NOTES ON BENDING STRESSES IN CURVED BEAMS

Neutral Axis ro co

y C

N
ci
r

M
ri

M
arbitrary fiber

O
M = bending moment about the centroid C r = radius of the centroidal axis r = radius of the neutral axis N y = distance from the neutral axis to an arbitrary fiber. Note that y is positive measured towards the center of curvature O as shown ci = distance to inside surface from neutral axis ( always a positive value of y ) co = distance to outside surface from neutral axis ( always a negative value of y ) = radius to an arbitrary fiber. Note that = r y e = distance from centroid to neutral axis ( always positive ) e + r*r A r+

O
( positive if it tends to straighten the beam as shown )

dA
My Ae( r * y )

and must be evaluated for each Xsection ( see below ). The stress at an arbitrary fiber is given by : s+

The maximum and minimum values of stress are : (i) at the inner surface ( r = ri ) si + Mc i Aer i Mc o Aer o

(ii) at the outer surface ( r = ro )

so +

Note that you must use the above sign conventions when using these equations. If an axial force P is present, we have : Mc i si + P ) A Aer i Mc o so + P ) A Aer o

Again, these equations are correct if the sign conventions are followed and if bending moment M is taken about the centroid of the cross section.

Values of r and r for various sections.

(i) rectangular section of height h and width w r + ri ) h + ro * h 2 2 r+ (ii) solid circular section of diameter D r + ri ) D 2 r+ h lnr or i

4 2r * 4r 2 * D 2

D2

(iii) trapezoidal section of height h, width at inside surface = bi and width at outside surface = bo . b ) 2b o r + ri ) h i 3 bi ) bo r+ A b o * b i ) (b ir o * b or i)h lnr or i

1. The curved member shown in Figure 1 has a solid circular cross section 0.10 m in diameter. If the maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the member are not to exceed 150 MPa and 200 MPa respectively, determine the value of the load P which may be carried safely by the member. ( P = 47190 N ).

2. Repeat problem Number 1 if the member has the trapezoidal section shown the Figure 2. ( P = 125180 N )

3. The curved member shown in Figure 3(a) has a triangular section shown in Figure 3(b). Compute the maximum tensile and compressive stresses at: (a) an infinitesimal distance above section aa ( 13.9 ksi and 8.42 ksi ). (b) at section bb ( 8.40 ksi and 14.8 ksi ).
0.15m P

0.05 m rad

0.05m

0.10 m

0.15 m

P Figure 1

Figure 2

3 rad a Figure 3(a) b a 20 kip b 10 Figure 3(b) 5