# Calculte max force that can be applied to a Beam flange?

by em07189
Tags: applied, beam, calculte, flange, force
 P: 11 Hi everyone! I need to design a beam for a monorail system, like in the pictures above. But the question, is how to know the maximum force that a beam flange can handle? Thanks.
 Sci Advisor P: 1,498 How will the monorail be attached to the beam (e.g. 4 'x'-spaced wheels)? Are you only concerned about weight loads? What about dynamic loads from turning, etc?
 P: 11 beam lenght 3 meters. distance between wheels 0.6 meters. I'm concerned with weight loads, and find the beam with flanges that will handle with the weight load. How can i do this calculation?
 P: 41 Calculte max force that can be applied to a Beam flange? Find the bending stress at the point where the flange meets the web (you'd need to assume some supports for the cross section, top diagram). You should also find the bending stress of the entire beam. (bottom diagram) Then calculate shear stresses. Or plug the whole thing into your FEA software of choice.
 Sci Advisor P: 1,498 If the trolley is stationary, then you do a simple beam analysis. You have vertical forces at the wheels. You draw a shear/moment diagram to find the location of the maximum moment and shear. I would think that the worst case would be the trolley 'almost' to the end of the beam, such that the wheel is loading just before the support. This should generate the highest shears in your problem. Then, sum moments about either support to calculate the reaction force at the opposite support. Then sum forces to calculate the final reaction force. From here, draw a shear diagram (if you need more info, let us know). Then, integrate the shear diagram to get the moment diagram. The shear stress will be: $$\sigma_{shear} = \frac{F}{A}$$ Where F is the shear force, and A will be an area that it acts upon. The bending stress will be: $$\sigma_{bend} = \frac{My}{I}$$ Where y is the distance from the centerline to any point, and I is the area moment of inertia. For maximum stress location, y is the outer fiber of the beam (think OD). However, your maximum stress will probably be an equivalent stress located at the top of the flange. If the web is either welded or brazed on, then there may be additional stress factors as well.
 Sci Advisor HW Helper PF Gold P: 2,907 Hi em. Minger has provided the general method for determining stresses in beams, though the worst case stress is when the load is in the middle. Assume simply supported ends unless you have sufficient anchoring at the beam support points to assume otherwise. Generally, trolleys have a load rating and that load rating is also dependent on the beam used. So your first option should be to check with the trolley manufacturer for minimum beam recommendations and start from there. If you don't have that or if you're designing your own trolley, I'd suggest applying the beam bending equations to the flanges themselves. Imagine the flange being two cantilevered beams in bending, one on each side of the web. This defines the length of the beam (half the width of the flange) and thickness of the beam (thickness of the flange). You also need width. I'd suggest for each contact point (wheel) you use a width equal to the length of the beam (half the width of the flange). This should give you a safe / conservative stress analysis for the flange itself. Don't forget to apply a safety factor - I'd suggest 2 to yield and 4 to ultimate. WARNING: If this is for overhead work in a commercial application, the 'crane' must meet OSHA standards and should be designed & tested by a certified crane testing outfit.