Unit IV

Stresses in Beams
Theory of simple bending
Assumptions and derivation of bending equation M/I = F/Y = E/R
Analysis of stresses in beams
Loads carrying capacity of beams
Proportioning beam sections
Leaf Springs
Flitched beams
Shear stress distribution in beams
Determination of shear stress in flanged beams

Due to external load, shear force and bending moments are set up at all sections of the beam, and it may get deformed.
The material of the beam will offer resistance against these deformations. The stresses introduced by bending moment
are known as bending stresses.

Simple bending:
If the length of a beam is subjected to a constant bending moment and no shear force, then the beam is said to be in
pure bending or simple bending. The stresses set up in that length of the beam are known as bending stresses.

A simply supported beam with weight W acting at each ends of the overhanging portion is shown in the figure. There
is no shear between A and B. But bending moment is constant. This condition of the beam between A and B is known
as pure bending or simple bending.

Theory of simple bending with assumptions made:

Assumptions made:
1. The material of the beam is homogenous (material is of same kind) and isotropic (elastic properties are same
in all the directions).
2. The value of Young’s modulus of elasticity is the same in the tension and compression.
3. The transverse sections which were plane before bending remain plane after bending also.
4. The beam is initially straight and all longitudinal filaments bend in to circular arcs with a common centre of
curvature.
5. The radius of curvature is large compared with the dimensions of the cross section.
6. Each layer of beam is free to expand or contract, independently of the layers above or below it.

Due to bending except neutral layer N-N, (where length is not changed) length are either shortened above neutral layer
or extended below neutral layer. Layers above neutral layer experiences compressive stress and below neutral layer
experiences tensile stress. The top most layer experience maximum compressive stress whereas bottommost layer
experience maximum tensile stress. This is the theory of simple bending.

1
Expression for the bending stress:
Consider a small length δx of a beam subjected to simple bending as shown in the figure. Let A’B’ and C’D’ meet at
O. Let R be the radius of neutral layer, θ be the angle subtended at O by A’B’ and C’D’. Original length of the layer
is δx. The length of the neutral layer remains δx even after bending.

Now from figure N’N’ = R x θ; E’F’ = (R+y) x θ; EF = N’N = R x θ

Increase in the length = E’F’ – EF = (R+y) x θ - R x θ = y x θ
y y
Strain in the layer EF = Increase in the length/Original length = 
R R
As R is constant, the strain in a layer is proportional to the distance from the neutral axis, and it is linear.

Stress Variation:
Let σ be the stress in layer EF, E be the young’s modulus of the beam, then
Stress  y E
E  ;  E  y
Strain  y  R R
 R
 
Since E and R are constant , stress in any layer is directly proportional to the distance of the layer from the neutral
layer. The variation of the stress is linear in simple bending.
 E
The above equation can also be written as 
y R

y
There is no stress at neutral axis. The stress at a distance y from the neutral axis,   E
R
y
Force on the layer = Stress on the layer x area of the layer = E dA
R
y E
Total force on the layer =  E R dA = R  ydA
For pure bending shear stress is zero, hence force should be zero, E/R is not equal to zero, hence  ydA = 0
Moment of Resistance:
Due to the stresses the forces will be acting on the layers. These forces will have moment about the neutral layer. The
total moment about the neutral layer for a section is known as the moment of resistance of that section.

y y y2
Force on layer = E dA ; Moment of this force about neutral axis = Force x distance = E dA y = E dA
R R R
E
Total moment of the beam =  y 2 dA
R
2
Let M be the external moment applied on the beam section. For equilibrium the moment of resistance should be equal
to this.
E
M   y 2 dA But the expression y
2
dA represents the moment of inertia of the area of the section about the
R
neutral axis. Let this moment of inertia be I,
E M E
M  I; 
R I R
 E
But we know that 
y R
M  E
Hence = 
I y R
This equation is known as bending equation.

