Chapter 7 – Mohr’s Circle

MOHR’S CIRCLE

A force is easily resolved to components in another coordinate system by a

simple trigonometric calculation. Transformation of stress to another
coordinate system is also a purely mathematical process but is more
involved than the transformation of force.

Stress not only has a magnitude and a direction, but is also associated with
an area over it acts. A transformation of coordinates for stress will change
the area of the orientation plane. This must be taken into account in stress
transformation.

Sometimes we are interested in the state of stress at a particular inclined

plane, e.g. finding the normal and shearing stresses in an inclined glued
splice. More often, we are interested in the maximum intensities of the
normal and shear stresses at a point in the member. For this more general
case, we also need to determine the orientation of the planes where the
maximum normal and shear stresses occur. These are problems to be
addressed in stress transformation.

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N = P cos  V = P sin 

The normal force N produces positive normal stresses  and the shear force
V produces negative shear stress . These stresses can be evaluated by
dividing the forces by the area over which they act. The area A1 of the
inclined section is A/cos , in which A is the cross-sectional area.

= N/A1 = (P/A)* cos2  = x cos2 

= -V/A1 = -(P/A) sin  cos  = -x sin  cos 

in which x = P/A is the normal stress on a cross-section.

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STRESS TRANSORMATION EQUATIONS

An element is subject to the following stresses. We are interested in the

maximum intensities of the normal and shear stresses in the element. For
this case, we need to determine the orientation of the planes where the
maximum normal and shear stresses occur.

Let the thickness of this element ( in the z-direction) be equal to unity.

n- direction


x 

x dy 
dx
y

t- direction
y

Fn=0

ds - x dy cos  - y dx sin  + x dy sin  + y dx cos  = 0

Given that: dy = ds cos , dx = ds sin 

cos  = (1 + cos 2)/2,
2
sin  = (1 - cos 2)/2
2

2 sin  cos  = sin 2

 - x cos2  - y sin2  + 2 x sin  cos  = 0 (Note: x = y )

Therefore,

 = (x+ y)/2 +[(x - y)/2] cos 2 - x sin 2 (1)

Ft = 0

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ds - x dy sin  + y dx cos  - x dy cos  + y dx sin  = 0

 - x sin  cos  + y sin  cos  - x cos2  + y sin2  = 0

Given that : cos2  - sin2  = cos 2

Therefore,

 = [(x - y)/2] sin 2 + x cos 2 (2)

PRINCIPAL STRESSES AND PLANES

By differentiation of the equation (1), we can get the maximum and

minimum normal stresses.

max & min occur when tan 2p = 2x/(y - x) (3)

Therefore,

max = (x+ y)/2 + {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

min = (x+ y)/2 – {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

The max is called the maximum principal stress while min is called the
minimum principal stress.

The planes where the principal stresses occur are called principal planes of
stress.

Equation (3) gives two values of p that are 900 apart, one for the maximum
stress and another one for the minimum stress.

MAXIMUM SHEAR STRESSES

By differentiation of the equation (2), we can get the maximum and

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minimum shear stresses.

The maximum shear stress is equal to

max = {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

min = -{[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

Obviously, the calculations for finding max,min,max and min are very
complicate.

By the use of a graphical method (Mohr’s Circle), these values can be

determined very easily.

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STRESS ELEMENTS

The following figures show how to draw stress elements for analysis.

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MOHR’S CIRCLE

The Mohr’s circle gives a complete visual picture of the state of stress (or
strain) at a point in a structure and is often easier to use and interpret than a
set of equations.

The symbols for the stresses

The symbols for the stresses have the following meanings:

 A normal stress  has a subscript that identifies the face on which it acts.

For example, x acts on the x face of the element.

 A shear stress  has two subscripts: the first indicate the face on which
stress acts, and the second gives the direction of the stress.

For example, xy acts on the x face in the direction of the y axis;
yx acts on the y face in the direction of the x axis.

From consideration of static equilibrium, we note that yx = xy

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Sign conventions of Mohr’s Circle

Normal stress : Tensile stresses are considered Positive,

Compressive stresses are considered Negative.
Shear Stress : Positive when it tend to rotate the element Clockwise,
Negative when it tend to rotate the element
Counter-clockwise)

Inclination Angle : Positive when measured Counter-clockwise.

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Method for Constructing Mohr’s Circle

The scale used for both the  and  axes must be the SAME.

 On  and  axes plot point x have coordinates x and xy (tend to rotate
element clockwise) and point y having coordinates y and -xy (tend to
rotate element counterclockwise).

 Draw a line between points x and y. Label the intersection of the line
with the  axis point O. The coordinates of point O are  = (x+ y)/2
and  = 0.

 With O as the centre, draw Mohr’s circle through points x and y. The
radius of the circle is

R = {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

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Method for Finding Stresses on an Inclined Plane

The method for finding stresses on planes of the element that form angles 
of with respect to the x and y axes are as follow:

 Rotate the diameter xOy by an angle of 2 in the SAME DIRECTION as

for the element.
 Locate the points n and t on the circle.
 The coordinates of the point n give the stresses n and nt.
 The coordinates of the point t give the stresses t and -tn.
 The values of as the coordinates (n , nt) and (t , -tn) may be measured
from the diagram or calculated using geometric relationships.

