International Journal of Mechanical

Engineering (IJME)
ISSN(P): 2319-2240; ISSN(E): 2319-2259
Vol. 3, Issue 6, Nov 2014, 37-44
© IASET

THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF SEMI CIRCULAR CURVED BEAM SUBJECTED TO

OUT-OF-PLANE LOAD

D S RAMAKRISHNA1 & RAKSHITH N2

1
Professor and HOD, Department of Mechanical Engineering, J N N College of Engineering, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, A T M E College of Engineering, Mysore, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT

Curved beams are used as machine or structural members in many applications. They can be classified into two
categories based on application of load. Curved beams subjected to In-Plane loads are more familiar and are used for crane
hooks, C-clamps etc. The other categories of curved beams are the ones that are subjected to out-of-plane loads. They find
applications in automobile universal joints, raider arms and many civil structures etc. The formulations with respect to
curved beams of second category are not found in literature. The results of this research on semicircular curved beam
subjected to out-of-plane loads have revealed some interesting results. For semicircular curved beams subjected to
out-of-plane loads, it is shown that every section is subjected to a combination of transverse shear force, bending moment
and twisting moment. Maximum principal stress occurs at a section 120 degrees from the section containing the loading
line. Moreover it is observed that fixed end of this curved beam is subjected to a state of pure shear.

KEYWORDS: Combined Torsion and Bending Stress, Curved Beams, Out-of-Plane Load, Stress Distribution

INTRODUCTION

Curved beams are the parts of machine members found in C clamps, crane hooks, frames of presses, punching
machines, planers automobile components etc. In straight beams the neutral axis of the section coincides with its centroidal
axis and the stress distribution in the beam is linear. But in the case of curved beams the neutral axis of is shifted towards
the centre of curvature of the beam causing a non linear distribution of stress. Fonseca et al. [1] studied curved pipes
subjected to in-plane loads, Stefano Lenci et al.[2] a 3-d mechanical model of curved beam is analysed by them, Saffari et
al.[4] sudies by using circular arc element based on trignometric functions foe in-plane loads, Clive et al.[5] investigated
end loaded shallow curved beams of in-plane load type, Öz et al.[6] analysed in plane vibrations of curved beam having
open crack, Aimin Yu et al.[7] made a work on naturally twisted curved beams of thin walled sections that of in plane
loads.

From the formulations available for curved beams subjected to in-plane loads it is clear that at any section there
will be a direct normal or shear stress along with bending stress. We have the formulations to determine stresses for this
case.

Stress analysis of curved beams subjected to out-of-plane loads also is important as such beams are used in many
machine and structural applications. An explicit formulation for curved beam subjected to out-of-plane load is not found in
literature. This paper attempts to determine the stresses induced in such a curved beam.

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38 D S Ramakrishna & Rakshith N

Figure 1: Curved Beam with In-Plane Load

Some of the assumptions made to derive expression of principle stress for curved beam subjected to Out-Of-Plane
load case are as follows,

• The radius of curvature is assumed much larger than the section radius.

• The material is assumed to be linearly elastic.

• The beam is assumed to be geometrically planar, i.e., the un-deformed axis of the beam is assumed to be a circle
lying in the plane of the beam.

• The cross section is assumed to be constant and with the same orientation with respect to the plane of the beam, so
that there is no initial torsion.

Figure 2: Curved Beam with Out-of-Plane Load

FORMULATION FOR OUT-OF-PLANE LOAD CONDITION

Consider a semi circular curved beam of circular cross section lying in the plane of paper as shown in figure 3(a).
The beam is fixed at one end ‘A’ and an out-of-plane load ‘F’ is applied at the other end ‘B’.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.2766 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Theoretical Analysis of Semi Circular Curved Beam Subjected To out-of-Plane Load 39

F = Applied load in N

Ro = Outer radius of beam in mm.

Rm = Mean radius of beam in mm.

Ri =Inner radius of beam in mm.

α = angle made by the section X-X w.r.t loading line.

d = diameter at any section X-X .