Analysis of bending stresses in beams:

The neutral axis of a symmetrical section (Circualar, rectangualar or sqaure..) lies at a distance of d/2 from the outer
most layer, where d is the diameter or depth. There is no stress at the neutral axis, and the stress at a point is directly
proportional to its distance from the neutral axis. The maximum stress takes place at the outmost layer. For a simply
supported beam, there is a compressive stress above the neutral axis and a tensile stress below it. The plot of stress is
given below.

Problem: A steel plate of width 120 mm and thickness 20 mm is bent into a cirucalr arc of radius 10 m.
Determine the maximum stress induced and the benidng moment which will produce the maximum stress.
Take E = 2 x 105 N/mm2.

Given width of the plate b = 120 mm and thickness of the beam t = 20 mm

bt 3 (120)(20) 3
Moment of Inertia I =   8 x10 4 mm 4
12 12
Radium of curvature; R = 10 x 103; E = 2 x 105 N/mm2; Let σmax = Maximum stress induced, M = Bending moment
E 2 x10 5
ymax = 20/2 = 10 mm;  max 
y max  (10)  200 N/mm2
R 10 x10 3
M E E 2 x10 5
We know that:  ;M  I  (8c10 4 )  1.6 kNm
I R R 10 x10 3

Problem: Calculate the maximum stress induced in a cast iron pipe of external diagmeter 40 mm, internal
diameter 20 mm and of length 4 meter when the pipe is supported at its ends and carrries a point load of 80 N
at its centre.

Maximum benidng moment for a simply supported beam is at it s centre and is equal to WL/4
WL 80(4000)
Max Bending moment =   8 x 104 Nmm
4 4

3
  
Moment of inertia of a hollow pipe =
64
D 4

d4 
64
(40 4  20 4 )  117809.7 mm4
Ymax=D/2 = 40/2 = 20 mm
M   8 x10 4 
We know that  ;  20   13.58 N/mm2
I y  20 
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 M  M I
Z ; we know that  ;   Z ; Hence M = σmax Z
y max I y  max Ymax

Section modulus for various shapes or beam sections:

Moment of inertia of a rectangular section about the X-X axis passing though the centre of gravity:
Consider a rectangular section ABCD with width B and depth d. Let line X-X pass though the CG.
Consider a rectangular elementary strip of thickness dy at a distance y from X-X axis
Area if the strip = b dy Moment of inertia of the area of the strip about X-X axis = Area x y2 = by2dy

For a hollow Rectangular section:

For a circular Section:

4
For Hollow circular section:

Problem: A cantilever of length 2 metre fails when a load of 2 kN is applied at the free end. If the section of the
beam is 40 mm x 60 mm find the stress at the failure.

bd 2 40(60) 2
Section modulus of a rectangular section =   24000mm3
6 6
Maximum bending moment of the cantilever is at the fixed end: M = W x L = 2000(2000) = 4 x 106 N mm

Problem: A rectangular beam 200 mm deep and 300 mm wide is simply supported over a span of 8 m. What
uniformly distributed load per metre the beam may carry if the bending stress is not to exceed 120 N/mm2

WL2 W (8) 2
For a simply supported beam Max Bending moment =   8 W Nm = 8000 W Nmm
8 8
We know that M = σmax.Z; 8000W = 120 x 2000000 Therefore W = 30 kN/m

Problem: A rectangular beam 300 mm deep is simply supported over a span of 4 metres. Determine the
uniformly distributed load per metre which the beam may carry if the bending stress is not to exceed 120
N/mm2. Take I = 8 x 106 mm4

5
Let w be the udl per metre length over the beam. The bending stress will be maximum at the centre where bending
moment is also maximum.
Max BM = 2w x 2 – 2w x 1= 2w Nm = 2000w Nmm
ymax = d/2 = 300/2 = 150 mm; Section modulus z = I/ymax = 8 x 106/150
M= σmax Z; 2000w = 200 x (8 x 106/150) = 3200N/m

Problem: A square beam 20 mm x 20 mm is in section and 2 m 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.

