COMPOUND BARS

COMPOSITE SECTIONS (COMPOUND BARS):Composite section may form by combination of two or more bars of equal length
but of different material rigidly and fixed so as to act one unit (refer figure). In composite
bars,
I.
II.

The change in length and the corresponding strain is equal.

The external load is shared by the bars based in their material property
( i.e., on the modulus of elasticity)

Considering the figure, the load P is shared by the bar 1 as P1 and bar 2 as P2.
Thus,
P

= P1 + P2

--------------------------------------------------------

(1)

The stresses in bar (1) and bar (2) are respectively as

1

= P1 / A1 and 2

= P2 / A2

i.e,.

P1

= 1 / A1

and

P2

= 2 / A2 ------------------------------- (3)

-------------------------------------------------

(2)

WhereA1 and A2 are the area of cross-section of bar (1) and (2) respectively.
Substituting for P1 and P2 in Eq. (1.24)
P =

1A1 +

---------------- (4)

Now strain in bar (1), e1 and bar (2), e2 are

e1 =1 / E1 and e2 = 2 / E2
WhereE1 and E2 are modulus of elasticity of bar (1) and (2) respectively.
As strain is equal in both the bars, e1 = e2
i.e.,

1 / E 1 = 2

------------ (5)

Thus the load and the stress in bar (1) and (2) can be found out by using Eqs. 4
and 5.