CHAPTER

MECHANICS OF
MATERIALS
Ferdinand P. Beer
E. Russell Johnston, Jr.
John T. DeWolf

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Introduction
The most general state of stress at a point may
be represented by 6 components,
x , y , z

normal stresses

xy , yz , zx shearing stresses
(Note : xy yx , yz zy , zx xz )

Same state of stress is represented by a

different set of components if axes are rotated.
The first part of the chapter is concerned with
how the components of stress are transformed
under a rotation of the coordinate axes. The
second part of the chapter is devoted to a
similar analysis of the transformation of the
components of strain.

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Introduction
Plane Stress - state of stress in which two faces of
the cubic element are free of stress. For the
illustrated example, the state of stress is defined by
x , y , xy and z zx zy 0.

State of plane stress occurs in a thin plate subjected

to forces acting in the mid-plane of the plate.

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Transformation of Plane Stress

Consider the conditions for equilibrium of a
prismatic element with faces perpendicular to
the x, y, and x axes.
Fx 0 xA x A cos cos xy A cos sin
y A sin sin xy A sin cos

Fy 0 xy A x A cos sin xy A cos cos

y A sin cos xy A sin sin

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Transformation of Plane Stress

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Transformation of Plane Stress

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Transformation of Plane Stress

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Transformation of Plane Stress

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Transformation of Plane Stress

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

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Example 7.01
SOLUTION:

Find the element orientation for the principal

stresses from
tan 2 p

2 xy

x y

Determine the principal stresses from

max, min

x y

x y
2
xy

2

2
For the state of plane stress shown,
determine (a) the principal planes, Calculate the maximum shearing stress with
(b) the principal stresses, (c) the
2

x
y
2
maximum shearing stress and the
xy
max
2
corresponding normal stress.

x y

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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

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Example 7.01
SOLUTION:
Find the element orientation for the principal
stresses from
tan 2 p

2 xy

x y

2 40
1.333
50 10

2 p 53.1, 233.1

x 50 MPa
x 10 MPa

xy 40 MPa

p 26.6, 116.6

Determine the principal stresses from

max, min

x y
2

20

x y
2
xy

2

302 402

max 70 MPa
min 30 MPa
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Beer Johnston DeWolf

Example 7.01
Calculate the maximum shearing stress with
2

x y
2
xy
max
2

302 402

max 50 MPa
x 50 MPa
x 10 MPa

xy 40 MPa

s p 45
s 18.4, 71.6

The corresponding normal stress is

ave

x y
2

50 10
2

20 MPa

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Mohrs Circle for Plane Stress

Mohr's circle a useful graphical technique for finding principal stresses and
strains in materials. Mohr's circle also tells you the principal angles
(orientations) of the principal stresses without your having to plug an angle
into stress transformation equations.
Starting with a stress or strain element in the XY plane, construct a grid with a
normal stress on the horizontal axis and a shear stress on the vertical. (Positive
shear stress plots at the bottom.) Then just follow these steps:
Plot the vertical face coordinates V(xx , xy).
Plot the horizontal coordinates H(yy, xy).
You use the opposite sign of the shear stress from Step 1 because the
shear stresses on the horizontal faces are creating a couple that
balances (or acts in the opposite direction of) the shear stresses on the
vertical faces.
Draw a diameter line connecting Points V (from Step 1) and H (from Step
2).
Sketch the circle around the diameter from Step 3.
The circle should pass through Points V and H as shown here.
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MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

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Mohrs Circle for Plane Stress

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Example 7.02

For the state of plane stress shown,

(a) construct Mohrs circle, determine
(b) the principal planes, (c) the
principal stresses, (d) the maximum
shearing stress and the corresponding
normal stress.

SOLUTION:
Construction of Mohrs circle
ave

x y

50 10 20 MPa

2
2
CF 50 20 30 MPa FX 40 MPa
R CX

302 402 50 MPa

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Example 7.02
Principal planes and stresses
max OA OC CA 20 50
max 70 MPa

min OB OC BC 20 50

min 30 MPa
FX 40

CP 30
2 p 53.1

tan 2 p

p 26.6

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Example 7.02

Maximum shear stress

s p 45

max R

ave

s 71.6

max 50 MPa

20 MPa
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Practice Problems

Practice Problems:
7.1-7.16 and 7.31-7.38

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