Transformation of Stress and Strain

Different states of stress

Depending upon the state of stress at a point, we can classify it as uniaxial(1D), biaxial(2D) and triaxial(3D) stress.

One dimensional stress(Uniaxial)

Consider a bar under a tensile load P acting along its axis as shown in the figure. Take an element A which has its sides parallel to the surfaces of the bar. It is clear that the element has only normal stress along only one direction, i.e., x-axis and all other stresses are zero. Hence it is said to be under uni-axial stress state. Now consider another element B in the same bar, which has its slides inclined to the surfaces of the bar. Though the element has normal and shear stresses on each face, it can be transformed into a uni-axial stress state like element A by transformation of stresses

Now consider another element B in the same bar, which has its slides inclined to the surfaces of the bar. Though the element has normal and shear stresses on each face, it can be transformed into a uni-axial stress state like element A by transformation of stresses.

Two-dimensional stress (Plane stress)

When the cubic element is free from any of the stresses on its two parallel surfaces and the stress components in the element can not be reduced to a uni-axial stress by transformation, then, the element is said to be in two-dimensional stress/plane stress state. Thin plates under mid plane loads and the free surface of structural elements may experience plane stresses as shown below.

Transformation of plane stress

Though the state of stress at a point in a stressed body remains the same, the normal and shear stress components vary as the orientation of plane through that point changes. Under complex loading, a structural member may experience larger stresses on inclined planes then on the cross section. The knowledge of maximum normal and shear stresses and their plane's orientation assumes significance from failure point of view. Hence, it is important to know how to transform the stress components from one set of coordinate axes to another set of co-ordinates axes that will contain the stresses of interest.

Consider a prismatic element with sides dx, dy and ds with their faces perpendicular to y, x and x' axes respectively. Thickness of the element is t. σ and τ = are the normal and shear stresses acting on a plane inclined at an angle θ measured counter clockwise from x plane.

Under equilibrium, ∑F_X' = 0 & ∑F_Y_' = 0 and on simplifying we get

Replacing θ by θ + 90^o , in expression of equation, we get the normal stress along y' direction.

Above Equations are the transformation equations for plane stress using which the stress components on any plane passing through the point can be determined. Notice here that,

Invariably, the sum of the normal stresses on any two mutually perpendicular planes at a point has the same value. This sum is a function of the stress at that point and not on the orientation of axes. Hence, this quantity is called stress invariant at that a point.

Principal stresses and maximum shear stress

From transformation equations, it is clear that the normal and shear stresses vary continuously with the orientation of planes through the point. Among those varying stresses, finding the maximum and minimum values and the corresponding planes are important from the design considerations. By taking the derivative of σx 'x ' in equation with respect to θ and equating it to zero, we get

Here, θp has two values θp1, and θp2 that differ by 90^o with one value between 0^o and 90^o and the other between 90^o and 180^o . These two values define the principal planes that contain maximum and minimum stresses.

These two values define the principal planes that contain maximum and minimum stresses. Substituting these two θp values in first equations, the maximum and minimum stresses, also called as principal stresses, are obtained.

The plus and minus signs in the second term of the above equation, indicate the algebraically larger and smaller principal stresses, i.e. maximum and minimum principal stresses.

In the equation , if τ_x'y is taken as zero, then the resulting equation is same as equation of tan2θ_P.

Thus, the following important observation pertained to principal planes is made.

The shear stresses are zero on the principal planes

To get the maximum value of the shear stress, the derivative of τ_x'y' in equation with respect to θ is equated to zero and by solving we get

Hence, θs has two values, θs1 and θs2 that differ by 90^o with one value between 0^o and 90^o and the other between 90^o and 180^o .

Hence, the maximum shear stresses that occur on those two mutually perpendicular planes are equal in algebraic value and are different only in sign due to its complementary property.

Comparing above equations ,

It is understood from above equation that the tangent of the angles 2θp and 2θs are negative reciprocals of each other and hence, they are separated by 90^o . Hence, we can conclude that θp and θs differ by 45^o , i.e., the maximum shear stress planes can be obtained by rotating the principal plane by 45^o in either direction.

The principal planes do not contain any shear stress on them, but the maximum shear stress planes may or may not contain normal stresses as the case may be. Maximum shear stress value is found out by substituting θs values in the first equation

Another expression for τ_max is obtained from the principal stresses,

Example

Solution

Mohr's Circle for Plane Stress

Mohr’s circle is the locus of points representing magnitude of normal and shear stress at various plane in a given stress element.Graphically, variation of normal stress and shear stress are studied with the help of Mohr's circle.

are Principal Stress then normal and shear stress on lane which is inclined at angle ‘θ’ from major principal plane, then

Normal stress:

Shear stress:

General State of Stress at an Element:

If are normal stress on vertical and horizontal plane respectively and this plane is accompanied by shear stress then normal stress and shear stress on plane, which is inclined at an angle θ from plane of