ASIA PACIFIC COLLEGE OF ADVANCED STUDIES

AH Banzon St., Ibayo, City of Balanga, Bataan

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL
IN MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
(BES 107)

A.Y. 2020-2021

REFERENCES:

1. Hibbeler, R. C. (2017). Mechanics of materials (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

2. Philpot, T. A. (2017). Mechanics of materials: an integrated learning system (4th ed.). Hoboken,
NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3. Nash, W. A., & Potter, M. C. (2011). Strength of materials (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Lesson 16: Stress Transformation Using Mohr’s Circle
OBJECTIVES

• Identify Principal Stresses and Maximum Shear Stresses and where they occur
• Use the Mohr's Circle to solve for the stresses on any given plane
• Identify and differentiate Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress from Absolute Maximum Shear Stress
• Analyze/Design a structure based on the material's limiting stress values

MOHR’S CIRCLE – PLANE STRESS

We will now show how to apply the equations for plane-stress transformation using a graphical
procedure.

If we rewrite Eq. (15.1) and (15.2) from the previous lesson in this form:

(Eq. 16.1)
𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑦
𝜎𝑥 ′ − = cos 2θ + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2
(Eq. 16.2)
𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑦
𝜏𝑥 ′ 𝑦 ′ = − ( ) sin 2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃
2
If we add the squares of 𝜎𝑥 ′ and 𝜏𝑥 ′ 𝑦 ′ the parameter 𝜃 will be eliminated and the resulting equation will
be;
(Eq. 16.3)
𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 2 𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑦 2
[𝜎𝑥 ′ − ( )] + 𝜏𝑥2′ 𝑦 ′ = ( 2
) + 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2 2
The above equation can be written in a more compact form as
(Eq. 16.4)
(𝜎𝑥 ′ − 𝜎𝑎𝑣𝑒 )2 + 𝜏𝑥2′ 𝑦 ′ = 𝑅 2

Where;
𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦
𝜎𝑎𝑣𝑒 =
2
and
𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑦 2 2
𝑅 = √( ) + 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2

NOTE:

• the center of the Mohr’s Circle, C is at (𝜎𝑎𝑣𝑒 , 0)

• the cartesian x-axis is the σ-axis and the y-axis is the τ-axis

The circle used to derive the equations relating to the transformation of

plane stress was introduced by the German engineer Otto Mohr (1835–
1918) and is known as Mohr’s circle for plane stress.
NOTE: To be consistent in our previous convention regarding θ, positive normal stresses are plotted to
the right of τ-axis while positive shear stresses are plotted below the σ-axis, OR τ is below the σ-axis if it
will produce counterclockwise moment, and vice versa

NOTE: The angle inside the sine and cosine function in the stress transformation equations is 2θ,
therefore, the angle between two points in the Mohr’s circle is TWICE the actual angle between the two
planes

PROBLEM 1

The state of plane stress at a point is shown on the element in

figure below. Represent this state of stress on an element
oriented 30° counterclockwise from the position shown.
PROBLEM 2

The axle of an automobile is acted upon by the forces and couple shown. Knowing that the diameter of
the solid axle is 32 mm, determine (a) the principal planes and principal stresses at point H located on
top of the axle, (b) the maximum shearing stress at the same point.

PROBLEM 3

The cantilever beam shown has a cross section of 20 mm x 120 mm. It is subjected to an inclined load of
50 kN acting at the neutral axis of the beam. Point B is 20 mm below the neutral axis of the beam. (1)
Determine the shearing stress at point B. (2) Determine the normal stress on the 30° plane at point B. (3)
Compute the shear stress on the 30° plane at point B.