Maximum stress for the simply supported beam is same as maximum stress for the cantilever.
bd 2 20 x 20 2 4000 WL 400(2)
Section modulus =Z =   mm3 ; Bending moment =   200 Nm = 200000 Nmm
6 6 3 4 4
Let σmax be the maximum stress induced; M = σmax Z; σmax= Z/M = 200000 x 3/4000 = 150 N/mm2

bd 2 40 x60 2
Section modulus of rectangular section of cantilever =   24000mm3
6 6
wL2 w(3) 2
Maximum bending for cantilever =   4.5w Nm = 4500w Nmm2
2 2
We know that M = σmax Z ; 4500w = 150 x 24000; w = 800 N/m

Problem: A beam is simply supported and carries a uniformly distributed load of 40 kN/m run over the whole
span. The section of the beam is rectangular having depth as 500 mm. If the maximum stress in the material of
the beam is 120 N/mm2 and moment of inertia of the section is 7 x108 mm4 find the span of the beam.

ymax = depth/2 = 500/2 = 250 mm; Z = I/ymax = 7 x 108/250 = 28 x 105 mm3

wL2 40000 xL2
The maximum BM for a simply supported beam =   5000 x10 3 L2 Nmm
8 8
We know that M = σmaxx Z; 5000 x 103 L2 x 28 x 105; L = 8.20 m

Problem: A timber beam of rectangular section is to support a load of 20 kN uniformly distributed over a span
of 3.6 m when beam is simply supported. If the depth of section is to be twice the breadth and the stress in the
timber is not to exceed 7 n/mm2 find the dimensions of the cross section.
How would you modify the cross section of the beam if it carries a concentrated load of 20 kN placed at the
centre with the same ratio of breadth and depth?
Let breadth be b; hence depth d = 2b.
bd 2 b2b 
2
2b 3 WL 20000(3.6)
Section modulus =   ; Maximum BM =   9000 x10 2 Nmm
6 6 6 8 8

6
 2b 3
We know that M = σmax Z; 9000 x 10 = 7 x 3
; b = 124.5 mm
6
Depth d = 2 b = 2 x 124.5 = 249 mm
Dimension of the section when the beam carries a point load at the centre:
WL 20000(3.6) 2b 3
Maximu BM =   18000 Nm  18000 x10 3 Nmm Given σmax = 7 N/mm2; Z =
8 4 3
3
2b
We know that M = σmax Z; 18000 x 103 = 7 x ; b = 156.82 mm; and depth = 313.64 mm
3
Problem: A timber beam of rectangular section of length 8 m is simply supported. The beam carreis a UDL of
12 kN/m run over the entire length and a point load of 10 kN at 3 metre from the left support. If the depth is
two times the width and the stress in the timber is not to exceed 8 N/mm 2, find the suitable dimenstions of the
section.

To apply equations of pure bending, we need to find the max bending moment where shear force will be zero.
Taking moments about A; RB (8) = 12000 (8)(4) + 10000 (3); RB = 51750 N;
RA = Total - RB = [12000(8) + 10] – 51750 = 54250 N
Shear force at A RA = 54250;
Shear force at LHS of C = 54250 -12000(3) = 18250 kN
Shear force at RHS of C = 54250 – 12000 (3) – 10000 = 8250 kN
SF at B = - RB = - 51750 N
Let shear force is zero at a point x from B, equation the shear force at this section to zero,
12000(x) - RB = 0; 12000 (x) – 51750 = 0; x = 4.3125 m
Maximum BM occurs at 4.3125 m from B; Max BM = RB (4.3125) – 12000 (4.3125) (4.3125/2)
= 51750(4.3125) – 12000 (4.3125) (4.3125/2) = 111585.9375 x 103 Nmm
bd 3 b(2b) 2 2b 3 2b 3
Section modulus Z =   ; We know that M = σmax Z; 111585.9375 x 103 = 8 x
6 6 3 3
b = 272.2 mm and d = 551 mm

Problem: A water main of 500 mm internal diameter and 20 mm thick is running full. The water main is of
cast iron and is supported at tow points 10 m apart. Find the maximum stress in the metal. The cast iron and
water weigh 72000 N/m3 and 10000 N/m3 respectively.

