COMBINED LOADS

Inmanystructuresthemembersarerequiredtoresistmorethanonekindofloading
(combinedloading).Thesecanoftenbeanalyzedbysuperimposingthestressesand
strainscausebyeachloadactingseparately.
Superpositionofstressesandstrainsispermissibleonlyunderthefollowing
conditions:
a.Thestressesandthestrainsmustbealinearfunctionoftheappliedloads(Hookes
lawmustbeobeyedandthedisplacementsmustbesmall).
b.Theremustbenointeractionbetweenthevariousloads.
Examples:wideflangebeamsupportedbyacable(combinedbendingandaxial
load),cylindricalpressurevesselsupportedasabeam,andshaftincombinedtorsion
andbending.
Method of Analysis:
1.Selectthepointonthestructurewherethestressesandthestrainsaretobedetermined.
2.Foreachloadonthestructure,determinethestressresultantatthecrosssection
containingtheselectedpoint..
3.Calculatethenormalandshearstressesattheselectedpointduetoeachofthestress
resultant.
4.Combinetheindividualstressestoobtaintheresultantstresses attheselectedpoint.
5.Determinetheprincipalstressesandmaximumshearstressesattheselectedpoint.
6.DeterminethestrainsatthepointwiththeaidofHookeslawforplanestress.
7.Selectadditionalpointsandrepeattheprocess.

P My
= = =
A I
VQ pr
= =
Ib t
 Illustration of the Method:
Thebarshownissubjectedtotwotypesofloads:a
torqueT andaverticalloadP.
Letusselectarbitrarilytwopoints.PointA (topof
thebar)andpointB (sideofthebar inthesame
crosssection).
Theresultingstressesactingacrossthesectionare
thefollowing:
AtwistingmomentequaltothetorqueT.
AbendingmomentM equaltotheloadP times
thedistanceb.
Ashearforce V equalstotheloadP.
 Thetwistingmoment producesatorsional shearstresses
Tr 2T
torsion = = 3
I Polar r
Thestress 1 actshorizontallytotheleftatpointA and
verticallydownwardsatpointB.
ThebendingmomentM producesatensilestressatpointA
Mr 4 M
bending = = 3
I r
However,thebendingmomentproducesnostressatpointB,becauseB is
locatedontheneutralaxis.
TheshearforceV producesnoshearstressatthetopofthe
bar(pointA),butatpointB theshearstressisasfollows:
VQ 4V
shear = =
Ib 3 A
A and 1 areactinginpointA,whilethe 1 and 2 areacting
inpointB.
 Notethattheelementisinplanestresswith
x = A, y = 0 , and xy = - 1.
AstresselementinpointB isalsoinplanestressandthe
onlystressesactingonthiselementaretheshear
stresses 1 and2. Therefore
x = y = 0 and xy = - (1 + 2).

At point A: x = A, y = 0 , and xy = - 1

At point B x = y = 0 and xy = - (1 + 2).

Ofinterestarethepointswherethestressescalculatedfromtheflexureandshear
formulashavemaximumorminimumvalues,calledcriticalpoints.

Forinstance,thenormalstressesduetobending
arelargestatthecrosssectionofmaximum
bendingmoment,whichisatthesupport.
Therefore,pointsC andD atthetopandbottom
ofthebeamatthefixedendsarecriticalpoints
wherethestressesshouldbecalculated.

SelectionofCriticalAreasandPoints

Iftheobjectiveoftheanalysisistodeterminethelargeststressesanywhereinthe
structure,thenthecriticalpointsshouldbeselectedatcrosssectionswherethe
stressresultantshavetheirlargestvalues.
Furthermore,withinthosecrosssections,thepointsshouldbeselectedwhere
eitherthenormalstressesortheshearstresseshavetheirlargestvalues.
Stress at which point?
 The rotor shaft of an helicopter drives the rotor blades that provide the lifting
force to support the helicopter in the air. As a consequence, the shaft is
subjected to a combination of torsion and axial loading.
For a 50mm diameter shaft transmitting a torque = 2.4kN.m and
a tensile force P = 125kN, determine the maximum tensile stress,
maximum compressive stress, and maximum shear stress in the
shaft.

