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FASCICLE VIII, 2006 (XII), ISSN 1221-4590

TRIBOLOGY

INTERACTION BETWEEN
TWO UNEQUAL CIRCULAR HOLES
LYING IN A SHEARED ELASTIC PLANE
Stelian ALACI, Emanuel DIACONESCU, Gheorghe FRUNZĂ

University “Ştefan cel Mare” Suceava, Romania

stalaci@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT
The paper presents an analytic solution for the stress states in an elastic plan
where two unequal circular holes are lying. At infinity, the elastic plane is sheared.
To solve the problem, the authors used bipolar co-ordinate and find the Airy’s
stress function. In order to find the elastic potential the form of this photoelastic
technique is used to validate the analytical results, Principal normal and tangential
stresses are plotted. The hoop stresses on the holes contours are plotted, too.
Finally, for some geometrical situations, the stress concentration factor is
estimated.

KEYWORDS: Elastic-plane, shear, unequal circular holes, photoelasticity.

1. INTRODUCTION Therefore, is more convenient the representation of

the transform proposed by Spiegel [1]:
2 2
The paper aims to find the stress state from an  a   a 
elastic plane with two circular holes of different radii. x2 +  y −  =  ;
 th( α )   sh( α ) 
At infinity, the plane is sheared in a manner that (2)
2 2
positions the neutral axis normal to the holes axis.  a  2  a 
Bipolar co-ordinates are utilised in order to impose x −  +y =  .
 tan( β )   sin( β ) 
boundary conditions. Theoretical results are corrobo-
rated with experimental photoelastic tests. The stress
concentration factor is finally considered.

2. BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
EXPRESSIONS

An elastic plane with two holes of r1 and r2

radii, having the distance between centres d, is
considered. At infinity, the plane is loaded in a mode
that induces pure shear and the neutral axis is normal
to the centres axis (fig. 1). The angle φ , measured as
shown in figure 1, characterises the position of a
point from the contour of a hole.
The problem is solved by the means of bi-polar
coordinates, defined by the equations: Fig. 1
sin( β )
x=a
ch( α ) − cos( β ) The first of equations (2) is a circle with the
(1)
sinh( α ) centre (0, a/th(α)), belonging to the Oy axis, and
y=a radius a/sh(α); the second equation is a circle with the
ch( α ) − cos( β )
centre (a/tan(β),0) belonging to the Ox axis, and
where a is a constant with length dimension.
The form of the curves α = const. β = const is radius a/sin(β). These level curves are plotted in
figure 2. All the circles from the second family
difficult to precise under the expressions (1).
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TRIBOLOGY

( β = cons tan t ) overlap themselves in points 3 OBTAINING THE STRESS

A1 ( 0,a ) and A2 ( 0, − a ) . FUNCTION
y
α = ct . In order to solve the problem, the Airy function
U( x, y ) expressed in Cartesian coordinates for
compact elastic plane, sheared at infinity, is initially
dβ > 0
considered:
uα U( x, y ) = τ 0 xy , (7)
dα > 0 where τ 0 is a constant of dimension N / m 2 . The
potential U( x, y ) expression is transformed into bi-
uβ x polar coordinates and divided, as Jeffery [2] shows, to
the quantity:
a
J= , (8)
ch( α ) − cos( β )
β = ct .
The Airy function for the sheared plane, in bi-
polar coordinates is obtained:
U( α , β ) sinh( α ) sin( β )
= aτ 0 . (9)
J ch( α ) − cos( β )
Jeffery [2] shows that a new total potential
Fig. 2. Bipolar co-ordinates. V ( α , β ) must be employed, as a sum between the
potential U( α , β ) / J and an auxiliary potential
On this basis, the contour equations of the two
holes have the equations:
Φ ( α , β ) suitable chosen as the stresses generated by
α = α1 ; the total potential should satisfy the boundary
(3) conditions (6). As an additional condition, the
α = −α 2, auxiliary potential should not generate stresses at
where α1 , α 2 can be calculated together with infinity. Jeffery shows that the form of the auxiliary
parameter a and the distances from neutral axis to potential Φ ( α , β ) must have the form:
hole centres, from the system: Φ ( α , β ) = { B0α +
 d1 + d 2 = d ; + K ln[ch( α ) − cos( β )]}[ch( α ) − cos( β )] +

a /th( α1,2 ) = d1,2 ; (4) + [ A1 ch( 2α ) + B1 + C1 sh( 2a ) ] cos( β ) +
a /sh( α ) = r .
 1,2 1,2 + [ A'1ch( 2α ) + C'1 sh( 2a ) ] sin( β )
The solutions of system (4) are given by: [ Ak ch[( k + 1 )α ] + Bk ch[( k − 1 )α ] + 
  
