STRESS AND STRAIN

Chapter 1
Stress and Strain
This chapter will discuss about the concept of stresses and strain created in various
members and connection by the loads applied to a structure. The students also will
learn an important aspect of the analysis and design of structures relates to the
deformation caused by the loads applied to the structures. The mechanical
properties of the selected materials also will be discussed with simple stress-strain
diagram for a specific material
After successfully completing this chapter the student should be able to:

defined the relationship between stress and strain

analyse the stress and strain using related equations
determine and analyse the deformation of a rod of uniform or variable cross
section under one or several load
determine the principal stress using equation and Mohrs circle method

1.0 Types and system of force

(i)

Normal force
In geometry the word "normal" means perpendicular. Therefore, normal
force can be defined as a force perpendicular to the plane or surface
where an object is resting or moving. The force may be acting as a
tension force (pull) or compression force (push). The SI unit is newton or
N

Tension

Compression

Figure 1.1: Tension and compression force

(ii)

Shear force
Shear force can be defined as a force that attempts to cause the
internal structure of a material to slide against itself. The force acting in

STRESS AND STRAIN

a direction parallel to a surface of a body. Shear force also often result

in shear strain. The SI unit of torque is Newton or N.
Glue
F

Figure 1.2: Shear force

(iii)

Torque or Torsion
Torque is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis. A
torque can be though of as a twist ato an object. Mathematically, torque
is defined as the product of force and the lever-arm distance, which
tends to produce rotation. Torque is calculated by multiplying force and
distance. The SI units of torque are Newton-meter or Nm.

1.1
Stress
Stress is defined as force per unit area. It has the same units as pressure, and in
fact pressure is one special variety of stress. However, stress is a much more
complex quantity than pressure because it varies both with direction and with the
surface it acts on. Basically stress can be divided into three types:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

normal stress
bearing stress
shear stress

1.1.1 Normal stress

Normal stress is a stress that acts perpendicular to a surface. It is can be
considered if the applied force is perpendicular to the plane of the cross sectional
area under consideration. It is also can be either compression or tension.
Compression stress is considered as a stress that causes an object shortening.
Meanwhile tension stress is a stress that acts to lengthen an object. The stress in
an axially loaded bar is:

P
A

Stress is positive in tension (P>0 means >0), and negative in compression

(P<0). English units: psi (pounds per square inch), or ksi (kilopounds per square
inch). S.I. units: Pa (Pascal, N/m2), or usually MPa (megapascal, 1 Mpa =
1,000,000 Pa).

STRESS AND STRAIN

Bar in tension

Bar in compression
Figure 1.3: Normal stress in tension and compression

Example 1.1
A hollow steel tube with an inside diameter of 100 mm must carry a tensile load
of 400 kN. Determine the outside diameter of the tube if the stress is limited to
120 MN/m2.
Solution
Given:
P = 400 kN = 400 000 N
= 120 MPa
100

A= D2 (1002)

A = (D2 10 000)
Thus,
400 000 = 120 [ (D2 10 000)]
400 000 = 30D2 30 000

D2

400000 300000
30

D = 119.35 mm

answer

400 kN

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.2
A homogeneous 800 kg bar AB is supported at either end by a cable as shown in
Figure E1.2. Calculate the smallest area of each cable if the stress is not to
exceed 90 MPa in bronze and 120 MPa in steel.

Bronze
L=4
m

Steel
L=3
m

10 m

Figure E1.2

Solution
By symmetry:
Pbr = Pst = (7848)

Pbr

Pbr = Pst = 3924 N

Pst
5m

5m

For bronze cable:

A

Pbr = brAbr
3924 = 90 Abr
Abr = 43.6
mm2

W = 800 kg
= 7484 N

answer

For steel cable:

Pst = stAst
3924 = 120Ast
Ast = 32.7 mm2

answer

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.3
An aluminum rod is rigidly attached between a steel rod and a bronze rod as
shown in Figure E1.3. Axial loads are applied at the positions indicated. Find the
maximum value of P that will not exceed a stress in steel of 140 MPa, in
aluminum
of
90
MPa,
or
in
bronze
of
100
MPa.

