Introduction to Structural

Member Properties

Principles of Engineering

2012 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

Structural Member Properties

Moment of Inertia (I) is a mathematical property
of a cross section (measured in inches4) that gives
important information about how that crosssectional area is distributed about a centroidal axis.
Stiffness of an object related to its shape
In general, a higher moment of inertia produces a
greater resistance to deformation.

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Moment of Inertia Principles

Joist

Plank
Beam
Material
A
Douglas Fir
B
Douglas Fir

Length Width Height Area

8 ft
1 in. 5 in. 8 in.2
8 ft
5 in. 1 3 in. 8 in.2

Moment of Inertia Principles

What distinguishes beam A from beam B?

Will beam A or beam B have a greater resistance to
bending, resulting in the least amount of deformation,
if an identical load is applied to both beams at the
4
same location?

Moment of Inertia Principles

Why did beam B have greater deformation than
beam A?
Difference in moment of inertia due to the
orientation of the beam

Calculating Moment of Inertia Rectangles

3

bh
Ixx =
12
b = base (in.)
h = height (in.)

Calculating Moment of Inertia

Calculate beam A moment of inertia

1.5 in. 5.5 in.

12

1.5 in. 166.375 in.

12
4

bh
Ixx =
12

249.5625 in.
=
12
4

=21 in.
6

Calculating Moment of Inertia

Calculate beam B moment of inertia

5.5 in. 1.5 in.

12

5.5 in. 3.375 in.

bh
Ixx =
12

12

18.5625 in.4
=
12
4

=1.5 in.
7

Moment of Inertia
14Times Stiffer

Beam
A

Beam
B

IA =21 in.

IB =1.5 in.
8

Moment of Inertia Composite

Shapes
Why are
composite shapes
used in structural
design?

Non-Composite vs. Composite Beams

Doing more with less

Area = 10.0 in.2

Ixx = 13.3 in.4

Area = 10.0 in.2

Ixx = 130 in.4

Area = 23.8 in.2

Ixx = 178 in.4

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Structural Member Properties

Chemical Makeup
Modulus of Elasticity (E) The ratio of the
increment of some specified form of stress to the
increment of some specified form of strain. Also
known as coefficient of elasticity, elasticity modulus,
elastic modulus. This defines the stiffness of an
object related to material chemical properties.
In general, a higher
modulus of elasticity
produces a greater
resistance to
deformation.
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Modulus of Elasticity Principles

Beam
Material
Length Width Height Area
I
A
Douglas Fir
8 ft
1 in. 5 in. 8 in.2 20.8 in.4
B
ABS plastic
8 ft
1 in. 5 in. 8 in.2 20.8 in.4
12

Modulus of Elasticity Principles

What distinguishes beam A from beam B?

Will beam A or beam B have a greater resistance to
bending, resulting in the least amount of deformation,
if an identical load is applied to both beams
at the
13
same location?

Modulus of Elasticity Principles

Why did beam B have greater deformation than
beam A?
Difference in material modulus of elasticity
The ability of a material to deform and return to
its original shape

Characteristics of objects that affect deflection

(MAX)
Applied force or load
Length of span between supports
Modulus of elasticity
Moment of inertia

14

Calculating Beam Deflection

3

MAX

FL
=
48EI

Beam

Material

Length
(L)

Moment Modulus of Force

of Inertia Elasticity
(F)
(I)
(E)

Douglas Fir

8.0 ft

20.80 in.4 1,800,000 250 lbf

psi

ABS Plastic

8.0 ft

20.80 in.4

419,000
15 psi

250 lbf

Calculating Beam Deflection

3

MAX

FL
=
48EI

Calculate beam deflection for beam A

250lbf 96in.
48 1,800,000psi 20.80in.4
3

MAX-A =

MAX-A =0.12 in.

Beam
A

Material
Douglas Fir

Length
8.0 ft

I
20.80
in.4

E
Load
1,800,000 250 lbf
16psi

Calculating Beam Deflection

3

MAX

FL
=
48EI

Calculate beam deflection for beam B

MAX-B

3
250lbf 96in.

=
48 419,000psi 20.80 in.4

MAX-B =0.53 in.

Beam
B

Material
ABS Plastic

Length
8.0 ft

I
20.80 in.4

E
419,000
17 psi

Load
250 lbf

Douglas Fir vs. ABS Plastic

MAX-A = 0.12 in.

MAX-B =0.53 in.

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