- - Chapter 8 SYMMETRIC BEAM B~;DING

8.1 INTRODUCTION
• Re,·iew to what hm. h~n nthie\'ed:
o ln tht' previous d1apt~r, it w:ls shown thnt n system of intemnl forces consisting of nn c,;i;i,r/
/ "NY', a sht nr/M'M. nnd a bt n1li11.~ nwn1t•111 muy ,irl'rlop in 1>l11n11rfrmHrs nnd hr'11ms.
w, (total uniformity ~ \... ~
varying load) ~ ~
P,
__ ,_s ~
. . ____ 0~
fiw,(total load)

A
(a) X

(b)
o The s tro'Sl'S caused by an n.xialforce were already disc-u.m~,I in Chn11tt'rs I and J .
p
u =A
• Scope of this chapter:
o In this chapter, the stT't!ssts due to bendi11g of members having SJ'mn1t'tric uoss secdons and
subjecJ~ to btmding in the pln11t ofsyn,nwry· are considered.
o Both r'lastic and int'lastic stress distributions caused* by bending are di.'rcussed.
o Stress distribution in cun·ed bars is also included. •
• Scope of the ne~1 chapter (Chapter 09 Unsymmetric (Skew) Beam Bending):
In the ne.,1 chapter, the problem is genttrali:.ed to indude:
o Unsymmetric- bending of nien1bers with syn,mf!tric t:ross sections,
o Bending of melf1bers of arbitrary cross Sr'ction. •
o Consideration is also gfren to problems where bending occurs in the presence of ax.ialforces.
• Pure bending:
o For simplicity, members will genert1II)' be
shown as be_ams in a horizontal positio11.
o When a segment of a beam is in r'quilibrium
undu tl,e aelion of bending moments nlone,
such a condition is referred to as pull
bf!nding, or pure flexure.
o A cantile,~r loaded with a concentrated
mument at the end, or a segm,ml of a beam
bt!.lwe<"n the concentrated forus, as shown,
are examples of pure bending.
pl· +
0 ►:------------_.,;
o Studies in subsequent chapters will sho,v
that usually the bending stresses i11 slender Shear
.___...,I _p
I
I
beams are dominant. Therefore, the formulas I
derfred in this chapter for pure bending are
directly applicable in numerous design
situations.
Moment
Sit I
Mechan ics of Materia ls Chapte r 08: Symme tric Beam Bending

• Stiffness aspects of beams:

14 and
The stiff11ess and defor,nntion (deflection) aspects of the ben,n will be discussed in Chapter
Claapter 15.
• Stability aspects of beams:
o It is important to note that some beams, by virtue p
of their slenderness or lack of lateral support, may
become unstable under nn applied load and may
buckle latera/lv and collapse.
o Such beams do not come within the scope of this
claapter .
o A better appreciation of the instability phenom enon
will result after the study of column buckling in
Chapter 16.

Academ ic Year 2024-2 025 Page 2

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaldee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas
 Bending
Cha pte r 01: Sym me tric Beam
Mechanics of M1terl1l1
ON
8.2 THE BASIC KINEMATIC ASSUMPTI
the mechanics of materials:
• Revisited for tl10 basic approach of the rel"t/01111mong tlte "PPlied bent/fog
ll11g, to estab/Isl,
In the ~·lmpl/fltd tmgineeri11g tl,eory ofbent ber, and the l11ternal .,trettu., and defo
rmation.,, the
crtJ .'i!N 'tclitma l pmp ertle., tJ/ a mem
mmnent, the ires,
problem is axaln employed. This requ
apprnach applied earlier in the torsion c111/y lndetermln11te
Firs t, that a plau sibl e defo rma tion nss,111,ptlon re,luce,f the lntemally stat/
o
tihi/ity);
prt1hle111 to n 1leter111i11nte ,me ( Ct1mpa ropriate
the de.f orn ,atlo ,u cam 1inR stra '
in./ be related to .,tre.tse., through the app
o Second, that
tionships);
'trtss-straln rel11tlons (Constlt11tlve Rela
& a.\· he met
, that the tq11 11ih riun 1 requ lren u:nts of exttr11al and lnltr1111/ for
u Fin ally
(Equ/1/hrium .)
ility):
• key kinematic assumption (Compatib deformation of a beam as used in the simplified theory
o The key kl11ematlc nssumpt/011 for the
is di.,cu.ued in this .,ect/011. es and shells.
form., the basl.'i for the theories of plat
o A gt.n,ralizatlon of this assumption ss section with a
For pres ent pur pos es, con side r a horizontal prismatic beam having a cro
o
a).
vertical axis of symmetry; see Figure ll-J( cross section will be referred to as the axis of a
d of the
o A horizontal /111e through the centroi
beam . lar to the beam
the beam between two planes perpendicu
o Next, con.'iitler a typical element of
axis. In side view, such an element is
identified in the figure as abe d.
bea m is sub ject ed to equ al end mom ents Mz acting around the z axis, Figure
o When such a perpendicular to the
8-1 (b), this beam bends in the plan
e of symmetry, and the planes Initially
a'd' and b'c'
beam axis digl,tly lilt. Nevertheless,
the li11e., such as ad and be becoming
1
remain straight. ntal hypothesls2 of thej1ex11re theory.
Tt may
tion form s the bas is for thef u1'd a,ne
o This ob!1·er11a beam taken normal to Its axis remain
plune after the
be t,·fnletl thus : Plane secdor,s through a
beam is sub ject ed to btmdi11g.

