How to Calculate

Stress in a Beam
William Frain ENG 313 UA Karen OHara

Purpose
This set of instructions is geared towards beginning engineers who are learning, need a review, or looking for additional detail on how to calculate stresses in structural beams.

Background Information
Defining Constants:
F = Force M = Moment A = Area I = Moment of Inertia C = Centroid or = x and y distances of the centroid from the origin = Height = Base = Distance from center of beam to centroid = Stress

Definitions: Force: an exertion of pressure either focused toward or pulling away from an object. Moment: a measure of a forces tendency to rotate an object about some point. Moment of Inertia: the capacity of a cross-section to resist bending. Centroid: the center of mass of an object of uniform density. Stress: the deformation caused in a body by such a force.

Note: See example problem (p. 8) for additional understanding.

Step 1 Determining Cross-Section

Figure 1 Cross-Section The cross-section of a beam can be observed when looking at the beam from one end; an example of this can be seen in Figure 1.

Step 2 Determining Forces

Look for places of contact where weight is applied to the beam. If the force is spread over the beam then, multiply the linear space the force is affecting the bream by the force itself ( ). If the force is affecting the beam at an angle then use basic trigonometry to calculate the perpendicular force on the beam.

Step 3 - Calculating Area of Cross Section

Divide the cross-section into segments. It is easier to deal with rectangles than an I shape. An example of this sectioning can be seen in Figure 2. Once the cross-section is divided, simply compute the area of each section ( ).

B Figure 2 Division of Sections

Step 4 Calculating the Centroid

Using the formula (if vertical force applied) or (if horizontal force applied) for each of the cross-sectional sections. Once the centroid for each section is found, the formula: or (depending on the orientation of the force applied). Keep this value for the centroid handy because it will be used later in this process.

Step 5 Select Necessary Moment of Inertia Formulas

For each section of the cross-section, a Moment of Inertia needs to be calculated. Before these Moments of Inertias are calculated, the right formulas are needed. Below, in Figure 3, Moment of Inertia formulas can be found for shapes that will be commonly encountered. Again, keep in mind that the direction that the force is applied to the beam is crucial.

I x I x Ad 2
Rectangle:

I y I y Ad 2
y`
b/2

I x 1 bh 3 12 I y 1 b 3 h 12
Triangle:

C h/2

x` x

b s

I x 1 bh 3 36

C b h/ 3

x` x

Circle: y

I x I y 1 r 4 4

Figure 3 Equations for Moment of Inertia

Step 6 Calculate the Moment of Inertia

Once the necessary formulas from Step 5 are selected the formulas can be combined. For example, if one of the sections of the cross-section is a rectangle and the force is applied vertically, the combined formula becomes: . is the distance from the centroid to . To calculate the Moment of Inertia for the entire cross-section, the Moment of Inertias of each section need to be added using the formula: .

Step 7 Calculating the Moment

Using equations of equilibrium, the moment can be calculated from the force applied to the beam.

Figure 4 Equations of Equilibrium

Step 8 Calculating Distance from Centroid to

The area where the beam is affected by compression is always the side of the beam where the force is applied. The centroid (C) divides the side under compression and the side under tension. To calculate subtract the length of the beam in the direction of the applied force from the distance of the centroid to the edge under tension. Examine Figure 5 to see how ( relates to the centroid (C).

Figure 5 Example of Centroid Analysis

Step 9 - Calculating Distance from Centroid to

The opposite can be said about the area under tension, it is opposite the side where force is applied. Subtract the position of the centroid from the side of tension, which is used as the origin. This value for c should be negative. Examine Figure 5 to see how ( relates to the centroid (C).

Step 10 Calculating Compressive Stress

Use the equation: , and plug in values for I, M, and c for compression. This value for compressive stress should always be negative.

Step 11 Calculating Tensile Stress

Use the equation: , and plug in values for I, M, and c for tension. This value for tensile stress should always be positive.

Example Problem

Step 1 Determining Cross-Section Already completed in the problem definition. Step 2 Determining Forces Already completed in the problem definition. Step 3 - Calculating Area of Cross Section Division of sections can be observed to the left.

Step 4 Calculating the Centroid

Step 5 Select Necessary Moment of Inertia Formulas Since the force is applied to the beam vertically the formulas needed for Step 5 are:

I y I y Ad 2
and

I x 1 bh 3 12
Combining these yields:

Step 6 Calculate the Moment of Inertia

This value is the Moment of Inertia

Step 7 Calculating the Moment The moment can be calculated by drawing a Shear (V(x)) and Moment (M(x)) diagrams.

Step 8 Calculating Distance from Centroid to

Step 9 - Calculating Distance from Centroid to

Step 10 Calculating Compressive Stress

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Step 11 Calculating Tensile Stress

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Sources Title: http://www.rosboro.com/userfiles/X-Beam-Header-03-p.jpg Definitions: Force: http://www.chegg.com/homework-help/definitions/force-5 Moment: http://www.engin.brown.edu/courses/en3/notes/Statics/moments/momen ts.htm Moment of Inertia: http://www.chegg.com/homeworkhelp/definitions/moment-of-inertia-5 Centroid: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/centroid Stress: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stress Instructions: Figure 1: http://www.mathworks.com/help/physmod/sm/ug/i_beam_cross_section.p ng Figure 4: http://www.ejsong.com/mdme/memmods/mem30005a/trusses/trusses_fil es/equilibrium_sm.PNG Step 2: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/QcY3DTJvKB8/TtxdItxlukI/AAAAAAAAAFg/mpsIhTPv0iI/s320/porch-postbeam.jpg Step 8: http://me.erciyes.edu.tr/mkapalak/MKA-COURSES/STRENGTH2/EXAMS/STR2-34-1.pdf

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