ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Lecture 22
Design of Beams for Bending

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending
Design of a beam is controlled by the maximum absolute
value of the bending moment |M|max

The largest normal stress m is found at the surface where

the maximum bending moment occurs.

max

max

where:
c - maximum distance from the neutral
surface to the beam surface
I moment of inertia of the cross section with
respect to the centroidal axis perpendicular
to the plane of the bending couple
I
S section modulus
c

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Design of Prismatic Beams for Bending
A safe design requires that the maximum normal stress
be less than the allowable stress for the material used.
This criteria leads to the determination of the minimum
acceptable section modulus.
m all
S min

max

all

Most economical design

- Among beam section choices which have an

acceptable section modulus, the one with the
smallest weight per unit length or cross sectional
area will be the least expensive and the best choice.
Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Design Procedure

1. Determine allowable stress all u F .S . for the material

selected.
Table of properties Appendix B
2. Draw the shear and bending-moment diagrams and
determine |M|max
3. Calculate Smin
4. For a timber beam determine the unknown depth h or width
b of the beam or both.
5. For a rolled-steel beam refer to Appendix C
Select beam sections S Smin
From group, select section with the smallest weight
per unit length.

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Design Procedure
If all is different in tension and in compression
1. Select a beam section so that m all for both tensile
and compressive stresses
2. If the cross section is not symmetric about its neutral
axis, the largest tensile and compressive stresses may
not occur in the section where |M| is maximum.
3. One max. stress may occur where M is maximum and
the other where M is minimum
4. Check both Mmax and Mmin

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Sample Problem 5.8
/m

SOLUTION:
Considering the entire beam as a freebody, determine the reactions at A and
D.

A simply supported steel beam is to

carry the distributed and concentrated
loads shown. Knowing that the
allowable normal stress for the grade
of steel to be used is 160 MPa, select
the wide-flange shape that should be
used.

Develop the shear diagram for the

beam and load distribution. From the
diagram, determine the maximum
bending moment.
Determine the minimum acceptable
beam section modulus. Choose the
best standard section which meets this
criteria.

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Sample Problem 5.8
Considering the entire beam as a free-body,
determine the reactions at A and D.

M A 0 D5 m 60 kN 1.5 m 50 kN 4 m
D 58.0 kN
Fy 0 Ay 58.0 kN 60 kN 50 kN
Ay 52.0 kN

Develop the shear diagram and determine the

maximum bending moment.
V A Ay 52.0 kN
VB V A area under load curve 60 kN
VB 8 kN

Maximum bending moment occurs at

V = 0 or x = 2.6 m.
M max area under shear curve, A to E
67.6 kN

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Sample Problem 5.8
Determine the minimum acceptable beam
section modulus.
M max 67.6 kN m
S min

all
160 MPa
422.5 10 6 m3 422.5 103 mm3

Shape
S 103 mm3
W410 38.8
637
W360 32.9
474
W310 38.7
549
W250 44.8
535
W200 46.1
448

Choose the best standard section which meets

this criteria.
W 360 32.9

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

Department of Mechanical Engineering - A. Loos

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

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ME 222 Mechanics of Deformable Solids

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