thin vertical rods

II rubber model with a rule
d gratin~ drawn on it. Alternatively ,
1
This can be dcmonst roted by using mom ents, the defo rmation is more
be used . In the imm ediate vicinity of the applied
passing through the rubb er block con o looal phenomenon that rapidly
, acco rd with the Sain t-Ve nant 's principle (&:utiuu 3-3), this is only
~n~plcx . However 111
d1ss1pates.

t
Horizontal lines
become curved

Before dcfo nnat ion Arter ildur mol i1N1

a Swiss mathematician.
on inaccuracy wus first introduced by Jacob Ber11011/IJ (1645- 1705),
thesis with

lorgcly worked in Russia and Germany'

8 date u grcot S':"is s mathemoticion, Leonard Euler ( 1707- 1783), who
At l~ter
mudc unpor1ant use of this concept. Page 3
dee and DR. Raf aa M. Abb as Academic Year 202 4-2 025
Dr. Salah R. Al Zal
 Ben din g
Cha pte r 08: Sym me tric Bea m
Me cha nics of Ma teri als
V
I
y
-,- -./ - - dO,, _ r
Cen troid p M,
• b b'

0
A
X l
g
A?)
\
~dK I-
d C
Bea m uis
Bent axis d
(bl
c'

(al

r
u•E s

I,
Unit leng th
•I
(el
{di
(cl
ding.
Figu re 8-1: Au ume d beh avio r ofcl astl c beam in ben
• Demonstration of the assumption : com plet ely true for
trat ed in text s on the theo ry of elasticity, this assumption is
u As demuns
e ben din g.
elastic, rectang11lar members in pur 3
ars also exis t, a sma ll erro r is inh'od11ced.
o If she stic mat eria ls:
re and app lica ble to elastic and pla
• The assumption is kinematics in natu h a hig h deg ree of acc ura cy
eve r, this assu mpt ion is gen erally applicable wit
Practically, how
lly or olaaticallv:
whether the materia l behaves elastica
• Slender versus dee p bea ms: ng the dep th of the
io11 is ge11 erally app lica ble wit h a high deg ree of acc ura cy pro vidi
This assumpt
n (sle nde r or sha llow be11111).
beam is sma ll in relation to its spa
• Scope: tion.
all bea ms is bas ed on this ass ump
In this chapter, the stress analysis of
• Stain to curvature relation : t ofa circ le of rad ius p ,
In • b•n din g of a pris111n tic b,-11 ,,., the beam axis defo rms into a par
o pur
(rho) as sho wn in Figure 8-l( b). bea m axi s is
def ined by an infi nite sim al ang le dO, the fibe r length e f of the
o For an element
given as:

form , it d ates back to the w n·t·mgs

to as the Bert1ou lli-Euler hypothesis. In the correct fi nal
. referred M. Navler ( 1785 - 1836).
This assu mption is. o ften
g educ ato r
o f th c Frenoh engmecnn

3
See the disc ussio n in Section 10 -5.
Raf aa M. Abb as Aca dem ic Yea r 202 4- 202 5 Pag e 4
Dr. Salah R. Al Zal dee and DR.
Mechanics of Materials
Chapter 08: Symmetric Beam Bending
ds = p d8
Hence
d0 1
ds = p= K (Based on Compatibility ) Eq. 8- 1

where the reciprocal of p defines the axis c11rvat11re K (kappa).

o ln pure bendi11g of prismatic beams, both p and Kare co11sta11t (the beam axis deforms into a
part ofa circle).
o The fiber length gh located on a radius p - y can be found similarly. Therefore, the
difference between fiber lengths gh and ef identified here as dfl can be expressed as
follows:
du= (p- y)d8 - pd8 = -yd8 Eq. 8-2

o By dividing by ds and using Eq. 8-1, the last term becomes K .

o Simplifications for small deflection and rotation:
• Moreover, since the deflection and rotatio11s of the beam axis are very small, the cosines
of the angles involved in making the projections of du and ds onto the horizontal axis
are very nearly unity. .
• Therefore, in the development of the simplified beam theory, it is possible to replace
4
dfl by du, the axial fiber defonnation, and ds by dx.
Small deflection and rotation=> ds ~ dx
o Hence, by dividing Eq. 8-2 by ds and approximating dfl/ ds by du/ dx:
du d8 du du d8
(du = -yd8)ds ~ ds = -y ds ~ Ex = dx ~ ds = -y ds
d8
Ex~ -y ds
or
Ex = -yK (Based on compatibility and assumption of small deformation) Eq. 8-3
o This equation establishes the expression for the basic kinematic hypothesis for the flexure
theory.
• Locating the origin of the y axis:
o However, although it is clear that the strain in a bent beam varies along the beam depth
linearly with y , information is lackillg for locati,rg the origin of they axis.
o With the aid of Hooke's law and an equatio11 of equilibrium, this problem is resolved in the
next section.

4
A further discussion of the approximations involved is found in Section 14-3
Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-2025 Page 5
Mechanics of Materials
Chapte r OS: Symme tric Beam Bending
8.3 THE ELASTIC FLEXURE FORMULA
8.3.1 Basic Formulation
• Stress to curvatu re relation :
o By using Hooke' s law thee · c h · ·
. . , xpress1on 1or t e normal strain given by Eq. 8-22 can be recast
mto a relation _for the normal longitudinal stress ax (Based on compatibility,
assumption of
small deformation, and constitutive law):
Ux = EEx = -EKy Eq. 8-4
0 In _this equatio n, the variabl e y can assume both positive and negative values.
• Equatio ns of equilib rium:
flexure problem .
o Two nontriv ial equatio ns of equilibrium are available to solve the beam
• One of these determines the origin for y ;
• The second comple tes the solution for the flexure formula.
sum of all forces
o Using the first one of these equations, requiring that in pure bending, the
at a section in the x direction must vanish, one has:

'f.Fx = 0 ==> f
A
axdA = 0 Eq. 8-5

must be
where the subscript A indicates that the summation of the infinitesimal forces
equatio n with the aid of
carried out over the entire cross-sectional area A of the beam. This
Eq. 8-4 can be rewritten as:

f -EKyd A = -EK f
A
ydA =0 Eq. 8-6

A
where the constants E and Kare taken outside the second integral .
o By definition, this integral:

f
A
ydA = yA
this integral
where y is the distance from the origin to the centroid of an area A. Since here
the z axis
equal zero and area A is not zero, distance y must be set equal to zero. Therefore,
must pass through the centroid of a section.
o The neutral axis of a beam:
both the
• According to Eq. 8-3 and Eq. 8-4, this means that along the z axis so chosen,
normal strain Ex and the normal stress ax are zero.
• In bending theory, this axis is referred to as the neutral axis of a beam.
ned by
• The neutral axis for anv elastic beam of homogenous material can be easily determi
finding the centroitl of a cross-sectional area.
o Linear strain and stress distribution with refereeing to the neutral axis:
8-l(c).
• Based on this result, linear variation in strain is schematically shown in Fig11re
shown in
• The corresponding elastic stress distribution in accordance with Eq. 8-4 is
Figure 8-/(d).
Both the absolute maximum strain Ex and the absolute maximum stress amaxim
um
•
occur at the largest value of y .
are
• Alternative representations of the elastic bending stress distribution in a beam
for awarene ss that the problem is three
illustrated in Figure 8-2. Note the need
ly
dimensional, although for simplicity two-dimensional representations are general
used.

c- -
M

~) (~
Figure 8-2: Alternative representations of bending moment.
~, (d)

2024-2 025 Page 6

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year
Mechanics of Materials
o The neutral surface: Chapter OS: Symmetric Beam Bending

The
•
locus of a neutral axis a Iong a Iength of a beam defines the neutral surface as noted in
17
r1g11re 8- 3 . '

