FLEXURAL STRESS

BENDING STRESS IN BEAMS

PURE BENDING OR SIMPLE BENDING:
If a length of a beam or portion of a beam is subjected to a constant bending moment
and no shear force (i.e, zero shear force), then the stresses will develop in that length or
portion of the beam due to B.M. only and that length or portion of beam is known as pure
bending or simple bending. The stresses developed in that length of beam are known as
bending stresses.

A beam simply supported at A and B and overhanging by same length at each support.
A point load W is applied at each end of the overhanging portion. There is no shear force
between A and B but the bending moment is uniform and constant. The bending moment
between A and B is known as pure bending or simple bending.
THEORY OF SIMPLE BENDING:
The figure below shows a part of a beam is subjected to simple bending. Consider a small
length ‘dx’ of this part of beam. Consider two sections AB and CD which are normal to the axis
of the beam N-N. Due to the action of the bending moment, the part of length ‘dx’ will be
deformed.

The top layer such as AC has deformed to the shape A’C’. This layer has been
elongated. It is clear that some of the layers have been shortened while some of them are
elongated. At a level between the top and bottom of the beam there will be a layer which is
neither shortened nor elongated. This layer is known as neutral layer or neutral surface.

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

This layer is N’-N’. The line of intersection of the neutral layer on a cross section of the
beam is known as the neutral axis. Hence the amount by which a layer increases or decreases
in length, depends upon the position of the layer with respect to N-N. This theory of bending
is known as theory of simple bending.
EXPRESSION FOR BENDING STRESS
Consider a small length “dx” of a beam subjected to a simple bending. Due to the
action of bending, the part of length “dx” will be deformed. The top fibres will be under
compression, while the bottom fibres will be under tension. The top fibres will have reduction
in length from AC to A’C’. The bottom fibres will have increment in length from BD to B’D’.
Let A’B’ and C’D’ meet at O. Let R= Radius of neutral layer N’N’

θ = Angle subtended at O by A’B’ and C’’D’ produced.

Variation along the Depth of Beam:

Consider a layer EF at a distance “y” below the neutral layer NN. After bending this layer will
be elongated to E’F’.
Original length of layer EF=dx.
Also, length of neutral layer NN=d x.
After bending, the length of neutral layer N’N’ will remain unchanged. But the length of layer
E’F’ will increase.
N’N’ = NN = dx
N’N’= Rθ
E’F’= (R + y)θ
But N’N’= NN = dx
Hence dx = Rθ
Increase in length of layer EF = E’F’ – EF = (R+ y)θ – Rθ = yθ
Increase in Length θ yx𝜃 y
Strain in layer EF = =y = 𝑅x𝜃 = R
Original Length EF

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS
Let σ = bending stress in layer EF
Stress σ
Strain = =E
E
σ y 𝜎 E
∴ E = R (or) 𝑦
= R

∴ σ α y (Bending stress vary along depth of the section)

Moment of Resistance:
Consider the cross section of beam
Force in the element = stress x area = σ dA
E
Moment of the force about NA = (σ dA) y = (R y) dA y
E
Net moment of all such forces in the entire section about N.A = Σ (R y) dA y
E
M = R (Σ dA y2) (∵ Σ dA y2 = I)
E
M=R I
E M 𝜎
∴ = =  BENDING EQUATION
R I 𝑦

SECTION MODULUS
Section modulus is defined as the ratio of moment of inertia of a section about the neutral
axis to the distance of the outermost layer from the neutral axis.
I
Z=
ymax

Where, I = Moment of Inertia about Neutral Axis

y = distance of the outermost layer from the neutral axis
M σ
=
I ymax

I
M=σ
ymax

M=σZ
Section Modulus (Z) defines the bending strength of a given beam section. Increase in section
modulus, will increase the resistance against bending.

