MEC211 STRENGTH OF MATERIALS

CHAPTER 4: BENDING STRESS IN STRAIGHT BEAMS

Edited by L.R. on March 2018
CONTENT
4.0 Bending stress in straight beams (6h)
4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
4.2 Bending Stress in Beam (Flexure Formula)
4.3 Transverse Shear Stress in Beams

2
 LEARNING OUTCOME

The end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

➢Explain why shear-moment diagrams are important

➢Draw shear and moment diagrams for beam loading
➢State where the maximum stresses will be found in a beam
subjected to bending and shearing loads
➢Calculate the bending stress and shear stress in a beam caused by
a bending and shearing loads.

3
 4.0 INTRODUCTION
Beam
• Members that are slender and support loadings that are applied
perpendicular to their longitudinal axis.

4
 4.0 INTRODUCTION
Why study of beam is important?

Failure beam
5
 4.0 INTRODUCTION
Why study of beam is important?
Engineer do beam (static and dynamic) analysis to study how beam will behave under certain applied loading

To find the deflection point, total displacement, and maximum bending stress
6
 4.0 INTRODUCTION
Types of Beam
• Beams can be classified according to the manner in which they supported;

7
 4.0 INTRODUCTION
Types of Loading
• A load on a beam can be classified as;
1. Concentrated load: which is regarded as acting wholly at
one such as P in figure 1.
2. Distributed Load: A load that is spread along the axis of the
beam, such as q in figure 1. Distributed loads are measured
by their intensity, which is expressed in force per unit
distance e.g. kN/m.
• A uniformly distributed load, or uniform load has
constant intensity, q per unit distance (figure 1).
• A linearly varying load (figure 2) has an intensity which
changes with distance.
3. Couple: This is illustrated by the couple of moment M acting
on the overhanging beam in figure 3.

8
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
• Because of the applied loadings, beams develop an internal shear force and bending
moment that, in general, vary from point to point along the axis of the beam.
• In order to properly design a beam, therefore become necessary to determine the
maximum shear force and bending moment in the beam.
How? Follow these steps:
1. Cut the beam into several sections. – based on different external
loadings (force & moment), length, area and material.
2. Then apply equation of equilibrium to obtain equation of shear
force, V(x) and bending moment, M(x) as functions of their arbitrary
position x along the beam’s axis. – means that find equation of V and
M in a function of x.
3. Then draw graphs of shear force and bending moment, called shear
and moment diagrams.
4. The maximum values of V and M can then be obtained from these
graphs.
9
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
1st step: Cut the beam into several sections. – based on different external loadings (force & moment),
length, area and material.
2nd step: Then apply equation of equilibrium to obtain equation of shear force, V(x) and bending moment,
M(x) as functions of their arbitrary position x along the beam’s axis

RULES to follow:

1. To choose the origin and the positive direction for

distance, x.
a) Normally it starts from left to right.
b) But it depends on type of support applied each end
of the beam. Refer next page.
x (distance) must always starts from ORIGIN.

10
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
1st step: Cut the beam into several sections. – based on different external loadings (force & moment),
length, area and material.
2nd step: Then apply equation of equilibrium to obtain equation of shear force, V(x) and bending moment,
M(x) as functions of their arbitrary position x along the beam’s axis

RULES to follow:

Start: left to right

Diagram (a), (b), and (d)
But, depends on the question.

Start: free to fixed

Diagram (c), and (e)

11
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
1st step: Cut the beam into several sections. – based on different external loadings (force & moment),
length, area and material.
2nd step: Then apply equation of equilibrium to obtain equation of shear force, V(x) and bending moment,
M(x) as functions of their arbitrary position x along the beam’s axis

RULES to follow:
2. Beam sign convention.
+ve +ve
Positive directions
✓ the internal shear force causes a clockwise rotation of the beam
segment on which it acts;
✓ the internal moment causes compression in the top fibers of the
segment such that it bends the segment so that it “holds water”

Negative directions

✓ Loadings that are opposite to these.

12
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Example 1
Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section of the beam.

Steps:
1. Draw overall FBD – get
reaction force at support
A and B.
2. Divide/Cut the beam to
several section. –start
from free to fixed
3. Find shear force, V and
bending moment, M for
each section.
13
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Solution
Step 1: Draw overall FBD – get reaction force at support A and B.
𝐹𝑦
෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

𝐹𝑦 − 9kN = 0
𝑀 𝐹𝑦 = 9kN
𝐴 𝐵
෍ 𝑀𝐵 = 0

𝑀 + 9kN(3) = 0

𝑀 = −21kNm

14
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Solution
Step 2: Cut the beam into sections – start cut from free to fixed – origin for distance x is
from left to right.

