Contents

Stress Functions ....................................................................................... 2

1. The Airy Stress Function: ............................................................. 2
1.1 Stress state conditions ................................................................... 1
1.2 The Airy stress function .................................................................. 3
1.3 Applying the Airy stress function.................................................... 4
1.4 St. Venants principle ..................................................................... 4
1.5 Displacements ................................................................................ 5
2 The Prandtl stress function ............................................................... 5
2.1 Conditions ...................................................................................... 6
2.2 Displacements ................................................................................ 7
2.3 Finding the Prandtl stress function................................................. 8
2.4 Warping ......................................................................................... 7
2.5 The membrane analogy ................................................................. 9
2.6 Torsion of narrow rectangular strips ............................................ 10
3 Plane stress and plane strain problem.11
3.1 The biharmonic equation for plane stress 11
3.2 Thestress function in polar coordinates representation.15
3.3 circular plate under uniform pressure PC....15
3.4 Thick cylinder under uniform pressure on the inner and outer
surfaces..17
3.5 Bending a narrow cantilever of rectangular cross-section under a
uniformly load...21
3.6 Boundary of narrow rectangular beam under a uniform load.24
3.7 problem....27
 Stress Functions

1. The Airy Stress Function:

Previously we have examined general equations. However, solving them
can be very hard. So lets look for tools with which we can apply them. In
this chapter, we will be looking at stress functions. The firestone to
introduce is the Airy stress function.

1.1 Stress state conditions:

Before we start defining things, we will make some simplifications. First
of all, we assume there are nobody forces, so X = Y = Z = 0. Second, we
will only deal with two-dimensional problems. For that, we have to
assume that =0. If this is the case, we have plane stress (the stress only
occurs in a plane). Together, these two assumptions turn the equilibrium
conditions of the previous chapter into

( )+( )=0 ( )+( )0 (1.1)

Next to equilibrium conditions, we also had compatibility conditions.

Based on our assumptions, we can simplify those as well. We then get only
one equation, being

2 2
( 2+ ) ( + ) = 0 (1.2)
2

1
And finally there were the boundary conditions. Adjusting those will give

= + = + . (1.3)

Now we have derived the new conditions for the stress state. Lets see
how we can apply them.

1.2 The Airy stress function:

It is time to talk about stress functions. A stress function is a function from
which the stress can be derived at any given point x, y. These stresses then
automatically satisfy the equilibrium conditions.

Now lets examine such a stress function. The Airy stress function is
defined by
2 2 2
= , = =
2 2

We can insert these stresses in the equilibrium conditions (1.1). We then

directly see that they are satisfied for every ! How convenient...
However, if we insert the above definitions into the compatibility

condition (1.2), we get

4 4 4
+2 2 + =0 (1.5)
4 2 2

This equation is called the biharmonic equation. It needs to be satisfied

by every valid Airy stress function as well.

2
1.3 Applying the Airy stress function:

Now you may be wondering, how can we apply the Airy stress function?
To be honest, that is kind of aproblem. Given the loading condition of an
object, its rather difficult to determine a corresponding stressfunction.
On the other hand, if we have a stress function, it is often possible to find
a correspondingloading condition. This idea is called the inverse method.
So how do we apply this inverse method? We first have to assume a
certain form of with a numberof unknown coefficients A,B,C, . . .. We
know has to satisfy the biharmonic equation (1.5) and theboundary
conditions (1.3). From these conditions, the unknown coefficients can
(hopefully) be solved.

The most difficult step in this process is to choose a form for . Sadly, that
part is beyond the scope ofthis summary.

1.4 St. Venants principle:

Sometimes a problem occurs when applying the boundary conditions. For

example, if the object we are considering is subject to a concentrated
(local) force, there will be huge local variations in the stress. It is hard to
adjust the boundary conditions to these local effects.
In this case, use can be made of St. Venants principle. It states that local
variations eventuallyaverage out. You just cut the part with local effects
out of your object. For the rest of the object, youcan then assume loading
conditions with which you are able to make calculations.

