Analysis of Stress (Tutorial: 1)

1. A rigid, cubic solid (each sides 2a) is immersed in a fluid (of height h) with mass density ρ.
a) Write down expressions for the traction vector exerted by the fluid on each face of the cube.
b) Calculate the resultant force due to the tractions acting on the cube, and show that the vertical force is
equal and opposite to the weight of fluid displaced by the cube.

(Hints: Recall that a stationary fluid exerts a compressive pressure of magnitude ρgh at depth h. You might
find it convenient to take the origin for your coordinate system at the centre of the cube, and take basis
vectors perpendicular to the cube faces.)

2. At a point Q in a structure the state of stress relative to an xyz coordinate system is

−15 0 −25
[𝜎] = [ 0 10 −20] MPa
−25 −20 0

Using the cube shown, determine the normal and shear stresses at point Q for the surfaces parallel to
the planes a) BCGF, b) ABEF, c) BGE.

3. The state of stress at a point relative to an xyz coordinate system is given by

3 0 −2
[𝜎] = [ 0 1 2 ] MPa
−2 2 −1

Determine the normal and shear stresses and their directional cosines on a surface intersecting the point
and parallel to the plane given by the equation, 𝑥 + 2𝑦 − 2𝑧 = −4.

4. The state of stress at a point is such that, 𝜎𝑥𝑥 = 𝜎𝑦𝑦 = 𝜎𝑧𝑧 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 𝜏𝑦𝑧 = 𝜏𝑧𝑥 = 𝑝, determine the
principal stresses and their directions.

5. The state of stress at a point in a body relative to the xyz coordinate system is given by

−2 3 −5
[𝜎] = [ 3 6 2 ] MPa
−5 2 −4

Determine a) the principal stresses and their directional cosines, b) maximum shear stress

6. A solid shaft of diameter 𝑑 = √10 cm is subjected to a tensile

force P = 10,000 N and a torque T = 5000 N.cm. At point A on
the surface, determine the principal stress, the octahedral
shearing stress and the maximum shearing stress.
7. For the plane stress state shown

a) Determine the principal stresses and show them on a properly

oriented element (use transformation equation only).

b) Repeat part (a) using Mohr’s circle.

c) Determine the maximum shearing stress and show the complete

state of stress on a properly oriented element containing this
maximum shear stress.

8. Determine whether the following stress field is admissible in an

elastic body when body forces are negligible.

𝑦𝑧 + 4 𝑧 2 + 2𝑥 5𝑦 + 𝑧
[𝜎] = [𝑧 2 + 2𝑥 𝑥𝑧 + 3𝑦 8𝑥 3 ]
5𝑦 + 𝑧 8𝑥 3 2𝑥𝑦𝑧

9. The simply supported beam shown carries a load of w (force per unit length) at an angle θ from the
horizontal. (I = Moment of Inertia of the cross section about neutral z-axis)

𝑤 𝑤
a) Prove that, 𝜎𝑥𝑥 = − 2𝐼 𝑥𝑦(𝑙 − 𝑥)𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 3𝐼 𝑐𝑥(3𝑦 + 𝑐)𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
b) Determine 𝜏𝑥𝑦 and 𝜎𝑦𝑦 using the boundary conditions on the top surface
c) Verify that the solution of part (b) satisfies the boundary conditions on the bottom surface

10. The cantilever beam shown has a rectangular cross section 𝑏 × 2𝑐. (I = Moment of Inertia of the cross
section about neutral z-axis)

𝑤
a) Prove that 𝜎𝑥𝑥 = 6𝐼𝐿 𝑥 3 𝑦
b) Determine 𝜏𝑥𝑦 and 𝜎𝑦𝑦