2.

7 Elastic Deformation
 Objectives: To determine the elastic displacement (δ) of a member subjected to
axial loads.

 Consider the bar shown below, which has a cross-sectional area that gradually
varies along its length L. The bar is subjected to concentrated loads at its ends
and a variable external load distributed along its length.

 Using the method of sections, a differential element (or wafer) of length dx and
cross-sectional area A(x) is isolated from the bar at the arbitrary position x.

 The stress and strain in the element are,

  Px and   d
Ax dx
 2.7 Elastic Deformation
 Provided the stress does not exceed the proportional limit, we can apply
Hooke’s law; i.e.,
  Ex
Px d
 Ex 
Ax  dx 
Pxdx
d 
AxEx

 For the entire length L of the bar, we must integrate this expression to find δ.
This yields,
L Pxdx
  0
AxEx

 In many cases, the bar will have a constant cross-sectional area A, material E,
external and internal force P throughout its length. Hence,

  PL
AE
 2.7 Elastic Deformation
Sign Convention

 The force and displacement to be positive if they cause tension and

elongation, respectively.

 The force and displacement to be negative if they cause compression and

contraction, respectively.
 2.7 Elastic Deformation
Notation

 Double subscript notation is used to indicate the relative displacement.

However, if the displacement is to be determined relative to a fixed point, then
only a single subscript will be used.

 Examples:

1) Displacement of end B relative to end A:

PLBA
B 
ABA EBA

2) Displacement of end C relative to end A:

C  C B   B
PLCB PLBA
 
ACBECB ABA EBA
 Example 2.8
The 20-mm-diameter A-36 steel rod is subjected to the axial forces shown. Given
E = 200 GPa. Determine the displacement of end C with respect to the fixed
support at A.

(Ans: δC = -0.318 mm)

Solution

The cross-sectional area, A of the rod is,

A  r 2   0.01m 2  3.142 10 4 m 2

To find the internal forces P1 and P2, pass sections through each of the component
parts, drawing each time the free-body diagram of the portion of rod located to the
right of the section. Each of the free bodies is in equilibrium, thus,
 Example 2.8
Solution (cont.)

P1 = 40 kN

P2 = -60 kN

Therefore, the displacement of end C is,

C  C B   B


1
AE
  
40103 400  60103 600 

 20106 Nmm

AE
 0.318mm
 Example 2.9
Rigid beam AB rests on the two short posts shown in the figure below. AC is made
of steel and has a diameter of 20 mm, and BD is made of aluminium and has a
diameter of 40 mm. Determine the displacement of point F on AB if a vertical
load of 90 kN is applied over this point. Take Est = 200 GPa, Eal = 70 GPa.

(Ans: δF = 0.225 mm)

 Example 2.9
Solution

1) Internal Force: The compressive forces acting at the top of each post are
determined from the equilibrium of member AB shown in the figure. These
forces are equal to the internal forces in each post.

2) Displacement: The displacement of the top of each post is,


 60103 N0.300m   
A 
PAC LAC
  286106
m
Post AC: 2

AAC Est  0.010m  20010 N m
9 2

 0.286mm 
 Example 2.9
Solution (cont.)

 
 30103 N0.300m 
m
B 
PBD LBD
  102106
Post BD: 
ABD Eal  0.020m  7010 N m
2 9 2

 0.102mm 

A diagram showing the centerline displacements at A, B, and F on the beam is

shown in the following figure. By proportion of the blue shaded triangle, the
displacement of point F is therefore,
 400mm 
 F  0.102mm  0.184mm    0.225mm
 600mm 
 Example 2.10
The assembly shown in the figure below consists of an aluminium tube AB having
a cross-sectional area of 400 mm2. A steel rod having a diameter of 10 mm is
attached to a rigid collar and passes through the tube. If a tensile load of 80 kN is
applied to the rod, determine the displacement of the end C of the rod. Take Est =
200 GPa, Eal = 70 GPa.

(Ans: δC = 4.20 mm)

 Example 2.10
Solution

1) Internal Force: The free-body diagram of the tube and rod segments in the
figure, shows that the rod is subjected to a tension of 80 kN and the tube is
subjected to a compression of 80 kN.

2) Displacement: We will first determine the displacement of end C with respect

to end B. Working in units of newtons and meters, we have,

 PL   80103

N0.6m
C / B  0.003056m 

AE  0.005m 2 200109 N m 2
 Example 2.10
Solution (cont.)

The displacement of end B with respect to the fixed end A is,

PL
B  
 8010 3
N0.4 m 
 
AE 400 mm 2 106 106 m 2 mm 2 70109 N m 2 
 0.001143m
 0.001143m 

Here the negative sign indicates that the tube shortens, and so B moves to the
right relative to A.

Since both displacements are to the right, the displacement of C relative to the
fixed end A is therefore,

  C   B  C / B  0.001143m  0.003056m
 0.00420m
 4.20mm 
 2.8 Thermal Deformation
 A change in temperature can cause a
body to change its dimensions. Generally,
if the temperature increases, the body will
expand, whereas if the temperature
decreases, it will contract.