3
1.5 Displacements:

Lets suppose we have found the stress function for an object. We can
now find the stresses , and at every position in the object. These
stresses will thus be functions of x and y.
Using these stresses, we can find the displacements u, v and . To do
this, we first need to adjust thestress-strain relations from the previous
chapter to the two-dimensional world. For the direct strain wefind

= = And = = (1.6)

So first we can find and , , as functions of the position x, y. We then

integrate those strains to find the displacements u and. Dont
underestimate these integrals. They are often quite difficult, since
and are functions of both x and y.
After we have found u and , we can use them to find . This goes
according to

= + = (1.7)

And now everything is known about the object!

4
2. The Prandtl stress function:

The Airy stress function is quite suitable when a force is applied to a two-
dimensional object. Similarly, the Prandtl function is useful when torsion
is present. Lets take a look at it.

2.1 Conditions:

Lets examine a rod with a constant cross-section. Its axis lies on the
z-axis. We can apply a torsionT to both its sides. This torsion T is said to
be positive when it is directed counterclockwise about thez-axis
(according to the right-hand rule). Since we only apply torsion, we can
assume there are no normal (direct) stresses, so = = = 0. The
same goes for the shear stress , so = 0. From thisfollows that also
= = = = 0. We also assume no body forces are present.

So most of the stresses are zero. We only have two non-zero stresses left,
being and The Prandtlstress function is now defined by

= = (2.1)

It can be shown that and only depend on the x and y-coordinates.

They dont vary along thez-axis.

We know that should satisfy the conditions from the first chapter. We
can find that automaticallysatisfies the equilibrium equations. We can
reduce all compatibility equations to one equation, being

2
2 2
= + (2.2)
2 2

2 2
Where 2 = 2 + 2 is the two-dimensional Laplace

5
Finally there are the boundary conditions. We can derive two things from
that. First, we can derivethat, along the outer surface of the rod, we have
/ds = 0. So is constant along the rod surface. Sincethis constant
doesnt really matter, we usually assume that = 0 along the outer
surface of the rod.
Second, we can also look at the two rod ends, where the torsion T is being
applied. If we sum up theshear stresses in this region, we can find the
relation between the torsion Tand the function . Thisrelation states that

T= 2 (2.3)

2.2 Displacements

With all the conditions we just derived, we often cant find just yet. We
also need to look at the displacements. Lets call the angle of twistand
d/dz the rate of twist. It follows that, for the displacements and , we
have

= = (2.4)

Previously we have also seen that 2 is constant. However, we didnt

know what constant it was equalto. Now we do. It can be shown that

2
2 2
= + = 2 (2.5)
2 2

And finally we have all the equations that must satisfy. Thats great!
However, we can simplify mattersslightly. Lets introduce the torsion
constant J. It is defined by

= (2.6)

6
By the way, the product GJ is called the torsional rigidity. From the above
two equations, and therelation between Tand we can find that

4
= (2.7)
2

2.3 Finding the Prandtl stress function:

We now know all the conditions which must satisfy. However, finding
is still a bit difficult. Justlike for the Airy stress function, we first have to
assume a form for . This form should be such that itsatisfies all the above
conditions.
The first condition you should pay attention to, is the condition that
= 0 around the edge. Then we multiply this relation by a constant, to find
our stress function. Using the other conditions, we can then find the value
of our constant. For example, if our cross-section is a circle, we would
have 2 + 2 = 2 around the edge. A suitable function for would
then be = ( 2 + 2 2 ). Find C using theremaining conditions, and
youve found .

2.4 Warping:

We know that the rod will twist. But thats not the only way in which it
will deform. There is alsowarping, being the displacement of points in the
z-direction. To know how an object warps, we have tofind an expression
for w. For that, we have to use the relations

= + = + (2.8)

Integrating the above expressions should give you w: the displacement in

z-direction.

7
2.5 The membrane analogy:

Lets consider the lines along the cross-section for which is constant.
These special lines are called lines of shear stress or shear lines. You may
wonder, why are they special? Well, to see that, lets look at the shear
stresses and at some point. We find that the resultant shear stress
(the sum of and ) is tangential to the shear line. Furthermore, the
magnitude of this stress is equal to - , where the vector n is the
normal vector of the shear line (pointing outward).