 
Area of pipe section:
4
D 2
0  Di2   4
0.54 2

 0.5 2  0.0327 m2
 
Area of water section = d i2  0.52  0.196 m2
4 4
 
Moment inertia of the pipe section about the neutral axis: I 
64
D4
0 
 Di4 
64
540 4

 500 4  1.105 x10 9 mm4
The weight of pipe and water can be considered to uniformly distributed load;
Weight of pipe per meter = Weight density x volume of pipe = 72000 x 0.0327 = 2354 N
Weight of water per meter = Weight density x volume of water = 10000 x 0.196= 1960 N
Total udl = 2354 + 1960 = 4314 N/m

7
 wL2 4314(10) 2
Maximum bending moment = M    53925 Nm = 53925 x 103 N mm
8 8
Stress will be maximum when y is maximum. ymax = Do/2 = 540/2 = 270 mm
M  53925 x10 3
 ; 
M
y = 270  13.18 N/mm2
I y I 1.105 x10 9

Problem: A rolled steel joint of I sectoin has the dimentions as shown in the figure. This beam of I seciton
carries a udl of 40 kN/m run on a span of 10 m calculate the maximum stress produced due to bending.

200 x400 3 (200  10) x(400  40) 3

Moment of Inertial about the neutral axis =   327946666 mm4
12 12
wL2 40000 x10 2
Maximum bending moment M =   5 x10 8 Nmm ymax = 400/2 = 200 mm
8 8
M  M 5 x10 8
 ;  y= (200)  304.92 N/mm2
I y I 327946666

Problem: An I section shown is simply supported over a span of 12 m. If the maximum permissible bending
stress is 80 N/mm2 what concentrated load can be carried at a distance of 4 m from one support?

To find the maximum bending moment at C where concentrated load is acing, reaction RA and RB are:
RB (12) = w (8); RB = 8w/12 = (2/3) w; Hence RA = W – (2/3)w = (1/3) w
Bending moment at C = RA (8) = (1/3) w (8) = (8/3) w Nm = (8/3) w x 1000 Nmm = (8000/3) w Nmm
(100 x2253 ) (100  7.5)(225  23) 3
Moment of inertia =   31386647.45 mm4; ymax = 225/2 = 112.5
12 12
M  
8000 w
3


80
; w  8369.77 N
We have,  Substituting;
I y 313186647.45 112.5
Springs:
Springs are the elastic bodies which absorb energy due to resilience, which will be released as and when required. Best
springs are those which will absorb greatest energy for the given stress without permanently distorted. The two
important types of springs are:
1. Laminated or leaf springs
2. Helical springs.

8
Leaf springs:
Leaf springs are used to absorb shocks in railway wagons, coaches and road vehicles. It consist of parallel strips of a
metal having different lengths and same width placed one over the other, which are initially bend to same radius. The
spring rests on the axis of the vehicle and the top plate is pinned at the ends to the chassis of the vehicle. Initially all
the plates of the spring is having a deflection δ. When the spring is loaded to the designed load W all the plates will
become flat and the central deflection δ disappears.

Expression for maximum bending stress developed in the plate:

Let b = width of the each plate; n = number of plates l = Span of spring
σ = Max bending stress developed in the plate; t = thickness of each plate
W = Point load acting at the centre of the spring δ = Original deflection of the top spring.

The load W acting at the centre of the lowermost plate will be shared equally on the two ends of the top plate.
W l Wl
Bending moment at the centre = Load at one end x (1/2); M = 
L 2 4
bt 3
Moment of inertia of each plate = I 
12
 bt 
3
  
M    12  bt 2
We have  ;M  I  
I y y t 6
2
nbt 2
If there are n plates, then total resisting moment by n plates = n x M =
6
The maximum bending moment due to load is equal to the total resisting moment.
W .l n. .bt 2 6.W .l 3.W .l
Hence  ;  2

4 6 4.n.b.t 2.n.b.t 2
This equation gives the maximum stress developed in the plate of the spring.

