UNIT III – BENDING STRESS AND SHEAR

STRESS IN BEAMS

Introduction
Understanding of stresses induced in beams by flexural
loads eventually took years to develop. Galileo worked
on this problem, but the theory we use it for calculations
is credited to Leonard Euler. Beams develop normal
stresses in the lengthwise direction that vary from a
maximum in tension and compression on opposite
surfaces or faces and to zero at the beam’s mid section.
Shear stresses are also induced, although these are often
negligible in comparison with the normal stresses when
the aspect ratio viz., length-to-height ratio of the beam is
large. This theory requires that the user be able to
construct shear and bending moment diagrams for the
beam.

Assumptions in simple bending theory

(1) The beam is initially straight and unstressed.
(2) The material of the beam is perfectly homogeneous
and isotropic, i.e. of the same density and elastic
properties throughout.
(3) The elastic limit is nowhere exceeded.
(4) Young's modulus for the material is the same in
tension and compression.
(5) Plane cross-sections remain plane before and after
bending.
(6) Every cross-section of the beam is symmetrical about
the plane of bending, i.e. about an axis perpendicular to
the N.A.
(7) There is no resultant force perpendicular to any
cross-section.

Simple bending theory

Consider a beam subjected to a constant B.M. along its
length (pure bending - as would be obtained by applying
equal couples at each end), it will bend to a radius R as
shown in Figure 3.1. As a result of this bending the top
fibres of the beam will be subjected to tension and the
bottom to compression. Somewhere between the two
surfaces there is an axis at which the stress is zero, this
axis or surface is termed the neutral axis. The radius of
curvature R is then measured to this axis. For
symmetrical sections the N.A. is the axis of symmetry,
but whatever the section might be, the N.A. will always
pass through the centre of area or centroid.

(a) before, and (b) after the moment M has been applied.
Figure 3.1 Beam subjected to pure bending
Consider two cross-sections of a beam, HE and GF,
originally parallel (Fig. 423). When the beam is bent
(Fig. 4.2b) it is assumed that these sections remain plane;
i.e. HE and GF', the final positions of the sections, are
still straight lines. They will then subtend some angle θ.
Consider now some fibre AB in the material, distance y
from the N.A. When the beam is bent this will stretch to
A’B’.
extension A’B’ − AB

    = =
original length AB
But AB = CD, since the N.A. is unstressed, CD = C‘D’
A’B’ – C′D′ "R + y&θ − Rθ y

 = = =
C′D′ Rθ R
Stress σ

 = =
modulus of elasticity E
Equating the above equations
σ y σ E
= 0 =
E R y R
Or
E
σ= .y
R
Consider now a cross-section of the beam (Fig. 3.2) the
stress on a fibre at distance y from the N.A. is

Fig. 3.2
If the strip is of area 6A the force on the strip is
E
F = σ. dA = . y. dA
R
Thus moment about the N.A. of
E 3
F. y = σ. y. dA =. y . dA
R
The total moment for the whole cross-section is therefore
E
M = ∑F. y = ∑σ. y. dA = . ∑ y 3 . dA
R
since E and R are assumed constant.
The term y2dA is called the second moment of area of
the cross-section and given the symbol I.
E
M = .I
R
 EI
R =
M
From the above eqn. it will be seen that if the beam is of
uniform section, the material of the beam is
homogeneous and the applied moment is constant, the
values of I, E and M remain constant and hence the
radius of curvature of the bent beam will also be
constant.
Thus for pure bending of uniform sections, beams
will deflect into circular arcs and for this reason the
term circular bending is often used.
The radius of curvature is thus directly related to the
value of the quantity El. Since the radius of curvature is
a direct indication of the degree of flexibility of the beam
(the larger the value of R, the smaller the deflection and
the greater the rigidity) the quantity El is often termed
the flexural rigidity or flexural stiffness of the beam. The
relative stiffness of beam sections can then easily be
compared by their El values

Combining eqns. we have the bending theory equation

 M σ E
= =
I y R
It should be observed here that the above proof has
involved the assumption of pure bending without any
shear being present. From the work of the previous
chapter it is clear that in most practical beam loading
cases shear and bending occur together at most points.
Inspection of the S.F. and B.M. diagrams, however,
shows that when the B.M. is a maximum the S.F. is, in
fact, always zero. It will be shown later that bending
produces by far the greatest magnitude of stress in all but
a small minority of special loading cases so that beams
designed on the basis of the maximum B.M. using the
simple bending theory are generally more than adequate
in strength at other points.