( )
∞
Ck sh[( k − 1 )α ] + Dk sh[( k − 1 )α ]] cos( k β ) + 
2

a =
d 2 − r12 − r22 − 4r12 r22
; ∑
+ 
k =2 
+ [ A'k ch[( k + 1 )α ] + B'k ch[( k − 1 )α ] +


 2d C'k sh[( k − 1 )α ] + D'k sh[( k − 1 )α ]] sin( k β ) 
 (5)  
d 2 + r1,22 2
− r2,1
α 1,2 = acosh ;
(10)
 2dr1,2
 2 2 2 where Ak ,Bk ,Ck ,Dk , A'k ,B'k ,C'k ,D'k , k ≥ 2 are
d = d + r1,2 − r2,1 . undetermined constants.
 1,2 2d
 The Φ ( α , β ) potential does not generate
Since the holes contours are load-free, the stresses at infinity if:
boundary conditions, in bi-polar coordinates may be lim[ Φ ( α , β )] = 0
α →0 (11)
written as: β →0
σ a ( α , β ) a =α = 0; equivalent to:
1
n
τ aβ ( α , β ) α =α1 = 0.
(6)
∑( A
k =1
k + Bk ) = 0 (12)

With the purpose of imposing the boundary

σ a ( α , β ) a =−α = 0;
2 conditions, the Fourier series expending of the
τ aβ ( α , β ) α =−α 2 = 0. potential U( α , β ) / J [3] are requested:
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TRIBOLOGY

 ∞ kα Isochromatics are the geometric loci of the point

∑
 k =1
e sinh( α )sin( k β ), α > 0 where main shear stress is constant [5]. These curves
U( α , β )  appear as coloured ones, with shape and colour de-
= 2aτ 0 
J (13) pending on load. They can be obtained both in plane
∞
and circular polarised light. Isochromatics equation
∑
 e− kα sinh( α )sin( k β ), α < 0
is:
 k =1
τ max = cons tan t (15)
After finding the potential, the stresses in bi- Isoclinics are defined as the geometrical loci of
polar coordinates are obtained, as it follows: the points where main stresses have constant
 ∂2  direction. These curves appear only in plane polarised
[ch( α ) − cos( β )] 2 +  light, as dark lines and they cannot be separated from
1 ∂β 
σa =  V ; the isochromatics. The angle θ formed between main
a ∂ ∂
− sh( α ) − sin( β ) + ch( α ) stresses directions and the polariscope axis is:
 ∂α ∂β 
 
2τ xz
 ∂ 2  tan( 2θ ) = (16)
 [ch( α ) − cos( β )] +  σ x −σ y
1 ∂α 2  (14)
σβ =  V , The equations of theoretical isochromatics can
a ∂ ∂ 
− sh( α ) − sin( β ) + cos( β ) be directly obtained, using bi-polar stresses, since the
 ∂α ∂β 
main stresses are intrinsic characteristics of the stress
1 ∂ 2V state.
τ aβ = − [ch( α ) − cos( β )] .
a ∂α∂β σα + σ β  σα − σ β 
2
2
Due to the fact that the holes are load-free, it is σ1 = +   + τ αβ ,
allowed, as Michell [4] shows, hat the boundary 2  2 
conditions should be imposed directly upon the
V ( α , β ) potential. Thus, the boundary conditions (4)
σα + σ β  σα − σ β 
2 (17)
are fulfilled if, on the contours of the holes, the σ2 = 2
−   + τ αβ ,
potential V ( α , β ) verifies the conditions: 2  2 
V ( α , β ) α =α1, = ρ1th( α1 ) +
+σ 1 [ ch( α 1 )cos( β ) − 1] + τ 1 sin( β ); (15.a)  σα − σ β 
2
2
τ max =   + τ αβ
 2 
∂V ( α , β )
α =α1 = ρ1 , With the aim of obtaining the isoclinics,
∂α equation (16) requires expressing the stresses in
Cartesian co-ordinates. The main stresses relations
V ( α , β ) α =−α 2 = ρ 2 th( α 2 ) + are given by relations (17):
+σ 2 [ ch( α 2 )cos( β ) − 1] + τ 2 sin( β ); (15.b) sh( α )2 sin( β )2 σ α + [ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1] 2 σ β ...

