known as flexural rigidity. Flexural rigidity is the measure of flexural strength of a

beam section. Higher is the flexural rigidity better is the flexural strength. It depends upon the
material as well as the geometric property of the section. Elastic modulus, E reflects the material
character and moment of inertia, I reflects the geometric characteristic

Economical section

In a beam of rectangular or circular section, the fibres near neutral axis are under-stressed
compared to those at the top and bottom. As a result, a large portion of the beam cross-section
remains under-stressed and under utilized for resisting flexure or bending.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams

The expression M I indicates that moment of resistance of a section can be greatly


y
increased by increasing the moment of inertia by rearranging or redistributing the area while
keeping the cross-sectional area and the depth of the beam unchanged. This can be achieved by
changing the geometry of the section so as to spread the area farther from the neutral axis.

In order to increase the moment of resistance to bending of a beam section, it is advisable to use
sections which have large area away from the neutral axis. Hence, I-section and T-sections are
preferable to rectangular section.

Sections of different geometry, (i) rectangular section and (ii) I-section of equal cross-sectional
area and same depth are shown in the Fig. 15.

Moment carrying capacity of a section:

From equation of flexure, we have

o
M
y I

M
o  y
I

It is obvious that bending stress is maximum on the extreme fibre at the top and bottom of the
beam where y is maximum. In design of beam, the extreme fibre stress should not be allowed to
exceed the allowable or permissible stress of the material. If o allow is the allowable stress for
bending, then for safe design
o max   allow

M
ymax  
I allow

If M is taken as the maximum moment carrying capacity of the section,

M
ymax   allow
I

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams
I
M 
ymax o
allow

The moment of inertia I and the extreme fibre distance ymax are the geometrical properties of the
section. The ration of the moment of inertia and the extreme fibre distance may for a given
I x

cross-section of beam is constant and is known as section modulus (Z). Thus the moment
carrying capacity of a beam is given by

M  allow Z

If 
in tension and compression are same, doubly symmetric section is selected. Doubly
allow

symmetric section means a section which is symmetric about the vertical as well as neutral axis.
If  allow in tension and compression are different, un-symmetric cross-section is selected such
that the distance to the extreme fibers are nearly the same ratio as the respective allowable
stresses. In the latter case, the moment carrying capacity in tension and compression are found
separately and the smaller one is taken as the moment carrying capacity of the section.

Section Modulus of Sections of Standard Geometry

1. Rectangular section

Let us consider a rectangular section of width b and depth d as shown in the Fig. The neutral axis
coincides with the centroidal axis of the beam.

bd 3
Moment of inertia about the neutral I
axis, 12
d
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y 
max
2

Section modulus,

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams
I 2
Z 
3
bd
 ymax 12 d

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams
1
 bd 2
6
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.
1
Moment of resistance, M  Z  bd
2

6
2. Hollow Rectangular section

Let us consider a hollow rectangular section of size B with a symmetrical opening b  d as

shown in the Fig. 17. D

Moment of inertia about the neutral BD 3 bd 3


axis,
I 12 12
D
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y 
max
2

Section modulus,
I BD 3  bd 3 2
Z  
ymax 12 D

1 BD 3  bd 3 
 6 D
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.

Moment of resistance,
M  Z  (BD 3  bd 3
1 )
3. Circular section  D
6

Let us consider a circular section of diameter d as shown in the Fig. 18.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams

d 4
Moment of inertia about the neutral I
axis, 64
d
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y 
max
2

Section modulus,
I d 4 2
Z  
ymax 64 d

d 3
 32

Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.

d 3
Moment of resistance, M  Z  
32

4. Hollow Circular section

Let us consider a hollow circular section of external and internal diameter D and d respectively
as shown in the Fig. 19.


Moment of inertia about the neutral I
64
D 4
 d4 
axis,

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams
D
Distance of outermost fibre from the neutral axis, y 
max
2

Section modulus,
I  2
Z
ymax
 D 4

 d4 
64 D

 D 4
 d4 
32D
Let  is the maximum bending stress developed at the outermost layer.

