Lecture 3

2
 Common Structural Sections

The maximum tensile or compressive stress in a bent bar is

proportional to the distance of the most remote fibres from the
neutral axis. Hence if the material has the same strength in tension
and compression, it is logical to choose shapes of cross-sections in
which the centroid is at the middle of the depth of the beam. This is
the underlying idea in the choice of sections symmetrical with
respect to the N.A. for materials such as structural steel.

C1

C2

Rectangular Tubular I- Section

C1 = C2

3
For materials of low strength in tension and high strength in compression;(e.g. Cast
iron, concrete), the best section is non symmetrical section with respect to the N.A.
such that the distances C1 and C2 are in the same proportion as the strength of the
material in tension and compression.

C1
C C
C2

T- Section Channel Section

In above sections, if tension at top

( T )max =
M
. C1 (σ )C max
=
M
. C2
I I

For the most economical section, both top and bottom should be stressed to their
limits.
( )
σ T allowable C1 i.e. the section must be selected, such that
=
( )
σ C allowable
C 2
this relationship is nearly satisfied.
42 4
 3.3 General Theory of Bending

Assumptions (i). Material is homogeneous and linear elastic

(ii). Plane sections remain plane after bending
(iii) Any deformation of the cross section within its
own plane is negligible.

(z,y)

BM is applied about a non principal axis

Take origin O on N. A.

y axis is in direction of load application, x axis is along length of beam and z

is axis of B.M.
Consider longitudinal strain

(i). For bending in x – y plane

Longitudinal strain at a (R y + y )δθ1 − R y . δθ1

=
y
distance y from O =
R y . δθ1 Ry

Note that direction of this strain is parallel to x axis.

(ii). For bending in x – z plane

As a result of this bending,

longitudinal strain (// Ox) at a (R z + z )δθ 2 − R z . δθ 2 z
distance z from O = =
R z . δθ 2 Rz

Total longitudinal strain at point (y, z)

y z
 = +
Ry Rz

 longitudinal stress,  y z 

 = E + ----------(1)
R R 
 y z 
Equation of N. A. is given by  =0
y z
+ =0 ----------(2)
Ry Rz

Eq. (1) gives the stress distribution over a particular cross section for values of y, z.
 σA

At section p-p, considering equilibrium.

Moment about z axis. Mz =  (σA )y

A

 y z 

Mz = A  R y R z  . y .δA
E +
 

Mz 1 1
=  .δ A +  yz.δ A
2
y
E Ry A
Rz A

Mz I I yz
= zz + -------------(3)
E Ry Rz
Moments about y – axis.

My=  (σ.δA ).z = 0

A

 y z 
E  +  . z .δA = 0
R R z 
A y

1 1
A yz. δ A + R z  .δ A = 0
2
z
Ry A

I yz I yy
 + = 0 --------------(4)
Ry Rz
For equilibrium

Resultant force in x direction =  σ.δA = 0

A

 y z 
A E R y + R z  . δA = 0
 
1 1
Ry A y.δ A + 
Rz A
z.δ A = 0
 
Ay Az

y x
 + =0 --------------(5)
Ry Rz
 y z 

 = E + --------------(1)
R R 
 y z 
Note
Since the co-ordinates of the centroid satisfy the equation (2), N. A. passes
through the centroid of the section.
Method of Solution
1 1
(i). From (3) & (4), determine &
Ry Rz

 y z 

 = E +
R z 
(ii). From Equation (1),
 Ry

  at any point (y, z) can be obtained.

Note In special case where Iyz = 0

1
From (4),
I yy
= 0 Since I yy  0  = 0 (R z =  )
Rz Rz

 No bending in x – z plane.

y
From eq.(1)  = E
Ry
Mz I Mz E 
From eq.(3) = zz  = = i.e. simple bending formula.
E Ry I zz Ry y
Example.

A cantilever angle of length 1.2 m carries a vertical load of 10 kN at outer end, the
line of action being parallel with longer leg of the angle and action is such that no
twisting of the section takes place. The cross sectional dimensions of the angle are
shown in figure. Find the maximum bending stresses in the cantilever. Find also
the inclination of the N.A.

I zz = 4  10 6 mm 4 I yy = 1.08  106 mm 4
I yz = 1.186  10 6 mm 4
 Max. tensile
stress
Maximum BM
( )
M = 1.2  10 3  10  10 3 Nmm
= 12  106 Nmm
T
Since load is vertical, no moment about y – y C

I yz I yy My
From Equation (4) + = =0 Max.
Ry Rz E compressive
stress

1.186  10 6 1.08  10 6 Ry
+ = 0  = −1.098
Ry Rz Rz
y z
From Equation (2) + =0 gives equation of N.A
Ry Rz

Ry
y=− . Z = − (− 1.098) Z y = 1.098Z
Rz

Inclination of NA = tan-1 (1.098) = 47.7 0

For moment about ZZ.
Mz I zz I yz
From Equation (3) = +
E Ry Rz

12  10 6 4  10 6 1.186  10 6
= +
E Ry Rz

4 1.186 12
+ =
Ry Rz E
1 4  1.098  12
Substituting for R + 1.186.  − =
Ry  
z  Ry  E
1 4.448
 =
Ry E
1 4.448 4.884
 = −  1.098 = −
Rz E E
From Equation (1) longitudinal stress

(−4.884) 
σ = E y
4.447
+z 
 E E 

At A, y = 127 – 83 = 44 mm
z = - (76 – 57) = – 19 mm

 =E
 44  4.448
+
(− 19)  (− 4.884)
stress at A 
 E E
= 288.5 N/mm2 ( Maximum tensile)

At B, y = – 83 & z = – 6

 − 83  4.448 (− 6)  (− 4.884)
stress at B  = E  + 
 E E
= – 339.9 N/mm2 ( Maximum Compressive)
 Alternative Approach to Bending about Non – Principal Axes

 1 2

1 , 2 − Using simple bending formula

By principle of superposition  = 1 + 2

Note : This method is useful for sections when principal axes can be identified
easily. i.e. for sections with axes of symmetry.