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

SECTION MODULUS FOR VARIOUS SHAPES OR BEAM SECTIONS

1. Rectangular Section
b d3
Moment of Inertia = I = 12
d
Distance of outermost layer from N.A = ymax = 2
I b d3⁄ b d2
12
∴ Section Modulus = Z = y = d⁄ =
max 2 6

2. Hollow Rectangular Section

B D3 b d3
Moment of Inertia = I = -
12 12
D
Distance of outermost layer from N.A = ymax = 2
I B D3⁄ − b d3⁄
12 12
∴ Section Modulus = Z = y = D⁄
max 2
1
Z = 6𝐷 (BD3 − bd3 )

3. Circular Section
π d4
Moment of Inertia = I = 64
d
Distance of outermost layer from N.A = ymax = 2
I π d4⁄ π d3
64
∴ Section Modulus = Z = y = d⁄ =
max 2 32

4. Hollow Circular Section

𝜋
Moment of Inertia = I = 64 (D4 − d4 )
D
Distance of outermost layer from N.A = ymax = 2
I 𝜋
∴ Section Modulus = Z = y = 32 D (D4 − d4 )
max

STRENGTH OF A SECTION
The strength of a section means the moment of resistance offered by the section and
moment of resistance is given by M = σ Z
Where M = moment of resistance
σ = bending stress
Z = section modulus

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

1. Calculate the maximum bending stress induced in a cast iron pipe of external diameter
40mm of internal diameter 20mm and of length 4m when the pipe is supported on its
ends and carries a point load of 80N at its centre.
Solution:
Given: External dimeter = D = 40 mm; Internal diameter = d = 20 mm
Length = L= 4 m = 4 × 1000 = 4000 mm; Point load W = 80 N
Simply supported beam carrying a point load at the centre, the maximum bending moment is
at the centre of the beam.

WL 80 x 4
Maximum Bending Moment = = = 80 kN-m = 80 x 106 N-mm
4 4
π π
Moment of Inertia of Hollow Pipe = 64 (D4 − d4 ) = 64 (404 − 204 ) = 117809.7 mm4
M 𝜎𝑏
Applying Bending Equation -> =
I 𝑦

ymax = D/2 = 400/2

M σb
=y -----→ σb = 13.58 N/mm2
I max

2. A cantilever of length 2m fails when a load of 2kN is applied at a free end. If the section of
the beam is 40 mm × 60 mm. Find the stress at the failure.
Solution:
Given: Length = L = 2m; Load = W = 2Kn

Width = b = 40mm; Depth = d = 60mm

Maximum bending moment for cantilever beam with a point load at free end = M =WL
BMmax = 2 x 2 = 4 kN-m = 4 x 106 N-mm
ymax = 60/2 = 30 mm
b d3 40 x 603
I= = = 72 x 104 mm4
12 12
M σb
Applying Bending Equation -> =y -----→ σb = 166.67 N/mm2
I max

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

3. A rectangular beam 200mm deep and 300 mm wide is simply supported over a span of
8m. What uniformly distributed load per metre the beam is carrying if the bending stress
is not to exceed 120 N/mm2?
Solution:
Given: Depth = d = 200mm; Width = b = 300mm
Length = L = 8m; Max bending stress = σmax = 120 N/mm2
ymax = 200/2 = 100 mm
b d3 300 x 2003
I= = = 200 x 106 mm4
12 12
M σb
Applying Bending Equation -> =y
I max

120 x 200 x 106

M= = 240 x 106 N-mm = 240 kN-m
100

W L2
For a Simply supported beam subjected to a u.d.l, maximum bending moment = 8

W L2 240 x 8
= 240 → W = = 30 kN/m
8 82

4. A square beam 20 mm × 20 mm in section and 2m long is supported at the ends. The beam
fails when a point load of 400 N is applied at the centre of the beam. What uniformly
distributed load per metre length will break a cantilever of the same material 40 mm wide
60 mm deep and 3 m long.
Solution:
Given: Depth = d = 20mm; Width = b = 20mm; Length = L =2m; Point load = W = 400N
Case (1): Simply Supported Beam Subjected to 4 kN
ymax = 20/2 = 10 mm
b d3 20 x 203
I= = = 1.333 x 104 mm4
12 12
WL 400 x 2
Maximum Bending Moment = = = 200 N-m
4 4
M σb
Applying Bending Equation -> =y --→ σb,max = 150 N/mm2
I max

