"Beams and shafts are important structural and mechanical elements in engineering. In this chapter we will determine thestress in these members caused by bending. The chapter begins with a discussion of how to establish the shear and moment diagrams for a beam or shaft. Like the normal-force and torque diagrams, the shear and moment diagrams provide a useful means for determining the largest shear and moment in a member, and they specify where these maximums occur. Once the internal moment at the section is determined, the bending stress can then be calculated. First we will consider members that are straight, have a symmetric cross section, and are made of homogeneous linear-elastic material. Afterward we will discuss special cases involving unsymmetric bending and members made of composite materials. Consideration will also be given to curved members, stress concentrations, inelastic bending, and residual stresses."

DISTRIBUTED LOAD
A LOAD THAT IS SPREAD OUT OVER THE SURFACE OF A SUPPORTING MEMBER OR STRUCTURE.

LOAD
A FORCE WHICH REPRESENTS THE BURDEN THAT MUST BE SUPPORTED BY A STRUCTURE

REACTION
A FORCE WHICH IS A RESPONSE OF A STRUCTURE OR ASSEMBLY TO AN APPLIED LOAD

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