STRENGTH OF MATERIALS

Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES

• Study of the relationship between externally

applied loads and their internal effects on rigid
bodies.
• RIGID BODY – bodies which neither change in
shape and size after the application of forces.
• FREE BODY DIAGRAM – Sketch of the isolated
body showing all the forces on it.
• THREE MAJOR DIVISIONS OF MECHANICS
1. Mechanics of Rigid Bodies – Engineering
Mechanics
2. Mechanics of Deformable Bodies – Strength of
Materials
3. Mechanics of Fluids - Hydraulics
 STRENGTH
• The strength of a material is its ability to
withstand an applied stress without failure
• Two categories -> Yield Strength and Ultimate
Strength
• Yield strength refers to the point on the
engineering stress-strain curve beyond which
the material begins deformation that cannot
be reversed upon removal of the loading
• Ultimate strength refers to the point on the
engineering stress-strain curve corresponding
to the maximum stress.
• A material's strength is dependent on its
microstructure.
 STRENGTH
• Yield Strength-> the
stress level at which a
material begins to
deform plastically
• Ultimate Strength ->
It is the maxima of
the stress-strain
curve. It is the point
at which necking will
start
• Fracture Strength->
The stress calculated
immediately before
the fracture.
 STRESS
• By setting up the equilibrium conditions,
the inner forces of a member subjected to
an external load situation can be
determined. So far neither the material nor
the type of cross section applied for the
member are being taken into account. But
both material and type of cross section
obviously have an impact on the behavior
of the member subjected to load.
• To design the member therefore a closer
look on how the internal forces act along
its cross section needs to be taken.
DIRECT OR NORMAL STRESS
• When a force is transmitted through a
body, the body tends to change its shape
or deform. The body is said to be
strained.

• Direct Stress = Applied Force (F)

Cross Sectional Area (A)

• Units: Usually N/m2 (Pa), N/mm2,

MN/m2, GN/m2 or N/cm2
• Note: 1 N/mm2 = 1 MN/m2 = 1 MPa
 Direct Stress Contd.
• Direct stress may be tensile,  t or
compressive,  c and result from
forces acting perpendicular to the
plane of the cross-section
Tension

Compression
 Direct Stress Contd.

• conclusion: the normal stress

acting along a section of a member
only depends on the external load
applied (e.g. a normal force F) and
the geometry of its cross section A
(true for statically determinant
systems).
 DIRECT STRESS
• 103. Determine the largest weight W which
can be supported by the 2 wires shown. The
stresses in wires AB and AC are not to exceed
100MPa and 150MPa, respectively. The cross-
sectional areas of the 2 wires are 400mm2 for
wire AB and 200mm2 for wire AC.

B C

A
30o 45o

W
 DIRECT STRESS
• 104. For the truss shown , calculate the
stresses in members DF, CE and BD. The
cross-sectional area of each member is
1200mm2. Indicate tension (T) or compression
(C).

6m
4m

A C E F
4m 3m 3m

100KN 200KN
 DIRECT STRESS
• 110. A steel tube is rigidly attached between
an aluminum rod and bronze as shown. Axial
loads are applied at the positions indicated.
Find the maximum value of P that will not
exceed a stress in aluminum of 80MPa, in
steel of 150MPa or in bronze of 100MPa.

A=500mm2
2 A=400mm2 Bronze
A=200mm Steel
Aluminum
P 3P 2P

1m 2m 2.5m
 DIRECT STRESS
• 109. Part of the landing gear for a light plane is
shown in the figure. Determine the compressive
stress in the strut AB caused by a landing
reaction R=20KN. Strut AB is inclined at 53.1o
with BC. Neglect weights of the members.

Hollow Strut
A
OD=40mm
ID=30mm

B
C

200mm 450mm
R
 DIRECT STRESS
• 105. For the truss shown, determine the
cross-sectional areas of bars BE, BF and CF so
that the stresses will not exceed 100MN/m2 in
tension or 80MN/m2 in compression. A
reduced stress in compression is specified to
avoid the danger of buckling.

8m

6m 3m 3m G
A C F
40KN 50KN
8m