15
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Solution
Step 3: Draw FBD for each section. And put direction for shear force, V and bending
moment, M on each FBD. And find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each
section.
↓ + ෍ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

𝑉 − 9kN = 0
𝑀
𝑽 = 𝟗𝐤𝐍

𝐴′ 𝑉 ෍ 𝑀𝐴′ = 0
𝒙
𝑀 + 9kN(x) = 0

𝑴 = −𝟗(𝐱)𝐤𝐍𝐦

16
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Example 2
Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section of the beam.

1 2 Steps:
1. Draw overall FBD – get
reaction force at support
A and B.
2. Divide/Cut the beam to
several section. –start
from left to right
3. Find shear force, V and
bending moment, M for
each section.
17
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Example 3
Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section of the beam.
1 2 3 Steps:
1. Draw overall FBD – get
reaction force at support
A and B.
2. Divide/Cut the beam to
several section. –start
from left to right
3. Find shear force, V and
bending moment, M for
each section.
18
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Example 4
Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section of the beam.

19
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Solution
1. Change distributed load to concentrated load. Then, draw overall FBD. Solve
reaction at support using equilibrium equation. To change distributed loading to concentrated
loading, apply concept of area of the curve.
b x h = 4m x 3 kN/m = 12 kN
h
2m 2m b
h = the intensity of the force
b = length of the distributed loading

RA RB

𝑀𝐴 = 0; − 12𝑘𝑁 2 + 𝑅𝐵 4 = 0 𝐹𝑦 = 0; − 12𝑘𝑁 + 𝑅𝐵 + 𝑅𝐴 = 0
𝑅𝐵 = 6𝑘𝑁 𝑅𝐴 = 6 𝑘𝑁

20
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Solution
2. Cut the beam into section. Cut the beam based on number of force. – from left to
right. Use original diagram (with distributed load) and put reaction force in the
diagram.

3. Draw FBD of the section (change distributed

load to concentrated load). Insert V and M in X (distance) – must
positive direction. be started from
origin to the end of
the beam section.

21
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Solution
4. Apply equation of equilibrium to obtain equation for V and M

The equations show that the shear forces and bending moments vary along the axis
of the beam.
22
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
Example 5
Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section of the beam.

23
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
3rd step: Draw shear force, V and bending moment, M diagram - graph
The concept:
Consider the beam shown which is subjected A free-body diagram for a very small
to an arbitrary loading; segment ∆x of the beam is:

24
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment

The concept:
Applying the equations of equilibrium to the segment, we have

25
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment

The concept:

To draw shear force diagram, refer to the To draw bending moment diagram, refer to
loads applied on each point on the beam the shear force at each point (or shear
(FBD). force diagram)
26
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
How to draw the graphs??
Follow these principles;

27
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment

Example of SFD and BMD ;

y-axis – shear force, V

(unit: N) x-axis – distance x
from origin (unit:m)

y-axis – Bending x-axis – distance x

moment, M(unit: N.m) from origin (unit:m)

28
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment

Example of SFD and BMD ;

From the graph,

➢ Vmax = 30 kN
➢ Mmax = 100 kNm

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑛, 𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑛𝑑

𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠, 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 .
Next sub-chapter
29
 4.1 Shear Force and Bending Moment
EXAMPLE 4
Find the maximum shear force, V and maximum bending moment, M for the overhang beam
shown.
Steps:
1. Develop equation of shear force, V and bending moment, M in a
function of x (displacement).
• draw overall FBD of the beam, to find reaction force at support. If it
has distributed loading, change it into concentrated loading.
• Cut the beam into sections – use the original diagram with reaction
force – cut based on number of loadings applied on the beam.
• Draw FBD and apply equation of equilibrium σ 𝐹𝑦 and σ 𝑀 to
develop equation of V and M in a function of x for each section.
2. Build table (x) to find magnitude of V and M for each section (using
equation from step 1).
3. Draw shear force diagram (SFD) and bending moment diagram, and
find 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 from the graphs.

30
EXAMPLE 4
Solution:
1st step: Draw overall FBD. – find reaction force at support – change distribution load to
concentrated load.
4kN/m x 2m = 8 kN

𝐶𝐶𝑊 + 𝑀𝐴 = 0 ; 𝐵𝑦 4 − 8𝑘𝑁 5 = 0
B
A 𝐵𝑦 = 10𝑘𝑁
4m 1m 1m
𝐴𝑦 𝐵𝑦
↑ + 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ; 𝐴𝑦 +𝐵𝑦 − 8𝑘𝑁 = 0

𝐴𝑦 = −2𝑘𝑁
EXAMPLE 4

2nd step: Use the original diagram (with distributed load) and draw FBD for each section of
the beam. Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section.
Cut: start from left to right 1st section: 0<x<4m
4kN/m A’ M
A x V

