Mechanics of Solids Mechanical Engineering Problem Sheet 5: Theories of Failure IIT Kharagpur

Problem Sheet 5: Theories of failure

1. Consider the following state of stress at a point and determine whether or not
the material is safe, if the failure stress (𝜎𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 ) is 70 MPa.
a.) Consider the material to be brittle
b.) Consider the material to be ductile

𝜎𝑥 = 45𝑀𝑃𝑎, 𝜎𝑦 = −25𝑀𝑃𝑎, 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = −12𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜

Safe if brittle
Fails if ductile
2. Previously, you have learnt that octahedral plane is the plane which is equally
inclined to the three principal axis. According to a failure criterion, a material
fails if the shearing stress on the octahedral plane exceeds a certain critical value.
Prove that this failure criterion is equivalent to the Maximum Distortion energy
criteria.

3. Derive the Maximum Distortion Energy criteria in terms of the local stress
components for plane stress

𝜎𝑉𝑀 = √𝜎𝑥2 + 𝜎𝑦2 − 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 + 3𝜏𝑥𝑦

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4. The members AD, CF are made of Aluminum while member BE being made of
Steel. The cross-sectional area of each member is 100 mm2. Determine the load P
that initiates the yield of the structure and also the corresponding deflection.
Relevant data: E_Al=72GPa, E_Steel=200GPa and yield stress for Aluminum and
Steel is 500 and 250 MPa respectively.
Hint: Assume bar ABC remains horizontal

61.25kN, 1.875mm
Mechanics of Solids Mechanical Engineering Problem Sheet 5: Theories of failure IIT Kharagpur

5. An industrial test specimen is shaped in the form of a hollow tube and is

subjected to combined loading of torsion and tension (see figure). Bi-axiality
ratio defined as the ratio of shear stress and tensile stress, λ can be controlled by
the test set-up. The load is applied incrementally with increments of 1 MPa
tensile load. How many increments can the specimen take before brittle fracture,
if the tensile strength is 100 MPa if λ = 0.5?
Draw a plot of λ and maximum increments before failure

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6. For the state of stress shown in the figure, determine the maximum value of τxy
such that the ductile material does not fail if τy = 12MPa. What is the value of the
maximum principal stress and equivalent Von Mises Stress at that load?

7.93 MPa, 13 MPa, 20.80 MPa

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Mechanics of Solids Mechanical Engineering Problem Sheet 5: Theories of failure IIT Kharagpur

7. The axle of an automobile is acted upon by the forces and couple as shown in
figure. The diameter of the solid axle is 32 mm. Determine if the material fails at
point H
a.) material is brittle and the maximum allowable stress is ±150 MPa
b.) material is ductile and the maximum allowable stress is ±180 MPa

Maximum principal Stress is -158.5 MPa, material fails

Maximum shear stress is 88.6 MPa, material is safe

8. A mechanic uses a crowfoot wrench to loosen a bolt at E. Knowing that the

mechanic applies a vertical 100 N force at A, determine the principal stresses and
the maximum shearing stress at point H located as shown on top of the 18 mm
diameter shaft. Subsequently, determine the factor of safety, assuming ductile
material and yield strength of 100 MPa

9. The state of stress at a point is (σx = 50 MPa, σy = -32 MPa, τxy = 12 MPa),
determine the factor of safety if the value of yield stress under tension is 85 MPa
a.) σz =60 MPa,
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Mechanics of Solids Mechanical Engineering Problem Sheet 5: Theories of failure IIT Kharagpur

b.) σz =-60 MPa

c.) σz =0 MPa
Use i.) Maximum shear stress theory and ii.) Maximum Distortion Energy theory