Case (2): udl acting on Cantilever Beam for σb = 150 N/mm2

Let w = uniformly distributed load per m run

b = 40 mm; d = 60 mm; L = 3m

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

ymax = 60/2 = 30 mm
b d3 40 x 603
I= = = 72 x 104 mm4
12 12

σb,max = 150 N/mm2

M σb
Applying Bending Equation -> =y --→ M = 3.6 x 106 N-mm = 3.6 kN-m
I max

w L2
For a Cantilever Beam subjected to u.d.l, maximum BM = 2

w x 32
= 3.6 --→ w = 0.8 kN/m = 800 N/m
2

5. A timber beam of rectangular section of length 8m is simply supported. The beam

carries a U.D.L of 12 kN/m run over the entire length and a point load of 10 kN at
3m from the left support. If the depth is two times the width and the stress in the
timber is not to exceed 8 N/mm2. Find the suitable dimensions of the section.
Solution:
Given: Length = L = 8m; UDL = w = 12 kN/m
Point load = W = 10 kN; Depth of beam = d = 2b

ΣV = 0; RA + RB = 10 + (12 x 8) = 106 kN
8
ΣMA = 0; 8 RB = (10 x 3) + (12 x 8 x 2 ) -----→ RB = 51.75 kN ; RA = 54.25 kN

Locate point of Zero Shear Force to locate point of maximum Bending Moment.
X
Consider a section x-x at a distance x from B.
SF @ x-x = 12 x - RB = 0
x
12 x - 51.75 = 0 --→ x =4.31 m from B
4.31 X
Maximum Bending Moment = + (51.75 x 4.31) – (12 x 4.31 x )
2

= 111.58 kN-m
b d3 b (2b)3 8 b4 2 b4
For rectangular section, I = = = =
12 12 12 3

ymax = d/2 = 2b/2 = b

σb = 8 N/mm2
M σb
Applying Bending Equation -> =y -----→ b = 275.5 mm; d = 551 mm
I max

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

6. A water main of 500mm internal dia and 20mm thick is running full. The water main is of
cast iron and is supported at two points 10m apart. Find the max stress in the metal. The
cast iron and water weigh 72 kN/m3 and 10 kN/m3 respectively.
Solution:
Given: Internal diameter = di = 500 mm = 0.5 m
Outer diameter = do = di + 2t = 0.5 + (2×0.02) = 0.54 m = 540 mm
Thickness of pipe = t = 20 mm = 0.02 m
Length of pipe = L = 10 m
Weight density of cast iron = 72 kN/m3
Weight density of water = 10 kN/m3
π π
Internal area of pipe = 4 di 2 = 4 x 0.52 = 0.196 m2

∴ Area of water section = 0.196 m2

π π
Outer area of pipe = 4 do 2 = 4 x 0.542 = 0.229 m2
π π
Area of Pipe Section = 4 (do 2 − di 2 ) = 4 (0.542 − 0.52 ) = 0.0327 m2
𝜋
Moment of inertia of pipe section about neutral axis = I = (5404 − 5004 ) = 1.106 x 109 mm4
64

Weight of pipe for one meter length = weight density of cast iron × volume of pipe
= 72 × area of pipe section × length
= 72 × 0.0327 × 1 = 2.354 kN per meter
Weight of water for one meter run = wt. density of water × volume of water
= 10 × area of water section × length
= 10 × 0.196 × 1 =1.96 kN per meter
Total weight on pipe for one meter run = 2.354 + 1.96 = 4.314 kN per meter
U.D.L weight acting on pipe = 4.314 kN/m
w L2
For a simply supported beam, Maximum bending moment = 8

Maximum bending moment due to u.d.l = 53.925 kN-m

M σb
Applying Bending Equation -> =y ; ymax = 540/2 = 270 mm
I max

σb = 13.18 N/mm2

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E

 FLEXURAL STRESS

7. A cast iron bracket subject to bending has the cross section of I form with unequal flanges.
The dimensions of the sections are as shown in figure. If the max bending moment on the
section is 40 kN-m. Determine the max bending stress. What is the nature of the stress?

VINAY M L GOWDA, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering Department, B.M.S.C.E