Neutral
axis Figure 8-3: The locus of a neutral axis along a length ofa beam (the neutral surface.)
o To complete the derivation of the elastic flexure formula, the second relevant equation of
equilibrium must be brought in: The sum of the externally applied and the internal resisting
moments must vanish (i.e., be in equilibrium). For the beam segment in Figure 8-4(a), these
yields:

"'2:.M0 =O~ + Ml -f EKy

A stress
·.d.A
are'a
y=O Eq. 8-7

force arm

o Interpretation of the signs of the stresses:

■ A negative sign in front of the integral is necessary because the compressive stresses
ax develop a counterclockwise moment around the z axis. The tensile stresses below
the neutral axis, where y's have a negative sign, contribute to this moment in the same
manner. This sign also follows directly from Eq. 8-4.
■ From a slightly different point of view, Eq. 8-7 states that the clockwise external moment
Mz is balanced by the counterclockwise moment developed by the internal stresses at a
section.
y y
I
-4 Urruu< .. , <Tx • -EKy dA
1--....---,-.--i,-....., Umax

M,
t111la
IY, C
+y

0 X l

(al (bl (cl

Figure 8-4: Segment of a beam in pure flexure.
o Moment to curvature relation:
Recasting Eq. 8-7 into this form, and recognizing that E and Kare constants,

Mz = EK J y 2 dA Eq. 8-8
A
• Rectangular moment of inertia or second moment of the area A:
o In mechanics, the last integral depending only on the geometrical properties of a cross-sectional
area, is called the rectangular moment of inertia or second moment of the area A and wil I be
designated in this text by I.
o It_must be fouml with respect to the cross section's 11eutral (centroidal) axis.
o S1~ce I _must al:-,vays be de~ermined with respect to a particular axis, it is often meaningful
to 1dent1fy 1t with a subscript corresponding to such an axis. For the case considered this
subscript is z; that is, '
Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-2025 Page 7
Mechanics of Materials
Chapter 08: svmmetrlc Beam Bending

I,= J 2
y dA Ee1, H-9
A
• Mom~nt to _curvature relntion in terms of tho moment of inertia:
o ~th this notRtion, Eq. 8-8 yields the following result:
IC = Elz Ee1, H- IO

o This is the basi c rdation giving tho curvnturo of an elastic beam su~jected to a specified
moment.
• Final form of the elastic flexural formula:
o By substituting Eq. 8-10 into Et/. 8--1-, the e/aslicj1e.,:11refor11111/m,· ' for beams is obtained:
MrY Ee1, 8-11
<Jx = - --
lz
o The deri1111tim1 of this ftm1111la was carried""' with the cmmlinate axe.,· shown in Figure
8-S(n).
o If the derivation for a member having a doubly symmetric cross section were done with the
coordinates shown in Figure 8-5 (h), the expression for the longitudinal stress ax would
read:
Mz
qx = +-y- Eq. H-12
I
The si;n reversal in relation to Eq. 8-11 is necessary because a positive My causes tensile
0
stresses for positive z's. y
y

M,

My
(M) (b)
Figure 8-5: Dcffnll'lons of 11011Clvc moments.
• Scope of the chapter (Revisited):
0 Application of the.te equations to biaxial bendilig as well as an extension of the bendltig theory
for beams with 1111symmetrlc cross sections is considered in Sections 9-2 and 9-5.
0 In tlris ch"pter, alltmti,m is ctmflned to bet1P11.~ l1nvi11g syn,metric cross secti,ms bmt ;,, tire pla11e
ofsymmetry.
• Final recasting of the flexure fonnula:
0 For such applications, it is customary to recast the flexure formula to give the maximum
nonnal stress a max directly and to designate the value of IYlmaxlmum by c.
o JI is also comnw11 pmctice to rlispem;e (give out) with the sig11, as in Eq. 8-11, as well as with
s11bscript.,· on M and /. Sinc:e the normal stre.r.~es must develop a couple statically equivalent
to the internal bending moment, their se11se can be determi11ed by inspectio11. On this basis,
the flexure formula becomes:
MzC
CTmaxlmum = -1- Eq. 8-13
z
o In conformity with the preceding practice, in dealing with bending of symmetric beam
sections, the simplified notation of leaving out z subscripts in Eq. 8-1 I on M and I will be
employed often in this text.

