Curved Beams (Secs. 5.13-5.

16)
Examples of curved beam applications
2 CurvedBeams.nb

Limitation of Simple Beam Formula

● The simple flexural formula used for straight beams is not applicable to curved beams with ratio of
beam radius of curvature   to
a+b
its depth (b-a) is < 5.
2

< 5
a+b

b-a
2
Simplify

(11 a - 9 b) (a - b) > 0

>
b 11
which means that the beam should be considered curved if

● Two main differences between straight (or milled curved) and curved beams
a 9

1) Unlike straight beams, N.A. does not coincide with the centroidal axis of the cross section for curved
beams
2) Bending action produces radial stresses in curved beams (zero for straight beams).

Formula 1: Elasticity solution (for rectangular section only)

 CurvedBeams.nb 3

N = 1- -4 Ln 
2
a2 a2 b 2
b2 b2 a

σr = 1- Ln  - 1- Ln 
4M a2 r a2 b
t b2 N b2 a r2 a

σθ = 1- 1 + Ln  - 1+ Ln 
4M a2 r a2 b
t b2
N b2 a r2 a

σθ = the tangential (normal) stress

where

a : Internal radius

M : Internal bending moment about the centroidal axis, +ve if it

b : External radius

r = distance from the center of curvature to the point where σθ is to be determined

tends to decrease the radius of curvature
4 CurvedBeams.nb

Formula 2: Winkler solution

M (R - r)
σθ = -
A (r - R) r
σθ = the tangential (normal) stress
M = internal bending moment about the centroidal axis, +ve if it

A = cross - sectional area of the beam

tends to decrease the radius of curvature

r = distance from the center of curvature to the point

where σθ is to be determined
r = distance from the center of curvature to the centroidal

R = distance from the center of curvature to the neutural axis

axis of the beam

of the beam which is given by : R =

A

∫ r
A
.

For composite sections : R =

A
∫
A
r

Solution 1: Elasticity Solution (for narrow rectangular x-

section)
Derivation (not required)
The equilibrium equations can be expressed in cylindrical coordinates as
 CurvedBeams.nb 5

Differential equation of equilibrium in polar coordinates

Assuming that τrθ =0, the equilibrium in the radial direction yields
:

σr + dr (r + dr) dθ - σr r dθ - σθ + - σθ dr sin =0

∂σr ∂σθ
∂r ∂θ
dθ dθ
dθ dr sin (1)
2 2

Equilibrium in the tangential direction yields:

σθ + ∂σθ
∂θ
dθ dr cos dθ
2
- σθ dr cos dθ
2
= 0 (2)

After simplification, (1) and (2) become

∂σr σr - σθ
+ = 0 (3)
∂r r

∂σθ
= 0 (4)
∂θ
(3) and (4) show that both stresses are functions of r only. How? Assume that the radial and circumferen-
tial stresses are given by

σr = c1 + c2 Log[r / a] + c3  r2 ;
σθ = c4 + c5 Log[r / a] + c6  r2 ;

Using the above assumed expressions in (3), we get

6 CurvedBeams.nb

σr - σθ
SimplifyD[σr, r] + 
r

- c3 - c6 + c1 r2 + c2 r2 - c4 r2 + (c2 - c5) r2 Log a 

r

r3

For the above eq. to be satisfied, c5 = c2, c4 = c1 + c2 and c6 = -c3

σr = σr /. {c5  c2, c4  c1 + c2, c6  - c3}

c1 + + c2 Log 
c3 r
r2 a

σθ = σθ /. {c5  c2, c4  c1 + c2, c6  - c3}

c1 + c2 - + c2 Log 
c3 r
r2 a

In order to find the three constants c1, c2 and c3, we will use equilibrium and boundary conditions
From boundary conditions:
eq1 = σr  0 /. r  a

c1 + 0
c3
a2

eq2 = σr  0 /. r  b

c1 + + c2 Log   0
c3 b
b2 a

From moment equilibrium

eq3 = Simplify[t Integrate[r σθ, {r, a, b}], {a > 0 && b > 0 && b > a}]  M

t - a2 (2 c1 + c2) + 4 c3 Log[a] - 4 c3 Log[b] + b2 2 c1 + c2 + 2 c2 Log  M

1 b
4 a

Solving for the constants:

constants = Simplify[Solve[{eq1, eq2, eq3}, {c1, c2, c3}]]

