UNIT III

Stresses in Beams
As seen in the last chapter beams are subjected to bending moment and shear forces which vary from
section to section. To resist them stresses will develop in the materials of the beam. For the simplicity
in analysis, we consider the stresses due to bending and stresses due to shear separately.

Under compression

Neutral
layer Neutral
axis

Under tension
(a) Sagging moment case

Under
tension Neutral
layer

Neutral
axis

Under
compression

(b) Hogging moment case

Fig. 1. Nature of Stresses in Beams

Due to pure bending, beams sag or hog depending upon the nature of bending moment as shown
in Fig. 10.1. It can be easily observed that when beams sag, fibres in the bottom side get stretched
while fibres on the top side are compressed. In other words, the material of the beam is subjected
to tensile stresses in the bottom side and to compressive stresses in the upper side. In case of hogging
the nature of bending stress is exactly opposite, i.e., tension at top and compression at bottom. Thus
bending stress varies from compression at one edge to tension at the other edge. Hence somewhere
in between the two edges the bending stress should be zero. The layer of zero stress due to bending
is called neutral layer and the trace of neutral layer in the cross-section is called neutral axis [Refer
Fig. 1].

ASSUMPTIONS
Theory of simple bending is developed with the following assumptions which are reasonably acceptable:
(i) The material is homogeneous and isotropic.
(ii) Modulus of elasticity is the same in tension and in compression.
(iii) Stresses are within the elastic limit.
(iv) Plane section remains plane even after deformations.
(v) The beam is initially straight and every layer of it is free to expand or contract.
(vi) The radius of curvature of bent beam is very large compared to depth of the beam.
 BENDING EQUATION
There exists a define relationship among applied moment, bending stresses and bending deformation
(radius of curvature). This relationship can be derived in two steps:
(i) Relationship between bending stresses and radius of curvature.
(ii) Relationship between applied bending moment and radius of curvature.
(i) Relationship between bending stresses and radius of curvature: Consider an elemental length
AB of the beam as shown in Fig. 2(a). Let EF be the neutral layer and CD the bottom
most layer. If GH is a layer at distance y from neutral layer EF, initially AB = EF = GH =
CD.




R

A B
A B
E F
E F y
G H G H
C D C D
(a) (b)

Fig. 2

Let after bending A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H take positions A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H
respectively as shown in Fig. 2(b). Let R be the radius of curvature and  be the angle subtended by C
A and DB at centre of radius of curvature. Then,
EF = EF, since EF is neutral axis
= R ...(i)
Final length – Initial length
Strain in GH =
Initial length

G H  GH
=
GH
But GH = EF (The initial length)
= R
and GH = (R + y) 
(R  y)   R
 Strain in layer GH =
R
y
= ...(ii)
R
Since strain in GH is due to tensile forces, strain in GH = f/E ...(iii)
where f is tensile stress and E is modulus of elasticity.
From eqns. (ii) and (iii), we get
f y

E R
 f E
or  ...(1)
y R
(ii) Relationship between bending moment and radius of curvature: Consider an elemental area
a at distance y from neutral axis as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 3

From eqn. 1, stress on this element is

E
f= y ...(i)
R
 Force on this element
E
= y a
R
Moment of resistance of this elemental force about neutral axis
E
= y a y
R
E 2
= y a
R

 Total moment resisted by the section M is given by

E
M =  R y 2
a

E
R
= 
y2 a

From the definition of moment of inertia (second moment of area) about centroidal axis, we
know
I = y2 a
E
 M = I
R
From equilibrium condition, M = M where M is applied moment.
E
 M= I
R
M E
or  ...(2)
I R
From eqns. (10.1) and (10.2), we get
M f E
  ...(3)
I y R
 where M = bending moment at the section
I = moment of inertia about centroid axis
f = bending stress
y = distance of the fibre from neutral axis
E = modulus of elasticity and
R = radius of curvature of bent section.
Equation (3) is known as bending equation.