Moment of resistance, M  Z
32D
D4  d4


Design of beam for bending

Design of beam involves the determination of the size (cross-section) of the beam for given
loading condition. The maximum bending moment of the beam is determined from the loading
condition. Given the bending moment and permissible bending stress of the material of the beam,
the section modulus of the beam is determined from the expression of bending stress. Once the
section modulus is known, width and depth can easily determined assuming the depth to width
ratio.

Beam of uniform strength

In practice, a beam of uniform cross section is designed for moment of resistance same as the
maximum bending moment that the beam is supposed to carry. Hence, the material in all sections
except the section of maximum bending moment remains under-stressed and underutilized.
Although practical, such a beam is uneconomical. Ideally, a beam of varying cross-section
should be designed so that all sections attain the maximum permissible stress simultaneously. A
beam in which permissible stress at all sections is reached simultaneously under a given loading,
is called a beam of uniform strength.

A beam of uniform strength can be obtained in different ways

a) By varying the width of beam and keeping the depth constant

b) By varying the depth of beam and keeping the width constant
c) By varying both width and depth

Dr. S. K Nayak, 1
Bending Stress in Beams
By varying the width of beam and keeping the depth constant

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

Derive the formula for cross section of a rectangular beam of uniform strength for a cantilever
beam of length L carrying concentrated load at free end by keeping the depth constant.

Consider a cantilever beam of length L and uniform depth d carrying a concentrated load W at its
free end as shown in the Fig. 20. Let the width varies from a minimum at its free end to a
maximum of b near the fixed end.

It is obvious that the bending moment varies from minimum zero at the free end to maximum at
WL at the fixed support.

Bending moment at any section at a distance of x from the free end,

M  Wx

From expression of flexure, we

xhave
M  Z

Wx  Z

Where σ is the maximum stress at every section of the beam.

bd2
If bx width at any section XX, then Z  x
6

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

  
Wx 6Wx
b d 2
2
b x
x

Similarly, maximum stress at support, 

6WL
 bd 2
Equating equation () and (), we have

6Wx
b d 2  6WL
x bd 2

bx  x 
 L

At free end, i.e., x = 0, the width of beam b0  0

At the fixed end, i.e., x = L, the width bL  L

 b 
b
L
 

By varying the depth of beam and keeping the width constant

Consider a cantilever beam of length L and uniform width b carrying a concentrated load W at its
free end as shown in the Fig. 20. Let the depth varies from a minimum at its free end to a
maximum of d near the fixed end.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

It is obvious that the bending moment varies from minimum zero at the free end to maximum at
WL at the fixed support.

Bending moment at any section at a distance of x from the free end,

M  Wx

From expression of flexure, we

xhave
M  Z

Wx  Z

Where σ is the maximum stress at every section of the beam.

bd 2
If bx width at any section XX, then Z  x
6

 
 Wx 6Wx
2 
x bd 2
b x
6

Similarly, maximum stress at support,  

6WL
bd 2
Equating equation () and (), we have

6Wx 6WL

bd 2 bd 2
x

 x
dx  d  L 


At free end, i.e., x = 0, the depth of beam, d0  0

 L
At the fixed end, i.e., x = L, the depth, d L  d  L   d


Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

Numerical

1. A rectangular beam of breadth 100 mm and depth 200 mm is simply supported over a span of
4 m. The beam is loaded with an uniformly distributed load of 5 kN/m over the entire span.
Find the maximum bending stresses.

Solution:

Breadth of the beam, b = 100 mm

Depth of beam, d = 200 mm

1 1
100  200  66.67 10 6 mm 4
3
Moment of inertia, I  bd 3
12

12

Span of beam, l = 4 m

Uniformly distributed load, w = 5 kN/m

Maximum bending moment at centre of beam, wl 5  42

2
 8
M
8

 10 kN.M  107 [Link]

Neutral axis passes through the centroid of section.

The distance of top and bottom fibre from the neutral axis, y = 100 mm

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams
Thus, maximum bending stress,   107
y
M 66.67 106 100
I

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

 15 N / mm2

2. A beam of I-section shown in Fig. 23 is simply supported over a span of 10 m. It carries a

uniform load of 4 kN/m over the entire span. Evaluate the maximum bending stresses.

Solution:

1 1
Moment of inertia, I  BD 3
 bd 3 300  660 3  280  600 3 
12
 
12

 21.474 108 mm4

Span of the beam, l = 10 m

Uniformly distributed load, w = 4 kN/m

4
Maximum bending moment at centre of beam, 102  50 kN.m
M
8

 5107 [Link]

Neutral axis passes through the centroid of I-section.

