MOHR’S CIRCLE FOR PLANE STRESSES

The transformation equations for plane stress can be represented in graphic form by a
trace known as the Mohr circle. This graphic representation is very useful since it allows
to visualize the relations between the normal and shear stresses that act on several
inclined planes at a point of a body subjected to stresses. It also provides a means to
calculate major stresses, maximum shear stresses and stresses on inclined planes. In
addition, the Mohr circle is valid not only for stresses but also for other quantities of a
similar mathematical nature, including unit deformations and moments of inertia.

Mohr’s Circle Equations

The equations of the Mohr circle can be deduced from transformation equations for plane
stress. The symbols for the efforts shown in Illustration 1 have the following meanings. A
normal stress 𝜎 it has a subscript that identifies the face on which it acts; for example, the
stress 𝜎𝑥 acts on the face x of the element and the stress 𝜎𝑦 acts on the face y of the
element. Since the element has an infinitesimal size, the normal stresses acting on the
opposite faces are equal. The sign convention for normal stresses is the usual one, that
is, the tension is positive and the compression is negative.

Illustration 1Three-dimensional view of an element oriented with respect to xyz axes.

A shear stress 𝜏 has two subscripts; the first denotes the face on which the stress acts
and the second gives the direction on that face. Thus then, the stress 𝜏𝑥𝑦 acts on the
face x in the direction of the y axis (Illustration 1) and the stress 𝜏𝑦𝑥 acts on the face y
with direction of the x axis.
The sign convention for shear stresses is the one that follows. A shear stress is positive
when it acts on a positive face of an element in the positive direction of an axis, and
negative when it acts on a positive face of an element in the negative direction of an axis.
Therefore, the stresses 𝜏𝑥𝑦 and 𝜏𝑦𝑥 that are shown on the positive x and y faces
Illustration 1 are positive shear stresses. Similarly, on a negative face of the element, a
shear stress is positive when acting in the negative direction of the axis. Hence, the
stresses 𝜏𝑥𝑦 and 𝜏𝑦𝑥 that are shown on the x and y negative faces of the element are
also positive.

This convention of signs for cutting efforts is easy to remember if we state it in the
following way:

A shear stress is positive when the directions associated with their subscripts are more-
more or less-less; the effort is negative when the directions are more-less or less-more.

The previous sign convention for shear stresses is consistent with the equilibrium of the
element, since we know that the shear stresses on opposite faces of an infinitesimal
element must be equal in magnitude and in the opposite direction. Hence, according to
our sign convention, a positive stress 𝜏𝑥𝑦 acts upward on the positive face (Illustration 1)
and downward on the negative face. Similarly, the stresses 𝜏𝑦𝑥 acting on the upper and
lower faces of the element are positive, although they have opposite directions.

We also know that the shear stresses on perpendicular planes are equal in magnitude
and have directions such that the two stresses point towards the line of intersection of the
faces or away from it. Since 𝜏𝑥𝑦 and 𝜏𝑦𝑥 are positive, they are consistent with this
observation. Therefore, we observe that:

𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 𝜏𝑦𝑥 7.1

For convenience, when drawing elements of plane stresses, it is usual to draw a two-
dimensional view of the element, as shown in Illustration 2. While a figure of this type is
adequate to show all the stresses acting on the element, we must still have note that the
element is a solid body with thickness perpendicular to the plane of the figure.

Illustration 2 Two-dimensional view of the element.

Stresses on inclined sections

Now we can consider the stresses acting over inclined sections supposing that we know
the stresses 𝜎𝑥 , 𝜎𝑦 y 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (Illustration 1 and 2). To represent the stresses that act on the
inclined section, we take into account a new element of stress (Illustration 3) which is
located at the same point in the material as the original element (Illustration 2). However,
the new element has faces that are parallel and perpendicular to the inclined direction.
Associated with this new element are the axes x1, y1 and z1, such that the z1 axis
coincides with the z axis and the x1 and 1 axis are rotated counterclockwise by an angle
θ with respect to the x and y axes.
Illustration 3 two-dimensional view of an element oriented with respect the axes x1y1z1.