5
It took ncurly two ce11t11rit!s 10 dt!1 1e/tlp this .ft!t!1t1i11xlJ' simple ex111·esslo11. Thu firs/ attempts to :wive lhujle:rnre problem
wcru Made by Galileo in Ilic .re11entu ,11h century.
In thoforM in wlw.:h It il' Ul'ed toda)', 1hc problem wns $1Jll11ul in tho e11rly part of tho 11ineteentl1 ce11l11ry. Ucncrnl ly, Nnvier
1~ credited for this 11cco111plil'h1111ml.
l lowuvur, so,,,,. 111uintai11 tlwl credit l'f,ou/il go to Coulomb, who ulsn dorivud thu torsion formulu .
Dr. Selah R. Al Zaldee end DR. RafH M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-2025 Page 8
Mechanics of Materia ls
• Unusually great importan~e of the flexure formula: Chapter 08: Symmetric Beam Bending
The _fle~ure formula and its variations discussed be£
applications to structural and machinedes1gn. ore are of unusuaJly great importance in
Th . .
• e consistent units for the flexure formula·
0 In applying these formulas : ·
• The internal bending b .
pounds (in - lb), moment can e expressed m newton- meters (N. m) or inch-
•c ~n meters [m] or inches [in],
• Im m4 or in 4
o The use of consistent units as indicated makes the units of a:
(N.M)( m)
--m-4- - = N/m2 = Pa
or
[in - lb][in] = [-lb]
= psi
[in4 ] in 2
as to be expected.
• The matrix representation for the stress tensor of the pure bending: •
o It should be noted that ax as given by Eq. 8-11 and Eq. 8-12, is
the only stress that results from pure bending of a beam.
o Therefore, in the matrix representation of the stress tensor, one
has:

(°;O ~O ~)
0
Beam

o As will be pointed out in Chapter 11, this stress may be

transfonned or resolved into stresses acting along different sets
of coordinate axes.
• Poisson's effect•
0 In concluding this discussion, it is interesting to note that due to
Poisson's ratio, the compressed rone of a beam expands
laterally;6 the tensile zone contracts.
o The strains in the y and z directions are:
Ey = Ez = VEx
where
p
~
Ex= E jj>p

and ax is given by Eq. 8-11 .

This is in complete agreement with the rigorous solution.
o Poisson's effect, as may be shown by the methods of elasticity,
defonns the neutral axis into a curve of large radius; and the
neutral surface becomes curved in two opposite directions; see
Figure 8-6. In the previous treatment, the neutral surface was Figure 8-6: Segment or a
assumed to be curved in one direction only. bent beam.
o These interesting details are not significant in most practical problems.

6
An experiment with an ordinary rubber eraser is recommended!

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaldee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-20 25 Page 9
~echanics of Materials
8.3.2 Procedure Summary and EXtens1on
. Chapter oa: svmmet .
h s ric Beam Bending
• The
same t ree basic concepts of en . .
theories for ,:meermg mechanics ofsolids that were d . .
o Axially loaded bars: use mdeveloping the
p
a=-
A

ti= f Pxdx
EAx
l,
o Circular shafts in torsion:
T.r
T=-
fp

<f, = I Txdx
Glpx
l
are used in the preceding derivation of flexure formulas .
• These may be summarized as follows:
o Equilibrium co11ditions (statics) are used for determining the internal resisting betading moment
at a section.
o Geometry of deformation (kinematics) is used by assuming that plane sections through a beam
remain plane after deformation . This leads to the conclusion that normal strains along a beam
section vary linearly from the neutral axis.
o Properties of materials (constitutive relations) in the form of Hooke's law are assumed to apply
to the longitudinal normal strains. The Poisson effect of transverse contraction and expansion
is neglected.
• Extending the approach :
• In extending this approach to bending of beams of two and more materials (Section 8.9), as well
as to inelastic bending of beams (Section 8.8), the first two of the enumerated concepts (namely
Equilibrium conditions and Geometry of deformation) remain fully applicable. Only the third,
dealing with the mechanical properties of materials, must be modified.
• Composite beam bending analysis: •
0 As an example of a change necessary for such cases, consider the beam having the cross
section shown in Figure 8-7(a).
0 This beam is made up of two materials, 1 and 2, bonded together at their interface. The
elastic moduli for the two materials are E1 and E2 where the subscripts identify the
material. For the purposes of discussion assume that E2 > E1 .
0 When such a composite heam is bent, as for a beam of one material, the strains vary linearly,
as shown in Figure 8-7(b) . However, the longitudir,a/ stresses depend on the elastic moduli
and are shown in Figure 8-7(c).
o At the interface between the two materials, whereas the strain for both materials is the same,
the stresses are differe11t and depend on the mag11itudes of E1 and E2 .
o The remaining issue in such problems consists of locating the 11eutral axis or surface. This can
be easily done for beams havir,g cross sectior,s with symmetry around the vertical axe~.
y
j--jlemu l Stress pattern
~ ~ ~ - -; C
1

y t
M,

--½--+--- !\-:-'
iT d,
Yb T
Yb I
l i---- -1 ' , ... _ _ ,

Bending strain
Bending strain
(al (bl (cl (di
Figure 8-7: Beam of two elastic materials in bending where E2 > E 1•

