CE 5010

Assignment – 5
(Due on Sep 29)

Question 1 (5 marks)

a) A hot-rolled steel (ductile) has a yield strength of Syt (tension) = Syc(compression) =

100 MPa. Estimate the factor of safety for following stress states:
a. σx = 60 MPa, σy = 40 MPa, τxy = -15 MPa
b. σx = 0 MPa, σy = 40 MPa, τxy = 45 MPa
c. σx = -40 MPa, σy = -60 MPa, τxy = 15 MPa
d. σx = 30 MPa, σy = 30 MPa, τxy = 30 MPa
Plot these stress states with respect to Tresca and von-Mises failure envelopes.

b) A brittle material has the properties Syt (tension) = 30 MPa and Syc (compression) = 90
MPa. Using the brittle Coulomb-Mohr theory, determine the factor of safety for the
following states of plane stress.
a. σx = 25 MPa, σy = 15 MPa
b. σx = 15 MPa, σy = - 15 MPa
c. σx = -15 MPa, σy = 10 MPa, τxy = -15 MPa

Question 2 (5 marks)

a) How is a failure defined in fracture mechanics? How is it different from conventional

failure theories?
b) Explain the three pure modes of fracture. Describe the most common one, detailing
the critical parameter and failure criteria.
c) Why do materials generally appear to be stronger when they are tested at higher strain
rate?
d) Why do large test specimens appear to have lower strengths than small ones?
e) Why might a small hole drilled ahead of a slowly growing crack actually arrest the
progress of the crack?