−2𝑘𝑁
A
4m B 2m ↓ + 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ; −(−2𝑘𝑁) + 𝑉 = 0
−2𝑘𝑁 1 10𝑘𝑁 2 𝑉 = −2𝑘𝑁 (1)

𝐶𝐶𝑊 + 𝑀𝐴′ = 0 ; 𝑀 − (−2)𝑘𝑁 𝑥 = 0

𝑀 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑥 𝑁𝑚 (2)
EXAMPLE 4

2nd step: Use the original diagram (with distributed load) and draw FBD for each section of
the beam. Find shear force, V and bending moment, M for each section.
Cut: start from left to right 2nd section: 4<x<6m 4kN/m (x-4)
4kN/m

B’ M
A V
4m B
A
4m B 2m x
−2𝑘𝑁 10𝑘𝑁
−2𝑘𝑁 1 10𝑘𝑁 2
↓ + 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ; − −2𝑘𝑁 + 10𝑘𝑁 − 4𝑘𝑁/𝑚(𝑥 − 4) + 𝑉 = 0
𝑉 = 24𝑘𝑁 − 4𝑥 𝑘𝑁 (3)
𝐶𝐶𝑊 + 𝑀𝐴′ = 0 ;
𝑘𝑁 𝑥−4
𝑀 − −2 𝑘𝑁 𝑥 − 10𝑘𝑁 𝑥 − 4 + (4 )(𝑥 − 4)( )=0
𝑚 2
𝑀 = [ −2 𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 − 72] kNm (4)
EXAMPLE 4

3rd step: Draw a table to find magnitude of V and M for each section.

Section 1 (0m < x < 4m) Section 2 (4m < x < 6m)
𝑉 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑉 = 24𝑘𝑁 − 4𝑥 𝑘𝑁
𝑉0 = −2𝑘𝑁; 𝑉4 = 8𝑘𝑁;
𝑉4 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑉6 = 0𝑘𝑁
𝑀 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑥 𝑁𝑚 𝑀 = [ −2 𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 − 72] kNm
𝑀0 = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚; 𝑀4 = −8𝑘𝑁𝑚;
𝑀4 = −8𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀6 = 0𝑘𝑁m
EXAMPLE 4

4th step: Draw shear force diagram (SFD)

and bending moment diagram, BMD
Important note:
➢ x-axis = distance, x with unit meter.
➢ y-axis = shear force, V for SFD with unit N 𝑉, 𝑘𝑁 SFD
= moment, M for BMD with unit Nm 8𝑘𝑁

Section 1 (0m < x < 4m) Section 2 (4m < x < 6m) 4 6 𝑥, 𝑚
−2𝑘𝑁
𝑉 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑉 = 24𝑘𝑁 − 4𝑥 𝑘𝑁
𝑉0 = −2𝑘𝑁; 𝑉4 = 8𝑘𝑁;
𝑉4 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑉6 = 0𝑘𝑁
𝑀, 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀 = −2𝑘𝑁 𝑥 𝑁𝑚 𝑀 = [ −2 𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 − 72] kNm BMD
𝑀0 = 0𝑘𝑁𝑚; 𝑀4 = −8𝑘𝑁𝑚;
𝑀4 = −8𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝑀6 = 0𝑘𝑁m
4 6 𝑥, 𝑚

−8𝑘𝑁𝑚
EXAMPLE 4

5th step: Find maximum shear force, 𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙

from SFD. Find maximum bending moment,
𝑴𝒎𝒂𝒙 from BMD.
𝑉, 𝑘𝑁
SFD
8𝑘𝑁
From SFD,
∴ 𝑽𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟖𝒌𝑵 4 6 𝑥, 𝑚
−2𝑘𝑁

From BMD, 𝑀, 𝑘𝑁𝑚

BMD
∴ 𝑴𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟖𝒌𝑵𝒎
4 6 𝑥, 𝑚

−8𝑘𝑁𝑚
EXERCISE

Find the maximum shear force, V and maximum bending moment, M for the overhang
beam shown.

Answer: Vmax = 14.5 kN ; Mmax = 22 kNm

EXERCISE

Find the maximum shear force, V and maximum bending moment, M for the overhang
beam shown.
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Pure Bending
When a bar is subjected to a pure bending moment as shown in the figure it is observed
that axial lines bend to form circumferential lines and transverse lines remain straight
and become radial lines. O

Transverse line

Transverse line –
remain straight

Axial line –
Axial line extend / contract
Before bending After bending
39
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Pure Bending (natural surface / natural axis)
In the process of bending there are axial line that do not extend or contract. The surface
described by the set of lines that do not extend or contract is called the neutral surface
/ neutral axis.