Expression for the central deflection:

2
l
2
From the triangle ACO; R =    R    =  R 2   2  2 R Neglecting δ2being small
2 l
2 4
2 2
l l l2
2
R=  R  2 R ;
2
2Rδ = ; δ=
4 4 8R
9
  l 2
We know that
E E
 ; R = y but y = t/2; R =
Et
; substituting the value of R;
l2

Et
; 
y R  2 8 2 4 Et
Problem: A lead spring carries a central load of 3000 N. The leaf spring is to be made of 10 steel plates of 5 cm
wide and 6 mm thick. If the bending stress is limited to 150 N/mm2 determine: (i). Length of the spring and (ii).
Deflection at the centre of the spring. Take E = 2 x 105 N/mm2.

3.W .l 3x300 xl
 2
;..150  ;.....l  600mm
2.n.b.t 2 x10 x50 x6 2
l 2 150 x600 2
   11.25mm
4 Et 4 x2 x105 x6
Problem: A laminated spring 1 m long is made up of plates each 5 cm wide and 1 cm thick. If the bending
stress in the plate is limited to 100 N/mm2, how many plates would be required to enable the spring to carry a
central load of 2 kN. If E = 2.1 x 105 N/mm2, what is the deflection under the load?
3.W .l 3x2000 x1000
 2
;..100  ;.....n  6
2.n.b.t 2 xnx50 x10 2

l 2 100 x1000 2
   11.9mm
4 Et 4 x2.1x10 5 x10
Composite beams or Flitched beams:
A beam made up of two or more different materials assumed to be rigidly connected together and behaving like a
single piece is known as a composite beam or flitched beam.
Ex: Wooden beam reinforced by steel plates.
Here it is assumed that the strain at the common surfaces is same for both materials, and total moment of resistance
will be equal to the sum of the moment of individual sections.

At a distance y from the neutral axis let the stresses in steel and wood are f1 and f2.
Let E1 and E2 be the young’s modulus of steel and wood, I1 and I2 be the moment of inertia of steel and wood about
neutral axis, M1 and M2 be the moment of resistance of steel and wood.
2  
Strain in wood at a distance y from N A = Strain in the common surface is same: 1  2 ;
E2 E1 E 2

M    
We know that  ; M  I ; therefore M 1  1 I 1 and M 2  2 I 2
I y y y y
  m 2  
But total moment M = M1 + M2 = 1 I 1 + 2 I 2 ; but  1  m 2 ; M = I 1 + 2 I 2 = 2 mI1  I 2 
y y y y y
Here mI1  I 2  can be treated as equivalent moment of inertia of the cross section I.

10
 2
M= I
y
The equivalent section is produced by using I = I2 + mI1. This is done by multiplying the dimensions of the material 1
in the direction parallel to the neutral axis by m. The equivalent figure can be used for finding the position of neutral
axis and equivalent moment of inertia.

Problem: A flitched beam consists of a wooden joist 10 cm wide and 20 cm deep strengthened by two steel
plates 10 mm thick and 20 cm deep. If the maximum stress in the wooden joist is 7 N/mm2 find the
corresponding maximum stress attained in steel. Find also the moment of resistance of the composite section.
Take young’s modulus for steel 2 x 105 N/mm2 and for wood = 1 x 104 N/mm2

Method I:

Moment of inertia of wooden joist about Neutral axis:

b2 d 23 10 x 20 3 2b1 d13 2(1)(20) 2
I2    6666.64 x10 mm For steel: I 1 
4 4
  1333.33x10 4 mm4
12 12 12 12
5
E 2 x10
m= 1   20 ; I = mI1 + I2 =20(1333.33 x 104) + 6666.66 x 104 = 33333.2 mm4
E 2 1x10 5
M 2  7 x10 4 x33333.2
We have  hence M = 2 xI   23333.24 Nm
I y y 10 x10
  E
Maximum stress in steel: we have 1  2 ; 1  1 x 2  20 x7  140 N/mm2
E1 E 2 E2
Method II:
1 140
M = M1 + M2; where M 1  I1 x1333.33x10 4  18666620 Nmm  18666.620 Nm
y 100
 7
M 2  2 I2  x6666.66 x10 4  46666.62 Nmm  4666.662 Nm
y 100
M = M1 + M2 = 18666.620 + 4666.662 = 23333.282 Nm

Shear stress distribution in beams:

When a beam is subjected to a constant bending moment and zero shear force there will be only bending stresses but
no shear stresses. When a beam is subjected to a bending moment which varies from section to section, shear force
acting on the beam in not zero, then shear stresses will be acting across transverse sections of the beam which will
produce a complementary horizontal shear stresses acting on longitudinal layers of the beam.