This may be a bit hard to visualize. Luckily, there is a tool that can help
you. Its called the membraneanalogy (also called the soap filmanalogy).
Lets suppose we have a membrane (or a soap film) with as shape the
cross-section of our rod. We can apply a pressure p to this membrane
from below. Itthen deflects upwards by a distance w. This deflection w
now corresponds to our stress function ,
sow(x, y) = (x, y). Note that we have w = 0 at the edges of our
membrane, just like we had = 0 at theedges of our rod.
We can also look at the volume beneath our soap bubble. We then find
that

= , implies that = 2 (2. 9)

2.6 Torsion of narrow rectangular strips

Lets examine a narrow rectangular strip. Its height (in y-direction) is s,
while its thickness (in xdirection)is t. Normally it is very hard to find the
Prandtl stress function for this rod. However, if tis much smaller than s,
we can simplify things. In this case, we can assume that doesnt vary
with y.
So we find that

8
 2
2
= 2 = 2 (2.10)

By integrating this twice, the stress function - can be obtained relatively

easily. (Okay, you still have tofind the two constants that show up in the
integration, but that isnt very hard.) And once the stressfunction is
known, all the other data will follow.

9
3. Plane stress and plane strain problem

3.1 The biharmonic equation = for plane stress

Stress Function : (, )
xx = ,yy

yy = ,xx

xy = ,xy

Compatibility Equation:
xx,yy +yy,xx = 2 xy,xy = xy,xy (1)

Hook's law:
1
= ( )

1
= ( ) (2)

1+
=
}

From (1)- (2)

1 1 2(1 + )
(xx,yy yy,yy ) + (yy,xx xx,xx ) = xy,xy
E E E

xx,yy + yy,xx (yy,yy + xx,xx ) = 2(1 + )xy,xy (3)

Equilibrium Equation:
xx,xx + xy,xy = 0 xx,xx = xy,xy
} (4)
xy,xy + yy,yy = 0 yy,yy = xy,xy

10
From (3), (4):
xx,yy + yy,xx (xy,xy xy,xy ) = 2(1 + )xy,xy

xx,yy + yy,xx 2xy,xy = 0

,yyyy + ,xxxx 2(,xxyy ) = 0

,yyyy + ,xxxx + 2(,xxyy ) = 0

4 = 0

11
3.2 Thestress function in polar coordinates representation
Given:
1 1
4 = [ ( ( (, , )))]

Show that
= 1 2 log + 2 2 + 3 log + 4

Hint:
2 2
log = log
2 4

Solution:
1 1
4 = [ ( ( (, , )))]

1 1
= [ ( ( (. , rr + , r)))]

1 ,
= [ ( (, + ))]

1 , ,
= [ ( (, + 2 ))]

1 ,
= [ ( . , + , )]

1 , ,
= [( . , + , + , + 2 )]

2 1 1
4 = , + , 2 , + 3 , (1)

12
Eq. (1) is ordinary differential eq.

Let : = log r
1
, r = . = .

1 2
, r = ( )= 2 [ 2 ] (2)
r

2 1 3 2
, r = ( 2) = [ 3 + 2 ]
3 3 2

1 4 3 2
, r = [ 6 + 11 6 ]
4 4 3 2

From (1) (2)

4 3 2
4 +4 2 =0 (3)
4 3

Let =
Then:
4 43 + 42 = 0
2 (2 4 + 4) = 0
2 ( 2)( 2) = 0
1 = 2 = 0
3 = 4 = 2
The general solution of the eq. is:
= 1 + 2 + 3 2 + 42

we know that: = log r

= + + +

13
3.3 circular plate under uniform pressure PC

Po

Given:
, ,
= +

= ,
,
= ( )

Solution :

For axially symmetric loads, the stress components becomes:

1
= ,

= , = 0

14
We have the stress function:

= + + +

log r= naturalloqarithm of r

1 2 1
= [ + 2 3 + 4 ( 2 . + 2 log )]

2
* = + 23 + 4(1 + 2)

2
= + 23 + 4 (1 + 2 ( + ))
2
2
* = + 23 + 4(3 + 2)
2

Boundary Condition:

= =

And for r=0 , = =

2 = 0 4 = 0

= 23 = 23

Appling boundary conditions

=23

3 =
2

= 2 ( ) =
2
= = = 0

15
16
3.4 Thick cylinder under uniform pressure on the inner and
outer surfaces

po

pi a

Requirement :

To determent , ,

To calculate , ,

solution:
as before , axially symmetric loading , the stress components are:

= ,

= ,

=
stress function:
= 1 + 2 log + 32 + 4 2 log
2
= + 2c3 + c4(1 + 2 log )
2

17
 2
= + 2c3 + c4(3 + 2 log )
2

boundary conditions:
= @ r=a

= @ r=b (3)

18
The strain components are :

= , = ()

The stress - strain relation :

= (
)

= (
)

From (4)

= ( ) ()

= ( ) ()

Integrating eq. (5) , yield :

. = [ ( ) + ( )( )] + ( )

( + ) + ()

Rearranging eq. (6) ,yield :

. = [ ( ) + ( ) ] + ( ) ( +

) ()

19
Equating eq.(7) and eq. (8):

[ ( ) + ( )( = )] + ( ) ( +

) + = [ ( ) + ( ) ] + ( )

( )

[ + ] + = [ ]

[ ] + = [ ]

either:

= [ ] =

Then , eq. (1) and (2) become :

= +

= +

Appling B .C:

( )= = = +

( )= = = +

20
by subtracting:

= ( )

= (

) = (

) ( )

= ( +

) = [ + ( ) ( )]
1 pib2 pia2 pib2 pob2 1 pia2 pob2
c3 = [ ] 3 = [ ]
2 b 2 a2 2 b 2 a2

1 a2 b2 pia2 pob2
r = 2 (po pi) [ 2 ]+[ ]
b a2 b 2 a2

or = [ ( ) + ] /[ ]

a2 b2
= [ 2 (po pi) + pia2 pob2 ] /[b2 a2 ]

= [ ]

()+ ()+
= [ ]

(+) ()+
= [ ]

21
= [ ]

()+ ()+
= [ ]

(+) ()+
= [ ]

22
3.5 Bending a narrow cantilever of rectangular cross-
section under a uniformly load
q q/m

d
Z X

L
b

The stress function assumed as:

= 2+ 3+ 4+ 5
Where :
2 = 2 2 + 2 + 2 2
3 = 3 3 + 3 2 + 3 3
4 = 4 4 + 4 3 + 4 3 + 4 4
5 = 5 5 + 5 4 + 5 3 2 + 5 2 3 + 5 4 + 5 5

Boundary Conditions:

= ; = 0 (1 )
2
= 0 (1 )

= = (2 )
2

= 0 (2 )

=0 = 0 (3 )

2
. = 0 ( ) (3 )

2

23

2
=0 ,

= 0 ( ) (4)
2

= 0 , = 0 , = 0 , = 0 , =0 (5 , , )

The given function satisfies biharmonic eq. And B.C.

Appling B.C , yield:

From (1b,2b,3a)
A5= b2=b5=c3=c4=c5=d4=e5=0
3 = 352 /4
5
4 = 4 , 5 =
5

From (4 ,3b):
3
2 = , 3 = , 5 =
4 4 3

5 = 3 , 2 = 0 , 3 =
5 10
3
= = 1
12

[2( 2 2 ) 3 5(4 3 32 + 3 ) 2 ]
240

= [40 3 6(10 2 + 2 )]
240

= [5(4 3 32 + 3 )]
120

= [15(4 2 2 )]
120

24
Now ,we find the displacement components in the beam.

= [20(2 + ) 3 [20 2 + 3(2 + 5)2 ] + 53 ] + 1 ()
120
3
= [5(1 + 2) 3 2[20 2 + (5 + 2)] + 53 ] + 2 ()
120

It follows that :

() = +
3
2 () = 1 + [5 3 2(8 + 5)2 ] + 3
120

From B.C:

1 = [202 3(8 + 5)2 ]
120

53
2 =
120

2 3
3 = [152 (8 + 5)2 ]
120 2

The displacement components of the beam are :

1 = [20 2 [20(2 + ) 3 3(2 + 5)2 + 53 ]
120
[20 3 3(8 + 5)2 ] + 53 ]

3
1 = [30 2 2 + 5(1 + 2) 4 2(5 + 2)2 2 + 53
120
3
[5( 4 4 3 + 3 4 ) 2(8 + 5)2 ( )2 ]]

25
3.6 Boundary of narrow rectangular beam under a uniform
load

q q/m

h X

b L

The Airy's stress function assumed as:

= (4 5 + 20 2 3 15 2 2 5 3 2 + 2 3 2 + 5 2 3 )

Boundary Condition:

= , = 0 , = 0
2

= , = , = 0
2

2
= , = = , = 0
2 2
2

2
= 0

2

==0 , = ( )