Figure 3(a): Detailed View of Semi Circular Beam

Figure 3(b): Cross Section of Beam at X-X with Extreme Points Indicated
Figure 3(c): Loads and Moments Acting on Cross Section X-X
Let X-X be a plane passing through the centre of curvature and perpendicular to cross section of the beam. Let the
angle made by this plane X-X wit respect to the free end be α as shown in fig 3(b). The effect of Out-Of-Plane load F at the
section is to cause i). Transverse shear due to direct force F. ii) A bending moment MXX and iii) A twisting moment TXX as
shown in fig 3(c). The magnitudes of the stresses due to these loads can be determined as follows:

Let N be the point of intersection of plane X-X and centroidal axis of curve beam. From the point B at the free
end where the Out-Of-Plane load is acting, draw a line perpendicular to the line ON as shown in figure 3. Let BM= l1 and

MN= l2 . Then the bending moment MXX at section X-X is given by

M XX = F × l1 (1)

And twisting moment TXX at section X-X is

TXX = F × l2 (2)

The transverse shear force F and moments are shown in figure 3(c). From the geometry lengths l1 and l2 can be

determined.

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40 D S Ramakrishna & Rakshith N

From the right angle triangle OMB

MB l
s in α = = 1
OB Rm
And

OM OM
cosα = =
OB Rm
Therefore,

l1 = Rm sin α

And l2 = MN = ON − OM = Rm − Rm cos α

i.e. l2 = Rm (1 − cos α )

Substuting for l1 and l2 in equation (1) and (2)

M XX = FRM sin α (3)

TXX = FRm (1 − cos α ) (4)

For any section X-X the extreme points R and S are critical. As at these points the transverse shear stress is zero
and bending stress is maximum. And the expression for transverse

3 F  y 
2

shear is given by τ= 1 −
    (5)
2 A   r  

τ = 0 for y= r, i.e. At point R and S.

Bending stress at R due to MXX is

M XX 32 FRm sin α
(σ b ) XX = = (6)
Z πd3
Shear stress due to twisting moment TXX on the outer radius of the cross section

TXX 16 FRm (1 − cos α )

(τ t ) XX = = (7)
Zp πd3

Principal stresses at R are given by,

16 FR 
m  
σ 1,2 =  sin α ± ( sin α ) + (1 − cos α )
2 2
3  
 πd  (8)
 α
σ 1,2 = K  sin α ± 2 sin 
 2

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.2766 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Theoretical Analysis of Semi Circular Curved Beam Subjected To out-of-Plane Load 41

16 FRm 
Where, K = 3 
 πd 

LOCATIONS OF MAXIMUM STRESSES

Maximum Bending Stress
The condition for maximum bending stress is ,

∂σ
=0
∂α

Substuting for ‘σ’ from equation (6) we get

32 FRm cos α
=0
πd3

As F, Rm, d are non zero for a non trivial solution, above equation is satisfied when

cos α = 0

i.e.

π
α= radians or α = 900
2
Therefore the bending stress is maximum at the cross section making an angle α=900 with respect to loading line.

The variation of bending stress with respect to α is shown in figure 4.

Maximum Shear Stress

The condition for maximum shear stress is ,

∂τ
=0
∂α

Substuting for ‘τ’ from equation (8) we get

16 FRm sin α
=0
π d3

For a non trivial solution, above equation is satisfied when

sin α = 0

i.e.

α = π radians or α = 180 0
Therefore the torsional shear stress is maximum at the cross section making an angle α=1800.

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42 D S Ramakrishna & Rakshith N

The variation of torsional shear stress with respect to α is shown in figure 4.

Maximum Principal Stress

The condition for maximum principal stress

∂σ 1
=0
∂α

Substuting for ‘σ1’ from equation (7) we get

α
0 = K (cos α + cos )
2

16 FRm 
K = 3 
≠0
 πd 

For a non trivial solution, above equation is satisfied when

α
(cos α + cos )=0
2

α
cos α = − cos
2

α
cos α = cos(180 − )
2

α
α = (180 − )
2

α = 120
From this we see that the principal stress is maximum at the section making angle of 120 degree. The variation of
maximum principal stress with respect to α is shown in figure 4.

Figure 4: Plots According to Table 1

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.2766 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Theoretical Analysis of Semi Circular Curved Beam Subjected To out-of-Plane Load 43

Table 1: Theoretical Values of Principle Stresses R =125mm, d =20mm, F = 500 N

mean

Σb(Bending Stress) Τt (Torsional Stress)