LOCATING NEUTRAL AXIS

Consider an elemental area a at a distance y from neutral axis [Ref. Fig. 3].
If ‘f ’ is the stress on it, force on it = f a
E
But f = y, from eqn. (1).
R
E
 Force on the element = y a
R
Hence total horizontal force on the beam
E
= R
y a

E
=y a
R
Since there is no other horizontal force, equilibrium condition of horizontal forces gives
E
y a = 0
R
E
As is not zero,
R
y a = 0 ...(i)
If A is total area of cross-section, from eqn. (i), we get

 y Aa = 0 ...(ii)

ya
Noting that ya is the moment of area about neutral axis, should be the distance of
A
ya
centroid of the area from the neutral axis. Hence = 0 means the neutral axis coincides with
A
the centroid of the cross-section.
MOMENT CARRYING CAPACITY OF A SECTION From
bending equation, we have
M f

I y
M
i.e., f= y ...(i)
I
Hence bending stress is maximum, when y is maximum. In other words, maximum stress occurs
in the extreme fibres. Denoting extreme fibre distance from neutral fibre as ymax equation (i) will be
M
fmax = ymax ...(ii)
I
In a design fmax is restricted to the permissible stress in the material. If fper is the permissible
stress, then from equation (ii),
M
fper = ymax
I
I
 M= fper
ymax
The moment of inertia I and extreme fibre distance from neutral axis ymax are the properties of
I
section. Hence is the property of the section of the beam. This term is known as modulus of
ymax
section and is denoted by Z. Thus
I
Z= ...(4)
ymax
and M = fper Z ...(5)
Note : If moment of inertia has unit mm4 and ymax has mm, Z has the unit mm3.
The eqn. (5) gives permissible maximum moment on the section and is known as moment
carrying capacity of the section. Since there is definite relation between bending moment and the
loading given for a beam it is possible to find the load carrying capacity of the beam by equating
maximum moment in the beam to moment carrying capacity of the section. Thus
Mmax = fper Z ...(6)
If permissible stresses in tension and compressions are different for a material, moment carrying
capacity in tension and compression should be found separately and equated to maximum values of
moment creating tension and compression separately to find the load carrying capacity. The lower
of the two values obtained should be reported as the load carrying capacity.

SECTION MODULI OF STANDARD SECTIONS

Section modulus expressions for some of the standard sections are presented below:
(i) Rectangular section: Let width be ‘b’ and depth be ‘d’ as shown in Fig. 4.
Since N-A is in the mid depth b

ymax = d/2
1
I= bd 3 ymax d/2
12
I G
 Z = 1/12 bd
3 N A
ymax d /2
d/2
i.e., Z = 1/6 bd2 ...(10.7)

Fig. 4
 B

(ii) Hollow rectangular section. Figure 5 shows a typical

hollow rectangular section with symmetric opening. For
this, ymax b D/2

BD  bd
3 1 3 d
I =  ( BD3 bd 3 ) G
12 N A
12 12
ymax = D/2
I 1 (BD3  bd 3 ) D/2
 Z= =
ymax 12 D/2

Fig. 5
Z = 1 BD  bd
3 3
i.e. ...(10.8)
6 D

(iii) Circular section of diameter ‘d’. Typical section is shown in Fig. 6. For this,

I = d4
64 ymax = d/2 d
ymax = d/2 N A
G
I /64 d 4

 Z= d /2
ymax
Fig. 6
 3
i.e., Z = d
32

(iv) Hollow circular tube of uniform section. Referring to Fig. 7,

 
I = D4  d4
64 64 ymax
 4 4 N
G
= (D – d ) d D
64 A
ymax = D/2
I  (D4  d 4 )
 Z= 
ymax 64 D/ 2 Fig. 7

 D4  d4
i.e., Z = ...(9)
32 D
(v) Triangular section of base width b and height ‘h’. Referring to Fig. 8,
bh3
I=
36
2 ymax = 2h/3
ymax = h
3 h

I G
bh3 / 36 N A
 Z= 
ymax 2/ 3 h
bh2
i.e., Z= ...10) b
24
Fig. 8

Example 1. A simply supported beam of span 3.0 m has a cross-section 120 mm × 180 mm. If
the permissible stress in the material of the beam is 10 N/mm2, determine
(i) maximum udl it can carry
(ii) maximum concentrated load at a point 1 m from support it can carry.
Neglect moment due to self weight.
Solution:
1 d
Here b = 120 mm, d = 180 mm, I = bd3, ymax =
12 2
1
 Z = bd 2
6
1
=  120  1802 = 648000 mm3
6
fper = 10 N/mm2

