KEVOS® MAKEOS · Strength

Curved Beam and Hook Stress

What are the inner and outer fibre stresses in this curved beam or hook section?

Stresses at the inner and outer fibres of a curved rectangular section (crane hook, C-frame, ring) by the Winkler–Bach theory, with the straight-beam comparison.

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How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Load (line of action through the centre of curvature)NLoad pulling the section apart, acting along a line through the centre of curvature (as on a hook).
Inner radiusmmRadius from the centre of curvature to the inside face.
Section depth (radial)mmRadial depth of the rectangular section.
Section widthmmWidth of the section.
Allowable stressMPaAllowable stress from your design code or lifting standard.

Method and formulas

  1. ro = ri + h; centroid radius rc = ri + h/2; neutral radius rn = h ÷ ln(ro/ri); e = rc − rn.
  2. Moment M = P rc. Inner σ = P/A + M(rn − ri) ÷ (A e ri); outer σ = P/A − M(ro − rn) ÷ (A e ro).
  3. Straight beam: σ = P/A ± 6M ÷ (b h²).
  4. Example: 20000 N on the default hook section gives 120.76 MPa at the inner fibre against 88.889 MPa by straight-beam theory.

Limitations

  • Rectangular section; hooks with trapezoidal or round sections need their own section integrals.
  • Elastic theory; lifting hooks must follow their standard and proof testing.
  • Example values are illustrations. Replace them with values for your actual task.

Typical uses

  • Check hooks, clamp frames and C-frame presses
  • See how curvature raises inner-fibre stress
  • Size a curved bracket

Who it is for

  • Design engineers
  • Structural and mechanical engineers
  • Engineering students

What you get

  • Inner fibre stress
  • Outer fibre stress
  • Neutral axis shift
  • Straight-beam stress and curvature factor

Interpreting the result

  • The inner fibre governs: curvature raises its stress above the straight-beam value.

References

  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 212–218, 257–260. Topic reference; no source tables or recommended settings are reproduced.

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Open the Curved Beam and Hook Stress calculator