Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

5.6 Elementary Theory of Bending

We may conclude, on the basis of the previous sections, that exact solutions are difficult to obtain. We also observed that for a slender beam, the results of the exact theory do not differ markedly from those found with the mechanics of materials or elementary approach provided that solutions close to the ends are not required. The bending deflection is very much larger than the shear deflection, so the stress associated with the former predominates. As a consequence, the normal strain εy resulting from transverse loading may be neglected.

Because it is more easily applied, the elementary approach is usually preferred in engineering practice. The exact and elementary theories should be regarded as complementary—rather than competitive—approaches, enabling the analyst to obtain the degree of accuracy required in the context of the specific problem at hand.

5.6.1 Assumptions of Elementary Theory

The basic presuppositions of the elementary theory [Ref. 5.2], for a slender beam whose cross section is symmetrical about the vertical plane of loading, are

The first equation of Eqs. (5.26) is equivalent to the assertion υ = υ(x). Thus, all points in a beam at a given longitudinal location x experience identical deformation. The second equation of Eqs. (5.26), together with υ = υ(x), yields, after integration,

The third equation of Eqs. (5.26) and Eqs. (5.27) imply that the beam is considered narrow, and we have a case of plane stress.

At y = 0 the bending deformation should vanish. Referring to Eq. (a), it is clear that u0(x) must represent axial deformation. The term /dx is the slope θ of the beam axis, as shown in Fig. 5.7a, and is very much smaller than unity. Therefore,

unequ257_229.jpg
FIGURE 5.7

Figure 5.7. (a) Longitudinal displacements in a beam due to rotation of a plane section; (b) element between adjoining sections of a beam.

The slope is positive when clockwise, provided that the x and y axes have the directions shown. Since u is a linear function of y, this equation restates the kinematic hypothesis of the elementary theory of bending: Plane sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam remain plane subsequent to bending. This assumption is confirmed by the exact theory only in the case of pure bending.

5.6.2 Method of Integration

In the next section, we obtain the stress distribution in a beam according to the elementary theory. We now derive some useful relations involving the shear force V, the bending moment M, the load per unit length p, the slope θ, and the deflection. Consider a beam element of length dx subjected to a distributed loading (Fig. 5.7b). Since dx is small, we omit the variation in the load per unit length p. In the free-body diagram, all the forces and the moments are positive. The shear force obeys the sign convention discussed in Section 1.4, while the bending moment is in agreement with the convention adopted in Section 5.2.

In general, the shear force and bending moment vary with the distance x, such that these quantities will have different values on each face of the element. The increments in shear force and bending moment are denoted by dV and dM, respectively. The equilibrium of forces in the vertical direction is governed by V − (V + dV) − p dx = 0 or

That is, the rate of change of shear force with respect to x is equal to the algebraic value of the distributed loading. Equilibrium of the moments about a z axis through the left end of the element, neglecting the higher-order infinitesimals, leads to

This relation states that the rate of change of bending moment is equal to the algebraic value of the shear force—a relation that is valid only if a distributed load or no load acts on the beam segment. Combining Eqs. (5.28) and (5.29), we have

The basic equation of bending of a beam, Eq. (5.10), combined with Eq. (5.30), may now be written as

For a beam of constant flexural rigidity EI, the beam equations derived here may be expressed as

These relationships also apply to wide beams provided that we substitute E/(1 − V2) for E (Table 3.1).

In many problems of practical importance, the deflection due to transverse loading of a beam may be obtained through successive integration of the beam equation:

Alternatively, we could begin with EIυ" = M(x) and integrate twice to obtain

In either case, the constants c1, c2, c3, and c4, which correspond to the homogeneous solution of the differential equations, may be evaluated from the boundary conditions. The constants c1, c2, c3/EI, and c4/EI represent the values at the origin of V, M, θ, and υ, respectively. In the method of successive integration, there is no need to distinguish between statically determinate and statically indeterminate systems (Section 5.11), because the equilibrium equations represent only two of the boundary conditions (on the first two integrals), and because the total number of boundary conditions is always equal to the total number of unknowns.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020