4 b2 M Log a 
c1  -
b

t a2 - b2  + 4 a2 b2 Log[a] Log a  - 4 a2 b2 Log[b] Log a 

,
2 b b

4 a2 - b2  M
c2  -
t a2 - b2  + 4 a2 b2 Log[a] Log a  - 4 a2 b2 Log[b] Log a 
,
2 b b

4 a2 b2 M Log a 
c3  
b

t a2 - b2  + 4 a2 b2 Log[a] Log a  - 4 a2 b2 Log[b] Log a 

2 b b

Updating stresses
 CurvedBeams.nb 7

σr = Simplify[σr /. constants[[1]]]

4 M b2 a2 - r2  Log a  + - a2 + b2  r2 Log a 

b r

r2 t a2 - b2  + 4 a2 b2 Log[a] Log a  - 4 a2 b2 Log[b] Log a 

2 b b

σθ = Simplify[σθ /. constants[[1]]]

4 M b2 a2 + r2  Log a  + a2 - b2  r2 1 + Log a 

-
b r

r2 t a2 - b2  + 4 a2 b2 Log[a] Log a  - 4 a2 b2 Log[b] Log a 

2 b b

Check ΣFθ = 0 :

Simplify[t Integrate[σθ, {r, a, b}], {a > 0 && b > 0 && b > a}]
0

Book formulas

N = 1- -4 Log  ;
2
a2 a2 b 2
b2 b2 a

σr = 1- Log  - 1- Log  ;
4M a2 r a2 b
t b2 N b2 a r2 a

σθ = 1- 1 + Log  - 1+ Log  ;
4M a2 r a2 b
t b2 N b2 a r2 a

(* Let us compare the two formulae *)

NN = 1 - -4 Log  ;
2
a2 a2 b 2
b2 b2 a

4 M b2 a2 - r2  Log a  + - a2 + b2  r2 Log a 

σr1 =
b r

r2 t a2 - b2  + 4 a2 b2 Log[a] Log a  - 4 a2 b2 Log[b] Log a 

;
2 b b

σr2 = 1- Log  - 1- Log  ;

4M a2 r a2 b

Simplify[σr1 - σr2, {a > 0 && b > 0 && b > a}]

t b2 NN b2 r2 a a

Remarks
● The above formulation is based on the following sign convention:

Positive moment tends to decrease the radius of curvature of the beam

Positive stress indicates tension while negative stress indicates compression

● The formulation is limited to rectangular sections

8 CurvedBeams.nb

● If there is a normal force N , ± A has to be added the tangential stress σθ

N

● Tangential (normal to the cross section) and radial stresses have a nonlinear distribution across the
beam depth

● Radial stress is always negative and small compared to tangential stress

● Tangential stress is maximum at r = a (This is verified below)

Stress

σθ
4

2
r

1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0

σr
a
-2

-4

-6

-8 Stress variation for b/a = 2

σθa = Simplify[σθ /. r  a /. b  α a]
σθb = Simplify[σθ /. r  b /. b  α a]
4 M 1 - α2 + 2 α2 Log[α]
-
a2 t - 1 + α2  + 4 α2 Log[a] Log[α] - 4 α2 Log[α] Log[a α]
2

4 M - 1 + α2 - 2 Log[α]

a2 t - 1 + α2  + 4 α2 Log[a] Log[α] - 4 α2 Log[α] Log[a α]

2

σθb
ratio = Simplify 
σθa
1 - α2 + 2 Log[α]
1 - α2 + 2 α2 Log[α]
 CurvedBeams.nb 9

(* Let us plot for b/a ranging from 11/9 to 10 *)

σθ (b)
σθ (a)

