MIT - 16.

20

Fall, 2002

Unit 14
Behavior of General (including
Unsymmetric Cross-section) Beams
Readings:
Rivello
T&G

7.1 - 7.5, 7.7, 7.8

126

Paul A. Lagace, Ph.D.

Professor of Aeronautics & Astronautics
and Engineering Systems

Paul A. Lagace 2001

MIT - 16.20

Fall, 2002

Earlier looked at Simple Beam Theory in which one considers

a beam in the x-z plane with the beam along the x-direction
and the load in the z-direction:
Figure 14.1

Representation of Simple Beam

Now look at a more general case:

Loading can be in any direction
Can resolve the loading to consider transverse loadings py(x)
and pz(x); and axial loading px(x)
Include a temperature distribution T(x, y, z)

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 2

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Fall, 2002

Figure 14.2

Representation of General Beam

Maintain several of the same definitions for a beam and basic

assumptions.

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Geometry: length of beam (x-dimension) greater than y and z

dimensions
Stress State: xx is the only important stress; xy and xz found
from equilibrium equations, but are secondary in importance
Deformation: plane sections remain plane and perpendicular to
the midplane after deformation (Bernouilli-Euler Hypothesis)
Unit 14 - 3

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Fall, 2002

Definition of stress resultants

Consider a cross-section along x:
Representation of cross-section of general beam

Figure 14.3

Place axis @ center

of gravity of section

where:

dA
= dA
= dA

F =
Sy
Sz
Paul A. Lagace 2001

xx

xy

xz

My = xx z dA
Mz = xx y dA
These are resultants!
Unit 14 - 4

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Fall, 2002

The values of these resultants are found from statics in terms of the
loading px, py, pz, and applying the boundary conditions of the problem
Deformation
Look at the deformation. In the case of Simple Beam Theory, had:
dw
u = z
dx
where u is the displacement along the x-axis.
This comes from the picture:
Figure 14.4
Representation of deformation in Simple Beam Theory

for small angles

Now must add two other contributions..

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 5

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Fall, 2002

1. Have the same situation in the x-y plane

Figure 14.5

Representation of bending displacement in x-y plane

By the same geometrical

arguments used previously

where v is the displacement in the y-direction

2. Allow axial loads, so have an elongation in the x-direction due to
this. Call this u0:
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 6

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Fall, 2002

Figure 14.6

Representation of axial elongation in x-z plane

u0, v, w are the deformations of the midplane

Thus:
dv
dw
u ( x , y , z ) = u0 y
z
dx
dx
bending bending
about
about
z-axis
y-axis
v ( x , y, z ) = v ( x )

w ( x , y, z ) = w ( x )
v and w are constant at any cross-section location, x
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 7

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Fall, 2002

Stress and Strain

From the strain-displacement relation, get:

xx

d 2v
d 2w
d u0
u
=
=
+ y 2 + z 2
dx
dx
dx
x
(these become total derivatives as there is no
variation of the displacement in y and z)

for functional ease, write:

d u0
f1 =
dx
d 2v
f2 = 2
dx

d 2w
f3 = 2
dx
Caution: Rivello uses C1, C2, C3. These are not constants,
so use fi fi(x) (functions of x)
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 8

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Fall, 2002

Thus:

xx = f1 + f2 y + f3 z
Then use this in the stress-strain equation (orthotropic or lower):

xx =

xx
+ T
E

(include temperature effects)

Note: ignore thermal strains in y and z. These are of
secondary importance.
Thus:

xx = E xx E T
and using the expression for x:

xx = E ( f1 + f2 y + f3 z ) E T
Can place this expression into the expression for the resultants
(force and moment) to get:

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 9

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Fall, 2002

F =

xx

dA = f1 E dA + f2 E y dA
+ f3 E z dA

Mz =

E T dA

xx y dA = f1 E y dA + f2 E y 2 dA
+ f3 E yz dA

My =

xx

E Ty dA

z dA = f1 E z dA + f2 E y z dA
+ f3 E z 2 dA

E T z dA

(Note: f1, f2, f3 are functions of x and integrals are in dy and

dz, so these come outside the integral sign).
Solve these equations to determine f1(x), f2(x), f3(x):
Note: Have kept the modulus, E, within the
integral since will allow it to vary across
the cross-section
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 10

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Fall, 2002

Orthotropic Beams: Same comments as applied to Simple Beam

Theory. The main consideration is the longitudinal modulus, so
these equations can be applied.

