324

CHAPTER 6 Bending

6-114. Using the techniques outlined in Appendix A,

Example A.5 or A.6, the Z section has principal moments of
inertia of Iy  0.060(103) m4 and Iz  0.471(103) m4,computed
about the principal axes of inertia y and z, respectively. If the
section is subjected to an internal moment of M  250 N  m
directed horizontally as shown, determine the stress produced
at point A. Solve the problem using Eq. 617.
6-115. Solve Prob. 6114 using the equation developed in
Prob. 6111.
*6-116. Using the techniques outlined in Appendix A,Example
A.5 or A.6, the Z section has principal moments of inertia of
Iy = 0.060110-32 m4 and Iz = 0.471110-32 m4, computed
about the principal axes of inertia y and z, respectively. If the
section is subjected to an internal moment of M = 250 N # m
directed horizontally as shown, determine the stress produced at
point B. Solve the problem using Eq. 617.

6-117. For the section, Iy = 31.7110 -62 m4, Iz = 114110-62 m4,

Iyz = 15.1110-62 m4. Using the techniques outlined in
Appendix A, the members cross-sectional area has principal
moments of inertia of Iy  29.0(106) m4 and Iz  117(106) m4,
computed about the principal axes of inertia y and z,
respectively. If the section is subjected to a moment of
M = 2500 N # m directed as shown, determine the stress
produced at point A, using Eq. 617.
6-118. Solve Prob. 6117 using the equation developed in
Prob. 6111.
y
60 mm

y

60 mm

60 mm

50 mm
A

z

200 mm

M = 2500 Nm

80 mm
C

10.10
z

32.9

140 mm

y
60 mm

250 Nm

200 mm

50 mm

z
z
300 mm

Probs. 6114/115/116

B
50 mm
Probs. 6117/118

*6.6 Composite Beams

M
Steel plates

(a)

Fig. 638a

M
Steel reinforcing rods

(b)
Fig. 638

Beams constructed of two or more different materials are referred to as

composite beams. Examples include those made of wood with straps of steel
used at the bottom or top, Fig. 638a, or more commonly, concrete beams
reinforced with steel rods, Fig. 638b. Engineers purposely design beams in
this manner in order to develop a more efficient means for carrying applied
loads. For example, it has been shown in Sec. 3.3 that concrete is excellent in
resisting compressive stress but is very poor in resisting tensile stress. Hence,
the steel reinforcing rods shown in Fig. 638b have been placed in the tension
zone of the beams cross section so that they resist the tensile stresses that
result from the moment M.
Since the flexure formula was developed for beams whose material is
homogeneous, this formula cannot be applied directly to determine the
normal stress in a composite beam. In this section, however, we will develop
a method for modifying or transforming the beams cross section into one
made of a single material. Once this has been done, the flexure formula can
then be used for the stress analysis.

