html
(http://www.learnengineering.org/)
Theories of Failure
A good understanding of theories of failure are imperative in the design of civil structures or types of mechanical
equipment. This lecture will give you a conceptual introduction on the theories of failure. So sit back and Enjoy
A detailed webpage version of the above lecture along with the industrial application of Failure Theories are given
below.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PJJ5fdCajM/VGRHZv19IHI/AAAAAAAADUg/Iq7asxuyd4k/s1600/Weight_lifter_Analogy.jpg)
http://www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html 1/4
5/1/2018 www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
xiBgglMX_Xs/UOU5zg3fAaI/AAAAAAAAASE/46uE_Wpf0FE/s1600/simple-tension-test.gif)
Fig.2 Simple tension test
Principal Stress
Principal stress (https://www.learnengineering.org/2013/01/principal-stress-plane-mohr-circle.html) is the maximum
normal stress occurring at a given point. In order to find out this value easy way is to do a Mohr circle analysis
(https://www.learnengineering.org/2013/01/principal-stress-plane-mohr-circle.html). Once you know Principal stress
values you can go ahead with failure theories.Figure below shows principal stress values induced at point in a 3
dimensional complex loading case.
http://www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html 2/4
5/1/2018 www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
RuvFfR_x9DE/UL7wOckhXAI/AAAAAAAAACU/9jRk0jmN-5U/s1600/trans_struc_princi.jpg)
Fig.3 Principal stresses and planes
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-
nxL0qADhxag/UOVU1SwcAoI/AAAAAAAAAWM/S6sPm4fh9hE/s1600/max-normal-stress.gif)
2. Maximum shear stress theory - Good for ductile materials
According to this theory when the maximum shear strength in actual case exceeds maximum allowable shear
stress in simple tension test the material case. Maximum shear stress in actual case in represented as
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
ctyC5qDXQEk/UOVJbpE1zKI/AAAAAAAAAS8/fOtGhGkpf34/s1600/max-shear-actual.gif)
Maximum shear stress in simple tension case occurs at angle 45 with load, so maximum shear strength in a
simple tension case can be represented as
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
IlfbOG6E60M/UOVKyDZmWQI/AAAAAAAAATU/L_0a4F7VzKY/s1600/max-shear-simp.gif)
Comparing these 2 quantities one can write the failure condition as
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1d5CQGbf9bg/UOVLhMXhshI/AAAAAAAAATg/-
tKEPujiWoA/s1600/max-shear-failure-condition.gif)
(https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-
NpRUY6TvMik/UOVNq9q1q2I/AAAAAAAAAT8/81d8dBO5jss/s1600/strain-max-actual.gif)
Maximum strain in simple tension test case is given by
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jMtVntyPoA/UOVN5j7dLYI/AAAAAAAAAUI/Wl4WgNcrTzc/s1600/strain-max-
simple-tension.gif)
http://www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html 3/4
5/1/2018 www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html
g0XxQfNQecw/UPN_cdJWVsI/AAAAAAAABA0/PWQgL7xyPsg/s1600/TSE-act.gif)
The total strain energy in simple tension test at time of failure is given by
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
dAqIi2xE26Q/UOVRKdglrnI/AAAAAAAAAU8/jingJBevDeQ/s1600/total-strain-energy-simple.gif)
So failure condition can be simplified as
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-
nWYgeh55cZE/UOVRS33HwHI/AAAAAAAAAVI/qfL_YOoPcag/s1600/TSE-failure.gif)
(https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1BXMmwKx0Es/UOVTpQ-
FubI/AAAAAAAAAVo/7N886OoQDjc/s1600/SSE-act.gif)
Shear strain energy in simple tension test at the time of failure is given by
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
QBNWknfU38s/UOVTqsmtXmI/AAAAAAAAAVw/_cUsdGvqeLw/s1600/SSE-simp.gif)
So the failure condition can be deduced as
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
Si9HVAg6dew/UOVTq184OcI/AAAAAAAAAV8/n-2caGFHPnI/s1600/SSE-condition.gif)
Where G is shear modulus of the material
Out of the 5 theories discussed, the Shear strain energy theory or Von-mises theory is the most valuable one.
*Since brittle materials does not have yield point, you can use ultimate tensile stress as failure criterion.
(https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
rSXBSWeVw1A/UObPcWgtpkI/AAAAAAAAAXM/_XEkccIjZj8/s1600/designer_eqn.gif)
http://www.learnengineering.org/2012/12/theories-of-failure.html 4/4