∂V ( α , β )
α =−α 2 = ρ 2 ,
∂α
where ρ1,2 , σ 1,2 and τ 1,2 are constants, named
Mitchell’s constants. Conditions (14) together with
condition (12) allow finding the complete auxiliary
potential, Φ ( α , β ) .
4. THEORETICAL RESULTS
The stress fields found with the potential (15)
are next presented, for two cases:
a) holes in close proximity r1 = 10 , r2 = 20 ,
d = 40 ,
b) distant holes r1 = 4 , r2 = 8 , d = 40 .
Isochromatics and isoclinics are extremely
useful in experimental research.
σx =
{ }
− [ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1] 2 − sh( α )2 sin( β )2 τ aβ
2
[ ch( α ) − cos( β )]
[ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1] 2 σ α + sh( α )2 sin( β )2 σ β +
+{[ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1] 2 − sh( α )2 sin( β )2 }τ aβ
σy =
[ ch( α ) − cos( β )] 2
sh( α ) sin( β )[ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1]( σ α − σ β ) +
+ [ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1] 2 σ β +
τ xy =
{ }
+ [ ch( α )cos( β ) − 1] 2 − sh( α )2 sin( β )2 τ aβ
2
[ ch( α ) − cos( β )]
(18)
For the above presented situations, the isochro-
matics, isoclinics curves are comparatively presented
and respectively, the normal maximum stresses.
Figures 3, 4 and 5 present a comparison
between experimental and theoretical isochromatics.
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TRIBOLOGY
Figure 4 shows the similarity between experimental
and theoretical isoclinic of 40 o .
a) b)
Fig. 3. Theoretical isochromatics.
a) b)
Fig. 4. Theoretical isoclinics.
a) b)
Fig. 5. Principal normal stresses patterns
4. EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION OF
THEORETICAL RESULTS
The photo-elastic method is used to validate the
theoretical results. Confirmation consists of qualitati-
ve comparison of theoretical and experimental
isoclinics and isochromatics patterns. The photo-
elastic analysis was made on a Vishay 500 Series
Polariscope. The test-rig for photo-elastic studies,
presented in figure 6, designed by the author, is based
on Coker and Filon [6] observations. The photoelastic
material 1 is pre-stiffened with the clamps 2. The
punch 3 is pressed over the photoelastic material by
the screw 4.
2 1 2
4 3
Fig. 6. Experimental device.
From figures 7 and 8, one can observe the good
agreement between theoretical and experimental
isochromatics in the vicinity of the axis of the centres
and the zone of application of concentrated loads
accomplishing shear. In the regions where a lack of
concordance is observed, the experimental
isochromatics take the form of parallel equidistant
lines to the borders of the plate.
As Frocht [5], shows, this image corresponds to
pure bending. This fact is highlighted by Bia [7], too,
which reveals that in the case of shear obtained as in
figure 5, bending always occurs and it cannot be
eliminated. A more accurate loading device is the
Iosipescu rig; the literature shows that this test rig
allows a loading close to pure shear.
The effect of bending is more obvious in the
case of shear of elastic plane with a single circular
hole. The theoretical and experimental isochromatics
in this case are presented in figure 9. The bending
effect due to loading forces is diminished if the
distance between the forces directions is reduced. A
drastic decrease of the mentioned distance leads to the
isochromatics pattern presented in figure 9, characte-
ristic to the plane with two circular holes compressed
on the direction of the centres axis. Figure 10 presents
the experimental isochromatics pattern for the case
when the opposite loading forces have the same
supporting line. The shape of isochromatics corres-
ponds to an axial loading. Figure 11 presents the case
of sheared compact plane. Only at the midpoint
between the direction of the forces pure shear
appears.
5. ESTIMATION OF STRESS
CONCENTRATION FACTOR AND OF
INTERACTION ZONE OF THE HOLES
Since the boundary conditions (6) are fulfilled
on the contour of the holes, σ β which is also the
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hoop stress, is the only non-zero stress. For the holes of dimensions presented in figure 1, the hoop stress

Fig. 7. Theoretical and experimental isochromatics.