The normal and shear stresses that act on this new element are
denoted 𝜎𝑥1 , 𝜎𝑦1 , 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 and 𝜏𝑦1𝑥1 using the same designations with subscripts and sign
conventions described above for the forces acting on the element xy. The previous
conclusions regarding shear stresses are still applicable, so that:

𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 7.2

From this equation and the equilibrium of the element, we observe that the shear stresses
acting on the four sides of an element in plane stress are known if we determine the shear
stress acting on either side.

The forces acting on the inclined element x1y1 (Illustration 3) can be expressed in terms
of the stresses on the element xy (Illustration 2) when using equilibrium equations. For
this purpose, we choose a wedge-shaped stress element (Illustration 4) that has an
inclined face that is the same as the face x1 of the inclined element shown in Illustration
3. The other two sides of the cradle are parallel to the x and y axes.
Illustration 4 Stresses acting on the element.

In order to write the equilibrium equations for the cradle, we need to make a free-body
diagram that shows the forces acting on the faces. Denote the area of the left face (that
is, the negative face x) as A0. Then the normal and cutting forces acting on that face are
𝜎𝑥 𝐴0 and 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝐴0 , as shown in the free body diagram of Illustration 5. The area of the lower
face (or face and negative) is 𝐴0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 and the area of the inclined face (or face x1 positive)
is 𝐴0 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃. Therefore, the normal and shear forces acting on these faces have the
magnitudes and directions shown in Illustration 5.
Illustration 5 Forces acting on the element.

The forces acting on the left and bottom faces can be decomposed into orthogonal
components that act in the x1 and y1 directions. Then we can obtain two equilibrium
equations by adding forces in these directions. The first equation, obtained by summing
forces in the x1 direction, is

𝜎𝑥1 𝐴0 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 − 𝜎𝑥 𝐴0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝐴0 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝜃 − 𝜎𝑦 𝐴0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 − 𝜏𝑦𝑥 𝐴0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 0

In the same way, by adding forces in the direction y1 is

𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 𝐴0 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 𝐴0 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝐴0 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 − 𝜎𝑦 𝐴0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝜏𝑦𝑥 𝐴0 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 = 0

Using the relation 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 𝜏𝑦𝑥 and also when simplifying and rearranging terms, we obtain
the following two equations:

𝜎𝑥1 = 𝜎𝑥 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑛2 𝜃 + 2𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 7.3ª

𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = −(𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑦 )𝑠𝑒𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑒𝑛2 𝜃) 7.3b

These equations give the normal and shear stresses acting on the plane x1 in terms of
the angle θ and the stresses 𝜎𝑥 , 𝜎𝑦 and 𝜏𝑥𝑦 that act on the planes x and y.
For the special case when θ = 0, we observe that equations (7.3a) and (7.3b) give 𝜎𝑥1 =
𝜎𝑥 and 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 , as expected. Also, when θ = 90 °, the equations give 𝜎𝑥1 = 𝜎𝑦 and
𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = −𝜏𝑥𝑦 = −𝜏𝑦𝑥 . In the latter case, as the x1 axis is vertical when θ = 90 °, the stress
𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 it will be positive when it acts to the left. Although, the stress 𝜏𝑥𝑦 act to the right and
therefore, 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = −𝜏𝑦𝑥 .

Transformation equations for plane stress

Equations (7.3a) and (7.3b) for the stresses on an inclined section can be expressed in a
more convenient way introducing the following trigonometric identities:

1
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 = (1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃)
2

1
𝑠𝑒𝑛2 𝜃 = (1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃)
2

1
𝑠𝑒𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃
2

By making these substitutions, the equations are transformed into

𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦
𝜎𝑥1 = + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃 7.4a
2 2

𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦
𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = − 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 7.4b
2

These equations are known as transformation equations for plane stress because they
transform the stress components of one set of axes into another. However, as already
explained, the state of intrinsic stress in the point under consideration is the same,
whether represented by stresses acting on the element xy (Illustration 2) or on the inclined
element x1y1 (Illustration 3).