 Moment carrying capacity of the section

= fper × Z

wL2
In this case, we know that maximum moment occurs at mid span and is equal to Mmax = .
8
Equating it to moment carrying capacity, we get,
= 10 × 648000 N-mm w/m
(i) Let maxiwmum32udl bea6m can carry be w/metre length as shown in Fig. 9.
× 10 = 10 × 648000
8
 w = 5.76 kN/m.
3m
(ii) Concentrated load at distance 1 m from the sup-
port be P kN. Referring to Fig. 10. Fig. 9

P  a  b P 1 2
Mmax =  P
L 3
2P
= kN-m
3 a = 1m b=2 m
2P
=  10 N-mm 6 L=3 m
3 Fig. 10
Equating it to moment carrying capacity, we get
2P
 106 = 10 × 648000
3
 P = 9.72 kN-m.
Example 2. A circular steel pipe of external diameter 60 mm and thickness 8 mm is used as a
simply supported beam over an effective span of 2 m. If permissible stress in steel is 150 N/mm2,
determine the maximum concentrated load that can be carried by it at mid span.
Solution:
External diameter D = 60 mm
Thickness = 8 mm

8 mm

P=?
60 m
mmm

2m

(a) (b)

Fig. 11
 Internal diameter = 60 – 2 × 8 = 44 mm.
I =  (604 – 444) = 452188 mm4
64
 ymax = 30 mm.
I 452188 = 15073 mm3.
 Z = 
ymax 30

Moment carrying capacity

M = fper Z = 150 × 15073 N-mm.
Let maximum load it can carry be P kN.
PL
Then maximum moment =
4

P2
= kN-m
4
= 0.5 P ×106 N-mm.
Equating maximum bending moment to moment carrying capacity, we get
0.5P × 106 = 150 × 15073
 P = 4.52 kN.

Example 3: Figure 12 (a) shows the cross-section of a cantilever beam of 2.5 m span. Material used
is steel for which maximum permissible stress is 150 N/mm2. What is the maximum uniformly
distributed load this beam can carry?
Solution: Since it is a symmetric section, centroid is at mid depth.
I = MI of 3 rectangles about centroid

180 mm 10 mm

400 mm
10 mm
w/m = ?

2m

10 mm
(a) (b)

Fig. 12
1
=  180  103 + 180 × 10 (200 – 5)2
12
1
+  10  (400  20)3 + 10 × (400 – 20) × 02
12
1
+ × 180 × 103 + 180 × 10 (200 – 5)2
12
= 182.6467 × 106 mm4
[Note: Moment of above section may be calculated as difference between MI of rectangle of size 180 × 400
and 170 × 380. i.e.,
1 1
I = × 180 × 4003 –  170  3803
12 12
ymax = 200 mm.
I 182.6467  106
 Z=  = 913233 mm3.
ymax 200
  Moment carrying capacity
= fper × Z
= 180 × 913233
= 136985000 N-mm.
If udl is w kN/m, maximum moment in cantilever
= wL = 2w kN-mm
= 2w × 106 N-mm
Equating maximum moment to movement carrying capacity of the section, we get
2w × 106 = 136985000
 w = 68.49 kN/m

Example 4. Compare the moment carrying capacity of the section given in example 10.3 with
equivalent section of the same area but
(i) square section
(ii) rectangular section with depth twice the width and
(iii) a circular section.
Solution:
Area of the section = 180 × 10 + 380 × 10 + 180 × 10
= 7400 mm2
(i) Square section
If ‘a’ is the size of the equivalent square section,
a2 = 7400  a = 86.023 mm.
Moment of inertia of this section
1
= × 86.023 × 86.0233
12
= 4563333 mm4
I 4563333 = 106095.6 mm3
Z= 
ymax 86.023/2
Moment carrying capacity = fZ = 150 × 106095.6
= 15.914 × 106 N-mm
Moment carrying capacity of I section 136985000
 =
Moment carrying capacity of equivalent square section 15.914  106
= 8.607.
(ii) Equivalent rectangular section of depth twice the width.
Let b be the width
 Depth d = 2b.
Equating its area to area of I-section, we get
b × 2b = 7400
b = 60.8276 mm
ymax = d/2 = b = 60.8276
I  150 
1 b  (2b)3
M=f 
ymax 12 b
8 8
= 150 × b3 = 150 × × 60.82763
12 12
= 22506193 N-mm.
Moment carrying capacity of I section 136985000
  = 6.086.
Moment carrying capacity of this section 22506193
 (iii) Equivalent circular section.
Let diameter be d.
d 2
Then, = 7400
4
d = 97.067
I =

