P.E.

Civil Exam Review: Strength of

Materials
J.P. Mohsen
Email:jpm@louisville.edu

Strength of Materials
Stress vs. Strain

Stress = Force / Area

P
=
A

Strain = Change in Length / Original Length

L
=
L
2

Stress

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram Typical for Ductile Materials

3

Stress

Proportional limit

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram

4

Stress

Elastic limit
Proportional limit

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram

5

Yield point

Stress

Elastic limit
Proportional limit

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram

6

Stress

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram

7

Ultimate strength

Yield point

Stress

Elastic limit
Proportional limit

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram

8

Ultimate strength

Rupture

Yield point

Stress

Elastic limit
Proportional limit

Strain

Stress Strain Diagram

9

Ultimate strength

True rupture

Rupture

Yield point

Stress

Elastic limit
Proportional limit

Strain

Stress- Strain Relationship

10

Stress

y
Slope of the linear portion =
=
=E
x

=E

Hookes Law
Strain

Stress Strain Relationship Typical for Ductile Materials

11

High strength

Toughness

High
toughness

Stress

Modulus of
resilience

Stress

Stress

Fracture

Strain

Strain

Strain

(a)

(b)

(c)

Areas under stress-strain curves: (a) modulus of resilience, (b) toughness, and (c) highstrength and high-toughness materials.
12

Elastic limit

Proportional limit

0.5% extension
yield strength

Stress

Stress

0.2% offset yield

strength

Strain, %
0.2%

Strain, %
0.5%

(a)

(b)

Methods for estimating yield stress: (a) offset method and (b) extension method
13

Problem 1)
For the beam shown, compute the maximum bending stress in compression
and maximum bending stress in tension. Also compute the shear stress at the
neutral axis as well as at a section 6 in. from the bottom of the cross-section.
Calculate the shear stresses at a point along the beam where the maximum
shear force occurs.
1500 lb

4500 lb

1500 lb
1 in
8 in

4 ft

6 ft

6 ft

4 ft

NA
3.5 in

1 in
4 in
INA = 97.0 in4

14

Problem 1 (continued)
For the beam shown, compute the shear stress at the NA and at 6 in. from the
bottom of the cross section at the point where the maximum shear force
occurs.

1500 lb

4500 lb

1500 lb
1 in
8 in

6 ft

4 ft

4 ft

6 ft

2250

1500

3.5 in

1 in

3750 lb

3750 lb

NA

1500 lb

4 in
INA = 97.0 in4

V (Ib)
-1500 lb
- 2250

- 2250

15

Problem 1 (continued) - For the beam shown, compute the max. bending
stress in tension and in compression.
------

---i---

1500 lb

4500 lb

1500 lb
1 in
8 in

4 ft

6 ft

6 ft

4 ft

NA
3.5 in

1 in
4 in

+7500

M (ft-lb)

INA = 97.0 in4

-6000

-6000
16

MC
=
I

Bending Stress in beams :

M Cc
c =
I
In the negative moment region

t =

M Ct
I

In the positive moment region

Cc = 3.5 in

Cc = 5.5 in

Ct = 5.5 in

Ct = 3.5 in

(6000)(12)(5.5)
= 4082 psi
97

t =

(7500)(12)(3.5)
= 3247 psi
97

(6000)(12)(3.5)
c =
= 2598 psi
97

c =

(7500)(12)(5.5)
= 5103 psi
97

t =

17

Section Modulus

S=

I
C

MC
=
I

M
=
S

I 97
S= =
= 17.6 in 3
C 5.5

18

Problem 1 (continued)
For the beam shown, compute the shear stress at the NA and at 6 in. from the
bottom of the cross section at the point where the maximum shear force
occurs.

1500 lb

4500 lb

1500 lb
1 in
8 in

6 ft

4 ft

4 ft

6 ft

2250

1500

3.5 in

1 in

3750 lb

3750 lb

NA

1500 lb

4 in
INA = 97.0 in4

V (Ib)
-1500 lb
- 2250

- 2250

19

Shear stress in bending

VQ
=
Ib

Q6 in from bottom of cross sec tion = (3) (1) [ 4] = 12 in 3

6 in from bottom of cross sec tion =

at netural axis

(2250) (12)
= 278.3 psi
(97)( 1)

= (5.5) (1) [ 2.75] = 15.12 in 3

(2250) (15.12)
at netural axis =
= 350.7 psi
(97)( 1)
20

What is the value of Q if shear stress is being calculated at:

a section 6 in. above the base

Neutral axis

1 in

3 in
4.0 in

5.5 in
2.75 in

2.5 in
NA

8 in

NA

NA
3.5 in

1 in

Q = (3) (1) [ 4] = 12 in 3
Q = (5.5) (1) [ 2.75] = 15.12 in 3

4 in
INA = 97.0 in4

21

Problem 2.
The vertical shear force acting on the I-section shown is 100 kN. Compute
the maximum shear stress in bending acting on the this beam section.