Steel
A = 500 mm2

Aluminium
A = 400 mm2 Bronze
A = 200 mm2

4P

2P

2.5 m

2.0 m

1.5 m

Figure E1.3

Solution
A

4P

D
P

P1 = 2P
P2 = P

P3 = 5P

4P

2P

2P

2P

2P

Note: The all loads are under compression (-ve)

STRESS AND STRAIN

Expressing that each of the free bodies is in equilibrium, therefore

P1 = - 2P
P2 = - P
P3 = - 5P
For bronze:
brAbr = 2P
100(200) = 2P
P = 10 000 N
For aluminum:
alAal = P
90(400) = P
P = 36 000 N
For Steel:
stAst = 5P
140 (500) = 5P
P = 14 000 N
For safe value of P, use the smallest above. Thus,
P = 10 000 N = 10 kN

answer

1.1.2 Shear stress

Shear stress is a stress that acts parallel to a surface. It can cause one object to slide over
another. It also tends to deform originally rectangular objects into parallelograms. Shearing
stress is also known as tangential stress. The most general definition is that shear acts
to change the angles in an object.

P
P

A
hb

STRESS AND STRAIN

Where P
A

=
=

applied tensile force

area of the shearing plane between the two bars

The unit for shearing stress is same with the normal stress. The example of shearing stress
are shown in Figure 1.5

ave

ave

P F

A 2A

P F

A A

Figure 1.5: Shear stress

Example 1.4
Two wooden members of uniform rectangular cross section are joined by the
simple glued scarf splice shown. Knowing that P = 11 kN, determine the normal
and shearing stresses in the glued splice.
150 mm

P
75 mm

45

Figure E1.4

STRESS AND STRAIN

Solution:
= 90 45 = 45
P = 11 kN = 11 000 N
Ao = (150)(75) = 11.25 x 103 mm2

11.25 x 10-3 m2

(i) Normal stress

P cos2 (11 103 ) cos2 45

Ao
11.25 103

489kPa

answer

(ii) Shear stress

P sin 2 (11 103 ) sin 90

2 Ao
2(11.25 103 )

P = 489 kPa

answer

Example 1.5
The joint is fastened using two bolts as shown in figure below. Determine the required
diameter of the bolts if allowable shear stress for the bolts is allow = 110 Mpa

Figure E1.5

STRESS AND STRAIN

Solution
The figure above is double shear connection, therefore
However, the joint fastened using two bolts, so

P
2A

P
P

2(2 A) 4 A

d 2
4

110 106

60 103
d 2

4
4

d = 0.013 m

Example 1.6
A load P is applied to a steel rod supported as shown by an aluminium plate into which a 12
mm diameter hole has been drilled. Knowing that the shearing stress must not exceed 80
MPa in the stel rod and 70 Mpa in the aluminium plate, determine the largest load P that can
be applied to the rod.
Solution
For the steel rod
A1 = d1t1 = (0.012)(0.010)
= 376.99 x 10-6 m2

P1
A1

P1 = (180 x 106)( 376.99 x 10-6 ) = 67.86 x 103 N

For the aluminium plate,
A2 = d2t2 = (0.040)(0.008)
= 1.01 x 10-3 m2

P2
A2

STRESS AND STRAIN

P2 = (70 x 106)( 1.01 x 10-3)

= 70.372 x 103 N
The limiting value for the load P is the smaller of P1 and P2.
P = 67.89 kN

1.1.3 Bearing Stress

Bearing stress is a type of normal stress but it involves the interaction of two surfaces. The
bearing stress is the pressure experience by the second surface due to the action from the first
surface. Example: the pressure between bolt and plate at a joint.

P
P

A
tD

Figure 1.6: Bearing stress

Example 1.7
In Figure E1.7, assume that a 20-mm-diameter rivet joins the plates that are each
110 mm wide. The allowable stresses are 120 MPa for bearing in the plate
material and 60 MPa for shearing of rivet. Determine (a) the minimum thickness
of each plate; and (b) the largest average tensile stress in the plates.