d4 
64 

ymax = d/2
I 
 Z=   d 3.
ymax 32

M = fper Z = 150 ×  × 97.0673 = 13468024
32
Moment carrying capacity of I section 136985000 = 10.17.
 
Moment carrying capacity of circular section 13468024

[Note. I section of same area resists more bending moment compared to an equivalent square, rectangular or
circular section. Reason is obvious because in I-section most of the area of material is in heavily stressed zone.]
Example 15. A symmetric I-section of size 180 mm × 40 mm, 8 mm thick is strengthened with 240
mm × 10 mm rectangular plate on top flange as shown is Fig. 13. If permissible stress in the
material is 150 N/mm2, determine how much concentrated load the beam of this section can carry
at centre of 4 m span. Given ends of beam are simply supported.
Solution: Area of section A
= 240 × 10 + 180 × 8 + 384 × 8 + 180 × 8 = 8352 mm2

240 mm
10 mm

8 mm thick

400 mm

180 mm

Fig. 13

Let centroid of the section be at a distance y from the bottom most fibre. Then
A y = 240 × 10 × 405 + 180 × 8 × (400 – 4) + 384 × 8 × 200 + 180 × 8 × 4

i.e., 8352 y = 2162400

 y = 258.9 mm

I = × 240 × 103 + 240 × 10 (405 – 258.9)2
12

+ × 180 × 83 + 180 × 8 (396 – 258.9)2
12
1
+ × 8 × 3843 + 8 × 384 (200 – 258.9)2
12
1
+  180  83 + 180 × 8 (4 – 258.9)2
12
 = 220.994 × 106 mm4
 ytop = 405 – 258.9 = 146.1 mm
ybottom = 258.9 mm.
 ymax = 258.9 mm
I 220.994  106
 Z=  = 853588.3
ymax 258.9

 Moment carrying capacity of the section

= fper Z = 150 × 853588.3
= 128038238.7 N-mm
= 128.038 kN-m.
Let P kN be the central concentrated load the simply supported beam can carry. Then max
bending movement in the beam
P4
== P kN-m
4
Equating maximum moment to moment carrying capacity, we get
P = 128.038 kN.

Example 6. The cross-section of a cast iron beam is as shown in Fig. 14(a). The top flange is in
compression and bottom flange is in tension. Permissible stress in tension is 30 N/mm2 and its value
in compression is 90 N/mm2. What is the maximum uniformly distributed load the beam can carry
over a simply supported span of 5 m?
Solution:
Cross-section area A = 75 × 50 + 25 × 100 + 150 × 50
= 13750 mm2
Let neutral axis lie at a distance y from bottom most fibre. Then
Ay = 75 × 50 × 175 + 25 × 100 × 100 + 150 × 50 × 25
13750 × y = 1093750
 y = 79.54 mm

75 mm fc

50 mm

25
100 mm

–
y
50 mm

ft
150 mm

(a) (b)
Fig. 14
 1
 I = × 75 × 503 + 75 × 50 (175 – 79.54)2
12
1
+ × 25 × 1003 + 25 × 100 (100 – 79.54)2
12
1
+ × 150 × 503 + 150 × 50 (25 – 79.54)2
12
= 61.955493 × 106 mm4.
Extreme fibre distances are
y bottom = y = 79.54 mm.
ytop = 200 – y = 200 – 79.54 = 120.46 mm.
Top fibres are in compression. Hence from consideration of compression strength, moment
carrying capacity of the beam is given by
I
M1 = fper in compression ×
ytop
61.955493  106
= 90 ×
120.46
= 46.289178 × 106 N-mm
= 46.289178 kN-m.
Bottom fibres are in tension. Hence from consideration of tension, moment carrying capacity of
the section is given by
I
M2 = fper in tension ×
ybottom