Solution

The stresses in the rotor shaft are produced by the combined

action of the axial force P and the torque . Therefore the
stresses at any point on the surface of the shaft consist of a
tensile stress o and a shear stress o.
P 125kN
The tensile = = = 63.66 MPa
stress A (0.05m )2
4
(2.4kN .m ) 0.05
The shear stress to is obtained
Torsion =
Tr
= 2 = 97.78MPa
from the torsion formula IP (0.05)4
32
 Knowing the stresses o and o, we can now obtain the principal
stresses and maximum shear stresses . The principal stresses are
obtained from
x + y x y
2

1, 2 = + ( xy )2
2 2
0 + 63.66 0 63.66
2

1, 2 = + ( 97.78)
2

The maximum in-plane shear 2 2

2

+ ( ) = 103MPa
1 = 135MPa =
x y 2
stresses are obtained using the MAX
2
xy

formula
2 = 71MPa

Because the principal stresses 1 and 2 have opposite signs, the maximum in-plane
shear stresses are larger than the maximum out-of-plane shear stresses. Therefore,
the maximum shear stress in the shaft is 103MPa.

Will it fail if yield=480MPa?

480 MPa
2 = 2.33 VM = (135)2 (135)( 71) + ( 71)2 = 181.2 MPa
MSST SF =
103MPa 480 MPa
DET SF = = 2.65
181.2 MPa
 A thin wall cylindrical pressure vessel with a circular cross section is
subjected to internal gas pressure p and simultaneously compressed by an
axial load P = 12k. The cylinder has inner radius r = 2.1in. And wall thickness t
= 0.15in. Determine the maximum allowable internal pressure pallow based
upon an allowable shear stress of 6500psi in the wall of the vessel.

Solution

The stresses on the wall of the pressure vessel are caused by a combined action of
the internal pressure and the axial force. We can isolate a stress element in point A.
The x-axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel and the y-axis is
circumferential. Note that there are no shear stresses acting on the element.
The longitudinal stress x is equal to the tensile stress
produced by the internal pressure minus the
compressive stress produced by the axial force.

pr P pr P
x = =
2t A 2t 2rt
 The circumferential stress y is equal to the tensile pr
y =
stress produced by the internal pressure. t
Note that y > x .
pr
Since no shear stresses act on the element the 1 = y =
t
above stresses are also the principal stresses
pr P
2 = x =
substituting numerical values 2t 2rt
pr p (2.1in )
1 = = = 14 .0 p
t 0.15in
pr P p (2.1in ) 12 k
2 = = = 7.0 p 6063 psi
2t 2rt 2(0.15in ) [2 (2.1in )(0.15in )]

In-Plane Shear Stresses

The maximum in-plane shear stress is

Max =
( 1 2 ) = ((14.0 p ) (7.0 p 6063 psi )) = 3.5 p + 3032 psi
2 2
Since max is limited to 6500psi then
65000 psi = 3.4 p + 3032 psi pallowed = 990 psi
Out-of-Plane Shear Stresses 1
The maximum out-of-plane shear stress is either
Max =
2
From the first equation we get 2
Max =
65000 psi = 3.5 p 3032 psi 2
pallowed = 2720 psi
From the second equation we 65000 psi = 7.0 p pallowed = 928 psi
get:

Allowable internal pressure

Comparing the three calculated values for the allowable pressure, we see
that (pallow)3 = 928psi governs.
At this pressure, the principal stresses are
1 = 13000psi and
2 = 430psi.
These stresses have the same signs, thus confirming that one of the out-
of-plane shear stresses must be the largest shear stress.
 A sign of dimensions 2.0mx1.2m is supported by a
hollow circular pole having outer diameter 220mm and
inner diameter 180mm (see figure). The sign offset
0.5m from the centerline of the pole and its lower edge
is 6.0m above the ground.
Determine the principal stresses and maximum shear
stresses at points A and B at the base of the pole due
to wind pressure of 2.0kPa against the sign.