Figure E1.7

10

STRESS AND STRAIN

Solution:
Part (a):
From shearing of rivet:
P Arivets

P 60 202
4

P 6000
From bearing of plate material:
P b Ab

6000 12020t
t 7.85mm

Part (b): Largest average tensile stress in the plate:

P A
6000 7.85110 20
26.67MPa

1.2
Strain
Strain is a measure of deformation of a body which undergoes elongation,
contraction or twisted through a certain angle. Generally, strain can be classified
into two types namely:
(i)
(ii)

normal strain ()
shear strain ()

1.2.1
Normal strain
Normal strain () is the deformation of a body which involved elongation or
contraction. When a bar of length L and cross-sectional area A is subjected to
axial tensile force P through the cross-section's centroid, the bar elongates. The
change in length divided by the initial length is the bar's engineering strain. The
symbol for strain is (epsilon). The strain in an axially loaded bar is:

11

STRESS AND STRAIN

Strain is positive in tension and negative in compression. Strain is a fractional

change in length (it is dimensionless). Due to the strain is much smaller than 1, it
is typically given as a percentage: e.g., = 0.003 = 0.3%.

Figure 1.7: Normal strain

1.2.2
Shear strain
Shear strain is a strain which involved a shear deformation i.e. body twist due to
torsion and a distorted cuboid as shown in Figure 1.8. Strain changes the angles of
an object and shear causes lines to rotate.
L

a
a'

a'

L
T

Figure 1.8 Shear strain due to twisting moment (T) and shear stress ()

Shear strain

aa'
L

but it is considered small in practice

The relationship between the shear strain, shear stress and the modulus of
rigidity is as follows:

Where

= shear stress
= shear strain in radians
= modulus of rigidity

12

STRESS AND STRAIN

1.3

Normal stress and strain relationship

- curve using
original area
- curve using
nominal area

2001 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning is a trademark used herein under license.

Figure 1.9: The stress-strain relationship

The stress-strain relationship of a material usually can be obtained from tensile
or compression test on a specimen of the material. Figure 1.9 shows the stressstrain behavior which indicates how the material deforms on the application of
load. The normal stress for the material is computed by dividing the load (P) by
the original cross-sectional area (A). Stress-strain diagrams of various materials
vary widely, and different tensile tests conducted on the same material may yield
different result, depending upon the temperature of the specimen and the speed
loading.
Proportional Limit (Hooke's Law)
From the origin O to the point called proportional limit, the stress-strain curve is a
straight line. This linear relation between elongation and the axial force causing
was first noticed by Sir Robert Hooke in 1678 and is called Hooke's Law that
within the proportional limit, the stress is directly proportional to strain. The
constant of proportionality k is called the Modulus of Elasticity E or Young's
Modulus and is equal to the slope of the stress-strain diagram from O to P.
Elastic Limit
The elastic limit is the limit beyond which the material will no longer go back to its
original shape when the load is removed, or it is the maximum stress that may e
developed such that there is no permanent or residual deformation when the load
is entirely removed. However, in practice this point is very difficult to determine
because very close to proportional limit point.

13

STRESS AND STRAIN

Yield Point
Yield point is the point at which the material will have an appreciable elongation
or yielding without any increase in load. The material is said to undergo plastic
deformation.
Strain hardening
Point C to D is called as strain hardening region whereas the curve rises
gradually until it flatten at D. The stress which correspond to point D is called
ultimate strength/stress
Ultimate Strength/Stress
The maximum ordinate in the stress-strain diagram is the ultimate strength or
tensile strength.
Rapture Strength (Fracture)
Rapture strength is the strength of the material at rupture. This is also known as
the breaking strength (final point).

1.3.1 Offset Method

Beside steel, other materials such as aluminium, glass, brass and zinc, constant
yielding will not occur beyond the elastic range. This metal often does not have a
well defined yield point. Therefore, the standard practice to define yield strength
for this metal is graphical procedure called the offset method. Normally a 0.2%
(0.002 mm/mm) is chosen, and from this point on the strain () axis, a line
parallel to the initial straight-line portion of the stress-strain diagram is drawn
(Figure 1.10). The point where this line intersects the curves defines the yield
strength.
(MPa)

0.002

(mm/mm)

Figure 1.10: Determination of yield strength using offset method

14

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.8
A rod with the diameter 5 mm and length 100 mm is stressed slowly with the load
up to failure. The result for this test is shown in Table E1.8. Draw the stressstrain curve and determine
(a) modulus of elasticity
(b) yield stress
(c) stress maximum

Table E1.8
Force
P (N)