The distance of top and bottom fibre from the neutral axis, y = 330 mm

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

Thus, maximum bending stress,   5 107

M y  330  7.68 N / mm2
21.474
I
108

The bending stress at top and bottom  7.68108 N / mm2

fibres

3. A beam of an I-section shown in Fig. 24 is simply supported over a span of 4 m. Find the
uniformly distributed load the beam can carry if the bending stress is not to exceed 100
N/mm2.

Solution:

1 1
Moment of inertia, I  BD 3
 bd 3 200  300 3  180  260 3 
12
 
12

 180.36 106 mm4

Maximum bending stress, σmax = 100 N/mrn2

Span of beam, l = 4 m

Extreme fibre distance, ymax = 150 mm

I
Section modulus, Z 180.36  1242400 mm3
ymax 
106
150

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams
Maximum bending
M  max Z  100 1242400
moment,
 124240000 [Link]

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

 124.24 kN.m

wl 2
But M
 8

w  4 
2

124.24 8


124.24  8
w  64.12 kN / m
16

The maximum uniformly distributed load the beam can carry = 64.12 kN/m.

4. A timber beam of rectangular section carries a load of 2 kN at mid-span. The beam is simply
supported over a span of 3.6 m. If the depth of section is to be twice the breadth, and the
bending stress is not to exceed 9 N/mrn2, determine the cross-sectional dimensions.

Solution:

Span of the beam, l = 3.6 m

Uniformly distributed load, w = 2 kN

Allowable bending stress, σallow = 9 N/mm2

Maximum bending moment at centre of beam, M  WL  2  3.6  1.8 kN.m

4 4

 1.8106 [Link]

M
From the flexural relationship, we Z
have  o allow

1 1.8
bd 2
106
 9
6

bd 2  1.8  6  1.2 106

106
9

Depth of section is to be twice the breadth, i.e., d = 2b

Dr. S. K Nayak, 2
Bending Stress in Beams

So, we have
b2b   1.2 10 6
2

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

1.2
b3   0.3106
106
4

b  64.94 mm

d  2  64.943  129.886 mm

Therefore, width of beam = 65 mm, and depth of beam = 130 mm

5. A rectangular beam of width 200 mm and depth 300 mm is simply supported over a span of 5
m. Find the safe uniformly distributed load that the beam can carry per metre length if the
allowable bending stress in the beam is 100 N/mm2.

Solution:

Span of beam, l = 5 m

Width Breadth of the beam, b = 100 mm

Depth of beam, d = 200 mm

Allowable bending stress, σallow = 100 N/mm2

1 1
Section modulus, Z bd 2   200  3002  3 106 mm3
6 2

Moment of resistance of the M   Z  100  3 106

all
beam,

 300 106 [Link]  300 kN.m

Maximum bending moment at the centre of the beam,

M  wl 2
8
300
w  5 
2

8

300  8
 w  96 kN.m
25

So, the load that the beam can carry is 96 kN/m.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

6. A rectangular beam of size 60 mm x 100 mm has a central rectangular hole of size 15 mm x

20 mm. The beam is subjected to bending and the maximum bending stress is limited to 100
N/mm2. Find the moment of resistance of the hollow beam section.

Solution:

External dimension of hollow rectangular beam: B = 60 mm, D = 100 mm

Size of the central hole: b = 15 mm, d = 20 mm

1
Moment of inertia of the hollow beam section, I  BD 3
 bd 3  1
60 100 3
 15  20 3 
12

12
 4.999 106 mm4

100
Extreme fibre distance, ymax   50 mm
2

I
Section modulus, Z 4.999  9.98 mm3
 6
ymax 10
50 104

Allowable bending stress, σallow = 100 N/mm2

Moment of resistance,
M   Z  100  9.98 10 4
all

 9.98 106 [Link]

 9.98 [Link]

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

7. Find the ratio of the dimensions of the strongest rectangular beam that can be cut from a
circular log of wood of diameter D.

Solution:

Let b be the width and d the depth of the strongest rectangular beam section as shown in the Fig.
26.

