Curved Beam - VTU e-Learning

Since length of inner element is smaller than outer element, the strain
induced and stress developed are higher for inner element than outer
element as shown.
Thus stress concentration occur at inner side or concave side of curved
beam
The actual magnitude of stress in the curved beam would be influenced
by magnitude of curvature However, for a general comparison the stress
distribution for the same section and same bending moment for the
straight beam and the curved beam are shown in figure.
It is observed that the neutral axis shifts inwards for the curved beam.
This results in stress to be zero at this position, rather than at the centre
of gravity.
In cases where holes and discontinuities are provided in the beam, they
should be preferably placed at the neutral axis, rather than that at the
centroidal axis. This results in a better stress distribution.
Example:
For numerical analysis, consider the depth of the section ass twice
the inner radius.