Elongation
(mm)

1100

0.0625

2200

0.0125

3300

0.1875

3740

0.2375

4180

0.2875

4620

0.4275

4840

0.5300

5060

0.7625

5280

0.8900

5060

1.0250

4840

1.1525

15

STRESS AND STRAIN

Solution
Force

Elongation

Strain

P (N)

(mm)

1100
2200
3300
3740
4180
4620
4840
5060
5280
5060
4840

0.0625
0.0125
0.1875
0.2375
0.2875
0.4275
0.5300
0.7625
0.8900
1.0250
1.1525

0.00063
0.00013
0.00188
0.00238
0.00288
0.00428
0.00530
0.00763
0.00890
0.01025
0.01153

Stress

(N/mm)
56.04
112.07
168.11
190.52
212.94
235.35
246.56
257.77
268.98
257.77
246.56

Stress (N/mm^2)

300
250
200
150
100
50

0.
00
0.
06
0.
13
0.
19
0.
24
0.
29
0.
43
0.
53
0.
76
0.
89
1.
03
1.
15

Strain (10E-2)

0.2

Figure E1.8
From the graph;
(a) E = 112.07/0.00125 = 89 600 N/mm2
(b) y = 230 N/mm2
(c) max = 270 N/mm2

16

STRESS AND STRAIN

1.4 Hookes Law

Stiffness; Modulus Young
Stiffness is a material's ability to resist deformation. The stiffness of a material is
defined through Hooke's Law:

Stress ()

where E is Young's Modulus (the modulus of elasticity), a material property.

Values of E for different materials are obtained experimentally from stress-strain
curves. Young's Modulus is the slope of the linear-elastic region of the stressstrain curve.

Strain ()
Figure 1.11: Stress-strain relationship at the linear-elastic region

E is generally large and given in either ksi (kilopounds per sq.inch) or Msi
(megapounds per sq. inch = thousands of ksi), or in GPa (gigapascal).

Figure 1.12: Deformation due to axial load

17

STRESS AND STRAIN

Consider a homogenous rod BC of length L and uniform cross section of area A

subjected to a centric axial load P (Figure 1.12). If the resulting axial stress =
P/A does not exceed the proportional limit of the material, the Hookes law can
be apply and write as follow:

E
From which it follows that

P
AE

The strain;

So,

Therefore;

PL
AE

Example 1.9
A steel rod having a cross-sectional area of 300 mm2 and a length of 150 m is
suspended vertically from one end. It supports a tensile load of 20 kN at the
lower end. If the unit mass of steel is 7850 kg/m 3 and E = 200 103 MN/m2, find
the
total
elongation
of
the
rod.
Solution
Elongation due to its own weight:
PL
1
AE
Where:
P = W = 7850x 300 (1/10002) x 150 x 9.81
P = 3465.3825 N
L = 75(1000) = 75 000 mm
A = 300 mm2
E = 200 000 MPa

18

STRESS AND STRAIN

Thus,
3465.3825(75000)
300(200000)
1 4.33mm

Elongation due to applied load:

PL
AE

Where:
P = 20 kN = 20 000 N
L = 150 m = 150 000 mm
A = 300 mm2
E = 200 000 MPa
Thus,
20000(150000)
300(200000)
2 50mm

Total elongation:

1 2
4.33 50
54.33mm

Example1.10
Determine the deformation of the steeel rod shown in Figure E1.10 under the
given loads (E=200 GPa)

Figure E1.10

19

STRESS AND STRAIN

L1 = L2 = 300 mm
A1 = A2 = 581 mm2 = 581 x 10-6 m2

P1 240103 N
P2 60 103 N
P3 120103 N

Pi Li
PL
1 PL P L
1 1 2 2 3 3
Ai Ei E A1
A2
A3

240 103 0.3 60 103 0.3 120 103 0.4

1

200 109 581 10 6

581 10 6
194 10 6
1.73 10 3 m

1.5
Poisson ratio
Poisson's ratio is the ratio of lateral contraction strain to longitudinal extension
strain in the direction of stretching force. Tensile deformation is considered
positive and compressive deformation is considered negative. The definition of
Poisson's ratio contains a minus sign so that normal materials have a positive
ratio. Poisson's ratio, also called Poisson ratio or the Poisson coefficient.
Poisson's ratio is a materials property.

