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ENGR 476, Mechanics of Materials II

Winter 2013, M. Alemi

Lecture 5

Beams with Asymmetric Cross sections

Slides adapted from Mechanics of Materials by Ferdinand P. Beer et al., Mc Graw Hill, 2009. 2
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1. Normal Stress in Beams



1.1 Revision: Normal Stresses in Beams
1.2 Eccentric axial loading in symmetrical beams

1.3 Beams with Asymmetric Cross Sections
1.4 Bending of Curved Members
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Motivation
We have derived the flexure formula
for beams with an axis of
symmetry perpendicular to the
internal moment (figure 1).

We require a more general approach.
Fig. 1
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a) Bending couples DO NOT act in the
plane of symmetry of cross section
Beams with Asymmetric Cross Sections
b) Member DOES NOT possess any
plane of symmetry.
In cases a and b, Members WILL NOT bend in the
plane of couples.
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Objectives
1. Determine normal stresses for
Arbitrarily shaped cross sections
Moments in any direction

2. Find the neutral axis for these
conditions



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Consider a beam with unsymmetrical shape
Establish coordinate system as per usual and that
resultant moment M acts along +z axis
Beams with Asymmetric Cross Sections
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} }

|
.
|

\
|
= = =
A
m
x x
dA y
c
dA F
o
o 0
Neutral axis goes through centroid
I
My
c
y
dA y M M
m
x
A
x z
= = = =
}

o
o o
0 0 = = |
.
|

\
|
= = =
} } }
yz
m
x y
I dA zy dA
c
y
z dA z M
o
o
The product moment of area (I
yz
) needs to be zero. This
is achieved if the y and z axis are chosen as the principal
centroidal axes of inertia.
Apply Equilibrium equations for x-section
Beams with Asymmetric Cross Sections
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Flexure formula applied only when bending occurs about axes that
represent the principal axes of inertia for the x-section

Properties of principal centroidal axes of inertia
1.) There are always two principal centroidal axes of inertia.
2.) They are perpendicular to each other
3.) They go through the centroid of the x section
4.) They are always oriented along the axis of symmetry and
perpendicular to it!
5.) If there is no axis of symmetry, there are still two principal
centroidal axes of inertia, that can be determined using a Mohrs
circle. (the procedure is described in Example 4.10.)
Beams with Asymmetric Cross Sections
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Procedure for Analysis:

1. Determine principle centroidal axes of inertia

2. Resolve moment into components along each of the principal
axes

3. Stress at a point is determined by superposition of stress
caused by each moment component
Beams with Asymmetric Cross Sections
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Example: Beam with a plane of symmetry
Coupling Moment in an arbitrary plane:
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y
y
z
z
x
I
z M
I
y M
+ = o
y
y
x
z
z
x
y z
I
z M
I
y M
M M M M
+ = =
= =
o o
u u sin cos
= +
Example: Beam with a plane of symmetry
Bending Stress due to a moment in an arbitrary plane:
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y
y
z
z
x
I
z M
I
y M
+ = = 0 o
Neutral Axis
|
|
.
|

\
|
= = u | tan tan
y
z
I
I
z
y
z
I
I
z
M I
M I
y
y
z
z y
y z
|
|
.
|

\
|
= = u tan
Example: Beam with a plane of symmetry
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Example: Beam with two axes of symmetry
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The shown rectangular cross section is subjected to a bending
moment of M=12 kN.m. Determine the normal stress developed
at each corner of the section, and specify the orientation of the
neutral axis.
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Summary
Flexure formula applied only when bending occurs
about axes that represent the principal axes of inertia for
x-section

These axes have their origin at centroid and are
orientated along an axis of symmetry and perpendicular
to it

If moment applied about arbitrary axis, then resolve
moment into components along each of the principal
axes, and stress at a point is determined by superposition
of stress caused by each moment component.
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Assignments
Reading
Beer & Johnston : Chapters 4.13

Problems, Beer & Johnston (5
th
Ed):
4.128 (answer:

= 6.02 ,

= 0.9 ,

= 6.02 )
4.130 (answer:

= 127.5 ,

= 47.4 ,

= 127.5 )






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