The Mohr circle is thus an elegant way to determine the shear and
normal stresses for a pair of stresses oriented obliquely to the plane
in question. The Mohr circle allows you to quickly read this for
planes of any orientation.
Stress Equations
Two perpendicular stresses oriented at any
angle to a plane!
Normal Stress
n = (1 + 3) - (1 - 3) cos 2!
2!
Shear Stress
2!
s = (1 - 3) sin 2!
2!
Theta is the angle between the maximum stress and the pole
to the plane the stresses are acting upon.!
n = (1 + 3) - (1 - 3) cos 2!
2!
2!
Theta = angle between !
The normal to the plane
and the maximum
principle stress (see Fig
4.1 in Fossen)!
s = (1 - 3) sin 2!
2!
Mean Stress!
Deviatoric Stress!
Differential Stress!
In-class problem!
1.
2.
3.
In-class problem!
Determine the normal and shear stresses on a plane oriented N-S, 45o E
Maximum stress is oriented vertically and equal to 600 MPA
Minimum stress is horizontal, oriented east-west and = 200 MPa
For maximum and minimum stresses of 600 and 200 (MPa) oriented as
a vertical vector and a horizontal, E-W striking vector (respectively),
determine the normal and shear stresses on a plane oriented NorthSouth, 45 degrees East. It helps to first draw a block diagram.
n = (1 + 3) - (1 - 3) cos 2!
Use the Equations!
2!
2!
s = (1 - 3) sin 2!
2!
For the minimum and maximum principle stresses of 600 and 200
megapascals (MPa) oriented as a vertical vector and a horizontal,
E-W striking vector (respectively), determine the normal and shear
stresses on a plane oriented North-South, 45 degrees East
For the stress state in the previous problem, determine the differential
stress and mean stress. Start by plotting the solution for normal and
shear stresses on the Mohr Stress Diagram.
Problem 2!
3
Now discuss whether increasing the mean stress would cause a rock
to break more readily.
Would this be more or less likely with
increasing depth in the crust?
Draw the stress state where the minimum and maximum stresses are
both equal to 600 Mpa.
Following set of slides should be copied and handed out to students for
exercises. Work in groups of 4, so for a class of 80 students, print out 20
sets.
n = (1 + 3) - (1 - 3) cos 2!
Use the Equations!
2!
2!
s = (1 - 3) sin 2!
2!
For the stress state in the previous problem, determine the differential
stress and mean stress. Start by plotting the solution for normal and shear
stresses on the Mohr Stress Diagram.
Determine whether decreasing the dip of the fault will decrease or
increase the shear stress acting on it.
Discuss how a change in differential stress might make the sample more
or less likely to break. It may help by arbitrarily varying the stresses and
looking at how they plot on the circle, or by imagining stress on a cube.
Now discuss whether increasing just the mean stress would cause a rock
to break more readily. Would this be more or less likely with increasing
depth in the crust?
Draw the stress state where the minimum and maximum stresses are both
equal to 600 MPa. What is the differential stress. Would you expect the
rock to deform under these conditions?
In-class problem 2
For the stress state in the previous problem, determine the differential stress
and mean stress. Start by plotting the solution for normal and shear stresses
on the Mohr Stress Diagram.
Determine whether decreasing the dip of the fault will decrease or increase
the shear stress acting on it.
Discuss how a change in differential stress might make the sample more or
less likely to break. It may help by arbitrarily varying the stresses and looking
at how they plot on the circle, or by imagining stress on a cube.
Now discuss whether increasing just the mean stress would cause a rock to
break more readily. Would this be more or less likely with increasing depth in
the crust?
Draw the stress state where the minimum and maximum stresses are both
equal to 600 Mpa. What is the differential stress. Would you expect the rock
to deform under these conditions?
I think the problem is the way theta is defined (ie the angle
between the max principle stress and the plane, or the normal to
the plane and the max principle stress) and whether it should be
measured clockwise or counterclockwise on the normal stress axis.