Mechanics of Materials

CIE 212

BS. Civil Engineering

Strain
Chapter 2

Dr. Azhar Saleem

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Reference: Mechanics of Materials, 10th Ed. By R.C. Hibbeler
2.1 Deformation
 When a force is applied on a body, it tends to change
body’s shape and size. These changes are referred to
as deformation.

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2.2 Strain – Normal Strain
If an axial load P is applied to the bar, it will change the
bar’s length Lo to a length L. Average normal strain will
be defined as:
 L  Lo
 avg  
Lo Lo

s 's
  lim
s 0 s

 Normal strain is related to elongation and shorting. These happen under the
influence of normal force (perpendicular to area of cross section).
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Strain is positive when elongation happens and negative when shorting happens.
2.2 Strain – Normal Strain
Units

 Normal strain is a dimensionless quantity.

 mm/mm
 m/m
 µm/m (micron) where 1µm = 10-6 m

Example:

ε = 0.00048 = 480 x 10-6 m/m = 480 µm/m = 480 micron

ε = 0.00048 = 0.00048 x 100 % = 0.048%
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Example 2.1
Determine the average normal strains in the two
wires in the figures if the ring at A moves to A’.

 L  Lo
 avg  
Lo Lo

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Problem 2-3
If the load P on the beam causes the end C to
be displaced 10 mm downward, determine
the normal strain in the wire CE and BD.

When end C comes down by 10 mm it means

that wire CE has elongated by 10 mm

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2.2 Strain – Shear Strain
 If we select two ling segments that are originally
perpendicular to one another, then the change in angle that
occurs between them is referred to as shear strain.
 This angle is denoted by γ (gamma) and is always measured
in radians (rad), which is dimensionless.


 
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This not a universal formula

Notice that if θ is smaller than π/2 then shear strain is positive, whereas if
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θ is greater than π /2 then the shear strain is negative
Problem 2.8
The rectangular plate is subjected to the deformation shown by the dashed
line. Determine the average shear strain γxy in the plate.

γxy =

This shear strain is –ve because θ > π/2

γxy

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Problem 2.21
The rectangular plate is deformed into
the shape shown by the dashed lines.
Determine the average shear strain at
corner A relative to the x, y axes.

tan-1 ( )x (3.14/180) = 0.006623 rad

tan-1 ( )x (3.14/180) = 0.004963 rad

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Problem 2.12
Determine the shear strain
γxy at corners A and B if the
plastic distorts as shown by
the dashed lines.

To be solved in tutorial.

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Practice Problems

To be solved in tutorial.

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Must Read the Book

Concluded

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