The important concept to remember is that:

Angles used in Mohr’s circle are double the true angles

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Example 1

A stress element is subject to the following stresses.

x = 0 MPa; y = 0 MPa ; xy= 40 MPa

1. Draw the initial stress element.

2. Draw the complete Mohr’s circle, labeling critical points.
3. Draw the complete principal stress element.
4. Draw the complete shear stress element.

Solution

The coordinates of point x are x = 0 MPa and xy= 40 MPa. The

coordinates of point y are y = 0 MPa ; yx= -40 MPa

Center of O of the circle is at:

 = (x+ y)/2 = 0

The radius of the circle:

R = {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5 = 40 MPa

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It is noted that on the principal planes the shear stress is zero.

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Example 2

A stress element is subject to the following stresses.

x = -30 MPa; y = 20 MPa ; xy= 40 MPa

5. Draw the initial stress element.

6. Draw the complete Mohr’s circle, labeling critical points.
7. Draw the complete principal stress element.
8. Draw the complete shear stress element.

Solution

The coordinates of point x are x = -30 MPa and xy= 40 MPa. The
coordinates of point y are y = 20 MPa ; yx= -40 MPa

Center of O of the circle is at:

 = (x+ y)/2 = (-30 + 20)/2 = -5 MPa

The radius of the circle:

R = {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

= {[(-30 - 20)/2]2 + 402}0.5
= 47.17 MPa

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IMPORTANT NOTES

From the Mohr’s Circle, we can note that:

 On the principal planes the shear stress is zero.

 The maximum shear stress occurs where the diameter of the circle is in a
vertical position.

 The magnitude of the maximum shear stress is equal to the radius of the
circle.

 The normal stress ’ associated with the maximum shear stress is equal
to the average normal stress ave,
’ = (x+ y)/2

 The planes of maximum shear stress form angles of 450 with the principal
planes.

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Example 3

At a certain point in a stressed body, the principal stresses are x = 80 MPa

and y = -40 MPa. Determine  and  on the planes whose normals are at
=300 and +1200 with the x-axis. Show your results on a sketch of a
differential element.

Solution

The coordinates of point x are x = 80 MPa and xy= 0 MPa. The

coordinates of point y are y = -40 MPa ; yx= 0 MPa

Center of O of the circle is at:

 = (x+ y)/2 = (80 + -40)/2 = 20 MPa

The radius of the circle:

R = {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

= {[(80 + 40)/2]2 + 02}0.5
= 60 MPa

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on the 300 face, i.e. at point D

 = 50 MPa
 = 52 MPa

on the 1200 face, i.e. at point E

’ = -10 MPa
’ = -52 MPa

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Example 4

A material is subject to two mutually perpendicular direct stresses of +80

MPa and -50 MPa together with a shear stress of 30MPa as shown in the
following figure.

Find

1. the magnitude and nature of the principal stresses;

2. the magnitude of the maximum shear stresses in the plane of the given
stress system;
3. the direction of the planes on which the principal stresses act.

Obtain your answer by means of a Mohr’s circle diagram, and from the
diagram determine the magnitude of the normal stress on a plane inclined at
200 counterclockwise to the plane on which the 50 MPa stress acts.

Solution

The coordinates of point x are x = -50 MPa and xy= -30 MPa. The
coordinates of point y are y = 80 MPa ; yx= 30 MPa

Center of O of the circle is at:

 = (x+ y)/2 = (80 + -50)/2 = 15 MPa

The radius of the circle:

R = {[(x - y)/2]2 + x2}0.5

= {[(-50 - 80)/2]2 + 302}0.5
= 72 MPa

By measurement from the Mohr’s circle,

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1 = 87 MPa
2 = -57 MPa
max= 72 MPa
 = 155/2 = 77.50

The direct or normal stress on a plane inclined at 200 counterclockwise is

obtained by measuring from point x on the Mohr’s circle through 2x 200 =
400 in the same direction.

This gives
 = -16 MPa

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PRINCIPAL STRSSES AND MAXIMUM SHEAR STRESSES IN BEAM

The normal and shear stresses acting at any point in the cross section of
beam can be obtained from the flexure and shear formulas (=My/I and
=SAY/It). The normal stress is a maximum at the outer edges of the beam
and equals zero at the neutral axis, whereas the shear stress is zero at the
outer edges and usually is a maximum at the neutral axis.

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Example 5

Determine the principal stresses and maximum shear stresses at point C by a

Mohr’s circle construction for the I-section beam as shown in the following
figure.

20 mm

20 mm 200 mm

C
20 mm

100 mm

Solution

The reaction at support A is 40 kN and hence at the required cross-section of

the beam:

M = 40 x 1 = 40 kNm;
V = 40 kN;
I = 100(240)3/12 – 2 x 40 x 2003/12
= 6.19 x 107mm4
The bending stress at point C ,

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c = (40 x 106 x 100)/6.19 x 107

= 64.6 N/mm2
= 64.6 MPa

The shear stress at point C,

c= [40 x 103 x (100 x 20) x (100+10)] / (I x 20)
= 7.11 N/mm2
= 7.11 MPa

The element C under the above stresses is shown in below:-

By measurement of the above Mohr’s circle,

1 = 65.3 MPa
2 = -0.77 MPa
max= 33 MPa

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Problems

Problems

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