Estimate curved-beam inner and outer stress from bending moment, curvature radius, thickness, and width.
Parameters
Bending moment M
kN m
Input Bending moment M.
Mean radius R
mm
Input Mean radius R.
Thickness t
mm
Input Thickness t.
Width b
mm
Input Width b.
Allowable stress
MPa
Input Allowable stress.
Results
—
Area
—
Inner stress
—
Outer stress
—
Max utilization
Inner and outer stress profile
Section and curvature breakdown
Radius-thickness stress map
Model and equations
$$\sigma_\theta\approx\frac{M}{A e r},\quad e=R-r_n$$
This simplified model captures the main relationship only. Boundary conditions, losses, nonlinear effects, and code-specific corrections still need separate checks.
How to read it
Use the main plot to read the controlling trend, including break points that a single result card can hide.
Use the sensitivity view to find input combinations where margin collapses quickly.
For early design, focus on which input controls margin before trusting the absolute value.
Learn Curved Beam Stress by dialogue
🙋
When reading Curved Beam Stress, where should I look first? Moving Bending moment M changes both the plots and the result cards.
🎓
Start with Area, but do not treat the number as the whole answer. Use Inner and outer stress profile to confirm the assumed state, then read Section and curvature breakdown for the distribution or trend. Use the main plot to read the controlling trend, including break points that a single result card can hide.
🙋
I can see why Bending moment M changes Area. How should I judge the influence of Mean radius R?
🎓
Move Mean radius R in small steps and watch Inner stress. That reveals which term is controlling the result. This simplified model captures the main relationship only. Boundary conditions, losses, nonlinear effects, and code-specific corrections still need separate checks. A single operating point is not enough; sweep the realistic scatter range.
🙋
What is Radius-thickness stress map for? It feels like the ordinary curve already tells the story.
🎓
Radius-thickness stress map is for finding boundaries where the condition becomes risky or margin collapses quickly. Use the sensitivity view to find input combinations where margin collapses quickly. In First-pass comparison of design options before review, the important question is often what happens after a small change, not only the nominal value.
🙋
So if Area is within the target, can I accept the condition?
🎓
Treat this as a first-pass review. It helps with Narrowing controlling factors and worst-side conditions before detailed analysis and Teaching or explaining the equation, numbers, and visualization under the same inputs, but final decisions still need standards, measured data, detailed analysis, and vendor limits. For early design, focus on which input controls margin before trusting the absolute value.
Practical use
First-pass comparison of design options before review.
Narrowing controlling factors and worst-side conditions before detailed analysis.
Teaching or explaining the equation, numbers, and visualization under the same inputs.
FAQ
Start with Area and Inner stress. Then use Inner and outer stress profile to confirm the assumed state and Section and curvature breakdown to read distribution or bias. Use the main plot to read the controlling trend, including break points that a single result card can hide
Move Bending moment M alone, then move Mean radius R by a comparable amount and compare the change in Area. Radius-thickness stress map shows combinations where margin or performance changes quickly.
Use it for First-pass comparison of design options before review. Instead of trusting a single point, widen the input range and check whether Area keeps enough margin before moving to detailed analysis.
This simplified model captures the main relationship only. Boundary conditions, losses, nonlinear effects, and code-specific corrections still need separate checks. Final decisions still require standards, measured data, detailed analysis, and vendor limits.