CHAPTER 2.

4: POISSON’S RATIO

MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES (STRENGTH OF MATERIALS)

2.4.1 POISSON’S RATIO(v)

▪ Stress applied in one direction causes strain on transverse axis

▪ Ratio between lateral/transverse strain and axial strain is a constant known

as Poisson’s ratio.
 2.4.1 POISSON’S RATIO(v)

Figure 9.1 Lateral contraction and lateral expansion of a solid body subjected to axial force.
2.4.2 Generalized Hooke’s Law
2.4.2 Generalized Hooke’s Law

a. Uniaxial Loading

b. Biaxial Loading
2.4.2 Generalized Hooke’s Law

c. Triaxial Loading
2.4.3 Sample Problems
Example No. 1
A steel rectangular block 1 in. wide, ½ in, deep and 4 in. long is
subjected to an axial tensile load of 10.5 kips. Measurements show the
block to increase in length by 2.8 x 10−3 in. and to decrease in width by
0.21x 10−2 in.

a) Determine the Poisson’s Ratio of the material.

b) Determine the Modulus of Elasticity of the material.

Ans: a) v=0.3
b) E=30,000 ksi
 2.4.3 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Example No. 2
The aluminum block has the
rectangular cross-section and is
subjected to an axial compressive
force of 8 kips. The 1.5 in. side changed
its length to 1.500132 in. Use E=10x 103
ksi.

a) Determine the value of Poisson’s Ratio.

b) Determine the new length of the 2 in. side.

Ans: a) v=0.33
b) new length= 2.000176 in
 2.4.3 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Example No. 3
The thin walled tube is subjected to an axial
force of 40kN. The tube elongates 3mm and
its circumference decreases by 0.09mm. The
material behaves elastically.

a) Determine the modulus of elasticity, E.

b) Determine the value of Poisson’s ratio.

Ans: (a) E=67.91GPa

(b) v= 0.344
 2.4.3 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Example No. 4
A brass bar of length 2.25m with a square cross-section
of 90mm on each side is subjected to an axial tensile
force of 1500 kN. Assume that E=110GPa and v=0.34
Determine the increase in volume of the bar.

Ans: Δv= 9789.04mm³

 2.4.3 SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Example No. 5
A rectangular steel block is 300mm in the x direction,
200mm in the y direction, and 150mm in z direction.
The block is subjected to a triaxial loading consisting
of three uniformly distributed forces as follows:
250kN tension in the x-direction, 320kN compression
in y-direction, and 180kN tension in z-direction. For
steel, v=0.3 and E=200GPa
Determine the total strain in the x direction due to
the forces applied in the three direction.

Ans: ∑x=4.7833x10^-5 mm/mm