Figure 1.9: Lateral and longitudinal strain is same in all direction

lateral

longitudinal

20

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.11
A solid cylinder of diameter d carries an axial load P. Show that its change in
diameter is 4P / Ed

Solution

y
x
x
x

y
y

E
y
P

d
AE
Pd
y
1
d 2 E
4
4 P
y
Ed

1.6

Working stress, permissible stress and temperature stress

1.6.1 Temperature Stress

An object will expand when heated and contract when the temperature drops.
This phenomenon is very important because if these movements are prevented,
then internal stress and strain will be developed within the body of the structural
member and the effect can be very disastrous. Since this is the effect of
temperature on the member then the corresponding stress and strain are called
temperature stress and temperature strain. For this reason, most civil
engineering structure is provided with expansion joint to allow for free expansion
and contraction of the member.

21

STRESS AND STRAIN

The variation of the length due to temperature change depends upon its
coefficient of linear expansion or contraction where is the change in length for
a unit change of temperature per unit original length.
1.6.2 Superposition Method
This method is applied for indeterminate problem where the reactions at the
support are more than what is required to maintain its equilibrium. In this method,
one of the support is released and let it elongate freely as it undergoes the
temperature change T.
Step 1 Consider a rod AB is placed between two fixed supports. Assuming
there is no temperature stress or strain in this initial condition.

Step 2 Released the support B and let it elongate freely as it undergoes

the temperature change T. The corresponding elongation (T) is:

T T L
Step 3 Applying to end B the force (P) representing the redundant reaction
and we obtain a second deformation (P):

PL
AE

22

STRESS AND STRAIN

The total deformation must be zero:

T P T L

PL
0
AE

From which, we conclude that

P AE T
An the stress in the rod due to the temperature change is

P
E T
A

Example 1.12
A steel rod is stretched between two rigid walls and carries a tensile load of 5000
N at 20C. If the allowable stress is not to exceed 130 MPa at -20C, what is the
minimum diameter of the rod? Assume = 11.7 m/(mC) and E = 200 GPa.

Solution
Therefore:

130 (11.7 10 6 )20000040

T st
L
E

LT

E T

PL
AE

P
A

5000
A

5000
137.36mm 2
36.4

1 2
d 137.36
4
d 13.22mm

23

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.13
Steel railroad reels 10 m long are laid with a clearance of 3 mm at a temperature
of 15C. At what temperature will the rails just touch? What stress would be
induced in the rails at that temperature if there were no initial clearance? Assume
= 11.7 m/(mC) and E = 200 Gpa.

Solution
Temperature at which T = 3 mm:

T LT
T L(T f Ti )
3 (11.7 10 6 )(10000)(T f 15)
T f 40.64C

Required stress:

T
L
E

LT

E T f Ti
(11.7 10 6 )(200000)(40.64 15)
60MPa

24

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.14
The rigid bar ABC in Figure E1.14 is pinned at B and attached to the two vertical
rods. Initially, the bar is horizontal and the vertical rods are stress-free.
Determine the stress in the aluminum rod if the temperature of the steel rod is
decreased by 40C. Neglect the weight of bar ABC.

Figure E1.14
Solution
Contraction of steel rod, assuming complete freedom:

T ( st ) LT
T ( st ) (11.7 10 6 )(900)(40)
T ( st ) 0.4212mm
The steel rod cannot freely contract because of the resistance of aluminum rod.
The movement of A (referred to as A), therefore, is less than 0.4212 mm. In
terms of aluminum, this movement is (by ratio and proportion):

25

STRESS AND STRAIN

A
0. 6

al
1. 2

A 0.5 al
T ( st ) A st
T ( st ) st A
T ( st ) st 0.5 al
PL
PL
0.4212
0.5

AE st
AE al
0.4212

Pst (900)
P (1200)
0.5 al

300(200000)
1200(70000)

28080 Pst 0.4762Pal

=== Equation 1

MB 0
0.6 Pst 1.2 Pal

Pst = 2Pal

=== Equation 2

Equations (2) in (1)