 The displacement of a member having a

length L can be calculated using the
formula,
T  TL
where,
α = Linear coefficient of thermal
expansion
∆T = The algebraic change in temperature Most traffic bridges are designed with
expansion joints to accommodate the
of the member
thermal movement of the deck and thus
L = The original length of the member avoid any thermal stress.
δT = The algebraic change in the length of
the member or thermal deformation
 Example 2.11
The A-992 steel bar shown in the figure below is constrained at a fixed support A
when T1 = 25ºC. The length of bar AB, L = 0.75 m. If the temperature is raised to
T2 = 52ºC, determine the thermal displacement developed in the bar.

(Ans: δT = 0.24 mm)

Solution

The thermal displacement of bar is,

T  TL
 12106 C 52C 25C 0.75m
 2.43104 m
 0.24 mm
 2.8 Thermal Deformation

Average Mechanical Properties of Typical Engineering Materials

 2.8 Thermal Deformation
 The thermal deformation, δT and the deformation from the redundant support, δP
must be compatible.

  T   P  0

 T L  PL  0
AE
 Example 2.12
The A-36 steel bar shown in the figure below is constrained to just fit between two
fixed supports when T1 = 30ºC. If the temperature is raised to T2 = 60ºC, determine
the average normal thermal stress developed in the bar.

(Ans: σ = 72 MPa)
 Example 2.12
Solution

Equilibrium: The free-body diagram of the bar is

shown in the figure below. Since there is no external
load, the force at A is equal but opposite to the force at
B,
   Fy  0; FA  FB  F

The problem is statically indeterminate since this force

cannot be determined from equilibrium.

Compatibility: Since δA/B = 0, the thermal displacement

δT at A that occurs, is counteracted by the force F that
is required to push the bar δF back to its original
position. The compatibility condition at A becomes,

  A/ B  0  T   F
 Example 2.12
Solution (cont.)

Load-Displacement: Applying the thermal and load–displacement relationships,

we have,
  F L 
0  TL   
 AE 
Thus, from the data on the inside back cover,
F  TAE
  
 12106 C 60C  30C0.010m2 200106 kN m 2 
 7.2kN

Since F also represents the internal axial force within the bar, the average normal
compressive stress is thus,

7.2kN
F   72000kPA  72 MPa
A 0.010 m2

Note: From the magnitude of F, it should be apparent that changes in temperature

can cause large reaction forces in statically indeterminate members.
 Example 2.13
The rigid beam shown is fixed to the top of the three posts made of A992 steel and
2014-T6 aluminum. The posts each have a length of 250 mm when no load is
applied to the beam, and the temperature is T1 = 20ºC. Determine the force
supported by each post if the bar is subjected to a uniform distributed load of
150 kN/m and the temperature is raised to T2 = 80ºC.

(Ans: Fst = -16.4 kN, Fal = 123kN)

 Example 2.13
Solution (cont.)

Equilibrium: The free-body diagram of the beam is shown in the figure. Moment
equilibrium about the beam’s center requires the forces in the steel posts to be
equal. Summing forces on the free-body diagram, we have,

   Fy  0;
2Fst  Fal  90103 N  0 ...(1)

Compatibility: Due to load, geometry, and material symmetry, the top of each
post is displaced by an equal amount. Hence,

  st  al
 Example 2.13
Solution (cont.)

The final position of the top of each post is equal to its displacement caused by the
temperature increase, plus its displacement caused by the internal axial
compressive force. Thus, for the steel and aluminum post, we have,

  st   st T   st F
  al   al T   al F

So, it gives,

  st T   st F   al T   al F
 Example 2.13
Solution (cont.)

Load-Displacement: Using the material properties on the inside back cover, we

get,
Fst 0.250m
  
 12 106 / C 80C  20C 0.250m 
  
 0.020m 2 200 109 N m 2 
Fal 0.250m
  
  23 106 / C 80C  20C 0.250m 
  
 0.030m 2 73.1 109 N m 2 
F  1.216F 165.9 103
st al
  ...(2)

Solving equation 1 and 2 simultaneously yields,

Fst  16.4 kN Fal 123kN

The negative value for Fst indicates that this force acts opposite to that shown in
the figure. In other words, the steel posts are in tension and the aluminum post is
in compression.
 2.9 Inelastic Axial Deformation
 A member may be designed so that the loading causes the material to yield and
thereby permanently deform. Such members are often made from a highly
ductile metal such as annealed low-carbon steel.

 A material that exhibits this behaviour is referred to as being elastic perfectly

plastic or elastoplastic.

A bar that is subjected to an axial load P

 2.9 Inelastic Axial Deformation
 If the load causes an elastic stress σ = σ1 to be developed in the bar, then
equilibrium requires P   1dA  1 A. Furthermore, the stress σ1 causes the bar to
strain ε1 as indicated on the stress–strain diagram.

 If P is now increased to Pp such that it causes yielding of the material, that is, σ
= σY, then again Pp   Y dA  Y A . The load Pp is called the plastic load since it
represents the maximum load that can be supported by an elastoplastic
material. For this case, the strains are not uniquely defined. Instead, at the
instant σY is attained, the bar is first subjected to the yield strain εY.

 After which, the bar will continue to yield (or elongate) such that the strains ε2,
then ε3, etc., are generated. Since our “model” of the material exhibits perfectly
plastic material behaviour, this elongation will continue indefinitely with no
increase in load.

 In reality, however, the material will, after some yielding, actually begin to strain-
harden so that the extra strength it attains will stop any further straining. As a
result, any design based on this behaviour will be safe, since strain-hardening
provides the potential for the material to support an additional load if necessary.