Solution
Stress Resultant: The wind pressure against the sign
produces a resultant force W that acts at the midpoint
of the sign and it is equal to the pressure p times the
area A over which it acts:
W = pA = (2.0kPa )(2.0m 1.2m ) = 4.8kN

The line of action of this force is at height h = 6.6m above the ground and at
distance b = 1.5m from the centerline of the pole.
The wind force acting on the sign is statically equivalent to a lateral force W
and a torque acting on the pole.
 The torque is equal to the force W
times the distance b:
T = Wb = (4.8kN )(1.5m )
T = 7.2kN m

The stress resultant at the base of the pole consists of a bending moment M, a
torque and a shear force V. Their magnitudes are:
M = Wh = (4.8kN)(6.6m) = 31.68kN.m
= 7.2kN.m
V = W = 4.8kN
Examination of these stress resultants shows that maximum bending stresses
occur at point A and maximum shear stresses at point B.
Therefore, A and B are critical points where the stresses should be determined.
Stresses at points A and B
The bending moment M produces a tensile stress a at point A, but no stress at
point B (which is located on the neutral axis)
 d2
M
a = 2 = (31.68kN )(0.11m ) = 54.91MPa
( ) (
d 24 d14 0.224 0.184 )

64 64
The torque produces shear stresses 1 at points A and B.
d
T 2
Torsion = 2
=
(7.2kN .m )(0.11m )
= 6.24 MPa
( ) (
d 2 d1 0.22 0.18
4 4 4 4
)

32 32
Finally, we need to calculate the direct shear stresses at points A and B
due to the shear force V.
 VQ
The shear stress at point A is zero, and the shear stress at 2 =
Ib
point B (2) is obtained from the shear formula for a circular
tube
2(4800 ) I =
(
d 24 d14 )
2V
2, Max = = 2
= 0.7637 MPa 64
A 0.01257 m
(
2 3 3
Q = r2 r1
3
)
The stresses acting on the cross section at points A and B
have now been calculated. b = 2(r2 r1 )
 Stress Elements
For both elements the y-axis is parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the pole and the x-axis is horizontal.
Point A :
x = 0
y = a = 54.91MPa
xy = 1 = 6.24MPa

x + y x y
2
Principal stresses at Point A 1, 2 = + ( xy )2
2 2
Substituting 1,2 = 27.5MPa +/- 28.2MPa
1 = 55.7MPa and 2 = - 0.7MPa
The maximum in-plane shear
2

stresses can be obtained from MAX = x y
+ ( xy )2
= 28 . 2 MPa
the equation 2

Because the principal stresses have opposite signs, the maximum in-plane
shear stresses are larger than the maximum out-of-plane shear stresses.
Then, max = 28.2MPa.
 Point B :
x = y = 0
xy = 1 + 2
xy = 6.24MPa + 0.76MPa = 7.0MPa
Principal stresses at point B are
1 = 7.0MPa 2 = - 7.0 MPa
And the maximum in-plane shear stress is
max = 7.0MPa
The maximum out-of-plane shear stresses are half of
this value.
Note
If the largest stresses anywhere in the pole are needed, then we must also
determine the stresses at the critical point diametrically opposite point A,
because at that point the compressive stress due to bending has its largest
value.
The principal stresses at that point are
1 = 0.7MPa and 2 = - 55.7MPa
The maximum shear stress is 28.2MPa.
(In this analysis only the effects of wind pressure are considered. Other loads, such as
weight of the structure, also produce stresses at the base of the pole).
A tubular post of square cross section supports a
horizontal platform (see figure).
The tube has outer dimension b = 6in.
And wall thickness t = 0.5in.
The platform has dimensions 6.75in x 24.0in and
supports an uniformly distributed load of 20psi acting
over its upper surface.
The resultant of this distributed load is a vertical
force
P1 = (20psi)(6.75in x 24.0in) = 3240lb
This force acts at the midpoint of the platform, which
is at distance
d = 9in. from the longitudinal axis of the post.
A second load P2 = 800lb acts horizontally on the
post at height h = 52in above the base.
Determine the principal stresses and maximum
shear stresses at points A and B at the base of the
post due to the loads P1 and P2.
 Solution
Stress Resultants
The force P1 acting on the platform is statically
equivalent to a force P1 and a moment
M1 = P1d acting on the centroid of the cross section
of the post.
The load P2 is also shown.
The stress resultant at the base of the post due to the
loads P1 and P2 and the moment M1 are as follows:
(A) An axial compressive force P1 = 3240lb
(B) A bending moment M1 produced by the force P1:
M1 = P1d = (3240lb)(9in) = 29160lb-in
(C) A shear force P2 = 800lb
(D) A bending moment M2 produced by the force P2:
M2 = P2h = (800lb)(52in) = 41600lb.in