28080 2Pal = 0.4762Pal
Pal = 11340 N

al

Pal 11340

Aal
1200

al 9.45MPa

answer

26

STRESS AND STRAIN

1.7

Plane Stress and Mohr Circle

1.7.1 Sign Convention

Normal stress

(a) Compression stress

(b) Tensile stress

Figure 1.14: Sign convention for axial stress

Refer to Figure 1.14, a tensile stress is considered to be positive normal stress,

meanwhile, compressive stress is a negative stress

Positive x
direction
Positive y
direction

(a) Shear stress (+ve)

Negative x
direction
Negative y
direction

(b) Shear stress (-ve)

Figure 1.15: Shear stress sign convention in application to plane stress equations

In application to plane stress equations (Figure 1.15), the sign convention will
determined the sign of the shear stress that to be used in the plane stress
equations. The shear stress is considered positive if:
(i)
(ii)

It acts on the positive x-surface in the positive y-direction

It acts on the positive y-surface in the positive x-direction

27

STRESS AND STRAIN

(a) Shear stress (+ve)

(b) Shear stress (-ve)

Figure 1.16: Shear stress sign convention in application to Mohrs Circle

In application to Mohrs Circle (Figure 1.16), the sign convention will determine
the coordinate of the point on the Mohrs Circle. The shear stress is considered
positive (+ve) if it cause the element to rotate in clockwise direction. Meanwhile,
the negative stress will be considered if the shear stress causes the element to
rotate in counterclockwise.

1.7.2 Stress Analysis Using Equation and Mohr Diagram Method

1.7.2.1 Equation Method
y

y'

y'

x'

x'
'xA
'xyA

x
A2 = Acos
Acos

x(Acos)

xy(Acos)

xy(Asin)

z
Asin
A
1 = Asin

y(Asin)

28

STRESS AND STRAIN

sin

A1
A

cos

A2
A

and
A1 A sin

A2 A cos

P
A

therefore,

P A

Px x A2 therefore Px x A cos

For x-axis

Px xy A2 therefore Px xy A cos

Py y A1 therefore Py y A sin

For y-axis

Py xy A1 therefore Py xy A sin

y
y

'xyA

x
'xA

xy(Asin)
x(Acos)

xy(Acos)
y(Asin)

29

STRESS AND STRAIN

Using components in x and y axes, the equilibrium equations are:

Fx = 0

and

Fy = 0

The equilibrium in x axis (Fx = 0)

'xA xAcoscos xyAcossin yAsinsin xyAsincos = 0
'x = xcos2 + ysin2 + 2xysincos = 0

Equation 1.1

The equilibrium in y axis (Fy = 0)

'xyA + xAcossin xyAcoscos yAsinxcos + xyAsinxsin = 0
'xy = (x y)cossin + xy(cos2 sin2)

Equation 1.2

Using the trigonometric relationship

Sin2 2 sin cos

Sin 2

1 cos 2
2

Cos2 1 2 sin 2
Cos 2

1 cos 2
2

Cos2 2 cos2 1

Equation 1.3
Equation 1.4
Equation 1.5
Equation 1.6
Equation 1.7

Substitute Equations 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 into Equation 1.1, becomes
1 cos 2
1 cos 2
y

xy sin 2
2
2

'x x

x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2 2

'x

Equation 1.8

30

STRESS AND STRAIN

Substitute Equations 1.3, 1.4 and 1.6 into Equation 1.2, becomes

x y
2

' xy

sin 2 xy cos 2

Equation 1.9

The expression for the normal stress y is obtained by replacing in Equation

1.8 by the angle +90 that the y axis form with x axis. Since cos (2+180) = cos2 and sin(2+180) = -sin2, so

x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2 2

y'

Equation 1.10

The principal stress or max and min can be calculated by differentiate the
Equation 1.8:

x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2 2

x'

x y
d x '

2 sin 2 2 xy cos 2
d
2
d x '
0
d

Therefore;

x y

2 sin 2 2 xy cos 2 0
2

x y

2 sin 2 2 xy cos 2
2

xy
sin 2

x y
cos

tan 2

xy
x y

= P1 and P2 where P1 and P2 are 180 apart

31

STRESS AND STRAIN

Thus , tan 2P1 = tan 2P2 =

2 xy

Equation 1.11

x y

B
2P2

xy

-(x-y)/2

2P1

(x-y)/2

-xy

R
y

Figure 1.17: Location of 2P1 and 2P2

x y
The length of OA and OB in Figure 1.17 is
2

2 xy

Thus from the trigonometry of the triangles, we have

cos 2 P1

x y

x y

sin 2 P1

Equation 1.12 (a)