From the geometry, we have b2  d 2  D2

d 2  D 2  b2

Section modulus of the rectangular section,

1 1
Z  bd 2  
b D 2  b2 
6 6

1
 bD 2
 b3 
6

Strongest section in bending should have largest section modulus.

dZ 1
Hence,  D 2
 3b 2   0
db 6

3b 2  D 2

D
b
3

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

And D2
d  D 2  b2  D 
2
3

2D 2  
  2 D
3  3
 

8. Two sections of same material; one of solid circular section and the other hollow circular
section of internal diameter half the external diameter, have the same flexural strength.
Which one of them is economical?

Solution:

Let D = Diameter of solid circular section

D1 = Outer diameter of hollow circular section
Inside diameter of hollow circular section, D2 = 0.5 D1


Section modulus of solid section, Z  D3
1
32
 
Section modulus of hollow section, Z  D 4
 D4   D 4
 0.5D 4 
2 32D1 1 2 32D1 1 1


  0.9375D3
32 1

Since both sections have same flexural strength, their section modulus should be equal.

Hence, 
D 3   0.9375D1
3

32 32
Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

D3  0.9375D3
1

D  0.98D1

Cross - sectional area of solid section As  2

 4 D D2
 
Cross - sectional area of hollow section A  2 2 D 2
 0.5D 2 
h D  D2  1 1
4 1

D2 1 2
 D
 0.75D 2 
0.75   
D
1  1

1
 0.75
 0.98  1.28
2

Since the sectional area of hollow section is less than that of solid section, for a given length of
the beam, the weight of hollow section will be less. Hence hollow section is economical.

9. A cantilever of 2 m length and square section 200 mm x 200 mm, just fails in bending when a
point load of 12 kN is placed at its free end. A beam of rectangular cross section of same
material, 150 mm wide and 300 mm deep, is simply supported over a span of 3 m. Calculate
the maximum concentrated load that the beam can carry at its centre without failure.

Solution:

The two beams with loading conditions are shown in the Fig.

Maximum bending moment in cantilever beam, Mc  12  2  24 kN.m

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams
 24 106 [Link]

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams
1
Let σallow is the stress at which the beam fails, M c  allow
Z bd
allow
 2

6
1
 200  2002
allow  24 106
 
6
o  18 N / mm2
all
Let W kN be the maximum central concentrated that the beam can carry without failure.
WL W 3
Maximum bending moment at the mid span, M    0.75W kN.m
s
4 4
 0.75 106 W [Link]
Moment of resistance of simply supported beam section,
1
M  Z  18  150  3002
R allow
6
 40.5106 [Link]

Equating maximum bending moment (Ms) to moment of resistance (MR), we have

0.75106 W  40.5106

W  54 kN

10. For a given sectional area, compare the moments of resistance of circular and square section.

Solution:

Let the diameter of the circular section be d.


Area of circular section, A  d2
4

Section modulus, ZC  d3
32
Let the square section has side of a.
Since both circular and square section have the same area,

a2  d2
4

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

a d
2

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
 Bending Stress in Beams

Section modulus of square a3  

3
section, ZS   d
6 48

Ratio of Section modulus of square section and circular section,

ZS 
 48d 3 1.18
ZC  3
d
32

Hence, flexural strength of square section is 1.18 times more than that of circular section of equal
area.

11. Compare the moments of resistance of a square section of given material when the beam
section is placed such that (i) two sides are parallel and (ii) one diagonal vertical.

Solution:

Square section with two sides horizontal is shown in the Fig. 29(a).
a3
Section modulus of square section with two sides Z1 
horizontal, 6

Let σ is the permissible flexural stress.

o a3
Moment of resistance, M1  Z1 
6

Square section with on diagonal vertical is shown in the Fig. 29(b).

Moment of inertia about the neutral axis, i.e., the diagonal of the square section = Twice the

moment of inertia of triangle of base 2a and height a / 2 .

Dr. S. K Nayak, 3
Bending Stress in Beams

 a3
2a  
I 2 2   2 a4
12  12

Extreme fibre distance, ymax  2a a

2 2
Section modulus of square section with one diagonal vertical,

a4
I2 2a3
Z   12 
2 ymax a 12
2

Moment of resistance,

M 2  Z 2 2  a3
12
Ration of the moments of resistance of section in two different positions,

o a3
M1 6 2
  1.414

M2 2 a 3
12
12. Three beams of same material with circular, square and rectangular cross sections have the
same length and are subjected to same maximum bending moment. The depth of the
rectangular section is twice the width. Compare their weights.

