Mechanics 2 Tutorial 6 and 7: Failure theories

Questions:

Note that for Tutorial 6, use the Tresca failure theory and in Tutorial 7 use the Von Mises
failure theory

1. A material has yield strength of 600MPa. Find the factor of safety for the following stress
states using both the Tresca and Von Mises failure theories.

a) 1=420MPa, 2=420MPa, 3=0MPa

b) 1=420MPa, 2=180MPa, 3=0MPa
c) 1=420MPa, 2=0MPa, 3=-180MPa
d) 1=0MPa, 2=-180MPa, 3=-420MPa
e) 1=650MPa, 2=117.4MPa, 3=0MPa

2. A point in a structural member has the following stress state: x=420MPa, y=420MPa,
xy=-100MPa. The yield strength of the material in tension and compression is 900MPa.
Calculate the factor of safety using both maximum shear stress theory and maximum shear
energy theory.

3. A material subjected to a simple tension test shows an elastic limit of 240MPa. Calculate the
factor of safety provided the principal stresses set up in a complex two dimensional stress
system are limited to 140MPa tensile and 45MPa compressive.

4. A steel tube has a mean diameter of 100mm and a thickness of 3mm. Calculate the torque
that can be transmitted by the tube with a factor of safety of 2.25 if the Tresca and Von
Mises failure criteria are used. The elastic limit in tension for steel is 225MPa.

5. A structure is composed of circular members of diameter d. At a certain position along one

member the loading is found to consist of a shear force of 10kN together with an axial
tensile load of 20kN. If the elastic limit in tension of the material of the members is 270MPa
and there is to be a factor of safety of 4, estimate the magnitude of d required according to
the maximum principal stress theory, maximum shear stress theory and the maximum shear
strain energy theory. (Poissons ratio =0.283).

6. A thin cylinder pressure vessel with closed ends is required to withstand an internal pressure
of 4MPa. The inside diameter of the vessel is to be 500mm and a factor of safety of 4 is
required. A sample of the proposed material tested in simple tension gave a yield stress of
360MPa. Find the thickness of the vessel assuming elastic failure to be the maximum shear
stress and the maximum shear strain energy.