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Example

A rectangular beam, 30 mm  40 mm is subjected to a bending moment of 100 Nm

about a diagonal of its cross-section. Find the N.A. and the maximum tensile and
compressive stresses in the beam.
100 Sinθ
=100 x (4/5)
y =80 Nm
100 Nm

(z , y) z
z
100Cosθ
=100 x (3/5)
=60 Nm T

1 1
I zz =  30  403 = 16  10 4 mm 4 I yy =  40  303 = 9  10 4 mm 4
12 12

To obtain a general expression for  at a point (y, z) we must consider this point in
the +ve quadrant of y z . We will take tensile as positive.

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 T T T C

T C
C C

Mz My
 = . y − .z
I zz I yy
60  10 3 80  10 3 3y 8z
 = y − z = −
16  10 4 9  10 4 8 9
3y 8z 64
equation of N.A. is given by  = 0 − =0 y = .z
8 9 27
Maximum tensile stress occurs at B; y = 20 z = – 15
3 (20) 8 (− 15)
 = − = 20.8 N/mm 2
8 9
Maximum compressive stress occurs at A; y = – 20, z = +15
3 (− 20) 8 (15)
 = − = − 20.8 N/mm 2 18
8 9
Application of Bending Theory to Compound Beams

Compound (Composite) beam - made up of more than one material.

ε2 σ2
2 2 ε1
2
1 1
σ1
1 1 d2 d1

Strain Stress
distribution distribution
1 2 1 d1
=  =
d1
2
d2
2
2 d2

 1 =1 E1  1 1 E1 1 E1d1
= .   =
 2 =2 . E 2  2 2 E 2 2 E 2d 2

Note 1  maximum allowable stress in material (1)

2  maximum allowable stress in material (2) 19
Moment of Resistance

1 E1 I1
M1 = . I1 = . 2
( )
Material (1); . d
d1 E2 2
2 2

2 E2 I 2
M2 = . I2 = . 1
Material (2);
d2
2
. d
E1 1 2( )

2 1
M = M1 + M 2 = (E1 I1 + E 2 I 2 ) = 2 2 (E1 I1 + E 2 I 2 )
E1d1 E2 d 2

20
Equivalent Section Concept E2 > E1
b

dy

dy
y2
yy1
d2 d1
(1)

(2)

Strain Stress
distribution distribution

In material (1), element at distance y from NA

E1 y E1 y
1 =  δF = . b dy
R R
In material (2), element at distance y from NA

E2 . y E2y E1 y  E 2 
2 =  δF = =  . b  . dy
R  E1 
. b dy
R R

In order to transform the composite beam to a beam made out of single material, force in each element
of original beam should be equal to the corresponding element in the transformed beam. Then the 21
moment of resistance of the composite beam is equal to the moment of resistance of equivalent section.
If we transform the composite section to an equivalent section in material
(1), it is necessary to increase the width of section of material (2) by
(E2/E1).

Similarly transformed section in material (2) can be obtained by modifying

the width of material (1) by (E1/E2).

The new cross-section is called the Transformed Section or the

Equivalent Section of the member.
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Once the beam has been transformed into an equivalent section having a single
material, bending formula can be applied in the usual manner to determine stress
distribution of the transformed section.

Examples

A composite beam is made of timber and reinforced with a steel strap located on its
bottom side. It has the cross sectional area shown in figure. If the beam is subjected
to a bending moment of 2 kNm, determine the normal stresses at points B and C.
Take Etimber = 12 GPa Esteel = 200 GPa

150 mm

20 mm
C 150 mm

23
y

150×(12/200)
= 9mm

Timber
150 mm

y
Steel 20 mm

150 mm
Transformed section in steel

 y δA (150  20  10) + (150  9  75 + 20) = 36.38 mm

y = =
 δA (150  20) + (9  150)

1
I NA =  9  1503 + 9  150  (95 − 36.38) 2
12
1
+  150  203 + 20  150  (36.38 − 10) 2
12
= 9.36  106 mm 4
24
Applying bending formula
M σ
=
I y

M 2  10 6
σ = y =  (170 − 36.38) = 28.6 MPa
B/ I 9.36  10 6

M 2  106
σC = y =  36.38 = 7.77 MPa
I 9.36  10 6

The normal stress in timber at point B is Stress distribution of

given by transformed section

B = n  B/ = (12/200)x 28.6
= 1.71 MPa

Stress distribution of the 25

original section
Stress Distribution under Combined Bending and Axial Load

Short Columns- (Stress Distribution)

P P
M = Pe
e

x
= x
+
x

y y y
z
T
P y +
e C
C
c2 c1
Cross-section

resultant stress distribution will be

σmin T

σmin C or C

σmax σmax

26
Resultant stress at a distance y;
P Pe
 = + y
A Iz Compressive Stress

P e. y  P  e. y 
= 1 +  =  1 + 
A  ( I z ) / A  A  (rz ) 2 
P  e.c1 
Max. Compressive stress is at y=c1;  max = 1 + 2 
A 
 ( rz ) 


Min. Compressive stress is at y= - c2; P  e.c 2 

 min = 1 − 2 
A 
 ( rz ) 

( rz is the radius of gyration Iz=A(rz)2)

If tensile stress should not develop within the area;

 e.c 2 
 min  0 i.e. 1 − 2 
0
 ( rz ) 

27
 ( rz ) 2
e 
c2

This is a property of the section.

28
END

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