The bending moment in strength of materials refers to the internal moment or torque that causes a structural element, such as a beam, to bend or undergo deformation. It is a measure of the bending effect induced by external forces or loads applied to the structure. Bending moments play a crucial role in structural analysis and design, particularly in determining the stress distribution and deflection of the beam.
The general formula for calculating bending moment at a point along a beam due to an applied load or loads is given by:
where:
- = Bending moment (in newton-meters, N·m)
- = Applied force (in newtons, N)
- = Perpendicular distance from the point of interest to the line of action of the force (in meters, m)