Comparative Tangential Stress Analyses of Curved Beams

Many researchers have attempted to find the solution to a curved beam under load. However, the stress values arrived at failed to satisfy the boundary conditions satisfactorily. Curved beams find critical practical applications in chain links, crane hooks, pipe bends, and curved segments of machine tool frames. Accurate determination of stresses in curved beams is essential to prevent catastrophic failure, leading to loss and reduced life of properties. The study uses three methods, including advanced computational tools to compare the strength of materials (SOM), elasticity analysis (EA), and finite element analysis (FEA) of the curved beam tangential stress of various sections. Firstly, the SOM analysis was been done. Three cross-sections have been considered: rectangular, square, and circular. All the cross-sections show a similar inner and outer tangential stress ratio. Secondly, the EA approach’s two airy functions were used to calculate tangential stress, but the results slightly differ between the square and rectangular cross-sections. Finally, the finite element analysis was conducted by using ANSYS to analyze rectangular, square, and circular 3D curved beams. In that case, all the cross-sections show similar results to the SOM approach. This study is a unique comparison of a curved beam's tangential stress from comparing different sources that have been found from various studies and articles.