1

Practice # 1

1. (a) Distinguish between a material point and a material element.

(b) Is there anything wrong with the stress matrix

2 1 1

ij = 2 2 1 MPa .
0 1 2

If there

is, give reasons.

(c) Write out the components of the stress matrix ij for the following loading
situations: (i) Uniaxial tension, (ii) Equi-biaxial tension, (iii) Pure shear, (iv)
Hydrostatic pressure and (v) a thin-walled tube of thickness t and inner radius r,
closed at both ends and subjected to an internal pressure p MPa.

2. A bar of steel is loaded so that at a point on its surface there is a tensile stress of
magnitude 200 MPa parallel to the bar axis and a shear stress of magnitude 100
MPa in the same direction. (i) Draw the material element showing the stresses at the
point, (ii) calculate the principal stresses and (iii) determine the maximum in-plane
shear stress.
3. (a) The state of stress (in MPa) at a point in a loaded beam is shown in Fig. 1
below. Determine (i) the magnitude of the principal stresses and the direction of the
maximum principal stress, (ii) the maximum shear stress and its direction, (iii) the
normal stress on the maximum shear plane and (iv) the normal and shear stresses on
a plane inclined at an angle of 35o to the x-direction. (b) Repeat question 3(a) using
Mohrs circle, and compare your results.

4. For the state of stress (in MPa) shown in Fig. 2 below, determine the values of

for which the maximum shear stress is 15 MPa.

50

8
30

y
x

14

40
Fig. 1

Fig. 2

5. Determine whether the following 2D stress field is possible in a loaded structure,

with no body force. Here x, y and z are the rectangular Cartesian co-ordinate axes
used for defining the stress field and the geometry.

x = Ax 3 y 2Bxy + Cy; y = A( xy 3 2x 3 y); xy =

3 2 2
1
Ax y + By 2 + Ax 4 + D
2
2

where A, B, C and D are constants.

6. At a point within a structural component of unit thickness the principal stresses are:
1 = 75 MPa, 2 = 60 MPa. Working from first principles, obtain the stresses on
a plane that makes an angle of 30o with the greater principal stress.

90 MPa
7. A 2D infinitesimal element of an elastic
material is subjected to the stresses shown
in Figure 3. If the greater principal stress
in the material element is equal to 150 MPa,
determine the magnitude of (i) the shear
stress xy, (ii) the other principal stress,
and (iii) the maximum shear stress.

xy
y

120 MPa
120 MPa

xy
90 MPa
Figure 3

3
1 0

8. (a) A uniform stress field is given by ij = 0 4 0 MPa.

3 0 8
The axes of the stress system are now rotated to bring them into the principal stress
directions. (i) What is the sum of the diagonal terms of the stress matrix defined relative
to the new co-ordinate axes? (ii) What can you say about the off-diagonal terms?
(b) For the stress state given in part (a) above, obtain (i) the magnitude of the principal
stresses, (ii) the magnitude of the maximum shear stress.

Answers
(1b) Yes. (2) (ii) 241 MPa, 41 MPa; (iii) 141 MPa.
(3a) (i) 67 MPa, 47 MPa; 22.5o or 67.5o (ii) 57 MPa, 67.5o or -22.5o; (iii) 10 MPa;
(iv) (14 MPa, 51 MPa) or (61 MPa, 24 MPa).
(4) 34 MPa, 11 MPa.
(5) Yes, it is possible
(6) = 26 MPa, = 59 MPa (7) 85 MPa, 120 MPa, 135 MPa.
(8) (a)(i) 11 MPa (b) (i) 1.9MPa; 4 MPa; 8.9 MPa (ii) 5.4 MPa.