Normal Stresses

Consider a beam of rectangular cross-section subjected to both axial force P and moment M. The Method of Superposition is used to determine the normal stresses on the beam's cross-section.

Click below to see the normal stress distribution due to:

• Axial Force P acting alone
• Moment M acting alone
• Axial Force P and Moment M acting together

Shear Stresses

Consider a beam of circular cross-section subjected simultaneously to both shear force V and torque T. The Method of Superposition is used to determine the shear stresses on the beam's cross-section.

Click below to see the Shear Stresses at points 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 due to:

• Shear Force V acting alone
• Torque T acting alone
• Shear Force V and Torque T acting together

Note: the cross-section shown is viewed along the negative x- direction.
Note: The normal stresses due to bending are not included. They would act out-of the cross-section at point 2 (tension), and into the cross-section at point 4 (compression).