1. What is Bending Stress?

Bending stress is the internal stress developed in a beam when subjected to external bending moments. It varies linearly across the cross-section, reaching maximum values at the outermost fibers.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the bending stress formula:

Where:

• \( \sigma \) — Bending stress (Pa)
• \( M \) — Bending moment (Nm)
• \( y \) — Distance from neutral axis (m)
• \( I \) — Moment of inertia (m⁴)

Explanation: The formula calculates the stress at any point in the beam's cross-section based on the applied bending moment and geometric properties.

3. Importance of Bending Stress Calculation

Details: Calculating bending stress is essential for structural design and analysis to ensure beams can withstand applied loads without failure or excessive deformation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bending moment in Nm, distance from neutral axis in meters, and moment of inertia in m⁴. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the neutral axis?
A: The neutral axis is the line through the cross-section where bending stress is zero. It passes through the centroid of the cross-section.

Q2: How does cross-section shape affect bending stress?
A: Different cross-sections have different moments of inertia, which directly affects the bending stress. I-beams are efficient because they concentrate material away from the neutral axis.

Q3: What is the maximum bending stress?
A: Maximum bending stress occurs at the point farthest from the neutral axis (y = y_max) in the cross-section.

Q4: How does material properties affect bending stress?
A: While this formula calculates stress, material strength (yield strength, ultimate strength) determines if the beam will fail under the calculated stress.

Q5: Can this formula be used for all beam types?
A: This formula applies to beams experiencing pure bending with linear elastic material behavior and small deformations.