Difference between Flexural tension and direct tension.

We know that a beam is a horizontal element. When load is applied on it, it bends. When this bending (flexure means bending) occurs, the portion below the NA will be in tension, and the portion above will be in compression. This type of tension that is caused by the bending of the structural element is called flexural tension. So in an R.C.C beam, we can say that the bottom bars will be in flexural tension.

The above discussion was based on a beam. Consider another element that we saw in fig.13.70 of chapter 13 where we discussed critical sections for shear. For convenience, the fig is reproduced here.



We can see that the vertical element that holds up the beam is in tension. There is no bending for this element. So the bars inside this vertical element are in direct tension.

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