ABSTRACT
There are cases where the applied load acting on an element does not act on the neutral axis of a section. In this situation the principles of superposition will apply. Figure 24.1a through c—demonstrates the application. Figure 24.1a considers the element with an axial load acting directly on the neutral axis. Figure 24.1b then considers the effect of an eccentric load which is offset from the neutral axis; combining the loading of (a) and (b) will produce a load distribution as shown in (c).