Examinations of these stress resultants shows that both M1 and M2 produce

maximum compressive stresses at point A and the shear force produces
maximum shear stresses at point B. Therefore, A and B are the critical points
where the stresses should be determined.
Stresses at points A and B
(A) The axial force P1 produces uniform compressive stresses throughout the
post. These stresses are P1 = P1 / A where A is the cross section area of the
post
A = b2 (b 2t)2 = 4t(b-t) = 4 (0.5in)(6in 0.5in) = 11.0in2
P1 = P1 / A = 3240lb / 11.00in2 = 295psi

(B) The bending moment M1 produces compressive stresses M1 at points A

and B. These stresses are obtained from the flexure formula
M1 = M1 (b / 2) /
where is the moment of inertia of the cross section. The moment of inertia is
= [b4 - (b -2t)4] / 12 = [(6in)4 (5in)4] / 12 = 55.92in4
Thus, M1 = M1 b / 2 = (29160lb.in)(6in) / (2)(55.92in4) = 1564psi
(C) The shear force P2 produces a shear stress at point B but not at point A.
We know that an approximate value of the shear stress can be obtained by
dividing the shear force by the web area.
P2 = P2 / Aweb =P2 /(2t(b 2t)) =800lb / (2)(0.5in)(6in1in)= 160psi
The stress p2 acts at point B in the direction shown in the above figure.
We can calculate the shear stress P2 from the more accurate formula. The
result of this calculation is P2 = 163psi, which shows that the shear stress
obtained from the approximate formula is satisfactory.

D) The bending moment M2 produces a compressive stress at point A but no

stress at point B. The stress at A is
M2 = M2 b / 2 = (41600lb.in)(6in) / (2)(55.92in4) = 2232psi.
This stress is also shown in the above figure.
 Stress Elements
Each element is oriented so that the y-axis is
vertical (i.e. parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
post) and the x-axis is horizontal axis
Point A : The only stress in point A is a
compressive stress a in the y direction
A = P1 + M1 + M2
A = 295psi + 1564psi + 2232psi = 4090psi
(compression)
Thus, this element is in uniaxial stress.
Principal Stresses and Maximum Shear Stress
x = 0
y = - a = - 4090psi
xy = 0
Since the element is in uniaxial stress,
1 = x and 2 = y = - 4090psi
And the maximum in-plane shear stress is
max = (1 - 2) / 2 = (4090psi) = 2050psi
The maximum out-of-plane shear stress has the same magnitude.
 Point B:
Here the compressive stress in the y direction is
B = P1 + M1
B = 295psi + 1564psi = 1860psi (compression)
And the shear stress is
B = P2 = 160psi
The shear stress acts leftward on the top face and
downward on the x face of the element.
Principal Stresses and Maximum Shear Stress
x =0
x + y x y
2

y = - B = - 1860psi 1, 2 = + ( xy )2
xy = - P2 = - 160psi 2 2

Substituting 1,2 = - 930psi +/- 944psi

1 = 14psi and 2 = - 1870psi

The maximum in-plane shear stresses can be obtained from the equation
Because the principal stresses have opposite signs, the maximum in-plane
shear stresses are larger than the maximum out-of-plane shear stresses.
Then, max = 944psi. x
2

MAX = + ( xy ) = 944 psi

2

2
 Three forces are applied to a short steel post as
shown. Determine the principle stresses,
principal planes and maximum shearing stress
at point H.
Solution
Determine internal forces in Section EFG.