30  61.955493  106
=
79.54
= 21.367674 × 106 N-mm
= 21.367674 kN-m.
Actual moment carrying capacity is the lower value of the above two values. Hence moment
carrying capacity of the section is
= 21.367674 kN-m.
Maximum moment in a simply supported beam subjected to udl of w/unit length and span L is
wL2
=
8
Equating maximum moment to moment carrying capacity of the section, we get maximum load
carrying capacity of the beam as
2
w × 5 = 21.367674
8
 w = 6.838 kN/m.
 SHEAR STRESS DISTRIBUTION

Expression for Shear Stress

Consider an elemental length ‘x’ of beam shown in Fig. 15 (a). Let bending moment at section A-A be
M and that at section B-B be M + M. Let CD be an elemental fibre at distance y from neutral axis and
its thickness be y. Then,
Bending stress on left side of elemental fibre
M
= y
I

M M + M
A B b

C D y yt y
y y

A B
x x
(a) (b)

C D

M yb dy q M + M yb dy
I I

C D
(c)

Fig. 15

 The force on left side of element

M
= y b y
I
Similarly, force on right side on elemental fibre
M  M y bdy
=
I
 Unbalanced horizontal force on right side of elemental fibre
M  M y by – M y by
=
I I
M
= yb y
I
There are a number of such elemental fibres above CD. Hence unbalanced horizontal force on
section CD
 J
yt dM
= y b y
y I

=
dM
I
J y
y
yt
b dy =
M yt
I y yb dy J
Let intensity of shearing stress on element CD be q. [Refer Fig. 15 (c)]. Then equating
resisting shearing force to unbalanced horizontal force, we get

q b x =
M
I Jy
yt
yb dy


M
q = x
dM
1
bI
1
J yt
y yb dy

As x  0, q = (a y )
dx bI

where a y = Moment of area above the section under consideration about neutral axis.
dM
But we know = F
dx
F
 q = (a y ) ...(11)
bI
The above expression gives shear stress at any fibre y distance above neutral axis.

Variation of Shear Stresses Across Standard Sections

Variation of shear stresses across the following three cases are discussed below:
(i) Rectangular
(ii) Circular and
(iii) Isosceles triangle.
(i) Rectangular section. Consider the rectangular section of width ‘b’ and depth shown in Fig.
10.18(a). Let A-A be the fibre at a distance y from neutral axis. Let the shear force on the
section be F.

Parabolic
A variation
d/2 A
y

qmax = 1.5 qav

d/2

b
(a) (b)

Fig. 16

From equation (11), shear stress at this section is

F
q = (a y )
bI
where (a y ) is the moment of area above the section about the neutral axis. Now,
a = b(d/2 – y)
 1 1
y= y + (d/2 – y) = (d/2 + y)
2 2
b 1
 ay = (d/2 – y) × (d/2 + y)
2 2
b 2
=(d /4 – y2)
2
1
I= bd3
12
F b
 q = (d2/4 – y2)
1
b bd 2
3

12

6F
= (d2/4 – y2)
3
bd
This shows shear stress varies parabolically.
When y =  d/2, q =0

6F d F
At y = 0, qmax = = 1.5
bd 3 4 bd
= 1.5 qav
F
where qav = is average shear stress.
bd
Thus in rectangular section maximum shear stress is at neutral axis and it is 1.5 times average
shear stress. It varies parabolically from zero at extreme fibres to 1.5 qav at mid depth as shown in
Fig. 16(b).

