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dx
x
Fig. 7.1 Naviers assumption. Originally plane and parallel section (a) remain plane after
bending (b), but converge onto a common centre of curvature.
Proof of Naviers assumption with strain gauges. The strain is measured at several points
on the same cross section, and the results for each load are plotted. So long as the beam is
elastic, the neutral axis remains in the same position, and the strains vary proportionately
with the distance from the neutral axis.
Let us call the radius of curvature, measures to the neutral axis, FO=R, and the distance
of the bottom form the neutral axis EF=y. Since the triangles DEF and BFO have all their
sides parallel, they are similar, and consequently
DE
EF
e=
dx
y
x
R
7.1
Ey
.
R
7.2
The theory of bending. The beam, under the action of a uniform bending moment M,
bends into a circular arc, whose radius of curvature is R = OF
Originally plane and parallel sections ABC and EFG thus converge onto a center of
curvature O. This causes compressive strains on top and tensile strains at the bottom. The
neutral axis BF is the line of zero strain. The maximum tensile strain, at a distance y
below the neutral axis, is DE/AD=dx/x. The corresponding stresses are shown on the lefthand side of the diagram.
The stress varies proportionately to the distance y from the neutral axis, and it is tensile
below and compressive above for a positive bending moment. The force acting on an
infinitesimally small area dA at a distance y from the neutral axis is and the moment of
the force about the neutral axis
DM = y.dP = y.f.dA =
Ey 2
dA 7.3
R
The total resistance moment M of the section is the sum, or integral, of all the
infinitesimally small elements dM.
M=
Ey 2
dA
R
7.4
Since the modulus of elasticity is a constant, and the radius of curvature does not vary
with the depth y, we can take them outside the integral (or summation) sign.
M=
E
R
dA
E
I .
R
7.5
E
f
R
y
..
I
y
R
7.6
which is Naviers Theorem. In this equation, M is the bending moment at that particular
section of the beam, R is the radius of curvature of which the beam is bent by the moment
M, f is the stress at a distance y from the neutral axis, I is the second moment of ares
(moment of inertia) of the section, and E is the modulus of elasticity of the material. In
general, we are interested only in the maximum stress (which must be kept within the
permissible range). This occurs at the greatest distance y form the neutral axis; in an
unsymmetrical section there are two different values-one for the bottom (y b ) and one for
the top (y t ), as shown in Fig. 7.4. It is therefore convenient to introduce a further
geometric section property, the section modulus
I
s = y .. 7.7
In the case of an unsymmetrical section there are different section moduli for bottom and
top (Fig. 7.4):
sb
I
I
and s t
yb
yt
7.8
23PL3
. 7.9
1296 EI
where P is the total applied load on the beam and EI is the flexural rigidity of the section.
Under a known value of load, P, the deflection at the centre span can be measured
experimentally and use of the above relationship can be made to compute the value of
E, the modulus of elasticity of the material of the beam. For the purpose of examining
the Neviers hypothesis a two point loading scheme is adopted in the laboratory ensuring
a region of pure bending between the point loads. Strain measurements are made various
distance from the neutral axis in the central portion of the beam.