Section modulus
The maximum stress obtained in any cross-section is
given by
M y789
= σ 789
I
For any given allowable stress the maximum moment
which can be accepted by a particular shape of cross-
section is therefore
σ 789 . I
= M = Z . σ 789
y789

where Z= I/ymax is termed the section modulus.

The higher the value of Z for a particular cross-section,
higher B.M. it can withstand for a given maximum
stress. In applications such as cast-iron or reinforced
concrete where the properties of the material are vastly
different in tension and compression two values of
maximum allowable stress apply. This is particularly
important in the case of unsymmetrical sections such as
T-sections where the values of ymax wi1l be different
when measured to either sides from the neutral axis and
hence two values of section modulus are often quoted, Z1
= I/y1, and Z2 =I/y2, each being then used with the
appropriate value of allowable stress.

Limitations of the simple bending theory

It has been observed earlier that the theory introduced in
preceding sections is often termed the "simple theory of
bending" and that it relies on a number of assumptions.
It should thus be evident that in practical engineering
situations the theory will have certain limitations
depending on the degree to which these assumptions can
be considered to hold true.
The following give an indication of when some of the
more important assumptions can be taken to be valid and
when alternative theories or procedures should be
applied.

Stress is proportional to the distance from the axis of

zero stress (neutral axis), i.e. σ = Ey/R = ЄE
Correct for homogeneous beams within the elastic
rang
Incorrect (a) for loading conditions outside the elastic
range when σ ≠E,
(b) for composite beams with different
materials or properties when 'equivalent
 sections' must be used
Strain is proportional to the distance from the axis of
zero strain, i.e. Є = y/R.
Correct for initially straight beams or, for
engineering purposes, beams with R/d > 10
(where d = total depth of section).
Incorrect for initially curved beams for which special
theories have been developed or to which
correction factors σ = K (My/l) may be
applied.
Neutral axis passes through the centroid of' the
section
Correct for pure bending with no axial load.
Incorrect for combined bending and axial load
systems such as eccentric loading. In such
cases the loading effects must be separated,
stresses arising from each calculated and
the results superimposed
Plane cross-sections remain plane
Correct (a) for cross-sections at a reasonable
distance from points of local loading or
 stress concentration (usually taken to be at
least one-depth of beam),
(b) when change of cross-section with
length is gradual,
(c) in the absence of end-condition spurious
effects
These conditions are known as ‘St Venant’s
principle
Incorrect (a) for points of local loading;
(b) at positions of stress concentration such
as holes, keyways, fillets and other
changes in geometry
(c) in regions of rapid change of cross-
section. In such cases appropriate stress
concentration factors must be applied or
experimental stress/strain analysis
techniques adopted
The axis of the applied bending moment is coincident
with the neutral axis
Correct when the axis of bending is a principal axis
(Ixx = 0) e.g. on axis of symmetry
Incorrect for so-called unsymmetrical bending cases
when the axis of the applied bending
moment is not a principal axis. In such
cases the moment should be resolved into
components about the principal axes
Lateral contraction or expansion is not prevented
Correct when the beam can be considered narrow
(i.e. width the same order as the depth).
Incorrect for wide beams or plates in which the width
may be many times the depth. Special
procedures apply for such cases.

Numerical
1. I-section girder, 200 mm wide by 300 mm
deep, with flange and web of thickness 20
mm is used as a simply supported beam
over a span of 7 m. The girder carries a
distributed load of 5 kN/m and a
concentrated load of 20 kN at mid-span.
Determine: the maximum stress set-up
Solution:

Data: I =1.86 x 10-4 m4

M y789
σ 789 =
I
y789 = d/2 = 150 mm = 0.15m
Bending Moment, M
W1.L/4 + W2 . L2/8 = 20 x 7/4 + 5x7x7/8 =65.63 kN m
M y789 65.63 x 0.15
σ 789 = = = 51.8CD
I 1.86 x 10AB

2. A uniform T-section beam is 100 mm wide

and 150 mm deep with a flange thickness of
25 mm and a web thickness of 12 mm. If the
limiting bending stresses for the material of
the beam are 80 MPa in compression and
160 MPa in tension, find the maximum
u.d.1. that the beam can carry over a simply
 supported span of 5 m.
Solution:

Data: Neutral axis can be determined by

evaluating the centroid of the section given
y= 109.4 mm
I =7.36 x 10-6 m4
M y789
σ 789 =
I
Now the maximum compressive stress will occur on the
upper surface where y = 40.6 mm, and, using the limiting
compressive stress value
Bending Moment,
M = σ x I/ y = 80 x 106 x 7.36 x 10-6 / (40.6 x 10-3)
M = 14.5 kNm
This suggests a maximum allowable B.M. of 14.5 kN m.
It is now necessary, however, to check the tensile stress
criterion which must apply on the lower surface,
Bending Moment,
M = σ x I/ y = 160 x 106 x 7.36 x 10-6 / (109.4 x 10-3)
M = 10.76 kNm
The greatest moment that can therefore be applied to
retain stresses within both conditions is M = 10.76 kNm.