It is possible to make an important observation regarding the normal efforts obtained with
the transformation equations. As a preliminary point, we observe that the normal stress
𝜎𝑦1 which acts on the face y1 of the inclined element (Illustration 3) can be obtained from
equation (7.4a) by substituting θ with θ + 90 °. The result is the following equation for 𝜎𝑦1 :

𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦 𝜎 −𝜎
𝜎𝑦1 =
2
− 𝑥 2 𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃 7.5

By adding the equations for 𝜎𝑥1 and 𝜎𝑦1 (equations 7.4a and 7.5), we obtain the following
equation for the plane stress:

𝜎𝑥1 + 𝜎𝑦1 = 𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 7.6

This equation shows that the sum of the normal stresses acting on perpendicular faces
of stress elements (at a given point in a body subject to stress) is constant and
independent of the angle θ.

The two equations for stresses in planes are repeated here to formulate the Mohr circle,
but with a slight rearrangement of the first equation:

𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦
𝜎𝑥1 − = 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃 7.29a
2 2

𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦
𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = − 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 7.29b
2

From analytical geometry, we could recognize that these two equations are those of a
circle in parametric form. The angle 2θ is the parameter and the stresses 𝜎𝑥1 y 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 are
the coordinates.

To eliminate the parameter 2θ, we square the two sides of each equation and then add
the two equations. The resulting equation is:
 𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦 2 2 𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦 2 2
(𝜎𝑥1 − ) + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 =( ) 𝜏𝑥𝑦 7.30
2 2

This equation can be written in a simpler way by using the notation:

𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦 2 2
𝜎𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚 = 𝑅 = √( ) + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 7.31a,b
2 2

Now the equation (7.30) becomes

2
(𝝈𝒙𝟏 − 𝝈𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒎 )𝟐 + 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = 𝑅2 7.32

which is the equation of a circle in standard algebraic form. The coordinates are 𝜎𝑥1 and
𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 , the radius is R and the center of the circle has coordinates𝜎𝑥1 = 𝜎𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚 and 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 =
0.

Principals Stresses
The determination of the main stresses is probably the most important application of the
Mohr circle. Notice that as we move around the Mohr circle (Illustration 6), we find the
point P1 where the normal stress reaches its algebraically greater value and the shear
stress is zero. Hence, the point P1 represents a principal stress and a principal plane.
The abscissa 𝜎1 from point P1 gives the main effort algebraically greater and it’s angle
2𝜃𝑝1 from the reference point A (where θ = 0) gives the orientation of the main plane. The
other main plane, associated with the normal algebraically smaller stress, is represented
by point P2, diametrically opposite point P1.
Illustration 6 Mohr Circle.

From the geometry of the circle we observe that the main stress algebraically greater is
𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦
̅̅̅̅ + ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝜎1 = 𝑂𝐶 𝐶𝑃1 = + 𝑅 that, when substituting the expression for R (equation 7.31b),
2

it agrees with the previous equation for this stress (equation 7.14). Similarly, we can verify
the expression for the main effort algebraically minor 𝜎2 .

The main angle 𝜃𝑝1 between the x-axis (Illustration 7) and the plane of the main stress
algebraically larger is half the angle 2𝜃𝑝1 , which is the angle in the Mohr circle between
the radious CA and CP1. The cosine and the sine of the angle 2𝜃𝑝1 can be obtained by
inspection of the circle:
𝜎𝑥 −𝜎𝑦 𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃𝑝1 = 𝑠𝑒𝑛2𝜃𝑝1 =
2𝑅 𝑅
Ilustración 7.

In the circle, the angle 2𝜃𝑝2 to the other main point (point P2) is 180 ° greater than 2𝜃𝑝1 ;
therefore, 𝜃𝑝2 = 𝜃𝑝1 + 90° as expected.

Maximum Shear Stresses

Points S1 and S2 representing the maximum positive and negative maximum shear
stress planes, respectively, are located at the top and bottom of the Mohr circle
(Illustration 6). These points are in the angles 2𝜃 = 90° from points P1 and P2, which
agrees with the fact that the planes of maximum shear stress are oriented at 45 ° with
respect to the main planes.