Α(Deg) Σ1(Mpa) Σ2 (Mpa)
N/Mm2 N/Mm2
10 13.82549 0.60448 13.84486 -0.02639
20 27.2309 2.399552 27.42701 -0.20993
30 39.80892 5.330675 40.4905 -0.7018
40 51.17736 9.308787 52.79276 -1.64139
50 60.9908 14.21302 64.11077 -3.15095
60 68.95107 19.89435 74.24672 -5.33068
70 74.81629 26.18016 83.03287 -8.25457
80 78.40826 32.87946 90.33559 -11.9671
90 79.61783 39.7887 96.05842 -16.481
100 78.40826 46.69794 100.144 -21.7756
110 74.81629 53.39724 102.5751 -27.7968
120 68.95107 59.68305 103.3741 -34.458
130 60.9908 65.36438 102.6015 -41.6417
140 51.17736 70.26861 100.354 -49.2026
150 39.80892 74.24672 96.76022 -56.9715
160 27.2309 77.17785 91.97698 -64.7599
170 13.82549 78.97292 86.18382 -72.3653
180 9.75E-15 79.5774 79.5774 -79.5774

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Results of above analysis are tabulated in Table 1 and plotted in figure 4. At any cross section making an angle ‘α’
the applied force ‘F’ induces transverse shear stress, torsional shear stress and bending stress. Magnitudes of these stresses
will be varying over the cross section.

For extreme points R and S on the cross section of a diametral line perpendicular to plane of curved beam
(the diametral line containing RS is also parallel to the loading line), the transverse shear stress is zero, bending and
torsional shear stress are maximum. At the extreme points P, Q on the diametral line in the plane of curved beam the
magnitude of resultant stress is much smaller and bending stress component is zero at these points. Therefore points R and
S are the critical points and it is sufficient to determine stresses at R for different angles ‘α’ of the curved beam to obtain
the variation of stresses.

Table 1 tabulates the values of bending stress (σb), torsional shear stress (τt), and maximum principal stress (σ1)
and minimum principal stress (σ2) at points R for different values of α varying from 100 to 1800. From the table it is clear
that the magnitude of bending stress increases gradually from the loading point and becomes maximum for the section
which makes an angle α = 900 with loading end and then it decreases gradually and become zero at the fixed end. Torsional
shear stress also increases gradually as α increase and is maximum at the fixed end. The values of principal stresses at the
extreme points R on the cross section for different angles α shown that, the maximum principal stress σ1 is tensile in nature
and minimum principal stress σ2 is compressive. Magnitude of maximum principal stress increases gradually from the
loading and acquires maximum value at α = 1200 and then decreases and becomes equal to maximum torsional shear stress
at the fixed end. The minimum principal stress acquires its minimum value at the fixed end. At the fixed end the magnitude
of maximum principal stress is numerically equal to the minimum principal stress but is of opposite sign. This clearly
indicates that at the fixed end of semi circular beam subjected to out-of-plane load a state of pure shear prevails.

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44 D S Ramakrishna & Rakshith N

The plots of above stresses at the critical point with respect to the angle α as shown in figure 4, substantiate the
above results.

CONCLUSIONS

Stress analysis of a semi circular curved beam (α between 0 to 180 degree) fixed at one end and subjected to an
out-of plane load is presented. It is shown that every section of the beam is subjected to a combination of transverse shear
force, bending moment and a twisting moment. Maximum principal stress neither occurs at fixed end and nor at the
farthest point from loading line. It occurs at a section α= 1200 with respect to free end. Also it is shown that a state of pure
shear prevails at the fixed end. These results have important bearing on type of cross section that can be used for curved
beams subjected to out-of-plane load.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors thank Jawaharlal Nehru National College of engineering Shimoga, Karnataka, India for providing all
support for carrying out this research.

REFERENCES

1. Numerical solution of curved pipes submitted to in-plane loading conditions. - E.M.M. Fonseca, F.J.M.Q. de
Melo ELSEVIER-2009

2. Simple Mechanical Model of Curved Beams by a 3D Approach.-Stefano Lenci and Francesco Clementi-ACSE-
july 2009

3. A Curved Beam Element and Its Application to Traffic Poles.-Thesis by-Cheng Zhang -Department of
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba-1998

4. A Finite Circular Arch Element Based on Trigonometric Shape Functions.-H. Saffari and R. Tabatabaei-2007

5. End-loaded shallow curved beams.-Clive L. Dym, F.-ACSE-2011

6. In-Plane Vibrations of Circular Curved Beams With A Transverse Open Crack-H. R. Öz and M. T.
Das-Mathematical And Computational Applications, Vol. 11, No. 1, Pp. 1-10, 2006

7. Theory And Application of Naturally Curved And Twisted Beams With Closed Thin-Walled Cross
Sections-Aimin Yu - Rongqiang Yang - Ying Hao-Journal Of Mechanical Engineering 55(2009)12, 733-741.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.2766 Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0