ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Objectives of Stress Analysis

Design against failure ensure that stress within material in a
structure or component does not exceed yield (elastic limit) or
fracture (permanent separation).

Yield Yield

E
G
Design for acceptable deformation the material may not fail,
but the amount of deflection, twisting and bending may be
excessive.
Consequently, stress and deformation values are usually the
criteria in stress analysis.
B-1

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

General Approach to Stress Analysis

There are three primary considerations in analysing a
component or structure subjected to loads.
Equilibrium (i) overall equilibrium of the structure; (ii) a
balance between external loads and internal reactions
(forces/moments/stresses); this provides the equations for
determining the unknown quantities (e.g. forces, moments,
torques and stresses).
Constitutive (stress-strain) Relationships (e.g. Hookes
Law) to determine the deformation (strains, changes in
lengths or angles) that is induced in the body by the applied
loads.
Deformation Compatibility to ensure that the deformations
induced (strains, changes in length/angles, lateral deflections,
angle of twist, etc.) are compatible within the structure, and with
external constraints. This defines the boundary conditions
needed to solve the equations. B-2
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Practical Implementation Basic steps

To determine the unknown quantities (force, bending moment,
torque, stresses) at any point in a body:
1. Make an imaginary cut(s) at the point of interest in order
to isolate the free-body to be analysed.
2. Draw the unknown quantities to be solved (force, bending
moment, torque, stresses) following the appropriate
coordinate axes and the correct sign convention.
3. Perform equilibrium analysis the sum of all the effects of
the internal and external quantities must result in equilibrium.
4. Satisfy all Boundary Conditions employ the constitutive
relationships of the material(s) that the body/structure is made
of to ensure that all physical constraints on deformation
(changes in lengths/angles/twist) are not violated.

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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Axially-Loaded Structural Members

Many components such as struts and tie-rods (e.g. in roofs of
buildings and steering linkages to car wheels) are subjected
primarily to axial forces. These have to be designed to sustain the
loads experienced during use, not deform excessively for
ergonomic and aesthetic reasons, and possess minimal weight to
save on material costs.

Roof structure outside Tie rods in NUS ME Dept

EA building FSAE Race Car B-4
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Example
A stepped vertical cylindrical rod is
required for suspension of a 30kN load A
at its lower end and has an upward force
of 65kN applied at the shoulder. The 2.0m
dAB = 30mm
upper portion has a length of 2.0m and a
diameter of 30mm; the rod material has a B
Youngs modulus of 70GPa and a yield 65kN
strength of 180MPa; the lower segment
is 3.0m long and its tip must not move by 3.0m
dBC = ?
more than 2mm. Using a safety factor
(SF) of 1.5, calculate the smallest
diameter of the lower portion of the rod. C

30kN

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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Equilibrium
Determine the axial force in each segment of
the shaft by: (i) making an imaginary cut in that
segment; (ii) drawing the unknown internal
forces as positive quantities; (iii) considering FAB
equilibrium to calculate the magnitudes and A
signs of the unknown forces.
(Allowable stress = 180/SF = 120MPa)
FBC B
Segment BC: FBC = 30kN
65kN 65kN
Segment AB: FAB + 65kN 30kN = 0
FAB = -35kN
Stress in AB: C

(i.e. acceptable)
30kN 30kN 30kN
Stress in BC:

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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Use Constitutive (load-deformation) Relationship

to satisfy physical and prescribed Boundary
Conditions
Hookes Law for uniaxial stress: = /E

The displacement at the tip of the smaller rod is determined by

the changes in length of both portions. The total change in length
is given by:

dBC > (based on deformation limit)

The requirement based on strength is dBC > 17.8mm; hence, the
required deformation limitation takes precedence and the
minimum diameter of the lower portion is B-7

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Statically Indeterminate Structures

Structures subjected to loading fall into two categories:
Statically determinate all the unknown reactions (forces,
moments, torques) at the supports can be obtained by
considering equilibrium alone.
N.B. In a 2-D system, there are only three equilibrium equations
two translational, for forces in orthogonal directions and one
rotational, for moments. For 3-D analysis, there are six equilibrium
equations three translational, for forces in the directions of the
three orthogonal axes, and three rotational, for moments in the
three orthogonal planes.
Statically indeterminate the number of equilibrium equations
is insufficient to evaluate the unknown reactions (i.e. there are
more than the minimum number of supports required). Many
structures have multiple supports for additional safety, and are
thus statically indeterminate.
Degree of indeterminacy/redundancy the difference between
the number of unknown reactions and the number of equilibrium
equations that can be used; i.e. Nu - Ne B-8
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Examples of Statically Determinate/Indeterminate Structures

(a) Rx P Unknown Usable Degree of
quantities equilibrium indeter-
R1y R2y equations minacy
(b) R1x R2x
(a) Rx horizontal
F1 F2

P (b) F1 (= F2) vertical (or

R1y R3y rotational)
(c) R1x R2y R2x R3x

F2 (c) F1 (= F3), F2 vertical (or

F1 F3
rotational)
P
P
(d) (d) R1, R2, M1 vertical
M1 rotational
R1 R2
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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

For statically indeterminate structures, the number of additional

equations needed to solve for the unknowns, is equal to the
degree of indeterminacy; these come from considering the
deformation of the structure and satisfying compatibility and
boundary conditions. [Hence, studying rigid body statics alone is
insufficient without an understanding of the Mechanics of
(deformable) Materials !] RA

Example A

A vertical brass column, 25mm in 500 mm 25mm

diameter, is built in at its top and bottom B
80kN
ends and is subjected to two vertical loads
300 mm
applied at the locations shown. Determine
C
the stresses in the segments AB, BC and
200 mm
CD. (E = 90 GPa) D 50kN

RD
B-10
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Number of unknown reactions =

Number of usable equilibrium equations = (vertical
equilibrium)
Conclusion: Statically indeterminate system with 2 1 = 1 degree of
indeterminacy; i.e. 1 additional equation based on deformation of the
structure is required to solve the problem.
Deformation compatibility (boundary) condition: since the ends are
built-in, there should be no change in the overall length of the
column (even though the segments between the applied
forces/reactions can change in length.)
Approach:
1. Consider equilibrium of the whole system.
2. Make successive imaginary cuts between adjacent points where
there is a reaction or an applied load to isolate a free body.
3. Consider equilibrium of the isolated free bodies.
4. Utilise the material constitutive relationship and satisfy deformation
compatibility (boundary) conditions. B-11

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Overall equilibrium, and

equilibrium of free-body
RA RA
segments isolated by
RA RA
imaginary cuts
A A A A
RA + 80 50 RD = 0 kN
500 mm

i.e. RA + 30 = RD kN
80kN 80kN
80kN
B B FAB B
FAB =
300 mm

C C FBC =
FBC
200 mm

50kN 50kN
FCD =
FCD D
RD i.e. FCD =

B-12
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Constitutive Relationship:
Hookes Law for uniaxial stress: = E

Deformation compatibility condition:

sum of changes in lengths of segments is zero.

RA = -30kN (i.e. 30kN acting in the opposite direction)

Forces in column segments:

FAB = RA = -30kN (i.e. compressive); FBC =
FCD =
B-13

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Stresses in column segments:

= F/A; A = (25x10-3)2/4 = 4.91x10-4 m2
AB = FAB/A = 30x103/4.91x10-4 =
(important to state that AB is negative to indicate
compression)
BC = FBC/A = 50x103/4.91x10-4 = (tension)
CD = FCD/A = 0/4.91x10-4 =

B-14
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Example RD RE

D E

RA
1m
2m 0.5m 0.5m

A B C

30kN

A 3m horizontal rigid bar is hinged to the wall at A and supported by

25mm diameter vertical rods at B and C. The rod at B is made of Al
alloy (E=70GPa) and the one at C is brass (E=90GPa). A 30kN
downward force is applied vertically mid-way between B and C.
Determine:
(a) the stress in each vertical rod
(b) the deflections at B and C
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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

RD RE
Unknown reactions or forces: RA,
RD (= FDB), RE (= FEC); i.e. three.
D E Equilibrium (2 usable equations)
Vertical equilibrium: Fy = 0
RA
2m 1m
RA + FDB + FEC 30 = 0kN (1)
FD FE Rotational equilibrium: Mz = 0
A
Take moments about A:
B C

B
B C FDB x 2 + FEC x 3 30 x 2.5 = 0kNm
C (2)
Nu Ne = 3 2 = 1
30kN (indeterminate; i.e. one additional
equation based on deformation
compatibility is needed)
Deformation compatibility
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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Constitutive relationship
Hookes law for uniaxial stress: = /L = /E; = (FL/AE)

Deformation compatibility: C/B = 3/2

(3)

The equilibrium equations (1) and (2) can now be combined with
condition (3) to yield three equations to solve three unknowns.
Consequently:
From (2):

From (1):
B-17

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Stresses in rods: = F/A

A = (25 x 10-3)2/4 = 4.91x10-4 m2
DB = FDB/A = 9.63x103/ 4.91x10-4 = 19.62MPa
EC = FEC/A = 18.58x103/ 4.91x10-4 = 37.85MPa
Deflections at B and C: = (FL/AE) = (L/E)
B = DB(LDB/EAl) = 19.62x106 (1.0/70x109) = 0.28mm
C = EC(LEC/EBr) = 37.85x106 (1.0/90x109) = 0.42mm
Check:

B-18
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Example
A pin-jointed truss is attached to a wall
and carries a vertical load of 5,000kg at its 1.0m

tip. The bars are made of Aluminium alloy B

(E=70GPa) and have a circular cross- A
section of 25mm diameter. The inclined
bar makes an angle of 30o with the
P = 5,000kg
horizontal one.
Determine the horizontal and vertical C
displacements of the tip and thus its FAB
resultant movement.
FBC
Solution P
Consider equilibrium of the load at the tip:
the axial force in the horizontal bar is: P
(1)
the axial force in the inclined bar is: P/tan
(2)
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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

To determine the final position of the tip,

consider the stretched horizontal bar and
the shortened inclined bar, as though BC AB
they were unhinged. Bo
B
Each bar can rotate in a circular arc A
about their hinged connection at the wall. B
The final position of the tip will be where
the two arcs intersect (B).
Since the displacements are small, C B

approximate the arcs by straight lines
and thus the final position is also AB B*

approximated by their intersection (B*). Bo B

BC BCsin
Horizontal displacement:
B
H = BoB = AB = FABLAB/AE (3) D E

Vertical displacement:
V = BB* = BoD + EB* BCcos

= BCsin + (AB + BCcos)/tan B*

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ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

V = BCsin + (AB + BCcos)/tan

= BC(sin + cos/tan) + AB/tan
V = BC/sin + AB/tan (4)
BC = BBo = |FBC|LBC/AE = (P/sin)LBC/AE = PLAB/AEsincos
P = 5000 x 9.81 = 49.05kN
A = (25x10-3)2/4 = 4.909x10-4 m2
= 30o ; E = 70x109 Pa
LAB = 1m ; LBC = LAB/cos = 1.155m
H = AB = FABLAB/AE = PLAB/AEtan
= (49.05x103)(1.0)/(4.909x10-4)(70x109)(0.5774)
H =
BC = PLAB/AEsincos
= (49.05x103)(1.0)/(4.909x10-4)(70x109)(0.5)(0.866)
BC =
B-21

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

V = BC/sin + AB/tan
= 3.30/0.5 + 2.47/0.5774
V =
Total resultant displacement = [(H)2 + (V)2]1/2
=

B-22
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Example
An unloaded horizontal beam comprises two segments A and B, rigidly
joined together. The beam is simply-supported and perfectly balanced at the
interface between the two segments. The geometrical and material
properties of the two segments are in the table below.
Segment Cross- Density Youngs Shear Poissons
sectional area modulus modulus ratio
A 100 mm2 2,400 kg/m3 10 GPa 4 GPa 0.25
B 100 mm2 600 kg/m3 20 GPa 8 GPa 0.25

2m 4m

A B

Equal and opposite tensile forces of 6kN are applied to the ends of the
beam. Determine whether the bar will remain horizontal, rotate clockwise, or
rotate anti-clockwise, after application of the tensile forces. (Neglect bending
of the beam arising from self-weight.)
B-23

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Solution

2m 4m
6 kN 6 kN
A B

Cross-sectional area = 100 mm2 = 100 x 10-6 m2

mA = (2,400)(100x10-6)(2) = 0.48kg ; mB = (600)(100x10-6)(4) = 0.24kg

After application of the 6kN force, both beam segments will

elongate, causing a change in the location of their respective
CGs. This will result in a loss of rotational equilibrium.
B-24
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Elongation of segment A:

Elongation of segment B:

New distance of CG of segment A from pivot:

Resulting anticlockwise moment MA = (0.48)(1.006)(9.81) = 4.7371 Nm

New distance of CG of segment B from pivot:

Resulting clockwise moment MB = (0.24)(2.006)(9.81) = 4.7229 Nm

B-25

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Example
A spaceship is stationary in outer space. Its power source is a cylinder of
radio-active material, aligned parallel to the axis of the spaceship, as
shown below. (The material has a density of 8,000 kg/m3, a Youngs
modulus of 180 GPa, a shear modulus of 72 GPa, a Poissons ratio of
0.25 and a failure stress of 400 MPa.) The diameter of the cylinder is
100 mm, its length is 2m and it is supported (clamped) at one end,
nearer the tail of the spaceship. When the spaceship accelerates
forward, describe what stress is induced in the material and whether/how
the stress varies with location along the cylinder. (NB: Recall Newtons
2nd Law that Force = Mass x Acceleration.) What is the maximum
acceleration the spaceship can attain without damaging its power
source?
power source cylinder

B-26
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Solution

A
Power source
x
F0
2m
Fxx

x 2-x

Newtons 2nd law:

Axial stress is generated because of inertial resistance.

B-27

ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

At location x, mass of portion of rod being accelerated is:

(compressive)

x
2m

Stress distribution

(What everyday situation do you personally experience that

is somewhat similar to this?)
B-28
ME2112 Strength of Materials (Victor Shim)

Maximum stress when material yields:

(yield stress)

Max acceleration:

B-29