CVE201 MODULE 4: COMBINED DIRECT AND BENDING STRESSES

A member can be subjected to both bending moment and direct load e.g tall chimney
subjected to a wind pressure, retaining wall resisting earth pressure or a dam resisting water
pressure. Such a member is said to be under two stresses due to bending moment and direct
load.

Load Acting Eccentrically to One Axis

Consider a short-column subjected to a direct load W, the line of section of which is parallel
to the axis of the column and intersect an axis of symmetry (i.e geometrical axis) at a distance
e (known as eccentricity) from the centroid of the section as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

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Assume two equal and opposite loads W each, applied at the centroid C of the section.
Application of two equal and opposite loads at C does not alter the loading pattern of the
column as the two assumed loads cancel out each other.

The combined effect of the given load W at D and the assumed upward load W at C is a
clockwise couple 𝑀 = 𝑊 × 𝑒, leaving an axial load W to cause stresses directly.

Thus an eccentric load W is equivalent to an axial load W and a moment M equal 𝑊 × 𝑒.

Let 𝐴 = Area of the cross section of the column

𝜎𝑑 = 𝐷𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑊 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑦

𝜎𝑏 = 𝐵𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑦 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠 (𝑁. 𝐴)

𝜎 = 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠.

Then

𝑀 × 𝑦 (𝑊 × 𝑒)𝑦
𝜎𝑏 = =
𝐼 𝐼

The bending stress is tensile if y is measured to the left of the N.A (toward the face away
from the load) and is compressive if y is measured to the right of N.A(towards the face nearer
the load). The resultant stress is given by

𝑊 (𝑊 × 𝑒)𝑦
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜎𝑑 + 𝜎𝑏 = + 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜎𝑏 𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒
𝐴 𝐼
𝑊 (𝑊 × 𝑒)𝑦
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜎𝑑 − 𝜎𝑏 = − 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝜎𝑏 𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒
𝐴 𝐼
If 𝜎𝑑 > 𝜎𝑏 , Then the stress through the section will be of the same sign. If, however 𝜎𝑑 < 𝜎𝑏
the stress will change sign, being partly tensile and partly compressive across the section.
Thus, there can be three possible stress distributions as shown in figure 2

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Figure 2

When 𝜎𝑑 = 𝜎𝑏 , 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2𝜎𝑏 and 𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0

Condition for No Tension in the Section

In figure 2(b) above it indicates that 𝜎𝑑 < 𝜎𝑏 , and hence the tress changes sign, being partly
tensile and partly compressive across the section. Since masonry is not capable of taking
tension, we have to ensure that no face of a masonry structure develops tension to avoid
failure due to cracking. This limits the eccentricity e to a certain value which now we shall
investigate for different sections.

For no reverse stress,

𝑀
𝜎𝑑 ≥ 𝜎𝑏 ≥
𝑍

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 𝑊 𝑊×𝑒×𝑑 𝑊×𝑒×𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑦𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
≥ ≥ [ ]
𝐴 2𝐼 2𝐴𝑘 2 𝑦 = 𝑦𝑡 = 𝑦𝑐 = 𝑑⁄2

2𝑘 2
Or 𝑒≤ 𝑑

Where 𝑑 = 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑘 = 𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑔𝑦𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
2𝑘 2
Thus, for no tension in the section, the eccentricity must not exceed 𝑑

Case 1: Rectangular Section

Let a rectangular section LMNP in figure 3 be loaded at a point distant e along XX-axis and
off YY-axis as shown in figure 3.Bending will take place along the YY-axis.

Figure 3

For a rectangular section of width b and depth d

𝑏𝑑 3
𝐼𝑌𝑌 = 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐴 = 𝑏𝑑
12

2 2 𝐼𝑌𝑌 𝑏𝑑 3 𝑑2
But 𝐼𝑌𝑌 = 𝐴𝐾𝑌𝑌 Therefore 𝐾𝑌𝑌 = = =
𝐴 12×𝑏𝑑 12

2𝑘 2
But substituting for 𝑒 ≤ we have
𝑑

2𝑑 2 𝑑
𝑒≤ ≤
𝑑 × 12 6

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Therefore, to see that no reverse stress occurs, the load should not be placed at a distance
𝑑
more than on either side of the centroid on XX-axis.
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𝑑 𝑑 𝑑
Hence the limit eccentricity (e), 𝑒 = 6 + 6 = 3

Thus the stress will be of the same sign throughout the section if the load line is within the
middle third of the section.
𝑏
Similarly, if the load is placed on YY-axis, off the XX-axis, middle third on YY-axis i.e is
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the safe zone. If the four points of middle third distances on XX and YY axis are joined, a
rhombus of diamond shape formed as shown in figure 3(b) which is known as core or kernel
of the section. If the load is placed anywhere inside the rhombus, the reverse will not occur in
any part of the entire rectangular section.