Vx = 30 kN P = 50 kN Vz = 75 kN
M x = (50 kN )(0.130 m ) (75 kN )(0.200 m )
M x = 8.5 kN m
My = 0 M z = (30 kN )(0.100 m ) = 3 kN m
 A = (0.040 m )(0.140 m ) = 5.6 103 m 2
Note: Section properties,
1 (0.040 m )(0.140 m )3 = 9.15 10 6 m 4
I x = 12
Evaluate the stresses at H. 1 (0.140 m )(0.040 m )3 = 0.747 10 6 m 4
I z = 12
Normal stress at H.
P Mz a Mx b
y =+ +
A Iz Ix

=
50 kN
+
(3 kN m )(0.020 m )
5.6 10-3 m 2 0.747 106 m 4

(8.5 kN m )(0.025 m )
9.15 106 m 4
Shear stress at H.
Q = A1 y1 = [(0.040 m )(0.045 m )](0.0475 m ) = (8.93 + 80.3 23.2 ) MPa = 66.0 MPa
= 85.5 106 m3

yz =
Vz Q ( (
75 kN ) 85.5 10 6 m3)
I xt
=
( )
9.15 106 m 4 (0.040 m )
= 17.52 MPa
 Calculate principal stresses and maximum shearing stress.

max = R = 33.02 + 17.522 = 37.4 MPa

max = OC + R = 33.0 + 37.4 = 70.4 MPa
min = OC R = 33.0 37.4 = 7.4 MPa
CY 17.52
tan 2 p = = 2 p = 27.96
CD 33.0
p = 13.98

max = 37.4 MPa

max = 70.4 MPa
min = 7.4 MPa
p = 13.98
 The cantilever tube shown is to be
made of 2014 aluminum alloy
treated to obtain a specified
minimum yield strength of
276MPa. We wish to select a stock
size tube (according to the table
below). Using a design factor of
n=4.
The bending load is F=1.75kN, the axial tension is P=9.0kN and the
torsion is T=72N.m. What is the realized factor of safety?

Consider the critical area ( top surface).

 Sy 0.276
VM = GPa = 0.0690GPa
n 4
P Mc
x = +
A I
Maximum bending moment = 120F
d
120mm 1.75kNx
x =
9kN
+ 2
A I
d
72
Tr
zx = = 2 = 36d
J J J

VM = ( + 3 )
1
2 2 2
x zx

For the dimensions of that tube

Sy 0.276
n= = = 4.57
VM 0.06043
 A certain force F is applied at D near the end of the 15-in lever,
which is similar to a socket wrench. The bar OABC is made of AISI
1035 steel, forged and heat treated so that it has a minimum (ASTM)
yield strength of 81kpsi. Find the force (F) required to initiate
yielding. Assume that the lever DC will not yield and that there is no
stress concentration at A.
Solution:
1) Find the critical section
The critical sections will be
either point A or Point O. As the
moment of inertia varies with r4
then point A in the 1in diameter
is the weakest section.
2) Determine the stresses at the d
critical section M
My 2 32 F 14in
x = = = = 142.6 F
I d 4
d 3

64
3) Chose the failure
d
criteria. T
Tr 2 16 F 15in
zx = = = = 76.4 F
The AISI 1035 is a J d 4
(1in) 3
ductile material. Hence,
we need to employ the 32
distortion-energy
theory.
VM = x 2 + y 2 x y + 3 xy2 = x 2 + 3 zx2 = 194.5F
Sy 81000
F= = = 416lbf
VM 194.5
Apply the MSS theory. For a point undergoing plane stress with
only one non-zero normal stress and one shear stress, the two non-
zero principal stresses (A and B) will have opposite signs (Case 2).

A B x
2
Sy
max = = = + zx2
2 2 2
x
2

A B S y = 2 + zx2 = x 2 + 4 zx2
2
(
81000 = (142.6 F ) + 4 (76.4 F )
2 2
)
1
2

F = 388lbf
A round cantilever bar is subjected to torsion plus a transverse load at
the free end. The bar is made of a ductile material having a yield
strength of 50000psi. The transverse force (P) is 500lb and the torque
is 1000lb-in applied to the free end. The bar is 5in long (L) and a
safety factor of 2 is assumed. Transverse shear can be neglected.
Determine the minimum diameter to avoid yielding using both MSS
and DET criteria.