= + ( )

=0 ( . )

26
27

= , = 0 =0
2

substituting ,we get:

2
= [80 + 120 ( ) + 122 ]
3 2
4

= [40 3 302 + 103 ]

= [120 2 + 302 ]

Appling B.C ,we get:

= =
203 240

= (4 5 20 3 + 15 2 2 + 5 3 2 2 3 2 5 2 3 )
240

= ( 2 4 2 ) + (20 3 32 )
8 60

= (3 32 + 4 3 )
24

= (4 2 2 )
8

2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3
= [( ) + ( ) + ( + )]
2 4 3 3 10 3 4 12

4 2 2 3 2 2
2 4 2 2
= [ + + [( ) + ]]
2 12 8 12 4 2 6 20

2 2 4 2 2 2 2
= [ + (1 + ) ]+
2 8 12 20 2 4

28

From the B.C that = , = , =

5 4 122 4
= [1 + ( + )]
384 5 2 5 2

29
3.7 problem

Show the following function

C2X 3 C3YX 3 C4XY 3 C5X 3 Y 3 C6XY 5

= C1XY + + + + +
6 6 5 6 20

Is stress function (airy stress function)

q
qx/L

Boundary Condition
px
xy = 0 at y = c , y = at y = c ,
L
c

xy dy = 0 at x = 0
c

30
solution:

4 = 0

4
4 4 2 4
= 4+ 4+ 2 2=0
x y x y

C2X 2 C3YX 2 C4XY 3 C5X 2 Y 3 C6Y 5

,x = C1Y + + + + +
2 2 2 2 20

,xx = C2X + C3XY + C5XY 3

,xxx = C2 + C3Y + C5Y 3

,xxxx = 0 (A)

C3X 3 3C4XY 2 C5X 3 Y 2 C6Y 4

,y = C1X + + + +
6 5 2 4

6C4XY
,yy = + C5X 3 Y + C6XY 3
5

6C4X
,yyy = + C5X 3 + 3C6XY 2
5

,yyyy = 6C6XY (B)

,xxy = C3X + 3C5XY 2

,xxyy = 6C5XY C

4
4 4 2 4
= 4+ 4+ 2 2=0
x y x y

4 = 0 + 6C6XY + 2(6C5XY) = 0

C6 = 2C4 (A1 )

31
 2 6C4XY
x = 2 = + C5X 3 Y + C6XY 3
y 5

6C4XY
= + C5(X 3 Y 2XY 3 ) eq(1)
5

2
y = 2 = C2 + C3Y + C5Y 3 eq(2)
x

2 C3X 2 3C4Y 2 3C5X 2 Y 2 C6Y 4

xy = = (c1 + + + + )
x y 2 5 2 4

C3X 2 3C4Y 2 C5
= (c1 + + + (3X 2 Y 2 Y 4 ) eq(3)
2 5 2

From (B.C 1)
px
y = at y = c
L

y = C2X + C3XY + C5XY 3

P
at y = +C C2 + C3C + C5C 3 = (1)
L

P
at y = C C2 C3C C5C 3 = (2)
L

Adding (1and2) we get C2

2P
C2 =
L

And we put C2 in (2) we get

C3 = C5C 2 (3 )
32
From (B.C 2)
xy = 0 at y = c , X = 0

3C4C2 C5C 4
C1 + =0 (4)
5 2

From ( B.C 3)
c

xy dy = 0 at x = 0
c

c
C3X 2 3C4Y 2 3C5X 2 Y 2 C6Y 4
(c1 + + + + ) dy = 0
2 5 2 4
c

C4Y 3 C5 Y 5
C1Y + + ( ) = 0
5 2 5

After we put C we get

C4Y 2 C5C4
C1 + =0 (5 )
4 2

From 4 and 5 -1*(5)+(4) we get

3 1 1 1
( ) C4C 2 + ( + ) C5C 4 = 0
5 4 2 10

8 2
C4 = C C5 (6)
7

We put C4 in (4) we get

C5C 4 C5C4
C1 + =0
35 2

33
C1 = 0.1857C5C4

We put C1,C4 in (5)

8
(0.1857 + 0.1) C5C 4 = 0
28

C5=0

From (A1)
C6= - 2C5

C6=0

4 = 0

34
35