SECTION 6.6 Composite Beams

To explain how to apply the transformed-section method, consider the

composite beam to be made of two materials, 1 and 2, which have the
cross-sectional areas shown in Fig. 639a. If a bending moment is applied
to this beam, then, like one that is homogeneous, the total cross-sectional
area will remain plane after bending, and hence the normal strains will
vary linearly from zero at the neutral axis to a maximum in the material
located farthest from this axis, Fig. 639b. Provided the material has linearelastic behavior, Hookes law applies, and at any point the normal stress
in material 1 is determined from s = E1P. Likewise, for material 2 the
stress distribution is found from s = E2P. Obviously, if material 1 is stiffer
than material 2, e.g., steel versus rubber, most of the load will be carried
by material 1, since E1 7 E2. Assuming this to be the case, the stress
distribution will look like that shown in Fig. 639c or 639d. In particular,
notice the jump in stress that occurs at the juncture of the materials. Here
the strain is the same, but since the modulus of elasticity or stiffness for
the materials suddenly changes, so does the stress. Location of the neutral
axis, and determination of the maximum stress in the beam, using this
stress distribution, can be based on a trial-and-error procedure. This
requires satisfying the conditions that the stress distribution produces a
zero resultant force on the cross section and the moment of the stress
distribution about the neutral axis must be equal to M.
A simpler way to satisfy these two conditions, however, is to transform
the beam into one made of a single material. For example, if the beam
is thought to consist entirely of the less stiff material 2, then the cross
section would have to look like that shown in Fig. 639e. Here the height
h of the beam remains the same, since the strain distribution shown in
Fig. 639b must be preserved. However, the upper portion of the beam
must be widened in order to carry a load equivalent to that carried by
the stiffer material 1 in Fig. 639d. The necessary width can be
determined by considering the force dF acting on an area dA = dz dy
of the beam in Fig. 639a. It is dF = s dA = 1E1P2 dz dy. On the other
hand, if the width of a corresponding element of height dy in Fig. 639e
is n dz, then dF = s dA = 1E2P2n dz dy. Equating these forces, so
that they produce the same moment about the z axis, we have

325

y
Stiff
material 1
Less stiff
material

dy
dz

M
h

z
b
(a)
Fig. 639a
y
M
x

Normal strain variation

(profile view)
(b)
Fig. 639b
y

M
x

Bending stress variation

(profile view)
(c)
Fig. 639c
y

E1P dz dy = E2Pn dz dy
or
n =

E1
E2

(620)

M
z

This dimensionless number n is called the transformation factor. It

indicates that the cross section, having a width b on the original beam,
Fig. 639a, must be increased in width to b2 = nb in the region where
material 1 is being transformed into material 2, Fig. 639e. In a similar
manner, if the less stiff material 2 is transformed into the stiffer

Bending stress variation

(d)
Fig. 639

326

CHAPTER 6 Bending

material 1, the cross section will look like that shown in Fig. 639f. Here
the width of material 2 has been changed to b1 = nb, where n = E2>E1.
Note that in this case the transformation factor n must be less than one
since E1 7 E2. In other words, we need less of the stiffer material to
support a given moment.
Once the beam has been transformed into one having a single material,
the normal-stress distribution over the transformed cross section will be
linear as shown in Fig. 639g or 639h. Consequently, the centroid
(neutral axis) and moment of inertia for the transformed area can be
determined and the flexure formula applied in the usual manner to
determine the stress at each point on the transformed beam. Realize that
the stress in the transformed beam is equivalent to the stress in the same
material of the actual beam. For the transformed material, however, the
stress found on the transformed section has to be multiplied by the
transformation factor n (or n ), since the area of the transformed
material, dA = n dz dy, is n times the area of actual material
dA = dz dy. That is,

y
b2 = nb
dy

ndz
2

h
y

2
z

x
b

Beam transformed to material 2

(e)
Fig. 639e
b
1
h
1

dF = s dA = s dA
b1 = nb
Beam transformed to material 1

s dz dy = sn dz dy
s = ns

(f)
y
Fig. 639f

(621)

Examples 6.21 and 6.22 numerically illustrate application of the transformed section method.

2
2
M
z
x
Bending-stress variation for
beam transformed to material 2
(g)
y
Fig. 639g
1
1

z
x
Bending-stress variation for
beam transformed to material 1
(h)
Fig. 639 (cont.)

IMPORTANT POINTS
Composite beams are made from different materials in order to
efficiently carry a load. Application of the flexure formula
requires the material to be homogeneous, and so the cross section
of the beam must be transformed into a single material if this
formula is to be used to compute the bending stress.
The transformation factor is a ratio of the moduli of the different
materials that make up the beam. Used as a multiplier, it converts
the dimensions of the cross section of the composite beam into a
beam made from a single material so that this beam has the same
strength as the composite beam. Stiff material will thus be
replaced by more of the softer material and vice versa.
Once the stress in the transformed section is determined, it must
be multiplied by the transformation factor to obtain the stress in
the actual beam.

