The Stresses in a Uniform Circular Ring Subject to Symmetric Radial Loading

Author(s): F. J. Budden
Source: The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 67, No. 440 (Jun., 1983), pp. 93-94
Published by: Mathematical Association
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3616835
Accessed: 06-11-2015 23:08 UTC

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STRESSES IN A CIRCULAR RING SUBJECT TO RADIAL LOADING 93

The stresses in a uniformcircularring subjectto symmetric

radialloading
F. J. BUDDEN

The above figureshows a uniformcircularring acted on by nine equally

spacedradialforcesof equalmagnitude.We ask whatstressesareset up in
the ringas a resultof thisloading?
In the generalcase supposethatthe radialforcesareof magnitudeP and
that the angle between adjacentforces is 2a (so that a = 20? in the
above figure).Considerthe portion YY' of the ring, as in the left-hand
figurebelow.Froma consideration of the rotationalsymmetryof thering,it
is evidentthat the tensionsat Y and Y' areequal,thesebeingmarkedT in
the figure.Similarly,if the shearforceat Y is S towardsthe centre0, then
that at Y' is S awayfromthe centre.Moreover,the bendingmomentsat Y
and Y' areequalandopposite.ThesearemarkedM in theleft-handfigure.
P p

M M

K
iX Ss

*y .-.* .'

0 0
The valuesof S and T are easilyobtained,as follows,by consideringthe
of YY'.ResolvealongOXto give
equilibrium
Pcos (a- ) = 2Tsina
andperpendicularto OXto give
P sin (a- 0) = 2S sin a.

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94 THE MATHEMATICALGAZETTE

Hence
P cos (a - )a P sin (a- 0)
T= and S= (0<09<a).
2 sin a 2 sin a
Note that maximumtension occurs at 0 = a, i.e. midway between the points
of application of the radial loads; while at these points the shear force is
zero. Shear force has its maximum value at the points of applicationof the
forces, and this value is P/2 as one would expect.
Bending moment is more difficult. For this consider the portion YK,
where K is the middle point of the arc AB. Remembering that the shear
force at K is zero, while the tension there is To = P/2 sin a, let the bending
moments at K and Y be Mo and M in the directions shown in the right-hand
figureabove. Taking moments about Y gives
M + Pr sin = T(r - r cos (6 + a)) + Mo
which reduces to
Pr
M= -2 sin sin a + 1 - cos ( + a) +Mo
2 sin a
Pr
=22 sin a 1-cos(0-a) +M
J

Pr sin2 (2a M (O a)
sin a
Thus we have formulae giving T, S and M as functions of 0, but it would
seem that the value of Mo (which is the minimum value of M) is not
determined.Note however that maximum bending moment occurs when 0
= 0, i.e. at the points of applicationof the radialforces. These are the points
where the radius of curvature of the deformed ring will be minimum
(remembering M = El/p) and this is in accordance with common
experience. For example, if a = 45? then the four forces will tend to bend
the ring into the shape of a television screen.
We conclude with rough graphs of T, S and M as 0 varies:
TA S M/

- 23.P12
4M

a 2a 3a 4a 0 a 2a 3a 4a a a 2a 3a 4a 0

F. J. BUDDEN
15 WestfieldAvenue, Gosforth,Newcastle-upon-TyneNE3 4YH

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