Lesson 1: Simple Stress

Simple stress is the ratio of the applied force divided by the

resisting area or expressed symbolically as
𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝑷
𝝈= = .
𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒂 𝑨

It is the expression of force per unit area to structural

members that are subjected to external forces and/or induced
forces. Stress is the lead to accurately describe and predict
the elastic deformation of a body.

Simple stress can be classified as normal stress (also known

as axial stress), shear stress, and bearing stress.
1.1 Normal Stress develops when a force is applied
perpendicular to the cross-sectional area of the material.
If the force is going to pull the material, the stress is said
to be tensile stress and compressive stress develops when
the material is being compressed by two opposing forces.

𝑷
𝝈= .
𝑨
1.2 Shearing Stress is developed if the applied force is parallel
to the resisting area. Another condition of shearing is when we
twist a bar along its longitudinal axis (also known as torsion).
𝑽
𝝉=
𝑨
𝑉 = 𝑃 (in this case)
1.3 Bearing Stress is the contact pressure between
two bodies.
𝑷𝒃
𝝈𝒃 =
𝑨𝒃
Examples:

1. A hollow steel tube with an inside diameter of 100 𝑚𝑚

must carry a tensile load of 400 𝑘𝑁. Determine the
outside diameter of the tube if the stress is limited to
120 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

Ans. 119.35 𝑚𝑚
2. An aluminum rod is rigidly attached between a steel rod and a
bronze rod as shown below. Axial loads are applied at the
positions indicated. Find the maximum value of 𝑃 that will
not exceed a stress in steel of 140 𝑀𝑃𝑎, in aluminum of
90 𝑀𝑃𝑎, or in bronze of 100 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

Ans. 10 𝑘𝑁
3. What force is required to punch a 20 𝑚𝑚 diameter
hole in a plate that is 25 𝑚𝑚 thick? The shear strength
is 350 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

Ans. 549.78 𝑘𝑁
4. Assume that a 20 𝑚𝑚 diameter rivet joins the plates
that are each 110 𝑚𝑚 wide. The allowable stresses are
120 𝑀𝑃𝑎 for bearing in the plate material and
60 𝑀𝑃𝑎 for shearing of rivet. Determine (a) the
minimum thickness of each plate; and (b) the largest
average tensile stress in the plates.

Ans. (a) 7.85 𝑚𝑚 (b) 26.68 𝑀𝑃𝑎

5. The homogeneous bar shown is supported by a
smooth pin at C and a cable that runs from A to B
around the smooth peg at D. Find the stress in the
cable if its diameter is 16 𝑚𝑚 and the bar weighs
26 𝑘𝑁.

Ans. 63.73 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Exercise 1:

1. A homogeneous 800 𝑘𝑔 bar AB is supported at either end

by a cable as shown. Calculate the smallest area of each
cable if the stress is not to exceed 90 𝑀𝑃𝑎 in bronze and
120 𝑀𝑃𝑎 in steel.
2. Find the stresses in members BC, BD, and CF for the
truss shown. Indicate the tension or compression. The
cross sectional area of each member is 1600 𝑚𝑚2 .
3. Find the smallest diameter bolt that can be used in the
clevis shown. If 𝑃 = 400 𝑘𝑁. The shearing strength of
the bolt is 300 𝑀𝑃𝑎.
4. The figure below shows a roof truss and the detail of the
riveted connection at joint B. Using allowable stresses of
𝜏 = 75 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (shearing) and 𝜎𝑏 = 150 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (bearing), how
many 19 𝑚𝑚 diameter rivets are required to fasten member
BC to the gusset plate? Member BE? What is the largest
average tensile or compressive stress in BC and BE?
5. As shown below, a hole is to be punched out of a plate
having a shearing strength of 160 MPa. The
compressive stress in the punch is limited to 200 MPa.
(a) Compute the maximum thickness of plate in which
a hole 75 mm in diameter can be punched. (b) If the
plate is 10 mm thick, determine the diameter of the
smallest hole that can be punched.