SECTION 6.6 Composite Beams

E X A M P L E

327

6.21

A composite beam is made of wood and reinforced with a steel strap located on its bottom side. It has the cross-sectional area shown in Fig. 640a.
If the beam is subjected to a bending moment of M = 2 kN # m, determine the normal stress at points B and C. Take Ew = 12 GPa GPa and
Est = 200 GPa. GPa.
9 mm
B
150 mm

B
_
y

M= 2 kNm

150 mm
150 mm

20 mm

C
20 mm

150 mm
(b)

(a)

Fig. 640

Solution

Fig. 640b

Section Properties Although the choice is arbitrary, here we will

transform the section into one made entirely of steel. Since steel has a
greater stiffness than wood 1Est 7 Ew2, the width of the wood must be
reduced to an equivalent width for steel. Hence n must be less than one.
For this to be the case, n = Ew>Est, so that
bst = nbw =

12 GPa
1150 mm2 = 9 mm
200 GPa

The transformed section is shown in Fig. 640b.

The location of the centroid (neutral axis), computed from a reference
axis located at the bottom of the section, is
y =

[0.01 m]10.02 m210.150 m2 + [0.095 m]10.009 m210.150 m2

yA
=
= 0.03638 m
A
0.02 m10.150 m2 + 0.009 m10.150 m2

The moment of inertia about the neutral axis is therefore

INA = c

1
10.150 m210.02 m23 + 10.150 m210.02 m210.03638 m - 0.01 m22 d
12
1
+ c 10.009 m210.150 m23 + 10.009 m210.150 m210.095 m - 0.03638 m22 d
12
= 9.358110-62 m4

Continued

328

CHAPTER 6 Bending

Fig. 640d
B

Fig. 640c

1.71 MPa

B
28.6 MPa

0.210 MPa
3.50 MPa

3.50 MPa

M = 2 kNm

M = 2 kNm

C
7.78 MPa
(c)

7.78 MPa
(d)

Normal Stress. Applying the flexure formula, the normal stress at B

and C is
sB =

sC =

2 kN # m10.170 m - 0.03638 m2
9.358110 -62 m4

2 kN # m10.03638 m2
9.358110 -62 m4

= 28.6 MPa

= 7.78 MPa

Ans.

The normal-stress distribution on the transformed (all steel) section is

shown in Fig. 640c.
The normal stress in the wood, located at B in Fig. 640a, is determined
from Eq. 621; that is,
sB = nsB =

12 GPa
128.56 MPa2 = 1.71 MPa
200 GPa

Ans.

Using these concepts, show that the normal stress in the steel and the
wood at the point where they are in contact is sst = 3.50 MPa and
sw = 0.210 MPa, respectively. The normal-stress distribution in the
actual beam is shown in Fig. 640d.

SECTION 6.6 Composite Beams

E X A M P L E

329

6.22

In order to reinforce the steel beam, an oak board is placed between its
flanges as shown in Fig. 641a. If the allowable normal stress for the steel
is (allow)st  168 MPa, and for the wood (allow)w  21 MPa, determine
the maximum bending moment the beam can support, with and without
the wood reinforcement. Est  200 GPa, Ew  12 GPa. The moment of
inertia of the steel beam is Iz  7.93  106 mm4, and its cross-sectional
Fig. 641a
area is A  5493.75
mm2.

18 mm
100 mm
N
z

100 mm

30 mm

5 mm

5 mm

105 mm

(b)

(a)

Fig. 641

Solution

Without Board. Here the neutral axis coincides with the z axis. Direct
application of the flexure formula to the steel beam yields
1sallow2st =

Mc
Iz
M14.200
in.2
M(105
mm)
168
24 N/mm
kip>in22 
=
6 4
4
7.93(10
20.3 in) mm
M  12.688 kN m

Ans.