(ii) Circular section. Consider a circular section of diameter ‘d’ as shown in Fig. 17(a) on
which a shear force F is acting. Let A-A be the section at distance ‘y’ from neutral axis at
which shear stress is to be found. To find moment of area of the portion above A-A about
neutral axis, let us consider an element at distance ‘z’ from neutral axis. Let its thickness be
dz. Let it be at an angular distance  and A-A be at angular distance  as shown in figure.

b/2 b/2

dz Parabolic
variation
d/2
A A
Z  y


qmax = 4/3 qav

Neutral
ax is d/2

d
(a) (b)

Fig. 17
 d
Width of element b = 2. cos 
2
= d cos 
 d
z = sin 
 2
d

 dz = cos  d
2
 Area of the element


d 

a = bdz = d cos  . cos  d

2
d2
cos  d
2
=
2
Moment of this area about neutral axis
= area × z

d2 

d
= cos  d
2 sin 
2 2
d3 2
= cos  sin  d
4
 Moment of area about section A-A about neutral axis

(a y ) = cos2  sin  d

J
/ 2

d3
d42
r cos 3  y
/ 2

4
= 3 jL
 j
[Since if cos  = t, dt = – sin  d and – t3/3 is integration]

(a ) =
d3 rj cos 2 
 cos3  jy
 y
43 L 2
d
= cos3 
12
d 4
Now I=
64
F
 q = (a y )
bI

F d 3 cos3 
= 
 4



d cos  d 12
64
F cos2 
= 64
12 d 2
16 F

= [1 – sin2 ]
3 d 2
16 F r J y y
2

1j j
3 d j
L d /2J j
= 2

16 F r 4y y 2

= j1  j
3 d L  d
2
2
 Hence shear stress varies parabolically.
At y =  d/2, q = 0
16 F
y = 0, q = qmax =
3 d 2
4 F
=
3 / 4 d 2
4 F
=
3 Area
4
= qav.
3
where qav = average shear stress.
Thus in circular sections also shear stress varies parabolically from zero at extreme edges to the
4
maximum value of qav at mid depth as shown in Fig. 17(b).
3

(iii) Isosceles triangular section. Consider the isosceles triangular section of width ‘b’ and
2h
height ‘h’ as shown in Fig. 18(a). Its centroid and hence neutral axis is at from top
3
fibre. Now shear stress is to be found at section A-A which is at a depth ‘y’ from top fibre.

b

y 2y/3 h/2
2h/3 2h/3
g
h
qmax = 1.5qav

G
qcentroid = 4/3qav
h/3

b
(a) (b)

Fig. 18

y
At A-A width b= b
h
1
Area above A-A a = by
2
1 b 2
y =
2 h
2y
Its centroid from top fibre is at .
3
2h 2y
 Distance of shaded area above the section A-A from neutral axis y =  .
3 3
 ay =
1 b
y2 J 2h  2 y
2 h 3 3 J
= 1 b y2 (h – y)
3h
Moment of inertia of the section
bh3
I = .
36
  Shear stress at A-A
F
q = ay
bI
F 1 b y2 (h – y)
= 3 
y  bh 3h
b 36
h
12 F y(h – y)
=
bh 3
Hence at y = 0, q = 0
At y = h, q = 0
2h
At centroid, y =
3
12 F 2h
q = (h – 2h/3)
bh3 3
8 F 4 F
= =
3 bh 3 1/ 2 bh
4
= q av
3
where qav is average shear stress.
dq
For qmax , =0
dy

12 F
i.e., (h – 2y) = 0
bh3
i.e., at y = h/2
and hence q 12 F h (h – h/2)
max = .
bh3 2
12 F 3F
= 
4 bh bh
1.5 F
=
1/ 2 bh
= 1.5 qav.
Thus in isosceles triangular section shear stress is zero at extreme fibres, it is maximum of 1.5
4
qav at mid depth and has a value qav at neutral axis. The variation of shear stress is as shown in
3
Fig. 18(b).
SHEAR STRESSES IN BUILT-UP SECTIONS

In sections like I, T and channel, shear stresses at various salient points are calculated and the shear
stress variation diagram across depth is plotted. It may be noted that at extreme fibres shear stress
is zero since (a y ) term works out to be zero. However it may be noted that the procedure explained
below is for built up section with at least one symmetric axis. If there is no symmetric axis along
the depth analysis for shear stress is complex, and that is treated beyond the scope to this book.

Example 7. Draw the shear stress variation diagram for the I-section shown in Fig. 10.21(a) if it
is subjected to a shear force of 100 kN.

