Problem 1.

Figure 1:

A curved beam, as shown in Fig. 1, is xed at one end and subjected to a radial force (per unit
thickness of the beam) of magnitude P at the free end ( = 0). The inner and outer radii are a and
b respectively. The Airy stress function for this problem is given by
)
(
B
3
(1)
= Ar + + Cr + Dr ln r sin ,
r
where A, B, C, and D are unknown constants and r, are the polar coordinates as shown in the
gure.
(i) Calculate the non-zero stress components rr , , and r .
Hint: Use the following relations
rr

1
1 2
=
+ 2 2,
r r
r

2
=
,
r2

and

=
r

1
r

)
.

(ii) Write down the force balance equation at the free end (i.e. at = 0), and use this equation
and the traction free boundary conditions at r = a and r = b to calculate the unknown constants in
terms of P , a, and b.
(iii) Motivate the form of Airy stress function used in this problem.
Problem 2.

Consider a spherical body, with Lame constants and , that has embedded within it a concentric
spherical inclusion. Initially, when the radius of the inclusion is a, the spherical body is stress-free
1

and its outer radius is b. Suppose some event occurs the triggers a transformation in the inclusion
that causes its radius to increase by a known amount a. (This is not what the change in radius of
the inclusion would be if it were isolated, but the actual change in radius of the inclusion while it is
embedded in the spherical body). Determine the change in the outer radius of the spherical body
caused by this expansion of the inclusion.
Problem 3.

Consider a composite sphere composed of a solid spherical core of radius a, with Lame constants
1 and 1 , and an outer spherical shell of outer radius b, with Lame constants 2 and 2 . The core
and shell are concentric and a spherical coordinate system is dened with the origin in their center.
Assume that the core and shell are ideally bonded at their interface at R = a, which means that the
displacement eld u is continuous across the interface.
(a) Recall the generalization of Newtons third law, which says that the traction vector exerted
by the shell on the core is the negative of the traction vector exerted by the core on the shell. Note
also that , at a point on the interface, the unit outward normal to the core is the negative of the
unit outward normal to the shell. What consequences does this have for continuity of the scalar
components of stress (in spherical coordinate) across the interface.
(b) The composite sphere is subject to an external, hydrostatic pressure of magnitude p. Assuming that the spherical symmetry of the problem is preserved in the solution, use the semi-inverse
method to nd the displacement and stress elds in the composite sphere. Note that, given the symmetry assumption, the displacement must vanish at the center of the core. The answer will involve
separate expressions for the core and shell that satisfy the continuity condition at the interface.
Problem 4. The gure shows a simple design for a dam.

(a) Write down an expression for the hydrostatic pressure in the uid at a depth x2 below the
surface.
(b) Hence, write down an expression for the traction vector acting on the vertical face of the dam.

(c) Write down an expression for the traction acting on the inclined face.
(d) Write down the components of the unit vector normal to the inclined face in the basis shown.
(e) Hence write down the boundary conditions for the stress state in the dam on the vertical and
the inclined face.
C1 3 C2 2
C3
C4 3
(f) Consider the candidate Airy function =
x1 +
x1 x2 +
x1 x22 +
x . Is this a valid
6
2
2
6 2
Airy function? Why?
(g) Calculate the stresses generated by the Airy function given.
(h) Find values for the coecients in the Airy function, and hence show that the stress eld in the
dam is

2
x1 +
x2 , 12 =
x1
11 = x2 , 22 =
3
2
tan
tan
tan2
Problem 5. Consider the Airy
( function 4 )
0 2 0
a
0
2a2 r2 2 cos 2
= log(r) + r +
2
4
4
r
Verify that the Airy function satises the appropriate governing equation. Show that this stress state
represents the solution to a large plate containing a circular hole with radius a at the origin, which
is loaded by a tensile stress 0 acting parallel to the e1 direction. To do this,
(a) Show that the surface of the hole is traction free, i.e., rr = r = 0 on r = a.
r
1 + cos 2
1 cos 2
(b) Show that the stress at is rr = 0
= 0 cos2 , = 0
, r =
a
2
2
0
sin 2
2
(c) Show that the stresses in (b) are equivalent to a stress 11 = 0 , 22 = 12 = 0. It is easiest to
work backwards, start with the stress components in the {e1 , e2 , e3 } basis and use the basis
change formulas to nd the stresses in the {er , e , ez }.

with at r = a (the surface of the hole).

0
What is the value of the maximum stress, and where does it occur?

(d) Plot a graph showing the variation of hoop stress

Problem 6. Consider the wedge of innite length shown below.

A concentrated moment M = M e3 per unit wedge thickness acts at the vertex. Assuming plane
X2

X1

strain / stress, show that an Airy stress function of the form = A + B sin 2, where A and B are
3

constants, provides the solution to the problem and determine the stress eld in the wedge.
Problem 7. Problems and solved examples from Ch. 7 of The linearized theory of elasticity (W.
S. Slaughter).