11
Figure shows a simply supported beam carrying a udl. Here shear force and bending moment will vary along the
length of the beam. Consider two sections AB and CD at a distance dx apart.
Let the shear force and bending moment at sections AB and CD be F, F+dF and M, M+dM. Let I be the moment of
inertia of the section at the neutral axis.
Let EF be the line at distance y1 from the neutral axis. The part of beam above EF is considered to be made up of
infinite number of elemental cylinders of area dA and length dx. For one such elemental cylinder let σ be the bending
stress at AB and σ + dσ be the intensity of the bending stress at CD.
M  M M
We know that  ; hence bending stress at AB   y and bending stress at CD,   d  y
I y I I
M
Force on the end of the elemental cylinder at AB = σdA= ydA
I
M  dM
Force on the end of the elemental cylinder at CB = σ + dσ = ydA
I
M  dM M dM
Net unbalanced force = ydA - ydA = ydA
I I I
dM dM dM _
Total unbalanced force =  ydA   ydA  Ay
I I I
Where A is the area of the section above the level EF. To balance this, the horizontal section of the beam at the level
EF must offer a shear resistance, which should be equal to the unbalanced force to avoid failure due to shear.
Let τ be the shear resistance acting over the area b x dx, where b is the width of the section..
Shear resistance due to τ = Shear stress x shear area;
 _ _
dM _ dM A y dM A y Ay
τ x b x dx = Ay;    F
I I bdx dx Ib Ib
_
Ay
 F This is the horizontal shear stress at the distance y1 from the neutral axis.
Ib

Problem: A wooden beam 100 mm wide and 150 mm deep is simply supported over a span of 4 meters. If the
shear force at a section of the beam is 4500 N find the shear stress at a distance of 25 mm above the neutral
axis.

Let τ be the shear stress at a distance of 25 mm above the neutral axis.

12
A = Area of the beam above y1 = 100 x 50 = 5000 mm2
_
y = Distance of the CG of the area A from neutral axis = 25 + (50/2) = 50 mm
bd 3 100(150) 3
I = Moment of Inertia =   28125000 mm4
12 12
B = Actual width of section at a distance y1 from neutral axis = 100 m
_
A y 4500(5000)(50)
We have   F   0.4 N/mm2
Ib 28125000(100)
Shear stress distribution in a rectangular Section:

Consider a rectangular section of a beam of width b and depth d. Let F is the shear force acting at the section.
Consider a level EF at a distance y from the neutral axis, the shear stress at this level is given by:
_
Ay d 
 F where A = Area of the section above =   y b
Ib 2 

b = actual width of the section at the level of EF; I = Moment of Inertia of the whole section about neutral axis
Substituting:

This equation shows that τ increases as y decreses and the variation of τ with respect to y is parabolic, which is shown
in the figure.

F  d 2  d 2 
At top edge y = d/2;       0
2I 4  2  
F d 2  Fd 2 Fd 2 12 F F
At the neutral axis     0      1.5
2I  4  8I  bd 3  8 bd bd
8 
 12 
But the average shear stress = τavg = Shear force/Area of section = F/bd; Hence τ = 1.5 τavg
The shear stress at neutral axis is maximum where y = 0. Hence τmax = 1.5 τavg

Problem: A rectangular beam 100 mm wide and 250 mm deep is subjected to a maximum shear force of 50 kN.
Determine (i). Average shear stress (ii). Maximum shear stress and (iii). Shear stress at a distance of 25 mm
above the neutral axis.