20 mm

160 mm

20 mm

20 mm
120 mm
22

bh 3
I=
+ Ad 2 Parallel Axis Theorem
12
I1 about NA

(120)(20) 3
=
+ (120)(20)[90]2 = 19,520,000 mm 4
12
20 mm

3
3

I 2 about NA

(20)(160)
=
= 6,826,667 mm 4
12
20 mm
160 mm

I 3 about NA

(120)(20)3
=
+ (120)(20)[90]2 = 19,520,000 mm 4
12

I total about NA = 45,866,666 mm

NA

20 mm

20 mm

120 mm
23

Problem 2 (continued)
Maximum shearing stress occurs at
the neutral axis.

Q at NA = (20)(80)[40] + (120)(20)[90] = 280,000 mm3

V = 100 KN
b = 20 mm

at NA

I total about NA = 45,866,666 mm 4

VQ
=
Ib

(100) (280000)
= 0.03 KN / mm 2
(45866666) (20)
24

Problem 3.
The simply supported beam has the T-shaped cross section shown.
Determine the values and locations of the maximum tensile and compressive
bending stresses.
y
400 lb/ft
B
A

RA = 1600 lb

RB = 3400 lb
10 ft

6 in

1000 lb

0.8 in
x

8 in

0.8 in

4 ft

25

Problem 3 (continued)

Shear Diagram
y
1000 lb

400 lb/ft
B
A

10 ft

RA = 1600 lb

4 ft
RB = 3400 lb

1600
V (lb)

1000
4 ft

-2400

26

Moment Diagram

1000 lb

400 lb/ft
B

4 ft

10 ft

RA = 1600 lb

RB = 3400 lb

1600
V (lb)

1000
4 ft

-2400
3200
2

M (lb-ft)

4 ft

-4000

27

Find y-bar.

A1 y1 + A2 y2
y bar =
A1 + A2

6 in
0.8 in
A2

8 in

6.4(4 ) + 4.8(8.4 )
=
6.4 + 4.8

N.A.

y2
y1

A1

y-bar

= 5.886 in

0.8 in

28

Compute Moment of Inertia, I.

6 in
0.8 in
A2

8 in

N.A.
C

y2
y1

A1

y-bar

0.8 in

0.8(8)3

6(0.8)
2
2
I =
+ 4.8(8.4 5.886 )
+ 6.4(4 5.886 ) +

12
12

I = 87.49 in 4

29

3200

Stresses at x = 4 ft
4 ft
-4000

ctop = 2.914 in.

N.A.

8.8 in
y-bar

top =

bot

Mctop
I

---i---

y1

cbot = 5.886 in.

(
3200 12 )(2.914 )
=
= 1279 psi

Compression on top

87.49

Mcbot (3200 12 )(5.886 )

=
=
= 2580 psi
I
87.49

Tension in bottom
30

3200

Stresses at x = 10 ft
10 ft
-4000

ctop = 2.914 in.

N.A.
8.8 in
y-bar

top =

bot

------

Mctop
I

y1

cbot = 5.886 in.

(
4000 12 )(2.914 )
=
= 1599 psi

Tension on top

87.49

Mcbot (4000 12 )(5.886 )

=
=
= 3230 psi
I
87.49

Compression in bottom
31

Problem 3 results.

Identify maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the beam.

( T )max = 2580 psi

(bottom of the section at x = 4 ft)

( C )max = 3230 psi

(bottom of the section at x = 10 ft)

32

Original State of Stress

xy

xy
y

33

y
Construction of Mohrs circle from given
stress components.

xy
y

y
y

xy

xy
x

34

Convention for plotting shear stress on Mohrs circle.

Shear plotted up

Shear plotted down

35

xy

1
x

y
y

xy

xy

x
x

xy

x
x

2
36

Problem 4 )
For the state of stress shown, determine (a) the principal stresses; and (b) the
maximum in-plane shear stress. Show the results on properly oriented
elements.
8 ksi
6 ksi
y

4 ksi
x

37

Problem 4 (continued)
8 ksi
6 ksi

4 ksi

(y-axis)

y
(-8, 6)

(x-axis)

(4,-6)
x

38

Problem 4 (continued)

8 ksi
6 ksi

4 ksi

(y-axis)

y
(-8, 6)
R

(x-axis)

(4,-6)
x

39

Problem 4 (continued)

8 ksi
6 ksi

4 ksi

(y-axis)

y
(-8, 6)
R

(x-axis)

-2

(4,-6)
x

40

Problem 4 (continued)

8 ksi
6 ksi

4 ksi

(y-axis)

y
(-8, 6)
R
21

(x-axis)

-2

(4,-6)
x

41

Problem 4 (continued)
8 ksi
6 ksi

4 ksi

(y-axis)

max
y
(-8, 6)
R
2

21
-2

(x-axis)

(4,-6)
x

42

Problem 4 (continued)
max

10.49
22.5

y
6

6.49

21
-8

-2

8.49
2

22.5

(a)