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaldee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academi c Year 2024-20 25 Page 10
.Hechanics of Materials
For beams of several differ . Chapter 08: Symmetric Se
o
identified. Let Ei be such an
1
;::,z
:;;;; ;; r!ret:'~tic mo~uli_ for each
1
mate:; ~:~
~:
e1th matenal in a composite cross section.
~hen Eq. 8-4 can be generalized to read:
<1x - EiEx = -EiK Y
_- . . . . . Eq. 8-14
where, from Figure 8-7(a), y = rily measured from
the bottom of the section and y-bYlbocatesYbt-hln this relat~on Yb is arbitra
. , e neutral ax.is as shown
0 Smce for pure bend'mg the force Fx at a section in the x direction ·must vanish folio .
' wmg
the same procedure as before, and substituting Eq. 8-U into Eq. 9.5,

I:Fx = 0 => Fx = f
A
CTxdA = -K f
A
E;ydA =0 Eq. 8-15

o The l~t ~xpression differs. from Eq. 8-6 only by not placing E1
outside of the integral. By
substJ.tutmg y = Yb - Yb into Eq. 8-15, and recognizing that Yb is consta
nt,

-KI Ei(yb - Yb)dA = 0 ⇒ -K JE1YbdA + KYb JE1dA = 0

A A
A
and
- JA EiybdA Eq. 8-16
Yb=
fA EidA
E/s, for each material. This
where the integration must be carried out with appropriate
neutral axis.
equation defines the modulus-weighted ce,rtroid and locates the
• Inelastic bending analysis of beams : * is of beams by changing
0
Essentially the same process is used for inelastic bending analys
the stress-strain relations. able.
The first two of the enumerated basic concepts remain applic
0
Venan t's effect s: *
• Assessment of the elastic flexural formula and Saint- ete agreement with the

____,____
The dea,eloped theory for elastic beams of one mater ial is in compl
elastic ity for pure bending of an elastic
mathematically exact solution based on the theory of
0 1

rectangular bar.
Howe ver, even for tl1is limited case, the bou11dary
0
conditions at the ends require the surface stresses <1x
to be distributed over the ends as given by Eq. 8-11.
For this case plane sections through a beam remain
precisely plane after bending.
0
However, in usual applications, per Saint-Venant's
principle, it is generally assumed that the stresses, at
d mo111ent, are essentially
a distance about equal to the depth o{a 111e111her away from the applie
offorce application or change
uniform and are given by Eq. 8-l l . The local stresses at points
rs.
in cross section are calculated using stress concentration/acto
d to any kind qfcr,m · section, whether 11
0 In applications the theory discussed is rout/11elv applie
material is elastic or plastic.
• The concept of internal couple T - C:
ng, the stresses acting on the
In conclusion it should be noted that, in all cases in pure bendi
0
as those below the neutral
area above the neutral axis develop a force of one sense, where
axis develop a force acting in the opposite direction.
o An example is shown in Figure 8-7(d) , where the tension
Tis equal to the compression C,
and the T - C couple is equal to the moment Mz.
be used to advantage in some
o This method of reducing stresses to forces and a couple can
problems.

3rd ed. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1970), 284.

S. Timoshenko and I. N. Goodier, Theory of Elastic ity ,
7
Acade mic Year 2024- 2025 Page 11
Dr. Salah R. Al Zaide e and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas
 /
Mechanics of Materia ls Chapter 08: Symme tric Beam Bending
8.4 COMPUTATlON OF THE MOMENT OF INERTIA
/ 8.4.1 Basic Concepts, and Formu la
• In applying the flexure formula, the rect1111gulttr moment of inertia I of the cross-sectional area
about the neutral axis must be determined.
• Its value is defined by the integral of:

lz = f yidA
A
over the entire cross-sectional area of a member, and it must be emphasized that for the
flexure
formula, the moment of inertia must be computed around the neutral axis. Tliis axis passes through
the centroid of the cross-sectional area.
• Axis of sy~etr y is one of the principal axes:
o lt is shown in Sections 9-6 and 9-7 that for symmetric cross sections, the neutral
axis is
perpendicular to the axis of symmetry .
o The moment of inertia around suc/1 a11 axis is eitlier a maximum or a minimum, and for
that
reason, this axis is one of the principal axes for an area.
• Review the procedures for determining centroids and moments of inertia of areas:
o The procedures for determining centroids and moments of inertia of areas are generally
thoroughly discussed in texts on statics.8
o However , for completeness, they are reviewed in what follows.
• A step-by-step approach to determine the moment of inertia:
o The first step in evaluating I for an area is to find its centroid.
o Determine the moment of inertia for the elementary shapes:
• An integration of y 2 dA is then performed with respect to the horizontal axis passing
through the area's centroid.
• In applications of the flexure formula, the actual integration over areas is necessary for
only a few elementary shapes, such as rectangles and triangles.
• Values of moments of inertia for some simple shapes may be found in texts on statics
as well as in any standard civil or mechanical engineering handboo k (also see Table
8-1).
o Use transfer formula to fine the moment of inertia of composed shapes:
• Most cross-sectional areas used may be divided into a combination of these simple
shapes.
• To find I for an area composed of several simple shapes, the parallel-axis theorem
(sometimes called the transfer formula) is necessary.
• Deriving the parallel-axis theorem:
o Consider that the area A shown in Figure 8-8 is a part of a complex area of a cross section
of a beam in flexure.
o The centroidal axis Zc for this area is at a distance dz from the centroidal z axis for
the
whole cross-sectional area. Then, by d~fi11ition, the moment of inertia /7., of the area
A
around its Zc axis is:

lzc = f
A
yfdA Eq. 8-17

dA

Ye
ZcT·
z l Figure 8-8: Arca for deriving the parallel-alls theorem.

8For example, sec J. L. Mcriam and L. G. Kraige, Engineering Mechanics, Vol. I, Statics, 2nd ed.
(New York: Wiley,
1986)
Dr. Salah R, Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-20 25 Page 12
Mechanics of Materials Chapter 08: Symmetric Beam Bending
Table 8-1: Useful properties of areas.
Areas and moments of inertia of areas around centroids/ axes

RECTANGLE CIRCLE

0 0 f
h
A• bh A= 1rR2
h/2 10 • bh3/12 10 = lp/2 = trR 4/4

TRIANGLE SEMICIRCLE

h/3
th A= bh/2
10 = bh3!36
~·
l2Rj 4R/C3m
A= -rrff2/2
/ 0 • 0.110R'

THIN TUBE HALF OF THIN TUBE

Rav
dav
A• 27J'R8 ..,t
10 • lp/2 .., 'lff\vf ~·~
~ 2R•..,~ (2J,,r)R..,
A= -rrR..,t
/ 0 ""' 0.0951rR!t

Areas and Centroids of areas

TRIANGLE TRIANGLE PARABOLA

b
B

h
2bl3 b/3
(a+ ll/3 ~--.,._.._- i (b + Ll/3
b
b

A•bh/2 A= hU2

PARABOLA: Y• -sx2 PARABOLA

Vertex
Vertex"' I
Th T h

J_ J_ [(n + 1)/(n + 2l)b

rb
A= bh/3
~b

A= bhl(n + 1)
The area for any segment
of a parabola is A•} hi
o On the other hand, the moment of inertla /z of the same area A around the z axis is:

lz = f
A
(y, + dz)2dA

o By squaring the quantities in the parentheses and placing the constants outside the integrals,

lz = f (y; + 2dzYc + dDdA = f y,2 dA + 2dz

A A
f
A
y, dA + d; f
A
dA

o Here the first integral according to Eq. 8-17 is equal to lzc• the second integral vanishes as
Ye passes through the centroid of A, and the last integral reduces to Ad; . Hence,
lz = lzc + Ad; Eq. 8-18

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-2025 Page 13
Mechanics of Materials Chapter 08: Symmetric Beam Bending
o This is the parallel-axis theorem. It can be stated as fol lows: The moment ofinertia ofan area
around any axis is equal to the moment ofinertia oftJ,e same area around a parallel axis passing
tltrough the area's centroid, plus the product of the same area and the square ofthe distance
bdwun tlte two axes.
• App\ying the parallel-axis theorem for composed sections:
o ln calculations, Eq. 8-18 must be applied to each patt into which a cross-sectional area has
been subdivided and the results summed to obtain lz for the whole section; that is.
lz = l.(lzc + Adn
o After this process is completed, the z subscript may be dropped in treating bending of
symmetric cross sections.

