Composite Beam Bimetallic Strip
Composite Beam Bimetallic Strip
Composite Beam Bimetallic Strip
EXAMPLE
The beam cross section shown in Fig. 8.4(a) is composed of three portions of
equal width and depth. The top portion is made of aluminum for which
EA 10 106 lb=in2 ; the center is made of brass for which EB 15 106 lb=in2 ;
and the bottom is made of steel for which ES 30 106 lb=in2 . Figure 8.4(b)
shows the equivalent cross section, which is assumed to be made of aluminum.
For this equivalent cross section the centroid must be located and the moment
of inertia determined for the centroidal axis.
Solution
Figure 8.4
138 Formulas for Stress and Strain [CHAP. 8
modulus ratio, the actual stress at the bottom of the steel portion of the beam
would be s 762030=10 22;900 lb=in2 .
wt3b ta Eb Ea
Equivalent EI K 8:2-1
12ta Ea tb Eb 1
or
2 3
ta t E t E t
K1 4 6 4 a a a b b 8:2-2
tb tb Eb tb Ea ta
Figure 8.5
SEC. 8.2] Beams; Flexure of Straight Bars 139
EXAMPLE
A bimetallic strip is made by bonding a piece of titanium alloy 14 in wide by
0.030 in thick to a piece of stainless steel 14 in wide by 0.060 in thick. For
titanium, E 17 106 lb=in2 and g 5:7 106 in=in= F; for stainless steel,
E 28 106 lb=in2 and g 9:6 106 in=in= F. It is desired to find the length
of bimetal required to develop a reaction force of 5 oz at a simply supported left
end when the right end is fixed and the temperature is raised 50 F; also the
maximum stresses must be determined.
Solution. First find the value of K1 from Eq. (8.2-2) and then evaluate the
equivalent stiffness from Eq. (8.2-1):
2 3
0:03 0:03 17 0:03 28 0:06
K1 4 6 4 11:37
0:06 0:06 28 0:06 17 0:03
0:250:063 0:0328 106 17 106
Equivalent EI 11:37 333 lb-in2
120:0317 106 0:0628 106
Under a temperature rise over the entire length, the bimetallic strip curves
just as a single strip would curve under a temperature differential. To use case
6c in Table 8.1, the equivalent to gT2 T1 =t must be found. This equivalent
value is given by
The expression for RA can now be obtained from case 6c in Table 8.1 and,
noting that a 0, the value of the length l can be determined:
3l2 a2 g 3 5
RA EI T2 T1 3330:00257 lb
2l3 t 2l 16
Combining Eqs. (8.2-3) and (8.2-5), the flexure stress on the top of the titanium
is
61:285 0:06 17 0:03
s 2
0:250:062 11:37 0:03 28 0:06
" 2 #
9:6 106 5:7 106 5017 106 0:03 0:03 28 0:06
3 2
11:37 0:06 0:06 17 0:03
3242 378 3620 lb=in2
EXAMPLE
Consider two contiguous spans loaded as shown in Fig. 8.6. In addition to the
loading shown, it is known that the left end of span 1 had settled an amount
y2 y1 relative to the right end of the span, and similarly that the left end of
span 2 has settled an amount y3 y2 relative to the right end. (Note that y1 , y2 ,
and y3 are considered positive upward as usual.) The individual spans with
their loadings are shown in Fig. 8.7(a,b). Determine the relationship between
the applied loads and the moment at the intermediate support.
Solution. Using cases 2e and 3e from Table 8.1 and noting the relative
deflections mentioned above, the expression for the slope at the right end of
Figure 8.6