2
xy

xy
x y
2

xy
2
2

Equation 1.12(b)

32

STRESS AND STRAIN

cos 2 P 2

sin 2 P 2

x y

2

Equation 1.12(c)

x y
2

xy
2
2

xy
x y

Equation 1.12(d)

2
xy

Substituting Equation 1.12(a) to 1.12(d) into Equation 1.8, thus

max, , min

x y

x y

2 xy

Equation 1.13

min

y'

x'
P2 = P1 + 90

=0
x

max

max

P1

P1

max
min
y

In-plane principal stresses

The maximum and minimum shear stresses can be determined by differentiating

Equation 1.9.

x y
2

x ' y '
d x ' y '
d

sin 2 xy cos 2

33

STRESS AND STRAIN

d x ' y '

x y

d
2

2 cos 2 2 xy sin 2

d x ' y '

x y
2 cos 2 2 xy sin 2

d
2

x y
2 cos 2
2 xy sin 2
2

( x y )
tan 2
2 = 2S1

xy
and

Where tan 2 S1

2
2S2 = 2S1 + 180
( x y )
2 xy

tan 2 S 2

and

( x y )

Equation 1.14

2 xy

x y
2

xy

2S1

2S2

-xy

x y
2
Figure 1.18: Location of 2S1 and 2S2

x y
The length of OA and OB
2

2 xy

34

STRESS AND STRAIN

sin 2 S 1

cos 2 S1

x y

2

Equation 1.15

x y
2

xy
2
2

xy
x y

Equation 1.16

2
xy

Substituting Equation 1.15 and 1.16 into Equation 1.9

x y
2

' xy

sin 2 xy cos 2

max

x y

x y 2

2
x y 2
2

xy
2

max

x y

2 xy
2

2
x y
2

xy
2

Equation 1.9

xy
xy

x y 2
2

xy

max

max

x y

x y

2

y
2 xy x
2

2 xy

x y
2

xy
2

2 xy

Equation 1.17

Subtituting the equation 1.15 and 1.16 into equation 1.8, we see that there is also
a normal stress on the planes of maximum in-plane shear stress (ave)

35

STRESS AND STRAIN

x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2 2

x'

ave

x y

Equation 1.18

Example 1.15
For the given state of stress, determine the normal stress and shearing stress
exerted on the oblique face of the shaded triangular element shown.

60

90 MPa
60 MPa
A

Asin30
30

30
90 MPa

90Asin30
30

Acos30

60 MPa

90Acos30
60Acos30

F = 0

A 90 A sin 30 cos 30 90 A cos 30 sin 30 60 A cos 30 cos 30 0

180sin 30 cos 30 60 cos2 30 32.9MPa
+

F = 0

A 90 A sin 30 sin 30 90 A cos 30 cos 30 60 A cos 30 sin 30 0

90(cos2 30 sin 2 30) 60 cos 30 sin 30 71.0MPa

36

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1.16
For the state of plane stress shown, determine (a) the principal stress (b)
principal planes (c) maximum shear stress

40 MPa
50 MPa

10 MPa

(a) Principal stress

x = 50 MPa

y = -10 MPa

xy = 40 MPa

max, , min

x y

x y

max, , min

50 10
50 10
2

(40)

2
2

2 xy

max, , min 20 (30) 2 (40) 2

max 20 50 70MPa

min 20 50 30MPa

37

STRESS AND STRAIN

(b) Principal planes

tan 2P =

tan 2

min = 30 MPa

2 xy

x y

max = 70 MPa

2(40)
80

50 (10) 60

p = 26.6

2p = 53.1 and 180 + 53.1 = 233.1

p = 26.6

and 116.6

(c) Maximum shearing stress

max

x y

2

2 xy (30) 2 (40) 2 50MPa

s = p - 45
= -18.4
or
tan 2 S

( x y )
2 xy

(50 (10))
2(40)

s = -18.4

ave

x y
2

50 10
20MPa
2

38

STRESS AND STRAIN

ave = 20 MPa
ave = 20 MPa

x
= 18.4

max = 50 MPa

Example 1.17
For the give state of stress, determine the normal and shearing stresses after the
element shown has been rotated through 25 clockwise.

