Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr.

Vui Van Cao

Chapter 5
FAILURE THEORIES

5.1 CONCEPT
In case of axial loading as known in Chpater 3, the working
condition is:
 max   1   tension
 min   3   compression

 tension and  compression are allowable tension and compression

stresses:
o
  
n
In which:
  is allowable stress.
n is a factor of safety.
Ductile material:  o   y

Brittle material:  o   u
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Mechanics of Materials 1
Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vui Van Cao

5.1 CONCEPT

To check the stress condition at of a point in the complex stress

state, we need to do experiments in similar destructive
conditions, but it is difficult and infeasible because:
 Ultimate stress depends on not only the magnitude of the
principle stresses, but also the ratio of these stresses.
Thus, the number of experiments is large.
 Three-dimensional compression testing requires
sophisticated equipment, while tension and compression
testing is very popular due to its simplicity.
Therefore, it is necessary to have theories to evaluate the causes
of material failures, which is known as failure theories.

5.1 CONCEPT

Failure theory is the theory about causes of material failures; it

does not depend on the stress state of the material, so that we
can assess the durability of the materials at every state of stress
when the material's mechanical properties are known based on
tension/compression tests.
That is, any state with principle stresses  1 ,  2 and  3 , the
stress  t , which is a function of  1 ,  2 and  3 , is computed
and used compared with the allowable stress  tension or
 compression determined from tension/compression tests.

Mechanics of Materials 2
Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vui Van Cao

5.1 CONCEPT

So, the condition is:

 t  f  1 ,  2 ,  3    
 t the equivalent stress or theoretical stress based on failure
theory.
The function f depends on failure theory.

5.2 FAILURE THEORIES

5.2.1. Failure theory based on maximum normal stress (Failure theory 1)

o
 t1   1    tension
n
o
 t1   3    compression
n
In which:
 t1 is the equivalent stress or stress based on the failure
theory 1.

Mechanics of Materials 3
Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vui Van Cao

5.2 FAILURE THEORIES

5.2.2. Failure theory based on maximum strain (Failure theory 2)

o
 t 2   1    2   3     tension
n

5.2 FAILURE THEORIES

5.2.3. Failure theory based on maximum shear stress (Failure theory 3)

 t 3   1   3   tension

Mechanics of Materials 4
Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vui Van Cao

5.2 FAILURE THEORIES

5.2.4. Failure theory based on maximum deformation energy (Failure

theory 4)

 t 4   12   22   32   1 2   2 3   3 1   tension

5.2 FAILURE THEORIES

5.2.5. Failure theory based on ultimate stress state (Failure theory 5 or

Mohr theory)

This theory was developed based on experiments.

Condition:
 t 5   1   3   tension

 tension
In which: 
 compression

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Mechanics of Materials 5
Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vui Van Cao

5.3 APPLICATIONS OF THE FAILURE THEORIES

 1-D stress state: use failure theory 1.

 2-D or 3-D stress state: use failure theory 2 for brittle
materials; use failure theory 3, 4 for ductile materials.

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EXERCISES

Solution:
a) We have:
2
  
 1,3      2
2 2
2  0
Apply the failure theory 3:

 t 3   1   3   2  4 2   
Apply the failure theory 4:

 t 4   12   22   32   1 2   2 3   3 1   

 t 4   2  3 2   

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Mechanics of Materials 6
Lecturer: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vui Van Cao

EXERCISES

Solution:
a) We have:
2
  
 1,3       2
2 2
2  0
Apply the failure theory 3:

 t 3   1   3   2  4 2   
Apply the failure theory 4:

 t 4   12   22   32   1 2   2 3   3 1   

 t 4   2  3 2   

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EXERCISES

b) We have:
 1   3   ;  2  0
Apply the failure theory 3:
 t 3   1   3  2    
Apply the failure theory 4:

 t 4   12   22   32   1 2   2 3   3 1   

 t 4  3 2   

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Mechanics of Materials 7