Dr. Salah R. Al Zaidee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-2025 Page 14
Mechan\cs of Materials Chapter 08: Symmetric Beam Bending
8.4.2 Examples
• The following examples i\\ustrate the method of computing/ directly by integration for two
simple areas. Then an application of the parallel-axis theorem to a composite area is given.
• Values for I for conunercially fabricated steel beams, angles, and pipes are given in Tables 3 to 8 of
the ,4'ppendix of the textbook.
Eump\e8-l
End the moment of inertia around the horizontal axis passing through y dA
the centroid for the rectangular area shown. dy
Solution l_
• Based on the definition of Eq. 8-17:
y T
lz = f
A
YtdA
z

• With the indicated horizontal infinitesimal strip:

dA = bdy
h h
2 h

1y:[~
2

lz = fh
y 2 (bdy) =b f
h
y 2 dy =b
2
2 -2

1= ;((~f -(-~f) = 2: (h:) = b1~

3

•Hence
bh 3 b3 h Eq. 8-19
I = - and I = -
z 12 y 12
___ • __ These expressions are used frequentiJ'J as rectan.x.~{a!_ ~'!'!'!!_S_ '!~'! ~g_n!~~~ ._ ____________________ _
Example 8-2 . . .
Find the moment of inertia about a diameter for the indicated circular y
area of radius c.
Solution dA
• To find / for a circle, first note that:
pz = zZ + yz
as may be seen from the figure. y
• Using the definition of Ip from Chapter 6: z

Ip= f
A
2
p dA

• With the indicated infinitesimal strip:

dA = (2nr)dr

Ip= Jp (2prr)dp
O
2
= 2rr f
0
p 3 dr = 2rr ,p:i:
rrc 4
lp=T
• Noting the symmetry around both axes:
/ rrc 4 Eq. 8-20
I =I=..£. =-
z Y 2 4
• In ,,,echanical applications, circular shafts often act as beams;
hence, Eq. 8-20 will be found useful.
• For a tubular shaft, the ,noment of inertia of the hollow i11terior must be subtracted from the laSI
_______ expressio11. __ ____________________________________________ ___________ -- - ------------.

2025 Page 15
Dr. Salah R. Al Zaldee and DR. Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024 •
 Chapter 08: Symmetric Beam Bending
Mechanics of Materials
Eumple8-3
A corrugated stee\ p\ate 0.5 cm, thick has the cross
section shown in the figure. Calculate the section
modulus per meter of width of this plate.
Solution
• Due to section symmetry, the centroida\ axis z
located at mid-height of the section as indicated
below:

/3

7.5cm _.1-......i...-J-"---'
• From engineering mechanics, it has been shown that for thin rectangle, the moment of inertia
with respect to an inclined section can be approximated based on the following relation
tb 3
/2 = sin2 (J
12
• For a width of 30 cm ( (3 + (1/2) x 2) x 7.5 cm) of the indicated corrugated steel plate, the
moment of inertia would be:
10) 10 10
p = arctan ( 75 = 53 .1° => b = sin(J = (sinS 3 _1) = 12.S cm

I, - 2 x (°.s x ~~Z.S)' (sin 53.1) 2

) + 2 x ( (7.5 x 0.5) x (1;)')
100) = 972 cm 2 perm
12 = 291.6 cm4 per width of 30 cm=> 12 = 291.6 x (
30
/2 972
S2 =- = - = 194.4cm3 perm
-----------·
Eumple8-4
( ____ .5 -------------------------------- -----------------------------------------·
Determine 12 for the indicated shell. t
Solution
• With referring to the elemental strip (infinitesimal
strip) indicated below: G

t
8

•
I
Based on the definition, the moment of inertia would be:
2
dlz = dAy 2 = (t(rdcp)) (rcoscp - rsincpc)
'Pc
4>c 4>c
f (t(rdcp))(rcosq,-rsincpcf
lz = 2
o <Pc
= 2trf (rcoscj,-rsincf>c)2 d<f,
cf,,

_______ '.'..~-~:t_(~,+sin¢, (cos q,, - </>,)) ■

0
2
•:
Dr. Salah R. Al Zaldee and t>R.-Rafaa M. Abbas Academic Year 2024-2025 - -- Page 16