Bending stress is a measure of the internal forces and stresses that a material experiences when subjected to an external load or force. It is calculated by dividing the moment of inertia by the distance from the neutral axis, multiplied by the maximum bending stress. The formula for calculating bending stress is σ = (M * c) / I, where σ is the bending stress, M is the bending moment, c is the distance from the neutral axis, and I is the moment of inertia.
The unit of measurement for bending stress is Newtons per square meter (Nm-2) in the SI system, or pounds per square inch (psi) in the imperial system. In the given example of 3.84 x 10^6 Nm-2, the unit is in Nm-2 or Pascal (Pa).
Bending stress is directly related to the material properties of a material, specifically its strength and stiffness. A material with a higher strength and stiffness will be able to withstand higher bending stresses without experiencing deformation or failure. This is why materials with high strength and stiffness, such as steel, are commonly used in structural applications where bending stress is a concern.
Some common factors that can affect bending stress include the magnitude and distribution of the external load or force, the shape and geometry of the object, the material properties of the object, and the support conditions. For example, a longer and thinner beam will experience higher bending stress compared to a shorter and thicker beam under the same load.
Bending stress is an important factor in engineering and design, as it helps determine the maximum load a structure or component can withstand without experiencing failure. Engineers and designers use bending stress calculations to ensure that their designs are structurally sound and can withstand the expected loads and forces. It is also used to select the appropriate materials for a given application, as different materials have different strengths and stiffnesses, and therefore can withstand different levels of bending stress.