## Beam stress analysis.

Hi,
I'm trying to calculate the maximum bending stress in a beam with a varying cross section. I found a great resource (link below) that gives examples on how to do this but am a little confused. Basically the equation used is σ=M/Sx I know what σ and M are, but I haven't a clue what Sx is meant to be. Can anyone tell me what this is? It's kind of tough to figure our a way to google "S" and get meaningful results. Thanks!

http://www.aaronklapheck.com/Downloa...ere%5B1%5D.pdf

PS. What I'm trying to do, is calculate the maximum stress of a boat hull. I'm approximating it as a beam, but the cross section geometry is arbitrary. If any one has any suggestions about a better way to do this, they are certainly welcome!
 PhysOrg.com engineering news on PhysOrg.com >> Sensitive bomb detector to rove in search of danger>> PNNL-developed injection molding process recognized with emerging technologies award>> How soon could car seats enter the 3-D comfort zone?
 Recognitions: Science Advisor The general formuila is $$\sigma = \frac{My}{I}$$ where y is the distance from the neutral axis. It looks like he is combining ##I## and the maximum value of ##y## into $$S_x = \frac{I}{y_{\text{max}}}.$$ I've never seen that notation before, but then I learned how to stress beams a very long time ago! Edit: in one of the problems in the PDF he gives it the name "section modulus". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_modulus. Looking at the references on the Wiki page, maybe it's used more as a civil or structural engineering term than in general mech eng.
 [QUOTE=AlephZero;4281600]The general formuila is $$\sigma = \frac{My}{I}$$ where y is the distance from the neutral axis. Thanks for you help. So if I have a beam with a varying cross section (and therefore a variable I) how do I deal with that? Can I just find I at the cross section I want to know the stress at? Or do I need to consider the moment of inertia at other portions of the beam as well? Also wikipedia denotes the "First moment of Area" with an S. Do you think that could be what it is? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_moment_of_area Thanks again.

## Beam stress analysis.

Nevermind. You were exactly right. Sx=I/ymax.
http://www.wikiengineer.com/Structural/BendingStress

Recognitions: