xy
Total Strain Energy for a
Generalized State of Stress
( )
xz xz yz yz xy xy z z y y x x
u t t t c o c o c o + + + + + =
2
1
| |
| |
| |
zx zx
yz yz
xy xy
yy xx zz zz
xx zz yy yy
zz yy xx xx
E
E
E
E
E
E
o
v
o
v
o
v
o o v o c
o o v o c
o o v o c
) 1 ( 2
) 1 ( 2
) 1 ( 2
(
1
(
1
(
1
+
=
+
=
+
=
+ =
+ =
+ =
Strain Energy for axially loaded bar
AE
L F
F U
AE
FL
A
F
2 2
1
; ;
2
axial
= A =
= A = o
F= Axial Force (Newtons, N)
A = Cross-Sectional Area Perpendicular to F (mm
2
)
E = Youngs Modulus of Material, MPa
L = Original Length of Bar, mm
F
A
A
L
Comparison of Energy Stored in Straight
and Stepped bars
F
A
a
A
L
F
A
b
A
L/2
nA
L/2
AE
L F
U
2
2
=
|
.
|
\
|
+
=
+ =
n
n
AE
L F
nAE
L F
AE
L F
U
2
1
2
2
2 /
2
2 /
2
2 2
Note for n=2; case (b) has U= which is 3/4 of case (a)
AE
L F
2 4
3
2
(a) (b)