Solution:

Fig. 30 shows three different sections, circular, square, and rectangular of beam.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Let Diameter of circular section = d,

Side of square section = a, and
Width and depth of rectangular section are b and 2b respectively.
As beams of three different cross sections of equal allowable stress are subjected same maximum
bending moment, they must have same strength. Hence, all sections should have equal section
modulii.

d 3
Section modulus of circular ZC 
section, 32
a3
Section modulus of circular ZS 
section, 6
b2b 
2
2
Section modulus of circular ZR   b3
section, 6 3

We have 2
d3 3  b3
32 a 3
6
 d  1.193a and b 
0.6299a
d 2
Weigh of circular beam Area of circular sectio 4   d 2
t n
of square beam  2Area of square section  a  4 a
Weigh
t  

  1.193
3

1.118 4

Weight of rectangula r beam

Area of rectangula r section 2b2  b 2

Weigh
t
of square beam  Area of square section   2 
a2 a
 

 20.6299  0.7936
2

13. A beam of symmetric I-section has flange size 100 mm x 15 mm, overall depth 250 mm.
Thickness of web is 8 mm. Compare the flexural strength of this section with that of a beam
of rectangular section of same material and area. The width of rectangular section is two-
third of its depth.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams
Solution:

The I-section and the rectangular section of equal area are shown in the Fig. 31.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Area of I-section,
A  2 100 15  220  8  4760 mm2
I

Moment of inertia of I-section, I I  100  92   4.8574 mm4

2503  3
220
12 12

Section modulus of I-section, ZI  y I  4.8574 10

7

max 125

 388592 mm3

Let the depth of the rectangular section = d mm

2
Width of the rectangular section, b  d
3
2 2
Area of the rectangular section, A  d  d  d 2

R
3 3

Since the area of two sections are equal, 2

d 2  4760
3

and
d  84.50 mm
2
b  84.50  56.33 mm
3
sec 
Section modulus of rectangular tio Z
R
n,
Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams
33  84.50 
2
bd 2 6
5 . 
6 6

 67035mm3

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Flexural strength of I - section

ZI 388592
   5.80
Flexural strength of rectangula r section ZR 67035

14. A cast iron beam of an I-section with top flange 80 mm x 40 mm, bottom flange 160 mm x 40
mm and web 120 mm x 20 mm. If the tensile stress is not to exceed 30 N/mm2 and
compressive stress 90 N/mm2, what is the maximum uniformly distributed load the beam can
carry over a simply supported span of 6 m, if the bottom flange is in tension?

Solution:

The cross section of the beam is as shown in the Fig. 32.

Let y is the distance of the centroid (neutral axis) from the bottom fibre (tension fibre).

yy 
a i
160  40  20  20 120 100  80  40 180
i
 80  40  20 120  80  40 120
A
944000
  78.67 mm
12000

Moment of inertia,
1 1
I 160  40 3  160  40  78.67  20 120 3  20 120  100  78.67
2

 20 
2 12
12

 60138670 mm4

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams
1

8
0

4
0
3


8
0

4
0


1
8
0

7
8
.
6
7
2
1
2

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Tension occurs at the bottom and compression at the top.

Bottom extreme fibre distance (large flange, tension

yt  78.67 mm
flange),
Top extreme fibre distance (compression yc  200  78.67  121.33mm
flange),

Moment of resistance from tensile strength consideration,

I 60138670
allow  30   [Link]
 yt 78.67

 22.933 kN.m

Moment of resistance from compressive strength consideration,

I 60138670
allow  90   44609579.65 [Link]
 yc 121.33

 44.609 kN.m

Hence, actual moment resistance is smaller of the above two, i.e., 22.993 kN

Maximum bending wl w   4.5w


2 
62
moment, 8 8

Equating the maximum bending moment with the moment of resistance, we have

4.5w  22.933

w  5.096 kN / m

Alternatively,

Suppose the maximum stress in compression at the top is 90 N/mm2.