With Board. Since now we have a composite beam, we must transform

the section to a single material. It will be easier to transform the wood
to an equivalent amount of steel. To do this, n = Ew>Est. Why? Thus, the
width of an equivalent amount of steel is
3
1.60110
ksi
12(103)2MPa
bst = nbw =
112(300
in.2mm)
= 0.662
in.mm
 18
33
29110 2)ksi
200(10
MPa

Continued

330

CHAPTER 6 Bending

The transformed section is shown in Fig. 641b. The neutral axis is at

'
2
[0]18.79
in22mm
+ [2.20
in.]14
in.210.662
in.2 mm)
yA
[0](5493.75
)  [55
mm](100
mm)(18

y =
=
2
2
2
2
A
8.79 in mm
+ 410.662
in 2 mm
5493.75
 100(18)
 13.57 mm
And the moment of inertia about the neutral axis is
2
2
2 2
18.79
210.5093
in.2
] + mm)2]
I = [20.3
in4 6)+ mm
[7.93(10
in5493.75
mm
(13.57

1
 (18 mm)(100 mm)3  (18 mm)(100 mm)(55 mm  13.57 mm)2
12

 13.53(106) mm4
The maximum normal stress in the steel will occur at the bottom of
the beam, Fig. 641b. Here c  105 mm  13.57 mm  118.57 mm. The
maximum moment based on the allowable stress for the steel is therefore
1sallow2st =

Mc
I
M14.7093
M(118.57in.2
mm)
168
24 N/mm
kip>in2 
=
13.53
 in
104 6 mm4
33.68
M  19.17 kN m
The maximum normal stress in the wood occurs at the top of the beam,
Fig. 641b. Here c  105 mm  13.57 mm  91.43 mm. Since sw = nsst,
the maximum moment based on the allowable stress for the wood is
1sallow2w = n

Mc
I
1.60110
2 ksi M13.6907
M(91.43in.2
mm)
12(103)3MPa
22

3
kip>in
=
c
d
21 N/mm 
3
4 6 mm4
13.53

10
29110
2
ksi
33.68
in
200(10 ) MPa

M  51.79 kN m
By comparison, the maximum moment is limited by the allowable
stress in the steel. Thus,
M  19.17 kN m

Ans.

Note also that by using the board as reinforcement, one provides an

additional 51% moment capacity for the beam.

SECTION 6.7 Reinforced Concrete Beams

331

*6.7 Reinforced Concrete Beams

All beams subjected to pure bending must resist both tensile and
compressive stresses. Concrete, however, is very susceptible to cracking
when it is in tension, and therefore by itself would not be suitable for
resisting a bending moment.* In order to circumvent this shortcoming,
engineers place steel reinforcing rods within a concrete beam at a
location where the concrete is in tension, Fig. 642a. To be most effective,
these rods are located farthest from the beams neutral axis, so that the
moment created by the forces developed in the rods is greatest about
the neutral axis. On the other hand, the rods are also required to have
some concrete coverage so as to protect them from corrosion or loss of
strength in the event of a fire. In actual reinforced concrete design, the
ability of concrete to support any tensile loading is neglected since the
possible cracking of concrete is unpredictable. As a result, the normal
stress distribution acting on the cross-sectional area of a reinforced
concrete beam is assumed to look like that shown in Fig. 642b.
The stress analysis requires locating the neutral axis and determining
the maximum stress in the steel and concrete. To do this, the area of steel
A st is first transformed into an equivalent area of concrete using the
transformation factor n = Est>Econc. This ratio, which gives n 7 1, is
chosen since a greater amount of concrete is needed to replace the
steel. The transformed area is nA st and the transformed section looks like
that shown in Fig. 642c. Here d represents the distance from the top of
the beam to the (transformed) steel, b is the beams width, and h is the
yet unknown distance from the top of the beam to the neutral axis. We
can obtain h using the fact that the centroid C of the cross-sectional area
of the transformed section lies on the neutral axis, Fig. 642c. With
reference to the neutral axis, therefore, the moment of the two areas,
'
'
yA, must be zero, since y = yA>A = 0. Thus,
bh a

b
d

M
(a)
Fig. 642a

N
M
Concrete assumed
cracked within
this region.
(b)
Fig. 642b

h
b - nA st1d - h2 = 0
2

b
h

b 2
h + nA st h - nA std = 0
2
Once h is obtained from this quadratic equation, the solution proceeds
in the usual manner for obtaining the stress in the beam.

