The Mechanical Engineering Handbook



Bending Moment

The Engineers Bending Equation



$$ \frac{M}{I} = \frac{E}{R} = \frac{\sigma}{y} $$ where:

M   =   Bending Moment   (Nm)

I   =   Moment of Inertia   (m4)

E   =   Youngs Modulus   (N/m² or Pa)

R   =   Radius of Curvature   (m)

σ   =   Bending Stress   (N/m² or Pa)

y   =   Distance from neutral axis   (m)


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Equation Assumptions



  • The material is homogeneous and isotropic.
  • The material behaves according to Hooke's Law, i.e. it is linearly elastic.
  • The deflections of the beam are small compared to its overall dimensions.
  • The beam is sufficiently slender that shear deformations are negligible.
  • The cross sections of the beam remain perpendicular to the neutral axis after bending (i.e. the beam does not undergo warping or twisting).