Corresponding maximum stress in tension at the bottom,

yt
o    78.67
t c
  90
yc 121.33

 58.355  30 N /
mm2 (Not possible)

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams
But the permissible tensile stress is only 30 N/mm2. Hence, let the maximum tensile stress be
allowed to reach 30 N/mm2.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Corresponding maximum compressive stress at the top,

yc
o    121.33
c t   30
yt 78.67

 42.268 N / mm2  90 N /
mm2 (OK )

Hence, the beam will fail in tension at the bottom flange.

Moment of resistance from tensile strength consideration,

I  30  60138670  [Link]
 allow
78.67
yt

 22.933 kN.m

Maximum bending wl w   4.5w


2 
62
moment, 8 8

Equating the maximum bending moment with the moment of resistance, we have

4.5w  22.933

w  5.096 kN / m

15. Two wooden planks 60 mm x 160 mm each are connected together to form a cross section of
a beam as shown in the Fig. If a sagging bending moment of 3500 N.m is applied about the
horizontal axis, find the stresses at the extreme fibre of the cross-section. Also calculate the
total tensile force on the cross-section.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 4
Bending Stress in Beams

Solution:

Let us locate the centroid and hence the neutral axis, and find moment of inertia of the section.
Consider the bottom of T-section as the reference axis for location of centroid. The T-section
consists of two components, web and flange.

The relevant calculations are shown in the table.

Distance of the centroidal axis GG from the bottom

edge,

y
ay  2610000
 135.94 mm

a 19200

Moment of inertia at the bottom

edge,
I b I  ay 2

 23.36 106  408 106  431.36 106 mm4

But, I b IG   a y 2

I  I 
G
 a y 2
 431.36106 19200135.94 2

 76190074.88 mm4

Let the maximum tensile and compressive stresses at extreme fibres be σtmax and σcmax
respectively.

Dr. S. K Nayak, 5
Bending Stress in Beams

Components Area a Centroidal ay ay2 ISelf

(mm2) distance from (mm3) (mm4) (mm4)
the bottom
edge, y
(mm)
Web 9600 80 786000 61.44 x 106 60 1603 20.48 10 6
 
12
Flange 9600 190 1824000 346.56 x 106 160  603 2.88 10 6
 
12
Total 19200 2610000 408 x 106 23.36 x 106

M
We have, o  3500 1000
t  76190074.88 135.94
max y
t
I
 6.245 N / mm2

o c max M
 3500 1000
 76190074.88  84.06
y
c
I
 3.861N / mm2

Total tensile force = Average tensile stress x area of tensile zone

6.245
  135.94  60  25468.359 N
2

16. A water main of 1000 mm internal diameter and 10 mm thickness is running full. If the
bending stress is not to exceed 56 N/mm2, find the greatest span on which the pipe may be
freely supported. Steel and water weigh 76800 N/m3 and 10000 N/m3 respectively.

Solution:

Internal diameter of the pipe, d = 1000 mm = 1 m

External diameter of pipe, D = 1000 + 2 x 10 = 1020 mm = 1.02 m
Consider 1 m length of the water main.

Area of the pipe section, A  D 2  d 2    1.02 2  12 
Dr. S. K Nayak, 5
Bending Stress in Beams
4 4

 0.03173m2

Dr. S. K Nayak, 5
Bending Stress in Beams

 
Area of the water section, A  d2 12
4 4

 0.7854 mm2

Weight of one metre length of pipe = 0.03173 x 1 x 76800 = 2493.978 N

Weight of water in one metre length of the pipe = 0.7854 x 1 x 10000 = 7854 N

Total load on the pipe per metre run = 2493.978 + 7854 = 10347.978 N

Let the maximum span of the pipe l m.

2
wl 2
10347.978l 2
Maximum bending moment, M    N.m
8 8 1293.497l

 1293.497 1000l 2 [Link]

Moment of inertia of the pipe section about the neutral axis,


I


64 D 4  d 4  1020 4
 1000 4 
 64

 4046.379106 mm4

We know,
M 
I  y

1293.497 1000l 2 4046.379 106


Dr. S. K Nayak, 5
 Bending Stress in Beams
56
510

Dr. S. K Nayak, 5
Bending Stress in Beams

l2
56  4046.379
 343.494
106
510 1293.497
1000

l  18.533m

Dr. S. K Nayak, 5