Anderson, Loren Runar et al "STRESS ANALYSIS"

Structural Mechanics of Buried Pipes

Boca Raton: CRC Press LLC,2000
APPENDIX E STRESS ANALYSIS
Figure E-1 shows a stressed medium with an
infinitesimal cube, Op. Op is the free-body-
diagram for stress analysis. A maximum of six
pairs of stresses can act on Op, three normal stresses
(direct stresses) and three couples (shearing stress
pairs). The stresses all occur in pairs in
equilibrium. Notation is as follows:
sx = normal stress in the x-direction acting on a
yz-plane,
sy = normal stress in the y-direction acting on a
yz-plane,
sz = normal stress in the z-direction acting on
an xy plane,
tx = each of two equal and opposite shearing
couples acting about an x-axis in yz-
planes,
ty = each of two equal and opposite shearing
couples acting about a y-axis in xz-planes
tz = each of two equal and opposite shearing
couples acting about a z-axis in xy planes.
The resultant normal and shearing stresses on any
plane that passes through the cube can be found by
a stress circle proposed by Otto Mohr and found in
texts on mechanics of solids. The Mohr circle is
applied separately to each of the three orthogonal
views of the cube. The Mohr circle, Figure E-1,
applies to a view of the xy-plane (front view). The
two couples are shown as shearing stress pairs on
surfaces of the cube that are at right angles to each
other. The shearing couple on the top and bottom
is equal and opposite to the shearing couple on the
sides in order to satisfy equilibrium conditions.
Because the couples are equal, the subscript is
dropped for shearing stress t . Analysis comprises
three steps.
A. The Mohr stress circle is plotted by first drawing
the stress axes, s and t , as shown. Three points
establish the stress circle on the axes. From the
stresses on the infinitesimal cube, points on the
stress axes are plotted as follows:
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1. Plot the normal and shearing stress point,
(s , t ) acting on the y-plane,
2. Plot the normal and shearing stress point,
(sy, t ) acting on the x-plane,
3. Locate the center of the circle on the s -axis.
By simply connecting the two plotted points, the
center of the circle is located on the s -axis.
Contrary to popular sign convention, compression
is positive for normal stress; and counterclockwise
is positive for couples (shearing stresses).
Molecular bonding forces hold the material
together in compression. Tension is simply a
reduction in compressive bonds in the material.
B. The orientation diagram is x and y, representing
x and y planes, shown dotted on the infinitesimal
cube. The orientation diagram is superimposed on
the stress diagram. The x-plane is drawn through
point (sy,t ) representing the stresses on that x-
plane; and the y-plane is drawn through point (sx,
t ) representing the stresses on that y-plane. The
origin, Op, (called the origin of planes) always falls
on the Mohr stress circle. The origin of planes is
actually the infinitesimal cube superimposed on the
stress diagram. Any plane through the Op is a
plane through the infinitesimal cube. Analysis is
the following:
ANY PLANE DRAWN FROM THE ORIGIN OF
PLANES, O p , AT SOME ANGLE q ,
INTERSECTS THE MOHR CIRCLE AT THE
NORMAL AND SHEARING STRESSES
ACTING ON THAT 2-PLANE.
The q -plane is correctly oriented with respect to the
original x-y coordinate axes of the cube. Clearly,
maximum and minimum normal stresses (called
principal stresses) and maximum shearing stresses
can be found on the circle. It is common practice to
identify the maximum principal stress as the
furthest point to the right on the circle, and the
minimum principal stress as the furthest point to
Figure E-1 Stress analysis for the front view of infinitesimal cube Op in a stressed medium, showing the
three superimposed diagrams: Mohr stress circle, orientation diagram x-y, and strength envelopes.

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the left. Maximum shearing stresses are the highest
and lowest point on the circle. The highest is plus
(counterclockwise couple) and the lowest is
negative (clockwise couple).
Of passing interest are some important stress
theorems which can be demonstrated by the Mohr
circle. Shearing stresses are zero on the planes of
principal stresses (called principal planes).
Principal stresses (maximum and minimum) act on
planes that are perpendicular to each other.
Maximum shearing stresses are equal to the average
of the principal stresses, and act on perpendicular
planes at 45o with the principal planes. Planes of
maximum shearing stresses are at right angles to
each other, but one shearing stress is positive and
the other is negative. The normal stresses are equal
on both planes of maximum shearing stress. The
planes on which stresses act are the dotted lines
from Op to the stress points on the Mohr circle.
The numerical values of stresses can be found
either by drawing to scale the Mohr circle and
measuring values, or by trigonometry. Following
are some useful trigonometric hints.
1. The center of the circle is located on the s -
axis at (sx + σy)/2.
2. The square of the radius of the circle is
[(sx - σy)2 + τ 2] by the Pythagorean theorem.
3. If a central angle drawn from the center of
the circle intercepts the same arc segment as a
circumferential angle drawn from Op, the central
angle is twice the corresponding circumferential
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angle. For example, on Figure E-1, the failure
angle, b, is half the corresponding central angle of
2b = 90o + j - a Because j and a are known, the
failure angle b can be evaluated.
C. The strength envelopes are the limits of stresses
in the material. If stresses increase to the point
where the stress circle touches the strength
envelope, the material fails on failure plane, b, from
Op to the point of tangency. Strength envelopes
can be determined in the laboratory by loading the
material to failure under tri-axial loads. See Figure
E-2. A Mohr circle is drawn for each of the
failures. Tangents to the circles become the
strength envelopes. Of interest is the theoretical
origin at the intersection of the strength envelopes.
Ideally it represents the sum of all the bonding
forces in the material -- and represents the absolute
maximum tensile strength of perfect strands of
molecules. In fact, perfect strands are unrealistic.
Nevertheless, in the case of steel, the ideal origin of
strength envelopes is so far to the left, that the
strength envelopes are essentially horizontal in the
range of strengths of steel in typical usage. Figure
E-3 depicts strength envelopes for steel. Because
the strength envelopes are essentially parallel, yield
stress (failure) in tension is almost the same as in
compression. Shown on the figure, in solid line, is
a Mohr circle for tension failure. With the Op
located as shown, failure planes are at 45o. It is
possible to see these slip planes in some specimens
of failed steel. They are called Leuder's lines. In
typical failures of thin-wall pipes or tanks
subjected to excessive internal pressure, the fracture
surface is beveled at roughly 45o.
Figure E-2 Development of strength envelopes by drawing tangents to Mohr circles plotted from triaxial
tests to failure.

Figure E-3 Sketch depicting strength evelopes for steel, showing how strength envelopes are parallel
because yield stress, sy, is approximately equal in both tension and compression; and showing the 45o
failure planes.

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