Tutorial 4

Curved Beams
1. Determine the neutral axis of circular cross section having radius ‘c’. Take radius of
curvature of centroidal axis to be ‘r’.
2. For a curved bar and loading shown in Figure 4.1, determine stress at point A and B
when ri = 40 mm

Figure 4.1
3. Steel links having the cross section shown in Figure 4.2 are available with different central
angles ß. Knowing that the allowable stress is 100 MPa. Determine the largest force P that
can be applied to a link for which ß = 90o.

Figure 4.2
4. The curved portion of the bar as shown in Figure 4.3 has an inner radius of 20 mm.
Knowing that the line of action of the 3kN force is located at a distance a = 60 mm from
the vertical plane containing the centre of curvature of the bar, determine the largest
compressive stress in the bar.

Figure 4.3
5. Knowing that M = 20kNm, determine the stress at point A and B. Refer Figure 4.4
6. For the bar as shown in Figure 4.5 has a circular cross section of 15 mm diameter.
Knowing that a = 30 mm, determine stress at point A and B.

Figure 4.4 Figure 4.5

7. For the curved beam as shown in Figure 4.6, determine the stress at point A and B.

Figure 4.6
8. Knowing that M = 565 Nm, determine stress at point A and B. Refer Figure 4.7.
62 mm

Figure 4.7
9. In Figure 4.8, a cast iron frame with U – shape cross section is shown. The ultimate
tensile strength of the cast iron is 320 MPa. Determine largest value of ‘P’ if factor of safety
is 4 which is based on ultimate strength.
 Figure 4.8
Answer
1
1. R = ( 𝑟 + √𝑟 2 − 𝑐 2 )
2
2. -43.2 MPa, 33 MPa
3. 2185 N
4. – 148.6 MPa
5. – 64.1 MPa, 65.2 MPa
6. 47.46 MPa, - 23.86 MPa
7. 63.9 MPa, - 52.6 MPa
8. -26.59 MPa, 27.10 MPa
9. 110.8 kN