Plotratio, α, , 10, PlotRange  All

11
9

-0.3

-0.4

-0.5

-0.6

-0.7

-0.8

-0.9 2 4 6 8 10

Solution 2: Curved Beam (Winkler Formula)

M (R - r)
σθ = -
A (r - R) r
σr = 0
σθ = the tangential (normal) stress
M = internal bending moment about the centroidal axis,
+ve if it
tends to decrease the radius of curvature
10 CurvedBeams.nb

A = cross - sectional area of the beam

tends to decrease the radius of curvature

r = distance from the center of curvature to the point

where σθ is to be determined
r = distance from the center of curvature to the centroidal

R = distance from the center of curvature to the neutural axis

axis of the beam

of the beam which is given by : R =

A
∫ r
A
.

For composite sections : R =

A
∫ A
r
Table 5.2
 CurvedBeams.nb 11

Solution 3: Simple Strength of Materials Formula (Flexure

Formula)
12 M r - 
σθ = ± =
a+b
My
t (b - a)3
2
(b-a)3
t
σr = 0
12

Solved Problems
Problem I
A curved beam (width t = 20 mm) is subjected to a bending moment M = 40 N.m. Compute the tangen-
tial stresses at the top and bottom fibers using the three solutions for the following two cases:
12 CurvedBeams.nb

a) a = 90 mm, b = 110 mm
b) a = 90 mm, b = 180 mm

Case (a)

Elasticity Solution :

caseaA = {M  4 × 104 , t  20., a  90., b  110, α  110 / 90, r 

Clear["Global`*"]

caseaB = {M  4 × 104 , t  20., a  90., b  110, α  110 / 90, r 

90};

casebA = {M  4 × 104 , t  20., a  90., b  180, α  180 / 90, r 

110};

casebB = {M  4 × 104 , t  20., a  90., b  180, α  180 / 90, r 

90};
180};

NN = 1 - -
1 2 4
α2 α2
Log[α]2 ;

σθ1A = 1- 1 + Log  - 1+ Log[α] /. caseaA

4M 1 r a2
t b2 NN α2 a r2
- 32.1517

σθ1B = 1- 1 + Log  - 1+ Log[α] /. caseaB

4M 1 r a2
t b2 NN α2 a r2
28.1302

Winkler Solution :
M (R - r)
σθ2a = - /.
A (r - R) r
110 - 90
M  4 × 104 , A  20 (110 - 90), r  0.5 (110 + 90), R  , r  90

110
Log
- 32.1331
90

M (R - r)
σθ2b = - /.
A (r - R) r
110 - 90
M  4 × 104 , A  20 (110 - 90), r  0.5 (110 + 90), R  , r  110

110
Log 90

28.1089

Simple Beam Solution :

4. × 104 (10)
σθ3a = -
20 (20)3

- 30.
12
 CurvedBeams.nb 13

Case (b)

Elasticity Solution :

NN = 1 - -
1 2 4
α2 α2
Log[α]2 ;

σθ1A = 1- 1 + Log  - 1+ Log[α] /. casebA

4M 1 r a2
t b2 NN α2 a r2
- 1.91487

σθ1b = 1- 1 + Log  - 1+ Log[α] /. casebB

4M 1 r a2
t b2 NN α2 a r2
1.21408

Winkler Formula :
M (R - r)
σθ2a = - /.
A (r - R) r
180 - 90
M  4 × 104 , A  20 (180 - 90), r  0.5 (180 + 90), R  , r  90

180
Log
- 1.90747
90

M (R - r)
σθ2b = - /.
A (r - R) r
180 - 90
M  4 × 104 , A  20 (180 - 90), r  0.5 (180 + 90), R  , r  180

180
Log 90

1.20065

Simple Beam Flexure Formula :

4. × 104 (45)
σθ3a = -
20 (90)3

4. × 104 (45)
12

σθ3b =
20 (90)3

- 1.48148
12

1.48148

Problem II (Book Example 5.11)

14 CurvedBeams.nb

A curved beam (b = 30 mm, h = 50 mm, r = 125 mm) is subjected to a bending moment M =

1.2 kN.m. Compute the maximum stress using :
a) the flexural formula; b) Winkler formual.

