Short Beam Stress Concentration

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around estimating maximum bending stresses in a short cantilever beam-like structure, particularly focusing on stress concentration factors and the applicability of Roark's formulas for stress and strain. Participants explore the implications of span/depth ratios and the methods for calculating stresses, including analytical approaches and finite element analysis (FEA).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks tables of stress concentration factors for short beams with specific span/depth ratios, noting that traditional formulas may not apply accurately for ratios less than 3.
  • Another participant asserts that the structure in question does not qualify as a beam due to its dimensions and suggests that stress concentration factors are not applicable.
  • A participant acknowledges the non-beam nature of the structure but questions whether analytical methods or FEA would be more appropriate for estimating bending stresses.
  • Discussion includes the idea that stress concentration is relevant only in cases of sudden geometric changes, which the participant's structure lacks.
  • One participant suggests using the Mc/I formula for a rough estimate of bending stress, while also recommending consideration of shear stress due to bending.
  • A later reply indicates a plan to incorporate Timoshenko effects and perform FEA alongside analytical calculations to estimate stresses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the classification of the structure as a beam and the applicability of stress concentration factors. There is no consensus on the best method for estimating stresses, with some advocating for analytical methods and others for FEA.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations related to the applicability of traditional beam theory due to the short length and depth of the structure, as well as the potential inaccuracies in using Mc/I for this case.

elsikre
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Hi there

Are anyone familiar with tables of stress concentration factors, or the like for short beams for different span/depth ratios.

My beam is technically not a beam, but I would still like to estimate maximum bending stresses related to normal stresses caused by bending moment (sigma = Mc/I) near the fixation. According to Roarks Formulas for Stress and Strain (7th edition p167) span/depth ratios of less than 3 does no longer give accurate results with Mc/I, but the stress distribution changes depending on the manner of loading and support. I kind of need tables with these factors or the like.

My "beam" is classic example of a short cantilever beam fixated at the left end, transverse point load at the tip.
lengt/span = 0.2
height/depth = 0.2
thickness/width = 0.04

Any one can give me a hint on this one ?
 

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Hi odmart01

Thank you for your interest in this subject an your reply. I actually know it is not a beam because it does not fulfill the span/depth ratio to use Euler Bernoulli etc. That is also why I wrote: "My beam is technically not a beam", buty still Roarks Formulas for stress and strain uses the term "Beam" even for extremely short and deep beams, so I just didn't know what to call it.

But anyway, let us say that you were given the task to estimate highest bending stresses in this short structure with length/depth ratio of 1, due to the given constraint and transverse force applied. My question is whether it might be possible to calculate analytical, or will it be only possible to do by FEA.

The case is, that Roarks formulas has a table with stress concentration factors, but that is (as I can see) only for simply supported extremely short beam.

- And thanks a lot for the link.
 
Stress concentration only comes into play where you have a sudden change in geometry or shape, such as near a fillet, a hole, etc. In your problem, you don't have that.

The size of the beam does complicate things, but you still can use Mc/I to get a ballpark of stress due to bending. Sure, it's not accurate, but if you want accuracy, throw it into some analysis software or do some strain testing.

One more thing, you probably want to look at the shear due to bending in this problem. The VQ/It stress will play a large role in the problem due to the shortness of the "beam".
 
Great. It is nice to hear that this guess should be close enough. I will do some guesses at the axial stresses related to the bending of the profile, and include Timoshenko effects in an analytical calculation of deformation as well. Of course some FEA. That should do the trick then. Thanks.
 

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