O
Neutral axis / Neutral Surface
– where centroid or center of
gravity is located
- lines that do not extend or
contract

40
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Stress Distribution in Pure Bending due to Moment
The axial strain in a line element a distance, y above the
neutral surface is given by;
compress
𝑙 − 𝑙𝑜 𝜃 𝜌 − 𝑦 − 𝜃𝜌 𝑦
𝜀= = =− [1]
𝑙𝑜 𝜃𝜌 𝜌
𝜌 = 𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒
Negative value – shows a contraction happened (compression) tensile
By applying Hooke’s Law; 𝜎 = 𝐸𝜀;
𝑦
𝜎 = 𝐸𝜀 = 𝐸 [2]
𝜌
This equation shows that the axial stress is zero on
the neutral surface and increases linearly as one
moves away from the neutral axis. 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 occurs at
the outer surface / outer radius. 2D - diagram
3D - diagram 41
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Stress Distribution in Pure Bending
Considering a differential area, dA at a distance, y
from neutral axis, the force acting over the area is;
𝑦
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑑𝐹 = 𝜎𝑑𝐴 = 𝐸 𝑑𝐴
𝜌
𝜎 The resultant of all the elemental moment about natural axis
must be equal to the bending moment on the section.
𝑦
𝑀 = න 𝑑𝑀 = න 𝑦𝑑𝐹 = න 𝑦(𝐸 𝑑𝐴)
𝜌
𝐸 𝐸𝐼
𝑀 = න 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴 𝑀= [3]
𝜌 𝜌
Area moment of inertia, I

42
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Stress Distribution in Pure Bending
Substitute ρ from equation [2] into [3], we have flexure formula as;
Bending stress distribution:
𝑀𝑦 or 𝑀𝑐 𝑀𝑐
𝜎= 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = Compressive 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑐 =
𝐼
𝐼 𝐼
c 𝑀𝑦
𝜎 = 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 (𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡: 𝑃𝑎), 𝜎=−
𝐼
𝑀 = 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 (𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡: 𝑁. 𝑚),
𝑀𝑦
𝑦 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 (𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡: 𝑚), 𝜎=+
𝐼
𝑐 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑒 (𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡: 𝑚),
𝐼 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 (𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡: 𝑚4 ) Tensile 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥,𝑡 =
𝑀𝑐
𝐼

43
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Review: Area Moment of Inertia, I
To determine which I needs to use:

Right Hand Rule :

Thumb: Axis of rotation (Ix or Iy or Iz)

Fingers: direction of
rotation (moment). Also,
show radius / distance that
needs to be used.
44
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Review: Area Moment of Inertia, I

45
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Example 5

Solution:

Bending Stress diagram:

46
4.2 Bending Stress in beam (Flexure formula)
Example 6

Solution:

47
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam

48
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Shear Stress Formula
Consider the horizontal force equilibrium of a portion of the element taken from the beam;

FBD:

49
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Shear Stress Formula

Let: and
50
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Shear Stress Formula
Shear stress distribution:
The transverse shear stress formula is given by;
𝑉𝑄
𝜏=
𝐼𝑡
where 𝝉𝒎𝒂𝒙
V = internal shear force (unit: N) occurs at
Q = first moment of area neutral
=𝒚ഥ𝑨 (unit: m3), where 𝑨 = the area of the top (or bottom) axis
portion of the member’s cross-sectional area, above (or
below) the section plane where t is measured, 𝒚 ഥ is the distance
from the neutral axis to the centroid of selected area, A.
I = moment of inertia (unit: m4)
t = the width of the member’s cross-sectional area, measured at
the point where 𝐬𝐡𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔, 𝝉 is to be determined (unit: m)
51
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Example: Sample of calculation to find Q;

52
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Example 7

Solution:

53
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Example 8

Solution:

54
4.3 Transverse shear Stress in beam
Example 9

Solution:

55
 REVIEW
This chapter is focusing on finding the maximum bending stress, 𝝈𝒎𝒂𝒙 and maximum shear stress,
𝝉𝒎𝒂𝒙 on the beam.

To find the magnitude, it has several steps.

1.Develop equation of shear force, V and bending moment, M in a function of x (displacement).
• draw overall FBD of the beam, to find reaction force at support. If it has distributed loading, change
it into concentrated loading.
• Cut the beam into sections – use the original diagram with reaction force – cut based on number of
loadings applied on the beam.
• Draw FBD and apply equation of equilibrium σ 𝐹𝑦 and σ 𝑀 to develop equation of V and M in a
function of x for each section.
2. Build table (x) to find magnitude of V and M for each section (using equation from step 1).
3. Draw shear force diagram (SFD) and bending moment diagram, and find 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 and 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 from the
graphs.
4. Using 𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥 & 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 , find 𝝈𝒎𝒂𝒙 and 𝝉𝒎𝒂𝒙 using flexure formula and transverse shear formula.
56
EXERCISE

57