METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE NEUTRAL AXIS POSITION AND STRESS ANALYSIS OF COMPOSITE BEAM¹⁾

The key to analyze a composite beam composed of different material is to find out the position of the neutral axis. The position is determined by the method of equivalent section and weighted average. Then the normal and shear stresses of the composite beam are analyzed based the equivalent and weighted counterparts. In term of finding out the position of the neutral axis, the equivalent section method is conceptually clear while the weighted average method is simple and efficient. The equivalent section and weighted average methods can simplify the stress analysis of composite beam. The process can help students to understand the related concepts of beam bending, and to think comprehensively on bending problems.