The maximum shear stresses are numerically equal to the radius R of the circle (compare
equation 7.31b for R with equation 7.25 for 𝜏𝑚á𝑥 ). In addition, the normal stresses on the
planes of maximum shear stress are equal to the abscissa of point C, which is the average
normal stress 𝜎𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚 .

Procedimiento de análisis
The following steps are necessary to draw and use the Mohr circle.

Construction of the circle.

 Establish a coordinate system in such a way that the horizontal axis represents the
normal stress σ, with the positive values to the right, and the vertical axis
represents the shear stress 𝜏, with the positive values downwards.
 Through the convention of positive signs for 𝜎𝑥 , 𝜎𝑦 and 𝜏𝑥𝑦 , graph the center C of
𝜎𝑥 +𝜎𝑦
the circle, which is on the σ axis at a distance 𝜎𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚 = from the origin.
2

 Graph the "reference point" A that has coordinates 𝐴(𝜎𝑥 , 𝜏𝑥𝑦 ). This point represents the
components of normal and shear stress on the right vertical face of the element,
and since the x-axis' coincides with the x axis, this represents θ = 0 °.
 • Connect point A with center C of the circle and determine CA by trigonometry.
This distance represents the radius R of the circle.
 Once R has been determined, graph the circle.
Principal Stresses
 The main stresses 𝜎1 and 𝜎2 (𝜎1 ≥ 𝜎2 ) are the coordinates of points B and D, where
the circle intersects the axis σ, that is, where 𝜏 = 0.
 These stresses act on planes defined by the angles 𝜃𝑝1 y 𝜃𝑝2 .

They are represented in the circle by the angles 2𝜃𝑝1 and 2𝜃𝑝2 and they are measured
from the radial reference line CA to the lines CB and CD, respectively.
  • Using trigonometry, only one of these angles should be calculated from the
circle, since 𝜃𝑝1 y 𝜃𝑝2 they are separated by 90º. Remember that the direction of
rotation 2𝜃𝑝 in the circle (in this case it turns out to be counterclockwise) it
represents the same sense of rotation 𝜃𝑝 from the reference axis (+x) to the main
plane (+x').

Maximum Shear Stress on the plane.

 The components of the average normal stress and the maximum shear stress in
the plane are determined from the circle as the coordinates of points E or F.
 In this case, the angles 𝜃𝑠1 and 𝜃𝑠1 they provide the orientation of the planes that
contain these components. The angle2𝜃𝑠1 it can be determined using trigonometry.
Here, the rotation turns out to have a clockwise direction, from CA to CE, and so
on 𝜃𝑠1 must have a time sense on the element.
Stresses on an arbitrary plane.
 The components of normal and shear stress 𝜎𝑥′ and 𝜏𝑥′𝑦′ that act on a specific
plane or axis x ', defined by the angle θ, can be obtained from the circle using
trigonometry to determine the coordinates of point P.

 To find P, the known angle θ (in this case counterclockwise), will be measured on
the circle in the same direction 2θ (counterclockwise), from the radial reference
line CA to the radial line of the CP.
 If the axis 𝜏 were positive upwards, then the angle 2θ on the circle would be
measured in the opposite direction to the orientation θ of the x axis.
Mohr’s Circle Application
At a point on the surface of an axis of a generator the efforts are 𝜎𝑥 = −50 𝑀𝑃𝑎, 𝜎𝑦 =
10 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝑦 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = −40 𝑀𝑃𝑎.

Illustration 8 Problem representation.

Use the Mohr circle to determine the following quantities: (a) the stresses acting on an
element inclined at an angle θ = 45 °, (b) the main stresses and (c) the maximum shear
stresses. (Consider only the stresses in the plan and show the results in diagrams of
appropriately oriented elements.)