R = 6 2 + 6 2 = 72 ksi
21 = tan 1 (6 / 6 ) = 45 1 = 22.5

(b)

max = R = 72 = 8.49 ksi

1 = 2 + 72 = 6.49 ksi
2 = 2 72 = 10.49 ksi

43

Problem 5)
The radius of the 15-in. long bar in Fig. (a) is 3/8 in. Determine the maximum
normal stress in the bar at (1) point A; and (2) point B.
30 lb
540 lb-in

y
M
V
T

y
z
A

B
x

(a)

(b)

44

Problem 5 (continued)
The internal force system acting on the cross section at the base of the rod is
shown in Fig. (b). It consists of the torque T = 540 lb-in, the bending moment
M = 15P = 15(30) = 450 lb-in (acting about the x-axis), and the transverse
shear force V = P = 30 lb.
The cross-sectional properties of the bar are:

I=

r4
4

(3 / 8)4
4

= 15.532 10 3 in 4

Polar moment of Inertia

J=

r4
2

J = 2 I = 2 15.532 10 3 = 31.06 10 3 in 4
45

Problem 5 (continued) PART 1

State of stress at point A with the corresponding Mohrs circle.

(ksi)
10.865

= 10.865 ksi

= 6.520 ksi
6.520

(ksi)

x
5.433
46

Problem 5 (continued)
The bending stress is calculated:

(
Mr
450 )(3 / 8)
=
= 10 865 psi = 10.865 ksi
=
3
I
15.532 10
(ksi)
10.865
y
y

= 10.865 ksi

6.520

= 6.520 ksi

x
x
z
5.433

47

Problem 5 (continued)
And the shear stress is calculated:

Tr
540(3 / 8)
T = =
= 6 520 psi = 6.520 ksi
3
J 31.06 10

The shear stress due to the transverse shear force V is zero at A.

(ksi)
10.865
y
y

= 10.865 ksi

6.520

(ksi)

= 6.520 ksi

x
x
z
5.433

48

Problem 5 (continued)
The maximum normal stress at point A is:

max = 5.433 + 8.487 = 13.92 ksi

(ksi)
10.865
y
y

= 10.865 ksi

6.520

(ksi)

= 6.520 ksi

x
x
z
5.433

49

Problem 5 (continued)

PART 2

State of stress at point B with the corresponding Mohrs circle.

(ksi)
y

= 6.611 ksi
6.611
B

(ksi)
max

z
z
50

Problem 5 (continued)
The shear stress due to torque is T = 6.520 ksi, as before. But because the
point lies on the neutral axis, the bending stress is zero. There is, however,
an additional shear stress caused by the transverse shear force V. The
magnitude of this shear stress is V = VQ/(Ib), where b = 2r = in. and Q is
the first moment of half the cross-sectional area about the neutral axis.
Referring to the figure below, Q is calculated:
z

r 2 4r

Q = A' Z ' =
2 3
2r 3 2(3 / 8)
=
=
3
3

Z'=
x

4r
3

= 35.16 10 3 in 3
51

Problem 5 (continued)
Therefore:

VQ
30 35.16 10 3
=
= 90.5 psi = 0.091 ksi
V =
3
Ib
15.532 10 (3 / 4 )

= 6.611 ksi

6.611

(ksi)
max

B
x

(ksi)

52

Problem 5 (continued)
Since T and V act on the same planes they can be added. So the total shear
stress is:

= T + V = 6.520 + 0.091 = 6.611 ksi

V

= 6.611 ksi

6.611

(ksi)
max

B
x

(ksi)

53

Problem 5 (continued)
The Mohrs circle for this state of pure shear yields for the maximum normal
stress at B:

max = 6.61 ksi

= 6.611 ksi

6.611

(ksi)
max

B
x

(ksi)

54

Poissons ratio
If a structural member is subjected to axial tension, the
material elongates and there is a reduction in its crosssection. When the member is under compression, the
opposite happens. The ratio of the lateral strain to axial
strain is Poissons ratio.

lateral

axial

Most solids have a Poissons ratio between 0.10 and 0.45

55

General State of Stress

abs

1 2 2 3 3 1
= max
,
,
2
2
2

1
3
z

3
56

Problem 6)
For the state of stress shown, determine the maximum in-plane shear stress
and the absolute maximum shear stress.

20 ksi

50 ksi
x

57

Problem 6 (continued)
The given stresses are:

1 = x = 50

20 ksi

50 ksi
x

2 = y = 20

58

Problem 6 (continued)
The maximum in-plane shear stress max is equal to the radius of the circle
that represents transformation in the xy-plane.
(ksi)

max = 15 ksi

1 = 50
2 = 20

(ksi)

10

15

Transformation
in yz-plane
25

Transformation
in xy-plane

Transformation
in zx-plane

59

Problem 6 (continued)
The absolute maximum shear stress equals the radius of the largest circle,
which represents the transformation in the zx-plane.
(ksi)

abs = 25 ksi

1 = 50
2 = 20

(ksi)

10

15

Transformation
in yz-plane
25

Transformation
in xy-plane

Transformation
in zx-plane

60

References:

Pytel and Kiusalaas, Mechanics of Materials,

Thomson, 2003.
McCormac and Nelson, Design of Reinforced
Concrete, Wiley, 2003.

61

Thank You
and

GOOD LUCK!!!
62