Lecture 14: von Mises and Tresca

Yield Criteria
Jayadeep U. B.
Dept. of Mechanical Engg., NIT Calicut.
 Introduction
Based on the experimental observations, we have seen that the
yield criterion should be a function of the invariants of the
deviatoric part of the stress tensor.
In addition, it should be a closed, convex figure on the deviatoric
plane, made of twelve repeating segments.
Many of the yield criteria proposed earlier (like maximum
principal stress criterion) do not satisfy these requirements.
There are two important yield criteria which satisfy all these
requirements.
Von Mises yield criterion proposed in 1913.
Tresca yield criterion proposed in 1864.
In this lecture, we will focus on these two yield criteria.
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 von Mises Yield Criterion (1913)
von Mises (in the year 1913) proposed based on theoretical
considerations (as explained earlier) that yielding occurs
when the second invariant (J2) of the deviatoric part of the
stress tensor reaches a critical value.
von Mises yield function: f() J2 k12 and yield criterion:
J2 k12 = 0.
Physical interpretation:
1) Distortion energy theory Hencky, 1924.
2) Octahedral shear stress theory Nadai, 1937.
(H.W.: Show the equivalence of these three yield criteria.
Ref.:Text books by L.S. Srinath and Timoshenko & Goodier).
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 von Mises Yield Criterion contd.
It can be shown that J 2 = ( ij ij ) 2 , where ij is the ijth element
of deviatoric part of the stress tensor (S also is used often).
From uniaxial tensile tests, using the above equation, value of J2
at the initiation of yielding is obtained as Y2 (H.W.).
Hence, von Mises criterion becomes: f J2 Y2 = 0..
The yield locus of the von Mises criterion on the deviatoric
plane is a circle, with radius Y (H.W.).
An effective or equivalent or generalized stress can be defined
based on von Mises criterion: eq = 3 ij ij 2 = 3J 2 ,
which can be compared directly with the yield strength
(obtained from uniaxial tensile test) to predict yielding.
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 Tresca Yield Criterion (1864)
Based on the experimental observations, Tresca (in 1864) proposed that
material yields when the maximum shear stress reaches a critical value.
( max ) 2 k 2 = [( 1 2 ) 2 4k 2 ][( 2 3 ) 2 4k 2 ][( 3 1 ) 2 4k 2 ] = 0
If the principal stresses are ordered 1 2 3, the maximum shear
stress, max = (1 3).
Comparing with the uni-axial tensile test, the yield criterion becomes:
max Y = 0.
We can define a quantity called the Stress Intensity, int = 2max, which
can be directly compared with Y.
Locus of Tresca yield criterion on deviatoric plane is a regular hexagon.
In terms of invariants of deviatoric stress tensor, Tresca criterion
becomes: Y2
( 2 Y ) ( 3) = 0
2 2
4 J2
2
J 27 J
4
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 Stress Space Representation
von Mises and
Tresca yield criteria
can be represented
in principal stress
space as shown in
the figure:

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 von Mises & Tresca Yield Loci on
Deviatoric Plane C 2
D von Mises Criterion
(Regular)
B
Tresca Criterion
(Singular)
E
3
A 1
F

Since we use the results from uniaxial tensile test as the basis for
defining a yield criterion, yield points predicted by both the criteria
match for these cases (Points A, B, C, D, E & F).
The yield stresses predicted by both criteria differ the maximum in case
7
of pure shear.
 Comparison of von Mises & Tresca Yield
Criteria
Since we use the results from the uniaxial tensile tests as the basis
for defining yield criterion, the yield point predicted by both the
criteria match for these cases (six points corresponding to uniaxial
stresses).
Yield point predicted by Tresca criterion is always less than or
equal to that predicted by von Mises criterion, i.e., Tresca
criterion is more conservative.
The yield stresses predicted by both the criteria differ the
maximum in case of pure shear (for pure shear like torsion of a
cylindrical tube, Tresca criterion predicts a yield stress, = Y,
while von Mises criterion predicts, = () Y 0.577 Y).
Experimental results for most metals are between the values
predicted by von Mises and Tresca criteria, however, in case of
most metals, they match more closely with the values predicted
by von Mises criterion.
8
 Comparison of von Mises & Tresca Yield
Criteria contd.
If the objective is to avoid any yielding, Tresca criterion is used,
while for the studies of plastic deformation von Mises criterion is
preferable.
In general Tresca criterion is more convenient for hand
calculations, especially in cases where the principal directions are
known a priori (e.g.: ASME B&PV code recommends Tresca
criterion for design of pressure vessels based on analysis).
In case of numerical computations (like Finite Element Analysis),
Tresca criterion leads to serious difficulties (complicated
calculations, non-unique normal to the yield locus etc.), and
hence von Mises criterion is preferred.
To summarize, the decision regarding which yield criterion is to
use is made by considering accuracy required and convenience.
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 Yield Criteria for Plane Stress (P-)
Equations of yield criterion can be simplified for special states of
stress like plane stress (P-).
We assume that in-plane principal stresses are 1 and 2 (3 = 0).
von Mises criterion: eq = 12 1 2 + 22 = Y
Tresca criterion, for 1 & 2 0 or 0 1 & 2 (first and third
quadrants), we have: 1 = Y or 2 = Y
Tresca criterion, for 1 > 0 & 2 < 0 or 1 < 0 & 2 > 0
(second and fourth quadrants), we have: 1 2 = Y
Hence, as told earlier, von Mises criterion is more convenient for
numerical computations, while the Tresca criterion is simpler in
case of hand calculations.
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 Yield Criteria for Plane Stress contd.
2 von Mises Criterion

Tresca Criterion
Y
Y
1

Tresca & von Mises Yield Loci

on the 1-2 plane (3 = 0)

The von Mises locus becomes an ellipse and the Tresca locus becomes an
elongated hexagon when plotted for a plane stress case.

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 Yield Criteria for Plane Strain (P-)
Many of the metal forming applications like rolling are better
approximated as plane strain condition (P-).
In this case, since the out-of-plane strains are prevented, Poisson
effect causes out-of-plane normal stresses to be present.
We have 1, 2 and3 = (1+2) as the principal stresses.
Hence, both von Mises and Tresca criteria depend on the value of
Poissons ratio, in general.
Except for the special case of = 0.5 (incompressibility
condition), no special advantage is obtained by trying to simplify
von Mises and Tresca expressions for plane strain (details later).
H.W.: Plot von Mises and Tresca yield loci for P- (Assume =
0.3, 0.4 & 0.49). Use computer for generating data.
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 References
Chakrabarty, J., Theory of plasticity, Butterworth-Heinemann.
Hill, R., The mathematical theory of plasticity, Oxford University
Press.

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