MECH 500

(Strain)

MODULE 4
STRAIN
Strain is a geometric quantity that measures the deformation of a body.

2 Types of Strain:
1. Normal strain – characterizes dimensional changes
2. Shear strain – describes distortion (change in angles)
STRAIN
Strain (ε) is defined as the change in length per unit length; or simply
the unit deformation of a body.
δ
ε=𝑳
L – original/undeformed length
The elongation, δ, may be caused by an applied axial force, or an
expansion due to an increase in temperature, or even a force and a
temperature increase acting simultaneously.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

STRAIN

Note that, strain is a dimensionless quantity. However, “units” such as

mm/mm or in/in are frequently used for normal strain.

Conditions where strain may be assumed constant:

1. The material must be homogeneous.
2. The material must have constant cross section.
3. The load must be axial and constant.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

STRAIN

Stress and strain exist concurrently in nature; if a body is under stress,

it also exhibits strain.

Considering a typical tensile strength test on a steel reinforcing bar:

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

STRAIN

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

STRAIN
Important Notes:
◦ Proportional Limit – upper boundary where stress is proportional to strain
◦ Elastic Limit – stress beyond which the material will not return to its
original shape when unloaded, but will retain a permanent deformation
called “permanent set”.
◦ Yield Point – point where there is appreciable elongation or yielding of
material without any corresponding increase in load.
◦ Ultimate Strength – the highest coordinate stress-strain curve, it is the
capacity of a material or structure
◦ Rupture Strength – stress at failure
◦ Nominal – using original L & Area
◦ True – using real time L & Area From Engr Abdullah’s lecture
HOOKE’S LAW: AXIAL DEFORMATION
Within the proportional limit, stress and strain varies linearly; that is, stress is
proportional to strain.
σαε
Hooke’s Law: σ α ε
σ=εE
Thomas Young: σ = ε E
𝑃 δ
= E
𝐴 𝐿
P – magnitude of internal force, (N, lb)
L – original/undeformed length (mm, in) 𝑃𝐿
δ =
A – cross sectional area (mm2, in2) 𝐴𝐸
E – Modulus of Elasticity (Young’s Modulus), (Pa or psi)
From Engr Abdullah’s lecture
HOOKE’S LAW: AXIAL DEFORMATION
𝑃𝐿
δ =
𝐴𝐸

Restrictions for the formula:

1. The load must be axial
2. The bar must have a constant cross section and be homogeneous.
3. The stress must not exceed the proportional limit.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

NOTES ON STRAIN COMPUTATION
◦ The magnitude of load P must be found from equilibrium analysis.
◦ Positive (Tensile) P – positive δ (elongation)
◦ Negative (Compressive) P – negative δ (shortening/contraction)

σyp σult
◦ Working stress, σw= = F.S. = Factor of Safety
𝐹.𝑆. 𝐹.𝑆.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

STATISTICALLY INDETERMINATE MEMBERS
There are certain combinations of axially loaded members in which the
equations for static equilibrium are not sufficient for solution. This
condition exists in structures where the reactive forces or the
internal resisting forces over a cross section exceed the number of
independent equations of equilibrium. This requires the use of
additional relations which depend upon the elastic deformations in
the members.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 17
The rigid bar AB, attached to two vertical rods as shown, is horizontal
before the load P is applied. Find the vertical displacement of the
midpoint of the bar caused by the load P=50kN. Neglect all weights.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 18
An aluminum bar having a cross-sectional area of 160 mm2 carries the
axial loads at the positions shown. If E = 70GPa, compute the total
deformation of the bar. Assume that the bar is suitably braced to
prevent buckling.
10 35

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 19
A rod is composed of three segments and carries the axial loads
P1=120kN and P2=50kN. Determine the stress in each material if the
walls are rigid.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 20
A rod is composed of three segments and carries the axial loads
P1=120kN and P2=50kN. Determine the stress in each material if the
left wall yields 0.60mm.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 21
A rigid beam with negligible mass is pinned at one end and supported
by two rods. The beam was initially horizontal before the load P was
applied. Find the vertical movement of P if P=120kN.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 22
The compound bar carries the axial forces P and 2P. Find the maximum
allowable value of P if the working stresses are 40ksi for steel and
20ksi for aluminum and the total elongation of the bar is not to
exceed 0.2 in.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 23
A copper rod is inserted into a hollow aluminum cylinder. The copper
rod projects 0.130mm. What maximum load P may be applied to the
bearing plate?
COPPER ALUMINUM

Area (mm2) 1200 1800

E (GPa) 120 70

Allowable Stress 140 70

(MPa)

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 24
A rigid block of mass M is supported by three symmetrically spaced
rods. The ends of the rods were level before the block was attached.
Determine the largest allowable value of M.

MATERIAL E(GPa) A(mm2) σallow(MPa)

COPPER 120 900 70

STEEL 200 1200 140

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 25
Three rods, each with an area of
300mm2, jointly support the
load 10kN, as shown.
Assuming there was no slack
or stress in the rods before the
load applied, find the stress in
each rod. Est=200GPa and
Ebr=83GPa.

From Engr Abdullah’s lecture

PROBLEM 26
Two aluminum rods AB and BC,
hinged at rigid supports, are
pinned together at B to carry a
vertical load P=20kN. If each rod
has a cross-sectional area of
400mm2 and E=70x103 MPa,
compute the elongation of each
rod and the horizontal and vertical
displacements of point B. Assume
α=30˚and θ=30°.
From Engr Abdullah’s lecture