Anomoly between tension and compression

[sigma]

If you bend an iron bar to form an arc, one side of the bar will be in tension and the other side under compression. It follows that there must be a line through the bar that is in equilibrium where neither state exists. If the bar is cut along this line then it's state will change to give one piece in tension and the other in compression. How ?

[sarah_louise]

The sides are co-dependant for their individual states to exist. Your prediction is wrong

[sddsddean]

If you think about it, when you cut the bar 'down the middle', you will end up with 2 similar bars, both of which now have one side in tension and the other in compression.

[sigma]

This is what I can't get my head round. If I cut the bar down the middle along its "axis of neutrality" the state changes giving one piece in tension and the other in compression. Also it would form a new "axis" in each piece.
Also, if I fastened the pieces back together would their surface states revert to their original forms?.

[dundurn]

While the bar is bent you're going to find it pretty difficult to cut it! If you bend it long enough for it to hold its shape when you release it, then I would imagine it's no longer in tension or compression - ductile flow has taken place to resolve these internal stresses.