Elastic constants

It has been experimentally found, that the axial strain of a body is always followed by an opposite kind
of strain in all directions at right angle to it. Therefore, there is always a set of the following two types of
strains in a body, when it is subjected to a direct strain.

(1) Primary or linear strain

(2) Secondary or lateral strain
Primary or linear strain

Whenever some external force acts on a body, it undergoes some deformation.

P d P

fig 1

Consider a circular bar subjected to a tensile force as shown in fig 1

Let L=length of the bar

d=Diameter of the bar
P=Tensile force acting on the bar
δL =Increase in the length of the bar as a result of the tensile force
The deformation of the bar, per unit length in the direction of the force, i.e δl /L is known as primary
or linear strain.
Secondary or lateral strain
By actually studying the deformation of a bar, you will find that bar has extended through a length
δL , which will be followed by the decrease in diameter from d to d- δd a shown in fig 2

( d−δd )
P P

fig 2
Similarly, if the bar is subjected to a compressive force, the length of the bar will decrease by δL
which will be followed by the increase of diameter from d to ( d +δd )
It is thus obvious, that every direct stress is always accompanied by a strain in its own direction, and an
opposite kind of strain in every direction, at right angles to it. Such a strain is known as secondary or
lateral strain.
Poisson’s Ratio
If a body is stressed within elastic limit, the lateral strain bears a constant ratio to the linear strain.
lateral strain
=A (constant )
Mathematically. linear strain(e )
1
=μ
This constant is known as Poisson’s ratio and is demoted by m

1
×e=μ . e
∴ Lateral strain m

Poisson’s ratio

1 lateral strain or Transverse strain

M= =
m linear or primary strain
Where M is a constant and its value varies between 3 & 4 for different materials.
Poisson’s Ratio for some common materials
S No. Material Poisson’s ratio
1 Aluminium 0.330
2 Brass 0.340
3 Bronze 0.350
4 Cast iron 0.270
5 Concrete 0.200
6 Copper 0.355
7 Steel 0.288
8 Stainless steel 0.305
9 Wrought iron 0.278

The corresponding change in the lateral length may be found out by multiplying the lateral strain by the
lateral length.
NB
The value of Poisson’s ratio is the same in tension and compression.

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 Example
A steel bar 2m long, 2cm wide and 1cm thick is subjected to a pull of 2tonnes in the directions of its
length. Find the change in length, breath and thickness. Take E=2.0×10 6kg/cm2 and Poisson’s ratio =0.3
Solutions
Given:
Length of the bar L = 2m = 200cm
Breath b = 2cm
Thickness t = 1cm
∴ Area A = 2 × 1 = 2cm 2
Pull P = 2 tonnes = 2000kg
Young’s modulus, E = 2.0 × 106 kg/cm2
1
=0 . 3
Poisson’s ratio, m
(i) Change in length
Let δL = change in length
Using relation
PL
2000 kg x200 cm
δL= =¿ 2 cm 2 x2 x106 kg /cm 2 = 0 .1 cm or1 . 0 mm Ans
AE
(ii) Change in width
Let δb= change in width
We know that linear strain
δL 0 .1
( strain ) e= = =0 .0005
L 200
1
= ×e=0 . 3×0 . 0005=0. 00015
Lateral strain m
∴ δb=b×lateral strain
=2 × 0.00015cm = 0.0003cm
=0.003mm Ans
(iii) Change in width
Let δt= change in thickness
∴ δt=t×lateral strain
=1 × 0.00015cm = 0.00015cm
=0.003mm Ans

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Example 2
A metal bar 50mm×50mm section, is subjected to an axial compressive load of 800KN. The contraction
of a 200mm gauge length is found to be 0.5mm, the increase in thickness 0.04mm. Find the value of
Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio.
Solution
Given
Width of bar, b =50mm
Thickness of bar t =50mm
∴ Area of bar A = 50×50 =2500mm2
Compressive load, P =500KN =500×103N
Length L = 200mm
Contraction δL=0 .5mm
δL 0 . 5
e= = =0 . 0025
∴Linear strain L 200
Increase in thickness δt =0.04mm
Young’s modulus E?
PL
δL=
AE
500×10 3×200 40×10 3 40×103
0 .5= = E= =80×10 3
2000×E E or 0.5 N/mm2 Ans
1
?
Poisson’s ratio m
We know
1
=1 ×linear strain= ×0 . 0025
Lateral strain m m and δt=lateral strain×Thickness
1 1
= ×0 .0025×50= ×0 . 125
i.e 0.04 m m
1 0 . 04
∴ = =0 . 32
m 0. 125 Ans
δt 0 . 04
lateral strain= = =0 . 0008
Or t 50
lateral strain
=
Poisson’s ratio longitudinal( linear)strain
0 . 0008
= =0 .32
0 . 0025 Ans

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 Elastic Constants Exercise
1.Determine the changes in length, breath and thickness of a steel bar which is 4m long, 30mm wide
and 20mm thick and is subjected to an axial pull of 30KN in the direction of its length. Take,
E=2.5×105N/mm2 and Poisson’s ratio =0.3
[ δL1. 0mm;δb=0.00225 ;δt =0 .0015 mm ]
Ans
2.Determine the value of Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of a metallic bar of length 30cm, breath
4cm and depth 4cm when the bar is subjected to an axial compressive load of 400KN. The decrease in
length is given as 0.075cm and increase in breath is 0.003cm
[ M=0 . 3; E=1×10 5 N /mm 2]
Ans
3.A concrete cylinder of diameter 150mm and length 300mm when subjected to an axial compressive
load of 240KN resulted in an increase of diameter by 0.127mm, and a decrease in length of 0.28mm.
1
compute the value of Poisson’s ratio.
( )
M ¿
m and modulus of elasticity E
[ M=0 . 907 E=14 .55 GN/m 2 ]
Ans

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