But for a simply supported beam with u.d.l.,

Maximum Bending moment, M = W x L2/8
Maximum Applied Load,
W = M x 8/ L2 = 10.76 x 103x 8/ 52 = 3.4 kN/m
The u.d.1. must be limited to 3.4 kN m.

3. 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 below. 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:

Data: Area of section A

= 240 × 10 + 180 × 8 + 384 × 8 + 180 × 8 =
8352 mm2
y= 258.9 mm
I =220.994x 106 mm4
Z = I/y = 853588.3
M
σ 789 =
Z
Now the maximum compressive stress will occur on the
upper surface where y = 40.6 mm, and, using the limiting
compressive stress value
Bending Moment,
M = σ x Z = 150 × 853588.3
M = 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
Maximum Bending moment, M = W x L/4
Maximum Applied Load,
W = M x 4/ L = 128.038 x 4/ 4 = 128.038 kN

4 Design a timber beam is to carry a load of 5

kN/m over a simply supported span of
6 m. Permissible stress in timber is 10
N/mm2. Keep depth twice the width.
Solution: w = 5 kN/m, L = 6 m.
Maximum bending moment
M = WxL2/8 = 5 x 36 / 8 = 22.5 kN-m
Let b be the width and d the depth. Then in
this problem d = 2b
Z = b x d x d/6
Z = 4 x b x b x b /6
Z = 2 x b3/3
f = 10 MPa
fZ=M
10 x 2 x b3/3 = 22.5 x 106
 b = 150 mm.
d = 300mm.

Shear Stress Distribution

Consider an elemental length ‘dx’ of beam shown in Fig.
below. Let bending moment at section A-A be M and
that at section B-B be M + dM. Let CD be an elemental
fibre at distance y from neutral axis and its thickness be
dy. Then, Bending stress on left side of elemental fibre
My
σ =
I

M y b δy
The force on left side of element =
I
Similarly, force on right side on elemental fibre
"M + δM& y b δy
=
I
Similarly, force on right side on elemental fibre
"M + δM& y b δy M y b δy
= −
I I
"δM& y b δy
=
I

There are a number of such elemental fibres above CD.

Hence unbalanced horizontal force on section CD

IJ
"δM& y b δy IJ
"δM& y b dy
H = H
I I I I

Let intensity of shearing stress on element CD be q.

Then equating resisting shearing force to unbalanced
horizontal force, we get

IJ
"δM& y b dy
q. b. δx = H
I I
 δM 1 IJ δM 1
q= . H y. b. dy = . . a. y′
δx b . I I δx b . I
where a y’ = Moment of area above the section under
consideration about neutral axis.
But we know
dM
=L
dx
Hence,
F
q= . a. y′
b .I
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.

Rectangular section.
Consider a rectangular section of width ‘b’ & depth ‘d’
Let A-A be the fibre at a distance y from neutral axis.
Let the shear force on the section be F.

We know that, shear stress at this section is

F
q= . a. y′
b .I
Where (a y’) is the moment of area above the section
about the neutral axis. Now,
a = b. (d/2 – y); y’ = y+(d/2 – y)/2 = (d/2 + y)/2
a . y’ = b(d/2 – y) x (d/2 + y)/2 = b/2 x (d2/4 – y2)
I = bd3/12
Thus
F b d3 6F d3
q= . .P − R S =
3
. P − R3S
bM N 2 4 bdN 4
b . 12

This shows shear stress varies parabolically.

When y = ± d/2, q = 0

At y = 0,
6F 1.5F
q TUV = =
4bd bd
F
where, q UX =
4d
q TUV = 1.5 . q UX

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.

Circular section
Consider a circular section of diameter ‘d’ 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 φ and A-A be at angular distance θ as
shown in figure.