C
N
n Ast

(c)
*Inspection of its particular stressstrain diagram in Fig. 311 reveals that concrete can be
12.5 times stronger in compression than in tension.

A d

Fig. 642

332

CHAPTER 6 Bending

E X A MFig.P643a
L E

6.23
The reinforced concrete beam has the cross-sectional area shown in
Fig. 643a. If it is subjected to a bending moment of M  60 kN m, determine
the normal stress in each of the steel reinforcing rods and the maximum
normal stress in the concrete. Take Est  200 GPa and Econc  25 GPa.

300 mm

Solution
450 mm

60 kNm

Section Properties. The total area of steel, Ast  2[(12.5 mm)2]  982 mm2
will be transformed into an equivalent area of concrete, Fig. 643b. Here

25-mm-diameter bars 50 mm

300 mm
h
N

400 mm
A

A = 7856 mm2
(b)
Fig. 643b

I = c

Since the beam is made from concrete, in the following analysis we will
neglect its strength in supporting a tensile stress.

200(103) MPa
A  nAst 
(982 mm2)  7856 mm2
25(103) MPa
'
We require the centroid to lie on the neutral axis. Thus yA = 0, or
h
2
30012
mm
in.1h2
- 12.65
in2116in.
- h2 =h)0  0
7856 mm
(400 mm
2

h2  52.37h  20949.33  0

Solving for the positive root,
h  120.90 mm
Using this value for h, the moment of inertia of the transformed section,
computed about the neutral axis, is

2
2
1
4.85120.9
in. mm
3 3
(300in.214.85
mm)(120.90
mm)
300in.14.85
mm(120.90
mm)
7856 mm
(400 in.
mm  120.90
mm)2 2
112
in.2
+12
in.2a
b d + 12.65
in22116
4.85 in.2
12
2 2

 788.67  10 mm
Normal Stress. Applying the flexure formula to the transformed
section, the maximum normal stress in the concrete is
6

60 kN m (1000 mm/m)(120.90 mm)(1000 N/kN)

(conc)max 
 9.20 MPa Ans.
788.67  106 mm4
9.20 MPa

120.90 mm

The normal stress resisted by the concrete strip, which replaced the
steel, is
60 kN m (1000 mm/m)(1000 N/kN)(400 mm  120.9 mm)
conc 
 21.23 MPa
788.67  106 mm4
The normal stress in each of the two reinforcing rods is therefore

169.84 MPa
169.84 MPa
(c)
Fig. 643

200(103) MPa
st  nconc 
21.23 MPa  169.84 MPa
25(103) MPa

The normal-stress distribution is shown graphically in Fig. 643c.

Ans.

346

CHAPTER 6 Bending

PROBLEMS
6-119. The composite beam is made of steel (A) bonded
to brass (B) and has the cross section shown. If it is subjected
to a moment of M = 6.5 kN # m, determine the maximum
bending stress in the brass and steel. Also, what is the stress
in each material at the seam where they are bonded
together? Ebr = 100 GPa, Est = 200 GPa.
*6-120. The composite beam is made of steel (A) bonded
to brass (B) and has the cross section shown. If the allowable
bending stress for the steel is 1sallow2st = 180 MPa, and for
the brass 1sallow2br = 60 MPa, determine the maximum
moment M that can be applied to the beam. Ebr = 100 GPa,
Est = 200 GPa.
A

6-122. The sandwich beam is used as a strut in a surfboard.

