ES 621: Advance Mechanics of Solids

Problem Set No. 4

1. Show that the bulk modulus K is related to Young’s modulus E and Poisson’s ratio ν as K= E/3(1-2ν).

2. Prove that the principal axes of stress and strain tensor coincide for a linear elastic material.

3. Show that the distortion energy density can be expressed in terms of principal stresses as
1
UD = [( 1 −  2 ) 2 + ( 2 −  3 ) 2 + ( 3 −  1 ) 2 ]
12G

4. A square plate with 800 mm sides parallel to x- and y-axes has a thickness of 10 mm and is made of
linear isotropic material (E= 200 GPa, ν = 0.29). The plate is subjected to uniform state of stress. If σ33 =
τ31 = τ32 = 0 (plane stress), σ11 = 500 MPa, and ε22 = 0 for the plate, determine σ22 and the final
dimensions of the plate.
5. An airplane wing is made of an isotropic linearly elastic aluminium alloy (E = 72 GPa and ν = 0.33).
Consider a point in the free surface of the wing that is tangent to the (x, y) plane. If xx = 250 MPa, yy
= -50 MPa, and xy = -150 MPa, determine the directions for strain gages at that point to measure two of
the principal strains. What are the magnitudes of these principal strains?

6. A 3-D state of principal stress acts on the face of a unit cube of soil. Find the conditions under which
these stresses will not produce a volume change. Assume soil is linearly elastic isotropic material.