13
 F 50,000
Average shear stress =  avg    2 N/mm2
Area 100 x250
Maximum shear = 1.5 (τavg) = 1.5 (2) = 3 N/mm2
F d2  50000 x12  62500 
Shear stress at a distance y from neutral axis     y 2  = 3 
 625   2.88 N/mm2
2I  4  2 x100 x250  4 
Problem: A timber beam of rectangular section is simply supported at the ends and carries a point load at the
centre of the beam. The maximum bending stress is 12 N/mm 2 and maximum shearing stress is 1 N/mm2, find
the ration of the span to the depth.

W WL
For a simply supported beam with point load at the centre, Max shear stress = and Max BM =
2 4
W
Average shear stress = shear force / Area = 2  W ; τ = 1.5(τ ) = 1.5 W ; 1=1.5 W ; W  4
max avg
bxd 2bd 2bd 2bd bd 3
WxL d
M 12 WLd WL WL W L
Now by bending equation:  max  y max  4 32  3
 1.5 2 ;12  1.5 2  1.5
I bd 8 bd bd bd bd d
12
But
W 4
 ; hence 12  1.5 4
bd 3 3
 
L
d
L
d
6

Problem: A simply supported wooden beam of span 1.3 m having a cross section 150 mm wide by 250 mm deep
carreis a point load W at the centre. The permissible stress are 7 N/mm 2 in shearing. Calculate the safe load
W.

W (1.3) W
Maximum Bending moment =  0.325W Nm=325 W Nmm; Max Shear force = N
4 2
bd 3 150 x 250 3
We have I =   195312500 mm4 σ = 7 N/mm2 y = d/2 = 250/2 = 125 mm
2 2
M  325W 7
We know that  ;  ;W  33653.8 N
I y 195312500 125
W
Shear _ force W
Value of W for shear stress consideration: Avg Stress  avg   2 ;
Area bd 2 x150 x 250
3 3 W
 max   avg ;1    ;W  50000 N
2  2  2 x150 x250
14
Safe load is the minimum of the two values 33653.8 N and 50000 N. Hence safe load is 33653.8 N

Shear stress distribution in a Circular Section:

Let R be the radius of the circular section, F is the shear force. Consider a level EF at a distance y form the neutral
axis.
_
FA y
We have   (1)
Ib
_
Where A y moment if the shaded area about the neutral axis, I moment of inertial of the whole section,
b is the width of the beam at the level EF = 2 EB = 2 R 2  y 2
Consider a strip of thickness dy at a distance y from NA. Let dA be the area of strip,
dA = b(dy) = EF x dy = 2 EB x dy = 2 R 2  y 2 x dy
Moment of this area dA about NA = y dA = y 2 R 2  y 2 x dy = 2y R 2  y 2 x dy
Moment of whole shaded area is obtained by integrating the above equation between limits y and R..
_ R R
A y   2 y R  y dy    (2 y) R 2  y 2 dy Here -2y is the differential of (R2-y2); hence the integral is
2 2

y y

 
R
 R2  y2 3

  2 R 2  R 2  2  R 2  y 2  2   2 R 2  y 2  2
_ 2 3 3 3
A y  
 3  3   3
 2 y
3
2
F (R 2  y 2 ) 2
Substituting in equation (1):   3 
F 2
R  y2  
Ix 2 R  y
2 2 3 I
This equation shows that shear stress distribution across the circular section is parabolic. At y = R , shear stress τ =0.
When y = 0 shear stress is maximum.
F 2  F 4F F
 max  R But I for circular section = R 4 ; Hence  max  R2  2 ; Average shear stress =
3I 4   3R R 2
3 R 4 
4 
Hence τmax = (4/3) τavg

Problem: A circular beam of 100 mm diameter is subjected to a shear force of 5 kN. Calculate (i) Average
shear stress (ii) Maximum shear stress and (iii), Shear stress at a distance of 40 mm form NA

Shear force 5000

Average Shear stress = τavg = ------------------------------ = ------------ = 0.6366 N/mm2
Area of Circular section Π(50)2

