Week #6: Chapter 8 (R&S)

Internal Forces in Structural Members

z 8-1: Introduction
z 8-2: Axial Force and Torque in Bars and Shafts

9/28/2004 AER 320 / Prof. C. Poon 1

 8.1: Introduction
z When a structural member or machine component (cable,
bar, shaft, etc.) is subjected to a system of external loads
(applied loads and support reactions), a system of internal
resisting forces is developed within the member to balance
the external forces.
z The intensities of these internal forces are called stresses
(force per unit area). The units for stresses are lb/in2 (psi),
1000 lb/in2 (ksi), N/m2 (pascal or Pa), or MN/m2 (MPa).
z The problem of determining the internal stress distributions
is covered in mechanics of materials (Part 2 of this course).
z In the most general case, six equations of equilibrium can be
applied to determine the internal stresses on any exposed
plane.

9/28/2004 AER 320 / Prof. C. Poon 2

8.2: Axial Force and Torque in Bars and Shafts
z The equations of equilibrium are used to establish the
variations of internal axial force and resisting torque along
the length of a bar or shaft.
z An axial force diagram and a torque diagram, with the
ordinates represent the internal axial forces and internal
resisting torques at the corresponding cross sections of the
bar or shaft, respectively, and the abscissas represent the
distances along the member, are introduced to facilitate the
visualization of the distributions of internal forces and
torques for the full lengths of the members.

9/28/2004 AER 320 / Prof. C. Poon 3