Case 2: Hollow Rectangular Section

Figure 4

Considering figure 4. Moment of inertia about YY-axis

𝐵𝐷3 𝑏𝑑3
𝐼𝑌𝑌 = −
12 12
𝐵𝐷3 −𝑏𝑑 3
𝐼𝑌𝑌 =
12

2
But 𝐼𝑌𝑌 = 𝐴. 𝑘𝑌𝑌

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 2 𝐼𝑌𝑌 (𝐵𝐷3 −𝑏𝑑 3 )
Therefore 𝑘𝑌𝑌 = = [𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴 = (𝐵𝐷 − 𝑏𝑑)]
𝐴 12(𝐵𝐷−𝑏𝑑)

2×2(𝐵𝐷 3 −𝑏𝑑 3 ) 𝐵𝐷3 −𝑏𝑑 3

𝐷𝐵3 −𝑑𝑏3
Similarly, vertical diagonal =
3𝐵(𝐷𝐵−𝑑𝑏)

Case 3: Circular Section

Figure 5

𝜋𝑑 4
Considering figure 5. 𝐼𝑋𝑋 = 𝐼𝑌𝑌 = = 𝐴𝑘 2
64

𝜋𝑑4⁄ 𝑑2 2
From which 𝑘 =2
𝜋𝑑2⁄
64
= 16 [𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑑 ⁄4]
4

2𝑘 2
We have seen that for no tension 𝑒 ≤ 𝑑

2×𝑑2
Therefore 𝑒≤ 𝑜𝑟 𝑒 ≤ 𝑑⁄8 = 𝑑⁄8
𝑑×16

Hence diameter of kernel = 2 × 𝑒 = 2 × 𝑑⁄8 = 𝑑⁄4

Thus, in order that tension is not developed, the load must fall within the middle fourth of the
section.

Case 4: Hollow Circular Section

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Figure 6

Considering figure 6 𝐼𝑋𝑋 = 𝐼𝑌𝑌 = 𝜋⁄64 (𝐷4 − 𝑑 4 ) = 𝐴. 𝑘 2

𝐷2 + 𝑑2
𝑘2 =
16

2𝑘 2
For no tension 𝑒≤ 𝑑

2 𝐷2 + 𝑑2 𝐷2 + 𝑑2
𝑒≤ ( )≤
𝐷 16 8𝐷

𝐷 2 +𝑑2
Therefore, diameter of the kernel,= 2𝑒 = 4𝐷

EXAMPLE 1: A rectangular strut is 20cm wide and 15cm thick. It carries a load of 60kN at
an eccentricity of 2cm in a plane bisecting the thickness. Find the maximum and minimum
intensities of stress in the section.

Using figure A below

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Figure A

Width of cross section, b = 20cm = 0.2m, Width of cross section,d=15cm=0.15m

Eccentricity, e=2cm=0.02m, Load, W=60kN

Maximum and minimum intensities of stresses

Direct stress,

𝑊 60
𝜎𝑑 = =
𝐴 0.2 × 0.15
𝜎𝑑 = 2000𝑘𝑁/𝑚2
𝑀 𝑊×𝑒
Bending stress 𝜎𝑏 = =
𝑍 𝑍

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 𝐼 𝑑𝑏 3⁄ 𝑑𝑏 2
12
But 𝑍 = 𝑦 = 𝑏⁄ =
2 6

0.15 × (0.2)2
𝑍=
6
𝑍 = 0.001𝑚3

𝑀
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝜎𝑏 =
𝑍
𝑊×𝑒
=
𝑍
60 × 0.02
=
0.001
= 1200𝑘𝑁/𝑚2

𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜎𝑑 +𝜎𝑏 = 2000𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 + 1200𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 = 3200𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒)

𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = 𝜎𝑑 −𝜎𝑏 = 2000𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 − 1200𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 = 800𝑘𝑁/𝑚2(Compressive)

EXAMPLE 2: A short column of hollow cylindrical section 25cm outside diameter and
15cm inside diameter carries a vertical load of 400kN along one of the diameter planes 10cm
away from the axis of the column. Find the extreme intensities of stresses and state their
nature.

Considering Figure B below

External diameter, D = 25cm

Internal diameter, d = 15cm

𝜋
= (252 − 152 )
4
= 314.2𝑐𝑚2 𝑜𝑟 314.1 × 10−4 𝑚2

Load W =400kN, Eccentricity, e=10cm=0.1m

Maximum and minimum intensities of stresses

Direct stress,

𝑊 400
𝜎𝑑 = = × 10−3
𝐴 314.2 × 10−4
𝜎𝑑 = 12.73𝑀𝑁/𝑚2

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 𝑀
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝜎𝑏 =
𝑍
𝑊×𝑒
=
𝑍
𝐼 (𝜋⁄64)(254 −154 )
But 𝑍 = = = 1335𝑐𝑚3 = 1335 × 10−6 𝑚3
𝑦 25/2

400 × 0.1 −3
𝜎𝑏 = −6
× 10 𝑀𝑁/𝑚2
1335 × 10
𝜎𝑏 = 29.96 𝑀𝑁/𝑚2

Maximum stress 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜎𝑑 + 𝜎𝑏 = 12.73 + 29.96

𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 42.69 𝑀𝑁/𝑚2 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒)

Minimum stress 𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝜎𝑑 − 𝜎𝑏 = 12.73 − 29.96 = −17.23𝑀𝑁/𝑚2

𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 17.23 𝑀𝑁/𝑚2 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒)

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Figure B

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