It consists of top and bottom face segments that are made
from thin strips of aluminum and an inner core of plastic
resin. Determine the maximum bending stress in the
aluminum and plastic if the beam is subjected to a moment
of M  750 N  m. Eal  70 GPa, Epl  14 GPa.

;;;;;
;;;;;
;;;
;;;;;
;;;
;;;;;
;;;
;;;;;
;;;
y

3 mm

30 mm
z

Prob. 6122

50 mm

200 mm

M = 6.5 kNm

M = 750 Nmm
3 mm

15 mm

6-123. The steel channel is used to reinforce the wood

beam. Determine the maximum stress in the steel and in
the wood if the beam is subjected to a moment of
M  1250 N  m. Est  290 GPa, Ew  16 GPa.

B
z

80 mm

x
175 mm

Probs. 6119/120

10 mm

6-121. A wood beam is reinforced with steel straps at

its top and bottom as shown. Determine the maximum
bending stress developed in the wood and steel if the
beam is subjected to a bending moment of M = 5 kN # m.
Sketch the stress distribution acting over the cross
section. Take Ew = 11 GPa, Est = 200 GPa.
y

20 mm

300 mm
M = 1250 Nm

10 mm
Prob. 6123

10 mm

*6-124. The member has a brass core bonded to a steel

casing. If a couple moment of 8 kN # m is applied at its end,
determine the maximum bending stress in the member.
Ebr = 100 GPa, Est = 200 GPa.
8 kNm

300 mm
M = 5 kNm

3m

20 mm
20 mm
100 mm
20 mm

x
z
Prob. 6121

200 mm
Prob. 6124

20 mm

100 mm

20 mm

PROBLEMS
6-125. The beam is made from three types of plastic that
are identified and have the moduli of elasticity shown in
the figure. Determine the maximum bending stress in the
PVC.

347

200 mm
150 mm
200 mm

100 mm

M
2500 N

2500 N
450 mm
PVC EPVC = 3.2 GPa
Escon EE = 1.1 GPa
Bakelite EB = 5.6 GPa

50 mm
25-mm-diameter rods
Prob. 6127

1m

1.2 m

1m

*6-128. Determine the maximum uniform distributed load

w0 that can be supported by the reinforced concrete beam if
the allowable tensile stress for the steel is (st)allow  200 MPa,
and the allowable compressive stress for the concrete is
(conc)allow  20 MPa. Assume the concrete cannot support a
tensile stress. Take Est  200 GPa, Econc  25 GPa.

25 mm
50 mm
50 mm
75 mm
Prob. 6125

15-mm-diameter rods

w0

6-126. The reinforced concrete beam is used to support

the loading shown. Determine the absolute maximum
normal stress in each of the A-36 steel reinforcing rods
and the absolute maximum compressive stress in the
concrete. Assume the concrete has a high strength in
compression and yet neglect its strength in supporting
tension. Est  200 GPa, Econc  29 GPa.

50 kN

50 kN

500 mm
50 mm
2.5 m

2.5 m

250 mm

Prob. 6128

6-129. A bimetallic strip is made from pieces of 2014-T6

aluminum and C83400 red brass, having the cross section
shown. A temperature increase causes its neutral surface
375 mm to be bent into a circular arc having a radius of 400 mm.
Determine the moment that must be acting on its cross
section due to the thermal stress. Eal  74 GPa and
50 mm
Ebr  102 GPa.
25-mm-diameter rods
200 mm

1m

2m

1m

Prob. 6126

6-127. The reinforced concrete beam is made using two

steel reinforcing rods. If the allowable tensile stress, for the
steel is (st)allow  280 MPa, and the allowable compressive
stress for the concrete is (conc)allow  21 MPa, determine
the maximum moment M that can be applied to the
section. Assume the concrete cannot support a tensile
stress. Est  200 GPa, Econc  26.5 GPa.

Brass

400 mm

6 mm
2 mm
2 mm

Aluminum
Prob. 6129