Winkler Formula :

M (R - r) 150 - 100
Clear["Global`*"]

σθmax = - /. M  1.2 × 106 , A  30 * 50., r  125., R  , r  100

A (r - R) r Log 100 
150

- 110.707

Flexural Formula :

1.2 × 106 (25)

σθ3b = -
30 (50)3

- 96.
12

Problem III (Book Problem 5.34)

The allowable stress in tension and compression for the clamp body shown in Fig.P5 .34 is 80 MPa.Cal-
culate the maximum permissible load the member can resist. Dimensions are in millimeters.
 CurvedBeams.nb 15

Clear["Global`*"]

40. × 6 × 26 + 30 × 6 × 3
r= + 120
40 × 6 + 30 × 6
136.143

R=
A

∫120  r + ∫126 r
126 30 166 6
r r

40 × 6 + 30 × 6
R=
∫120.  r + ∫126. r  r
126 30 166 6
r

134.704

M = - P (30 + 120 + 16.14)

- 166.14 P

M (R - r)
Calculate P from : - = 80 at r = 120 mm
A (r - R) r
(- 166.14 P) (134.704 - 120)
-  80
P
420. (136.143 - 134.704) 120
Solve
420.
{{P  2218.25}}

(- 166.14 P) (134.704 - 166)

-  - 80
P
420. (136.143 - 134.704) 166
Solve
420.
{{P  1617.97}}

Therefore, Pall = 1618 N

Problem IV (Book Problem 5.36)

A curved frame having a channel-shaped cross section is subjected to bending by end moments M, as
illustrated in Fig. P5.36. Determine the dimension b required if the tangential stresses at points A and B
of the beam are equal in magnitude.
16 CurvedBeams.nb

20 × b × 10 + 2 × 60 × 10 × 50
Clear["Global`*"]

r = 60 +
20 b + 2 × 60 × 10
60 000 + 200 b
60 +
1200 + 20 b

M (R - r)
σθA = - /. {A  20 b + 1200, r  60}
A (r - R) r
M (- 60 + R)
-
60 (1200 + 20 b) 60 + - R
60 000+200 b
1200+20 b

M (R - r)
σθB = - /. {A  20 b + 1200, r  140}
A (r - R) r
M (- 140 + R)
-
140 (1200 + 20 b) 60 + - R
60 000+200 b
1200+20 b

σθA
σθB
7 (- 60 + R)
3 (- 140 + R)

σθA
 - 1
σθB
Solve

{{R  84}}

Compute R for the composite section:

R=
A

∫60  r + ∫80 r
80 b 140 20
r r

20 b + 1200
R=
∫60  r + ∫80 r
80 b 140 20

1200 + 20 b
r r

b Log 3  + 20 Log 4 
4 7
 CurvedBeams.nb 17

1200 + 20 b
 84.
b Log 3  + 20 Log 4 
Solve
4 7

Solve::ratnz : Solve was unable to solve the system with inexact coefficients.
The answer was obtained by solving a corresponding exact system and numericizing the result. 

{{b  62.3835}}

Problem V (Book Problem 5.37)

Notes:

2. The distance OA printed as “d” in the book figure is actually “b” while distance
1. There is a sign mistake in the book R formula used in the below solution.

printed as “b” in the book figure is actually “a”.

See the corrected figure below the wrong one.
18 CurvedBeams.nb

The solution after correcting the mistake:

b = 15.; d = 20.; c = d / 2; a = 25.;

Clear["Global`*"]

rb = b + c;
A = π c2 ;

R=
A

2 π rb - rb2 - c2

P = 800;
M = P (a + b + c);
23.9564

M (R - r)
σA = + /. {r  b}
P
A (rb - R) r
M (R - r)
A

σB = + /. {r  b + d}
P
A A (rb - R) r
75.3976

- 35.9511

σ= +
P Mc
A π c4
4

53.4761
 CurvedBeams.nb 19

-
P Mc
A π c4

- 48.3831
4