MOM IA 19th Jan 2022

PRINCIPAL PLANE AND PRINCIPAL STRESSES

PRINCIP PLANE is the plane where the shearing stress acting on it is zero.

PRINCIPAL STRESS is the normal stress acting on the principal plane

�1

τ =0 ��

α ��
��

��
Fig 1 Shearing and direct stresses

Angle of orientation (α) of the principal plane is given by;

2��
Tan 2α = � −��
(1)
�

Where α is the angle of inclination of the principal plane and other parameters are as
shown in Fig 1.

Types of Principal stresses

Major principal stress = �1 = Maximum Direct Stress

Minor principal stress = �2 = Minimum Direct Stress

The Major principal stress or Maximum Direct Stress

1 1
�1 = 2 (�� + �� ) + 2
√{(�� − �� )2 + 4�� 2 } (2)

The Minor principal stress or Minimum Direct Stress

©Emma@TUK 2022 MOM IA

 1 1
�2 = 2 (�� + �� ) - 2
√{(�� − �� )2 + 4�� 2 } (3)

Tutorials

Q1 Determine the angle of the principal plane given;

Shearing stress �� = 30 N/��2
�� = 50 N/��2
�� = 20 N/��2 (5 marks)

Q2 Figure 2 shows a small element subjected to direct and shearing stresses.

Determine;
a) The principal stresses (10 marks)
b) Orientation or angle of the principal plane (5 marks)

��

τ
τ �� = 50 N/��2

�� �� = 80 N/��2
��
τ τ = 40 N/��2

τ Note: �� & �� are tensile stresses

��

Q3 Repeat Q2 if �� & �� are compressive stresses (20 marks)

©Emma@TUK 2022 MOM IA