180 mm
19.217
10 mm 1.068

400 mm 29.10
10 mm

10 mm

80 mm
(a) (b)

Fig. 19

Solution: Due to symmetry neutral axis is at mid depth.

1
I = × 180 × 103 + 180 × 10 × (200 – 5)2
12
1
+ × 10 × 3802 + 10 × 380 × (200 –200)2
12
1
+ × 180 × 103 + 180 × 10 × (200 – 5)2
12
= 182.646666 × 106 mm4
Shear stress at y = 200 mm is zero since a y = 0.
Shear stress at bottom of top flange
F
= (a y )
bI
100  1000
=  (180  10  195)
180  182.646666  106
= 1.068 N/mm2
Shear stress in the web at the junction with flange

100  1000
= (180 × 10 × 195)
10  182.646666  106
= 19.217 N/mm2
 rj yj
Shear stress at N-A
100  1000 190
=  180  10  195  10  (200  10) 
10  182.646666 L 2

= 29.10 N/mm2.
Symmetric values will be there on lower side. Hence shear stress variation is as shown
in Fig. 19(b).

Example 8. A beam has cross-section as shown in Fig. 20(a). If the shear force acting on this
is 25 kN, draw the shear stress distribution diagram across the depth.
120 mm
2
2.9 N/mm
2
29 N/mm
12 mm
2
31.17 N/mm
120 mm

12 mm

(a) (b)

Fig. 20

Solution: Let y be the distance of centroid of the section from its top fibre. Then
Moment of area about top fibre
yt =
Total area

1 20  12  6 + (120  12)  12  12  J 120  12

=
120  12  (120  12)  12
J2
= 34.42 mm

 Moment of inertia about centroid

1
I = × 120 × 123 + 120 × 12 (34.42 – 6)2
12
1 3 J 108 2

+ × 12 × 108
12
4
+ 12 × 108 34.42 
2 J
= 2936930 mm
Shear stresses are zero at extreme fibres.
Shear stress at bottom of flange:
Area above this level, a = 120 × 12 = 1440 mm2
Centroid of this area above N-A
y = 34.42 – 6 = 28.42 mm

Width at this level b = 120 mm.

25  1000
 qbottom of flange = × 1440 × 28.42
120  2936930
= 2.90 N/mm2
Shear stress at the same level but in web, where width b = 12 mm
 25  1000
= × 1440 × 28.42
12  2936930
= 29.0 N/mm2
Shear stress at neutral axis:
For this we can consider a y term above this section or below this section. It is convenient to
consider the term below this level.
a = 12 × (120 – 34.42) = 1026.96 mm2
The distance of its centroid from N-A
120  34.42
= = 42.79 mm.
2
Width at this section b = 12 mm.

25  1000
 q = × 1026.96 × 42.79
12  2936930
= 31.17 N/mm2
Hence variation of shear stress across the depth is as shown in Fig. 10.22(b).

Example 9. The unsymmetric I-section shown in Fig. 21(a) is the cross-section of a beam, which
is subjected to a shear force of 60 kN. Draw the shear stress variation diagram across the depth.

100 mm 2
2.61 N/mm 2
20 13.03 N/mm

20 mm
yt

2
160 18.37 N/mm

200 mm

2
20 2 15.24 N/mm
2.04 N/mm
150 mm

(a) (b)
Fig. 21

100  20  10  (200  20  20)  20  J20 

Solution: Distance of neutral axis (centroid) of the section from top fibre be yt. Then
60

2 J
 150  20  (200  10)
yt =
100  20  160  20  150  20
= 111 mm
I = 1 × 100 × 203 + 100 × 20 (111 – 10)2
12
+ 1 × 20 × 1603 + 160 × 20 (111 – 100)2
12
+ 1 × 150 × 203 + 150 × 20 (111 – 190)2
12
 = 46505533 mm4
Shear stress at bottom of top flange
F
= ay
bI
60  1000
= × 100 × 20 × (111 – 10)
100  46505533

