The relationship between weight reduction and force distribution for thin wall structures

Due to distortion, the stresses in thin-walled curved beams are no longer evenly distributed along the flanges. The stress distribution becomes more uneven as the walls become thinner. Because aluminum, magnesium and other light materials have thicker walls, the stress is more evenly distributed along the flanges. A more efficient utilization of the material gives them a weight advantage over steel for such structures. ncept of micro-lambda, which is an indicator for force distribution, is introduced and used for the analysis of curved beam in in-plane bending and out-of-plane bending. It is also used for the analysis of B pillar to rocker joint of a car cab.