Rectangular beams of homogeneous material, such as wood, are common in practice.
The section modulus for such beams is derived here.
1 Stress block in rectangular beam under positive bending.
2 Large stress block and lever-arm of a joist in typical upright position.
3 Small, inefficient, stress block and lever-arm of a joist laid flat.
Referring to 1, the section modulus for a rectangular beam of homogeneous material may be derived as follows. The force couple C and T rotate about the neutral axis to provide the internal resisting moment. C and T act at the center of mass of their respective triangular stress block at d/3 from the neutral axis. The magnitude of C and T is the volume of the upper and lower stress block, respectively.
C = T = (f/2) (bd/2) = f b d/4.
The internal resisting moment is the sum of C and T times their respective lever arm, d/3, to the neutral axis. Hence
M = C d/3 + T d/3. Substituting C = T = f bd/4 yields
M = 2 (f bd/4) d/3 = f bd2/6, or M = f S,
where S = bd2/6, defined as the section modulus for rectangular beams of homogeneous material.
Solving M = f S for f yields the maximum bending stress as defined before:
f = M/S
This formula is valid for homogeneous beams of any shape; but the formula S = b(d^2)6 is valid for rectangular beams only. For other shapes S can be computed as S = I /c as defined before for the flexure formula.
Comparing a joist of 2”x12” in upright and flat position as illustrated in 2 and 3 yields an interesting observation:
The upright joist is six times stronger than the flat joist of equal cross-section. This demonstrates the importance of correct orientation of bending members, such as beams or moment frames.
The section modulus for such beams is derived here.
1 Stress block in rectangular beam under positive bending.
2 Large stress block and lever-arm of a joist in typical upright position.
3 Small, inefficient, stress block and lever-arm of a joist laid flat.
Referring to 1, the section modulus for a rectangular beam of homogeneous material may be derived as follows. The force couple C and T rotate about the neutral axis to provide the internal resisting moment. C and T act at the center of mass of their respective triangular stress block at d/3 from the neutral axis. The magnitude of C and T is the volume of the upper and lower stress block, respectively.
C = T = (f/2) (bd/2) = f b d/4.
The internal resisting moment is the sum of C and T times their respective lever arm, d/3, to the neutral axis. Hence
M = C d/3 + T d/3. Substituting C = T = f bd/4 yields
M = 2 (f bd/4) d/3 = f bd2/6, or M = f S,
where S = bd2/6, defined as the section modulus for rectangular beams of homogeneous material.
f = M/S
This formula is valid for homogeneous beams of any shape; but the formula S = b(d^2)6 is valid for rectangular beams only. For other shapes S can be computed as S = I /c as defined before for the flexure formula.
Comparing a joist of 2”x12” in upright and flat position as illustrated in 2 and 3 yields an interesting observation:
The upright joist is six times stronger than the flat joist of equal cross-section. This demonstrates the importance of correct orientation of bending members, such as beams or moment frames.
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