= 2.61 N/mm2
 Shear stress at the same level, but in web
60  1000
= × 100 × 20 (111 – 10)
20  46505533
= 13.03 N/mm2
Shear stress at neutral axis:
a y = a y of top flange + a y of web above N-A
111  20
= 100 × 20 × (111 – 10) + 20 × (111 – 20) ×
2
= 284810 mm3.
 Shear stress at neutral axis
F (a )
= y
bI
60  1000 × 284810
=
20  46505533
= 18.37 N/mm2.
Shear stress at junction of web and lower flange:
Considering the lower side of the section for finding a y , we get
a y = 150 × 20 × (190 – 111) = 237000 mm3
60  1000
 q = × 237000
20  46505533
= 15.28 N/mm2
At the above level but in web, shear stress
60  1000
= × 237000
150  46505533

= 2.04 N/mm2
At extreme fibres shear stress is zero. Hence variation of shear across the depth of the section
is as shown in Fig. 21.
 IMPORTANT FORMULAE

M
1. Bending equation:  f  E .
I y R
I
2. Modulus of section Z= .
ymax
3. Moment carrying capacity of section = fper Z.
4. Section modulus of various sections:
1 1 BD3  bd 3
(i) Rectangular: bd2 (ii) Hollow rectangular:
6 6 D
 3  D4  d 4
(iii) Solid circular section: d (iv) Hollow circular section:
32 32 D
bh2
(v) Solid triangular section:
24
F
5. Shear stress in a beam q = (ay )
bI
6. In rectangular sections,
qmax = 1.5 qav, at y = d/2
4
In circular sections qmax = qav , at centre
3
h
In triangular section, q max = 1.5 q av, at y = .
2
 Tutorial Question
1. Derive the equation of bending moment and write down the assumptions for theory of simple
bending.
2. A simply supported beam carries a U.D.L. of intensity 2.5 kN/metre over entire
span of 5 meters. The cross-section of the beam is a T-section having the dimensions
Top ange: 125 mm cm X 25 mm
Web: 175 mm cm X25 mm
Calculate the maximum shear stress for the section of the beam.
3. A cantilever beam of length 10 m has a cross section of 100 mm X 130 mm has a UDL of 10
KN/m over a length of 8 m from the left support and a concentrated load of 10 KN at the right
end. Find the bending stress in the beam
4. A beam of T - section is having flange 120mm × 15mm and web 100mm × 15mm. It is
subjected to a shear force of 24kN. Draw shear stress distribution across the depth marking
values at salient points.
5. An I section is having overall depth as 550mm and overall width as 200mm. The thickness of
the flanges is 25mm where as the thickness of the web is 20mm. If the section carries a shear
force of 45kN, calculate the shear stress values at salient points and draw the sketch showing
variation of shear stress.

` DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 Assignment Questions

1. An I section beam 350 x 150 mm as shown in Fig. has a web thickness of 10 mm and a
flange thickness of 20 mm. If the shear force acting on the section is 40kN, find the
maximum shear stress developed in the I section

2. A rectangular beam 300 mm deep is simply supported over a span of 4m. Determine the

uniformly distributed load per meter which the beam may carry, if the bending stress should
not exceed 120 N/mm2. Take I = 8x106 mm4.
3. An I-section beam 350mmX200mm has a web thickness of 12.5mm and a flange thickness
of 25mm. It carries a shearing force of 200kN at a section. Sketch the shear stress
distribution across the section.
4. A rolled steel joist 200mmx160mm wide has flange 22mm thick and web 12mm thick.
Find the proportion, in which the flanges and web resist shear force.
5. A simply supported beam of 2m span carries a U.D.L. of 140 kN/m over the whole span.
The cross section of the beam is T-section with a flange width of 120mm, web and flange
thickness of 20mm and overall depth of 160mm. Determine the maximum shear stress in
the beam and draw the shear stress distribution for the section.
6. A simply supported symmetric I-section has flanges of size 200 mmX 15 mm and its overall
depth is 520 mm. Thickness of web is 10mm. It is strengthened with a plate of size 250 mm
X 12mm on compression side. Find the moment of resistance of the section if permissible
stress is 160 M Pa. How much uniformly distributed load it can carry if it is used as a
cantilever of span 3.6m.

` DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING