Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 July 2016
Three theories of bending are available to the designer for the determination of bending stresses in curved beams. (1) The Euler-Bernoulli hypothesis (often referred to as the simple theory of bending), which assumes a linear distribution of bending stress, having a zero stress value at the mid-plane, i.e. the centroidal and neutral axes are coincident. (2) The Winkler theory, which predicts a depression of the neutral axis away from the centroidal axis and towards the centre of curvature. This theory produces a hyperbolic distribution of bending stress across the section, having a maximum amplitude at the fibre nearest the centre of curvature. (3) The Golovin theory, which is exact.