Modulus-Weighted Section Properties/Areas

Introduce modulus weighted area:

E
dA =
dA
E1
*

(vary in y and z)

where:
A* = modulus weighted area
E = modulus of that area
E1 = some reference value of modulus
Using this in the equations for the resultants, we get:

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 11

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Fall, 2002

*
*
*
F + E T dA = E1 f1 dA + f2 y dA + f3 z dA

*
2
*
*
Mz + E T y dA = E1 f1 y dA + f2 y dA + f3 y z dA

*
*
2
*
My + E T z dA = E1 f1 z dA + f2 y z dA + f3 z dA

Now define these modulus-weighted section properties:

dA* = A*

y dA
z dA
y dA
z dA
y z dA
Paul A. Lagace 2001

modulus-weighted area

= y * A*

= z * A*

= Iz*

modulus-weighted moment of inertia about z-axis

= I y*

modulus-weighted moment of inertia about y-axis

= I yz*

modulus-weighted product of inertia

(cross moment of inertia)
Unit 14 - 12

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Fall, 2002

Also have Thermal Forces and Thermal Moments. These have the
same units as forces and moments but are due to thermal effects and
can then be treated analytically as forces and moments:
F T = E T dA

MyT = E Tz dA

MzT = E Ty dA

Note: Cannot use the modulus-weighted section properties since

may also vary in y and z along with E.
In the definition of the section properties, have used a y* and
z*. These
are the location of the modulus-weighted centroid referred to some
coordinate system
Figure 14.7
Representation of general beam cross-section with
pieces with different values of modulus

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 13

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Fall, 2002

The modulus-weighted centroid is defined by:

1
*
*
y
dA
y
=
A*
1
*
*
z
dA
z
=
A*
These become 0 if one uses the modulus-weighted centroid
as the origin
(Note: like finding center of gravity but
use E rather than )
If one uses the modulus-weighted centroid as the origin, the
equations reduce to:

(F

+ F T ) = F TOT = E1 f1 A*

(
E (f

)
f I )

( Mz + MzT ) = MzTOT = E1 f2 Iz* + f3 I yz*

My + MyT = MyTOT =

I yz* +

*
3 y

(Note: Rivello uses F*, My*, Mz* for FT0T, MyT0T, MzT0T)
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 14

MIT - 16.20

Fall, 2002

Recall that:
d u0
f1 =
dx

d 2v
f2 = 2
dx
d 2w
f3 = 2
dx
Motivation for modulus-weighted section properties
A beam may not have constant material properties through the
section. Two possible ways to vary:
1. Continuous variation
The modulus may be a continuous function of y and z:
E = E(y, z)
Example: Beam with a large thermal gradient and four
different properties through the cross-section
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 15

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Fall, 2002

2. Stepwise variation
A composite beam which, although its made of the same
material, has different modulus, Ex, through-the-thickness as
the fiber orientation varies from ply to ply.
Figure 14.8

Representation of cross-section of laminated beam with

different modulus values through the thickness

(symmetric)

A method of putting material to its best use is called:

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 16

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Fall, 2002

Selective Reinforcement
Figure 14.9

Representation of selective reinforcement of an I-beam

Unidirectional Graphite/Epoxy
cap reinforcements
(E = 20 Msi)

Aluminum I-beam (E = 10 Msi)

Furthest from neutral axis

best resistance to bending

Using aluminum as the reference, analyze as follows

Figure 14.10

Representative cross-section with aluminum as base

Representation good only

in direction parallel to axis
about which I is taken.
Paul A. Lagace 2001

use E1 to analyze

Unit 14 - 17

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Fall, 2002

E
20 msi
b =
b = 2b
E1
10 msi
Principal Axes of structural cross-section:

( )

*
There is a set of y, z axes such that the product of inertia yz
is zero. These are the principal axes (section has axes of
symmetry)
Figure 14.11

Representation of principal axes of structural cross-section

modulus-weighted
centroid

*yz 0

*yz = 0

(use Mohrs circle transformation)

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 18

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Fall, 2002

If analysis is conducted in the principal axes, the equations reduce to:

F TOT
d u0
f1 =
=
E1 A*
dx

MzTOT
d 2v
f2 =
= 2
*
E1 Iz
dx
MyTOT
d 2w
f3 =
= 2
*
E1 I y
dx
These equations can be integrated to find the deflections u0, v and w
These expressions for the fi can be placed into the equation for xx to
obtain:

xx

MyTOT
E F TOT
MzTOT
=
y
z E1 T
*
*
*
E1 A
Iz
Iy

where y,z are principal axes for the section

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 19

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Fall, 2002

If the axes are not principal axes

F TOT
d u0
f1 =
=
E1 A*
dx

f2 =

f3 =

E1 I y* Iz* I yz*

Iz* MyTOT + I yz* MzTOT

0 ), have:

(no change)

I y* MzTOT + I yz* MyTOT

* *
y z

( *yz

E1 I I I

*2
yz

d 2v
= 2
dx
d 2w
= 2
dx

Note: If *yz 0 then both w and v are present

for My or Mz only
Figure 14.12

Representation of deflection of cross-section not in

principal axes
total deflection

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 20

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Fall, 2002

In this case, the expression for the stress is rather long:

xx

E F TOT
=
*
E1 A

I y* Iz* I yz*

[I

I y* MzTOT I yz* MyTOT y

*
z

MyTOT I yz* MzTOT z

* *
y z

I I I

*2
yz

E1 T

Engineering Beam Theory

(Non-Principal Axes)
Analysis is good for high aspect ratio structure (e.g. a wing)
Figure 14.13

Representation of wing as beam

xx
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 21

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Fall, 2002

Note: this analysis neglects the effect of the axial Force F

on the Bending Moment. This became important as the
deflection w (or v) becomes large:
Figure 14.14

Representation of large deflection when axial force and

bending deflection couple

F0 = axial force

M = Mdue to pz w F0
Primary
Bending
Moment

Secondary
Moment

Secondary moment known as membrane effect. Can particularly

become important if Fo is near buckling load (will talk about when talk
about beam-column)

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 22

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Fall, 2002

Shear Stresses
The shear stresses (xy and xz) can be obtained from the equilibrium
equations:
xy
xz
xx
+
=
y
z
x

xy
= 0
x
xz
= 0
x
Figure 14.15

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Representation of cross-section of general beam

Unit 14 - 23

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Fall, 2002

These shear stresses (called transverse shear stresses) cause small

additional shearing contributions to deflections
Figure 14.16
Representation of pure bending and pure shearing of a
beam
Pure Bending -->

Plane sections remain

plane and perpendicular
to midplane

Pure Shearing -->

Plane sections remain

plane but not
perpendicular to
midplane

Consider a beam section under pure shearing

Figure 14.17

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Representation of deformation of beam cross-section

under pure shearing

Unit 14 - 24

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Fall, 2002

xz

w
u
xz
=
+
=
G
x
z

engineering shear strain

w
Average
over cross-section:
x
w
1
dA

x
w
=
= G

x ave
dA

Sz

xz

dA
=

Sz
GA

Actually, from energy considerations, one should average:

2

x ave

w
x dA
Sz
=

w
G Ae
dA
x
effective area
For a Rectangular Cross-Section: Ae 0.83 A

Then, pure shearing deflections, ws, governed by:

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 25

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Fall, 2002

d ws
S
=
dx
G Ae
x
S
ws =
+ C1
0 GA
e
evaluated from boundary conditions

The total beam deflection is the sum of the two contributions:

WT = WB + WS

wT = wB + ws
shearing deflection
d wS
from

total

G Ae

bending deflection
from
d 2 wB

EI

dx

dx

= S

= M

Ordinarily, ws is small for ordinary rectangular beams (and can be

ignored). But, for thin-walled sections, w s can become important
(worse for composites since Gxz << Ex)
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 26

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Fall, 2002

In addition to bending and shearing, the section may also twist

through an angle
Figure 14.18

Representation of twisting of beam cross-section

However, there exists a Shear Center for every section. If the load
is applied at the shear center, the section translates but does not
twist.
(Note: shear center not necessarily center of gravity or
centroid)
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 27

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Fall, 2002

Figure 14.19

Representation of some beam cross-sections with various

locations of center of gravity and shear center

center of gravity
shear center

If this condition is not met, then generally bending and twisting will
couple. But there is a class of cross-sections (thin-walled) where
bending and shearing/torsion can be decoupled. Will pursue this
next.
Wrap-up discussion by considering examples of common cross-sections
with principal axes aligned such that Iyz = 0 (see Handout #4a)
These are in contrast to common cross-sections not principal axes (Iyz 0)
Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 28

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Figure 14.19

Fall, 2002

Some cross-sections generally not in principal axes

Triangle

Angle

Wing
Section

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Unit 14 - 29

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Fall, 2002

--> Finally
What are the limitations to the Engineering Beam Theory as developed?

Paul A. Lagace 2001

Shear deflections small (can get first order cut at this)

No twisting (load along shear center) -- otherwise torsion and
bending couple
Deflections small
o No moment due to axial load (Pw)
o Angles small such that sin

--> will consider next order effect when discuss buckling and
postbuckling

--> consideration will stiffen (membrane effect) structure

Did not consider zz (Poissons effect)

Unit 14 - 30