Fig. 8. Theoretical and experimental isoclinics for 400 .

variation on the contour of the holes is presented in
figure 12. One should notice that the angle ϕ is
measured in opposite sense, as shown in figure 1.
From Cartesian variation of hoop stress σ β on the
contour of the hole, three remarks can be made:
- the maximum hoop stress is reached on the
contour of the smaller hole, in the vicinity of the ends
of the diameter parallel to the holes’ axis;
- on the contour of both holes, the maxima of
hoop stress are four times greater than the shear
stress1 τ 0 .
- the hoop stress in zero in the ending points of
the diameters normal to the holes’ axis.
The same dependence, although in polar
coordinates is presented in figure 13.
Figure 14 shows a similar dependence to the
one from figure 12, but for more distant holes.
Figure 14 suggests that for more distanced holes
the variation of hoop stress is identical. To
substantiate this affirmation, in figures 15 and 16
there are presented comparatively isochromatics and
respectively isoclinics patterns for an isolated hole
and for two identical distanced holes, r / d = 10 . As
one can easily notice, the level curves are the same in
the vicinity of the holes. From here, the following
conclusion can be drawn: for holes with the ratio
between maximum radius and the distance between
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TRIBOLOGY

axis greater than 10, it can be considered that the holes do not interact.

Fig. 9. Theoretical and experimental isochromatic patterns for a single circular hole.

Fig. 10. Experimental isochromatics in the case of Fig. 11. Experimental isochromatics between forces.
diameter compression. directions in the compact plane.
Fig. 12. Hoop stress on the contour of the holes.
r1 = 10 , r2 = 20 , d = 40
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Fig. 13. Hoop stresses.
r1 = 4 , r2 = 8 , d = 40
The hoop stress on the contours of two holes
with r1 = 10 , r2 = 20 d = 200 , is presented in figure
17.
The deviation of maximum hoop stress from
shear stress τ 0 is 0.558% on the contour of the
bigger hole and 2.10% for the smaller hole.
For holes in close proximity one to the other, a
more difficult situation occurs. In figures 18 and 19
the hoop stress on the contour of two extremely close
by holes is presented: r1 = 1 , r2 = 2 , d = 3.01 .

Fig. 14.

Fig. 18. Hoop stress.

Fig. 15. Isochromatics patterns.

max( σ β 2 ) = 6.759τ 0

max( σ β 1 ) = 6.881τ 0

Fig. 16. Isoclinics patterns.

Fig. 19. Hoop stresses on the contour

of two holes in close proximity.

6. CONCLUSIONS
The paper presents an analytic solution of stress
state from an elastic plane, with two dissimilar
circular holes, loaded under pure shear at infinity.
Fig. 17. Hoop stress on the contour of two
distanced holes.
104 THE ANNALS OF UNIVERSITY “DUNĂREA DE JOS “ OF GALAŢI
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TRIBOLOGY
Using the stress function in bipolar coordinates
the stress state in the vicinity of the holes is found
and the level curves for principal normal stress,
isochromatcis and isoclinics patterns are represented.
Unlike the shear stress which is symmetrical to
the axis of the centres except for the sign, the
principal normal stress has not a similar variation.
The experimental results are validated using the
photoelastic method, comparing the shape of the
isochromatic and isoclinic curves with the theoretical
ones. There is a very good agreement between
experimental and theoretical results in the area from
vicinity of the centres’ axis. Outside this zone,
differences between theoretical and experimental
results occur, due to supplementary bending stresses
induced by the proposed experimental device
In the points from the ends of the diameter
normal to the centres’ axis, the hoop stress presents a
change in sign.
The effect of stress concentration factor of the
holes is analysed. On the contour of the holes, the
stress reaches maximum values at least four times
greater than the shear stress for distanced holes and
even six times greater than the shear stress for holes
in close proximity.
For a distance between centres greater ten times
than the biggest radius, it can be considered that there
is no interaction between the holes.
REFERENCES
1. Spiegel M.R., 1959, Schaum’s Outline Series. Theory and
Problems of Vector Analysis and a Introduction to Tensor
Analysis, Schaum Publishing Co. New York, pp.140-141.
2. Jeffery G.B., 1921, Plane Stress and Plane Strain in Bipolar
Coordinates, Philos. Trans. of the Royal Society, London, A221, ,
pp. 265-293
3. Alaci S., 2002, Efectul discontinuităţilor interne de tip gol
asupra stării de tensiuni la contactul elastic plan, PhD Thesis,
Suceava.
4. Mitchell, J.H., 1900, Elementary distributions of plane stress,
Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. 32, pp. 35-61.
5. Frocht M.M., 1941, 1949, Photoelasticity, John Willey &
Sons. Inc., London, Vol.1, Vol.2,
6. Coker E.G., Filon L.N.G., A Treatise on Photoelasticity,
Cambridge University Press, 1957.
7. Bia C., Ille V., Soare M.V., 1983, Rezistenţa materialelor şi
teoria elasticităţii, Bucureşti, Ed. Didacticăşi Pedagogică.