Solution
Stroke of the Mohr circle. The axes for normal and shear stresses are shown in Illustration
12 (above), with 𝜎𝑥1 positive to the right and 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 positive down. The center C of the
circle is located on the axis 𝜎𝑥1 at the point where the effort is equal to the average normal
stress:

𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 −50 𝑀𝑃𝑎 + 10 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝜎𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚 = = = −20 𝑀𝑃𝑎
2 2
Point A, which represents the stresses on the face x of the element (θ = 0), has the
coordinates

𝜎𝑥1 = −50 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = −40 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Similarly, the coordinates of point B, which represent the forces on the face y (θ = 90 °),
are

𝜎𝑥1 = 10 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = 40 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Now draw the circle through points A and B with center C and radius R equal to

𝜎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑦 2 −50 𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 10 𝑀𝑃𝑎 2

𝑅 = √( 2 √
) +𝜏𝑥𝑦 = ( ) +(−40 𝑀𝑃𝑎)2 = 50 𝑀𝑃𝑎
2 2

(a) Efforts on an element inclined to θ = 45 °. The stresses that act on a plane oriented at
an angle θ = 45 ° are given by the coordinates of the point D, which is at an angle 2θ =
90 ° from point A. To evaluate these coordinates we need to know the angle between the
line CD and the axis 𝜎𝑥1 negative (that is, the DCP2 angle), which in turn requires that we know
the angle between the AC line and the axis𝜎𝑥1 negative (angle ACP2). These angles are determined
from the geometry of the circle as indicated:

40 𝑀𝑃𝑎 4
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅2 =
𝑡𝑎𝑛𝐴𝐶𝑃 = ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐶𝑃2 = 53.13°
30 𝑀𝑃𝑎 3

̅̅̅̅̅̅̅2 = 90° − ̅̅̅̅̅̅̅

𝐷𝐶𝑃 𝐴𝐶𝑃2 = 90° − 53.13° = 36.87°

By knowing these angles we can obtain the coordinates of point D directly

Illustration 9 Stresses and angles.

(Point D) 𝜎𝑥1 = −20 𝑀𝑃𝑎 + (50 𝑀𝑃𝑎)(cos 36.87°) = 20 𝑀𝑃𝑎

𝜏𝑥1𝑦1 = (−50 𝑀𝑃𝑎)(𝑠𝑒𝑛 36.87°) = −30 𝑀𝑃𝑎

The sum of the normal efforts is equal to 𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 , or -40 MPa.

(b) Main stresses. The main stresses are represented by points P1 and P2 in the Mohr
circle. The major algebraically major effort (represented by point P1) is:

𝜎1 = −20 𝑀𝑃𝑎 + 50 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 30𝑀𝑃𝑎

The angle 2𝜃𝑝1 , up to point P1 from point A is the angle ACP1 measured counterclockwise
in the circle:

̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝐴𝐶𝑃1 = 2𝜃𝑝1 = 53.13° + 180° = 233.13° 𝜃𝑝1 = 116.6°

Therefore, the major algebraically greater stress plane is oriented at an angle 𝜃𝑝1 =
116.6°.

The main stress algebraically minor (point P2) is obtained from the circle in a similar way:

𝜎2 = −20 𝑀𝑃𝑎 − 50 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = −70 𝑀𝑃𝑎

The angle 2𝜃𝑝2 until point P2 in the circle is 53.13 °; so the main second plane is defined
by the angle 𝜃𝑝2 = 26.6°.

The main efforts and the main planes are shown in Illustration 10 and again we observe
that the sum of the efforts is equal to 𝜎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑦 , or -40 MPa.

Illustration 10.

(c) Maximum shear stresses. Maximum positive shear stresses and negative are
represented by points S1 and S2 in the Mohr circle. Their magnitudes, equal to the radius
of the circle, are

𝜏𝑚á𝑥 = 50 𝑀𝑃𝑎

The angle ACS1 from point A to point S1 is 90 ° + 53.13 ° = 143.13 ° and therefore the
angle 2𝜃𝑠1 for the point S1 is

2𝜃𝑠1 = 143.13°

The corresponding angle 𝜃𝑠1 the plane of maximum positive shear stress is half that value,
or 𝜃𝑠1 = 71.6°, as shown in the Illustration 11. The maximum negative shear stress (point
S2 in the circle) has the same numerical value as the positive stress (50 MPa).
Illustration 11.

The normal stresses acting on the planes of maximum shear stress are equal to 𝜎𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑚 ,
which is the coordinate of center C of the circle (-20 MPa). Note that the planes of
maximum shear stress are oriented at 45 ° with respect to the principal planes.
Illustration 12 Mohr Circle representation.