Solution

1) Determine the critical section

The critical section occurs at the

wall.
 d d
PL T
Mc 2 = 32 PL
= 4 = 3
x = = Tc 2 16T
xy =
I d 4 d 3 J d d
64 32

x + y x y
2

2

1, 2 = + ( xy )2 = x x + ( xy )2
2 2 2 2
2 2
16 PL 16T 16
1, 2 =
16 PL
+ = 3
PL (PL )2 + T 2
d 3
d d
3 3
d

= 3 500 5 (500 5) + 1000 2

16
1, 2 2

d
 26450 980.8 The stresses are in the wrong
1 = 2 = 3 order.. Rearranged to
d3 d
26450 980.8
1 = 3 = 3
d3 d
1 3 26450 ( 980 . 8 ) 13715 . 4
MAX = = 3
=
MSS 2 2d d3
Sy 50000
1 3 = 2 MAX = = 25 , 000
n 2
d 1 . 031 in
2 2
26450 980.8 26450 980.8
VM = 1 + 3 1 3 = 3 + 3 3 3
2 2

d d d d
DET
26950 S y 50000
VM = 3
=
d n 2
d 1.025in
The factor of safety for a machine
element depends on the particular
point selected for the analysis. Based
upon the DET theory, determine the
safety factor for points A and B.

This bar is made of AISI 1006 cold-drawn steel (Sy=280MPa) and it is

loaded by the forces F=0.55kN, P=8.0kN and T=30N.m

Solution: d
Fl
Point A x =
Mc
+
P
= 2 P
+ 2 =
32 Fl 4 P
+ 2
I Area d 4
d d 3
d
64 4

x =
( ) +
( )
32(0.55) 103 (0.1) 4(8) 103
= 95.49 MPa
(0.02)3
(0.02)2
 Tr 16T 16(30)
xy = = 3 = = 19.10 MPa
J d (0.020 )3

( ) = [95.49 + 3(19.1) ]
1
VM = 2
x + 3 2
xy
2 2 2
= 101.1MPa
Sy 280
n= = = 2.77
VM 101.1
Point B 4 P 4(8) 103
x = 2 = = 25.47 MPa
( )
d (0.02)2

xy
16T 4V
= 3+ =
16(30)
+
4(0.55) 103
= 21.43MPa
( )
d 3 A (0.02 )3

3 (0.02)
2

4
[
VM = 25.47 + 3(21.43) 2 2
] 1
2
= 45.02 MPa
280
n= = 6.22
45.02
The shaft shown in the figure below is supported by two bearings and carries two V-
belt sheaves. The tensions in the belts exert horizontal forces on the shaft, tending to
bend it in the x-z plane. Sheaves B exerts a clockwise torque on the shaft when
viewed towards the origin of the coordinate system along the x-axis. Sheaves C
exerts an equal but opposite torque on the shaft. For the loading conditions shown,
determine the principal stresses and the safety factor on the element K, located on the
surface of the shaft (on the positive z-side), just to the right of sheave B. Consider
that the shaft is made of a steel of a yield strength of 81ksi
 Shearing force = 165lb
Bending Moment = -1540lb-in
Mc M (r ) 1540
x = = = 4 = 8.031ksi
I r 4 (0.625)3
4

Tr 2T 2(1100 )
xz = = 3= = 2.868ksi
J r (0.625)3
 + y x y
2
x x
2

1, 2 = x + ( xy ) = + ( xy )2
2

2 2 2 2
2
8.03
+ (2.868)
8.03
1, 2 =
2

2 2
1 = 8.95ksi 2 = 0.92ksi

1 3 8.95 ( 0.92 )
MSS ..... Max = = = 4.935ksi
2 2
SY 81
Safety..Factor = n = 2 = 2 = 8.2
Max 4.935

DET ...... VM = 1 + 3 1 3 =
2 2
(8.95)2 + ( 0.92)2 (8.95)( 0.92) = 9.44ksi
Sy 81
Safety..Factor = n = = = 8.58
VM 9.44
A horizontal bracket ABC consists of two perpendicular arms AB and BC, of
1.2m and 0.4m in length respectively. The Arm AB has a solid circular cross
section with diameter equal to 60mm. At point C a load P1=2.02kN acts
vertically and a load P2=3.07kN acts horizontally and parallel to arm AB.
For the points p and q, located at support A, calculate:
(1)The principal stresses.
(2) the maximum in-plane shear stress.

1.2m