Architectonics Courseware


- Home -

Lecture 38:

Beam Stresses
BENDING STRESSES
A formula based on bending in a beam will be derived that can be used to:

It will not be necessary to be able to derive the formula. However, it is essential to work through the derivation at least once in order to understand it and have confidence in how it is applied.

f = M/S or S = M/F
In which,
S is the Section Modulus in in^3. This beam property can either be calculated or read from tables for most beams.

M is the moment in the beam in inch-pounds (or inch-kips). In the selection of a beam it is taken from the moment diagram.

F is the bending stress (psi or ksi) (Fb is usually used to denote the allowable bending stress; fb is used to indicate the actual bending stress).


BENDING THEORY
There are a number of assumptions that were made in order to develop the Elastic Theory of Bending. These are:


The flexure formula is useful in the following ways:
  • M = (Fb/c) I to find the resisting moment of a beam

  • fb = M c /I to find the stress in a beam

  • I / c = Fb to select a beam

  • Sreq = M / Fb to select a beam

  • The last formula is the most useful. The value of I/c, or S, is constant for any given beam and is utilized so often that its value is listed in any table of beam properties.

    Bending Stress in a Beam

    Bending Stresses


    Copyright © 1995 by Chris H. Luebkeman and Donald Peting
    16V95CHL