15
Maximum shear stress = τmax = (4/3) τavg = (4/3) (0.6366) = 0.8488 N/mm2
F 2 5000
Shear stress at a distance 40 mm   (R  y 2 )  (50 2  40 2 )  0.3055 N/mm2
3I 
3 (100) 4
64
Shear stress distribution in I Section:
The following figure shows an I section, in which B is overall width, D is overall depth, b is thickness of the web and
d is the depth of the web.
_
FA y
The shear stress at a distance y from the neutral axis is given by  
Ib

I section is considered in two parts (i). Flange section and (ii). Web Section.
D 
 y
Shear stress distribution in the flange area: Width of the flange = B; Shaded area A = B 
2 
_
1D  y D 1D 
Distance of C G of the shaded area from neutral axis y  y    y       y
2 2  2 4 2 2 
D 1D 
_ FB   y    y 

FA y
 2 2 2   F D  y2 
IB IB 2 I  4 
The variation of shear stress τ wrt y in the flange is parabolic and with increase in y, τ decreases. For the upper edge

For the lower edge;

Shear stress distribution in the Web area:

Consider a section at a distance y in the web from neutral axis, width of the web = b.
_
A y = Area moment of the flange about NA + Area moment of the shaded area of web about the neutral axis,

16
It is clear from the above equaton that variation of τ wrt to y is parabolic and as y increases τ decreases.
F B 2 bd 2 
At neutral axis, y = 0, and τ will be maximum.  max  
Ib  8
D  d 2
 8 

At the top the top of the web, y = d/2;

Problem: An I section beam 350mm x 150 mm has a web thickness of 10 mm and a flange thickness of 20 mm.
If the shear force acting on the section is 40 kN find the maximum shear stress developed in the I section .
Sketch the shear stress distribution across the section.

150(350) 3 140(310) 3
Moment of inertia of the section about the neutral axis I    188375833.4 mm4
12 12
F B 2 bd  150(350 2  310 2 ) 10(310) 2 
 
2
40000
Maximum shear stress  max   D d
2
  =   
Ib  8 8  188375833.4(10)  8 8 
= 13.06 N/mm2
F  D2 
Shear stress distribution at the flange:     y 2  ; For the upper end y = D/2; Hence τ = 0
2I  4 

17
Shear stress distribution in T Section:
The shear stress distribution over T section is obtained in the same manner as over an I section. Here the neutral axis is
to be obtained first as the section is not symmetrical about the x axis. Hence the shear stress diagram will also not be
symmetrical.

Problem: The shear force acting on a section of a beam is 50 kN. The section of the beam is of T shaped of
dimenstions 100 mm x 100 mm x 20 mm as shown in the figure. The moment of inertial about he horizontal
axis is 314.221 x 104 mm4. Calculate the shear stress at the neutral axis and at the juncitn of the web and the
flange.

A1 y1  A2 y 2
Let y* = Distance of the CG of the section from the top of the flange, y 
*

( A1  A2 )
 80 
100 x 20) x10  (20 x80) x(20  
=
 2
 32.22
(100 x10)  (10 x90)
Hence neutral axis is at a distance of 32.22 from the top of the flange as shown in the figure.
_
Area A = 100 x 20 = 2000 mm2 y  Distance of CG of the area of flange from N A = 32.22 –(20/2) = 22.22 mm2
b= width of the flange = 100 mm
_
FA y 50000 x 2000 x 22.22
Shear stress distribution in the flange:    4
= 7.07 N/mm2
Ib 314.221x10 x100
Shear stress distribution in the web:
B  100 
7.07 x  7.07   35.35 N/mm
2

b  20 
At the junction of the web and flange will suddenly increase from 7.07 N/mm2 to 35.35 N/mm2
The shear stress will be maximum at Neutral axis.
_
A y =Moment of the area of flange about N A + Moment of ara of web about N A
= 20 x 100 x (32.22 – 10) + 20 x (32.33 – 10) x (22.22/2) = 49377.284 mm2; b = 20 mm
_
FA y 50000 x49377.284
  4
 39.285 N/mm2
Ib 314.221x10 x 20

Shear stress diagram in shown in the figure.

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