CHAPTER 2: STRAIN P.

We assume that the stress caused by P is below the proportional limit, so that Hooke’s law  = EЄ is
applicable.
INTRODUCTION: Because the bar deforms uniformly, the axial strain is Є = /L, which upon substitution into
In general terms, strain is a geometric quantity that measures the deformation of a body. Stress Hooke’s law yields  = E(/L). Therefore, the elongation of the bar is
and strain are two fundamental concepts of mechanics of materials.
Although our emphasis in this chapter will be on axially loaded bars, the principles and
methods developed here apply equally well to more complex cases of loading discussed later. We will
learn how to use force-deformation relationships in conjunction with equilibrium analysis to solve Sample Problem #1:
statically indeterminate problems. The steel propeller shaft ABCD carries the axial loads shown in Fig. (a). Determine the change in the
length of the shaft caused by these loads. Use E = 29 x 106 psi for steel.
NORMAL (AXIAL) STRAIN
The normal strain Є (lowercase Greek epsilon) is defined as the elongation per unit length.
Therefore, the normal strain in the bar in the axial direction, also known as the axial strain, is

STRESS-STRAIN DIAGRAM
As seen in the figure, the stress-
strain diagram is a straight line from
the origin O to a point called the
proportional limit. This plot is a
manifestation of Hooke’s law: Stress
is proportional to strain; that is,

Sample problem #2:

where E is a material property The rigid bar AB, attached to aluminum
known as the modulus of elasticity and steel rods, is horizontal before the load
or Young’s modulus. P is applied. Find the vertical displacement
Elastic Limit A material is said to be elastic if, after being loaded, the material returns to its original of point C caused by the load P = 50 kN.
shape when the load is removed. The elastic limit is, as its name implies, the stress beyond which the Neglect all weights.
material is no longer elastic. The permanent deformation that remains after the removal of the load is
called the permanent set.
Yield Point The point where the stress-strain diagram becomes almost horizontal is called the yield
point, and the corresponding stress is known as the yield stress or yield strength. Beyond the yield point
there is an appreciable elongation, or yielding, of the material without a corresponding increase in load.
Ultimate Stress The ultimate stress or ultimate strength, as it is often called, is the highest stress on the
stress-strain curve.
Rupture Stress The rupture stress or rupture strength is the stress at which failure occurs.

AXIALLY LOADED BARS

The figure shows a bar of length L and constant
cross-sectional area A that is loaded by an axial tensile force
Sample problem #3:
The length of the 3/32-in.-diameter steel wire CD has been
adjusted so that with no load applied, a gap of 1/16 in.
exists between the end B of the rigid beam ACB and a
contact point E. Knowing that E = 29 x 10 6 psi, determine
where a 50-lb block should be placed on the beam in order
to cause contact between B and E.

Sample Problem #5:

The rigid, homogeneous slab weighing 600 kN is supported by three
rods of identical material and cross section. Before the slab was
attached, the lower ends of the rods were at the same level.
Compute the axial force in each rod.

STATICALLY INDETERMINATE PROBLEMS

If the number of unknown forces exceeds the number of independent equilibrium equations,
the problem is said to be statically indeterminate.

Sample problem #4:

The rigid beam of negligible weight is supported by a pin at O and two vertical rods. Find the vertical
displacement of the 50-kip weight.

Sample problem #6:

The rigid bar BCD of negligible weight is supported by two
steel cables of identical cross section. Determine the force in
each cable caused by the applied weight W.
 Sample Problem #8:
The rigid bar of negligible weight is supported as shown in the
figure. If W = 80 kN, compute the temperature change of the
assembly that will cause a tensile stress of 50 MPa in the steel
rod. Use the following data:

THERMAL STRESSES
It is well known that changes in temperature cause dimensional changes in a body: An increase
in temperature results in expansion, whereas a temperature decrease produces contraction.
The associated strain, called thermal strain, is

where the constant  is a material property known as the coefficient of thermal expansion, and T is the
temperature change. If the temperature change is uniform throughout the body, the thermal strain is also
uniform. Consequently, the change in any dimension L of the body is given by

Sample problem #7:

The horizontal steel rod, 2.5 m long and 1200 mm2 in cross-sectional area, is secured between two walls Sample problem #9:
as shown in the figure. If the rod is stress-free at 20C, compute the stress when the temperature has The rigid bar AOB is pinned at O and connected to aluminum and steel rods. If the bar is horizontal at a
dropped to -20C. Assume that (1) the walls do not move and (2) the walls move together a distance  given temperature, determine the ratio of the areas of the two rods so that the bar will be horizontal at
= 0.5 mm. Use  = 11.7 x 10-6/C and E = 200 GPa. any temperature. Neglect the mass of the bar.
 the force in each link when a 600-lb force P is applied to the rigid member AF shown, (b) the
corresponding deflection of point A.

ASSIGNMENT:

Prob.1
A steel rod with a cross-sectional area of 0.25 in. 2 is stretched between two fixed points. The tensile
force in the rod at 70F is 1200 lb. (a) What will be the stress at 0F? (b) At what temperature will the
stress be zero? Use  = 6.5 x 10-6/F and E = 29 x 106 psi.

Prob.2
The bronze bar 3 m long with a cross-sectional area of 350 mm 2 is placed between two rigid walls. At a
temperature of 20C, there is a gap  = 2.2 mm, as shown in the figure. Find the temperature at which
the compressive stress in the bar will be 30 MPa. Use  = 18.0 x 10-6/C and E = 80 GPa.

Prob.3
The three steel rods, each of cross-sectional area 250 mm 2, jointly
support the 7.5-kN load. Assuming that there was no slack or stress
in the rods before the load was applied, find the force in each rod.
Use E = 200 GPa for steel.

Prob.4
Links BC and DE are both
made of steel (E = 29 x 10 6
psi) and are 12 in. wide and 14 in. thick. Determine (a)