40 MPa
50 MPa

10 MPa

Solution
x = 50 MPa

x y
2

x y
2

y = -10 MPa

50 (10)
20MPa
2

50 (10)
30MPa
2

xy = 40 MPa

= -25

39

STRESS AND STRAIN

2 = -50

x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2
2

x'

x ' 20 30 cos(50) 40 sin(50)

x ' 8.64MPa
x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2 2

y'

y ' 20 30 cos(50) 40 sin(50)

y ' 50MPa
x y
2

x ' y '

sin 2 xy cos 2

x' y ' (30) sin(50) 40 cos 2

x ' y ' (30) sin(50) 40 cos(50)
x ' y ' 48.69MPa

40

STRESS AND STRAIN

1.7.2.2 Mohrs Circle Method

Mohrs circle can be used to determine the principal stresses, the maximum inplane shear stress and average normal stress or the stress on any arbitrary
plane.
Equation 1.8 and 1.9 can be defined in the form of circle as follow:

x y x y

cos 2 xy sin 2
2 2

x'

x y
2

x ' y '

Equation 1.8

sin 2 xy cos 2

Equation 1.9

By adding and squaring each equation, the value can be eliminated, therefore;

x y
x '
2

y
2 x ' y ' x
2

2 xy

x, y and xy are constants

x ' ave 2 2 x ' y ' R 2

x y
R
2

where ave

x y
2

, therefore;

2 xy

Equation 1.19

Equation 1.19 is an equation of a circle with:

x and xy
R
ave and = 0

=
=
=

coordinate on the Mohr circle,

a radius of the Mohr circle
the centre of the circle.

A Mohr circle can be drawing in two manners, which are:

(a) Consider positive to the right and positive downward (orientation
counter clockwise positive). Refer Figure 1.19(a)
(b) Consider positive to the right and positive upward (orientation
clockwise positive). Refer Figure 1.19(b)

41

STRESS AND STRAIN

(+ve)
2
2

(+ve)

(+ve)

(+ve)

(a)

(b)
Figure 1.19: The rotation of Mohrs circle

Method (a) will be used in this chapter for solving the problems. The steps to
draw the Mohr circle are:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Determine the centre of the circle (point C) with coordinate = ave and =0
Determine the point X at = 0 with coordinate X(x, xy)
Determine the point Y at = 90 with coordinate Y(y, -xy)
Draw a circle which through point X and Y with centre point at C
Draw line XY as a reference point
y

Y
x y

Y
-xy

(+ve)

C
min

2P

xy

R
2

ave

x
max
(+ve)

Figure 1.20: Mohrs circle

42

STRESS AND STRAIN

Example 1. 18
Using Mohrs circle method, determine (a) normal and shearing stresses after
rotated 40 (b) principal stress (c) maximum shear stress

4 MPa
15 MPa

5 MPa
(a) dra
Point X (15, 4),

ave

x y
2

x y
R
2

Point Y (5, -4)

15 5
10MPa
2

2 xy 5 2 4 2 6.4MPa

Y(5, -4)

min = 3.6

X(14.81, -4.23)

80

max = 16.4

(+ve)

39
51.34

X(15, 4)
Y(5.19, 4.23)

(+ve)

max = 6.4

43

STRESS AND STRAIN

From the Mohrs circle

(a) normal and shearing stresses after rotated 40
x = 14.81 MPa, xy = -4.23 MPa
y = 5.19 MPa, yx = 4.23 MPa
(b) Principal stress
max = 16.40 MPa, min = 3.6 MPa,
= 19.5

(c) maximum shear stress

max = 6.40 MPa, ave = 10 MPa,
= -25.7

44

STRESS AND STRAIN

Tutorial 1
A Mohrs Circle has the radius R = 52 MPa and average stress ave = 80 MPa,
respectively. Determine:
(a) Principal stress
(b) Normal and shear stress at = 0 if the principal plane is 34.
(c) The stress component exerted on the element obtained by rotating the
given element at = - 30.
(d) Maximum shear stress

45