Width of element, b = 2. d/2. cosφ = d. cosφ

z = d/2. sinφ
dz = d/2. cosφ. dφ

Area of the element,

a = bdz = d. cosφ. d/2. cosφ. dφ = d2/2. cos2φ
Moment of this area about neutral axis
= area × z
= d2/2. cos2φ . d/2. sinφ = d3/4. cos2φ . sinφ

Moment of area about section A-A about neutral axis

 Y
3 M3
a. y’ = H COS 3 ∅ . sin ∅ . d∅
Z 4
Since if cos φ = t, dt = – sin φ dφ and – t3/3 is integration
MN π MN
a. y’ = ^− COS 3 + COS N `a = bCOS 3 `c
3]4 2 12
dM B
I=
64
L 16L 4y 3
q = a. y’ = f1 − 3 g
.e 3πM 3 M
This shows shear stress varies parabolically.
When y = ± d/2, q = 0
At y = 0,
16L
q =
3πM 3

Isosceles triangular section. Consider the isosceles

triangular section of width ‘b’ and height ‘h’ as shown.
Its centroid and hence neutral axis is at 2/3 h from top
fibre. Now shear stress is to be found at section A-A
which is at a depth ‘y’ from top fibre.
 R
At − width, b′ = b
ℎ
1 j 1b 3
Area above − , a= b .ℎ = .R
2 2ℎ
2y
Its centroid from top fibre is at
3
Distance of shaded area above the section
− from NA
2h 2y
R′ = −
3 3
Thus
1 b 3 2h 2y 1b 3
R j = .R m − n= . R "h − y&
2ℎ 3 3 3ℎ

Moment of inertia, I = bh3/36

Shear stress at A-A
 F 1b 3 12F
q= . . R "h − y& = . R "h − y&
R b. d 3 ℎ
N bhN
b . 36
ℎ
Hence at y = 0, q = 0
At y = h, q = 0
At centroid, y = 2h/3
12F 2ℎ 2h 4
q= . mh − n = q
bhN 3 3 3 UX

Where, qav is average shear stress

For qmax, dq/dy = 0
12F
. R "h − 2y& = 0
bhN
y = h/2
12F ℎ h 3F
q TUV = . mh − n = = 1.5q UX
bhN 2 2 bh
Thus in isosceles triangular section shear stress is zero at
extreme fibres, it is maximum of 1.5qav at mid depth
and has a value 4/3qav at neutral axis.

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.

Draw the shear stress variation diagram for the I-section

shown below if it is subjected to a shear force of 100 kN.
Solution:
Due to symmetry neutral axis is at
mid depth.
I = 182.65 × 106 mm4

Shear stress at y = 200 mm is zero

since a y’ = 0

Shear stress at bottom of top flange

F 100 x1000
q= . a. y j = x180 x10x195
b .I 180 x182.65x10o
q = 1.068MPa

Shear stress in the web at the junction with flange

F 100 x1000
q= . a. y j = x180 x10x195
b .I 10 x182.65x10o
q = 19.217MPa

Shear stress at N-A

100 x1000 190
q= x180 x10x195 + 10x190x
10 x182.65x10o 2
q = 29.10 MPa
Shear stress distribution
across thickness

A beam has cross-section as shown in below. If the shear force

acting on this is 25 kN, draw the shear stress distribution diagram
across the depth.
Let y’ be the distance of centroid of the section from its
top fibre. yt = 34.42 mm
Moment of inertia about centroid
I = 2936930 mm4
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 x1000
q= x1440x28.42 = 2.90MPa
120 x2936930
Shear stress at the same level but in web, where width b
= 12 mm
25 x1000
q= x1440x28.42 = 29.0MPa
12 x2936930

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)/2 =
42.79mm
Width at this section b = 12 mm
25 x1000
q= x1026.96 x 42.79 = 31.17MPa
12 x2936930

The unsymmetric I-section shown below which is subjected to a

shear force of 60 kN. Draw the shear stress variation diagram
across the depth.

Distance of neutral axis (centroid) of the section from

top fibre be yt. Then
yt = 111mm
I = 46505533 mm4
Shear stress at bottom of top flange
 F 60 x1000
q= . a. y j = x100 x20x"111 − 10&
b .I 100 x46505533
= 2.61MPa
Shear stress at the same level, but in web
60 x1000
q= x100 x20x"111 − 10&
20 x46505533
= 13.03CD

Shear stress at neutral axis:

a y’ = a y of top flange + a y of web above N-A
= 100 × 20 × (111 – 10) + 20 × (111 – 20) ×(111 – 20)/2
= 284810 mm3.

Shear stress at neutral axis

60 x1000
q= x284810 = 18.37CD
20 x46505533

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 x1000
q= x237000 = 15.28CD
20 x46505533
At the above level but in web, shear stress
60 x1000
q= x237000 = 2.04CD
150 x46505533
At extreme fibres shear stress is zero