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
When a forceSTRESS
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, cand 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 crosssectional areas of the 2 wires are 400mm2 for
wire AB and 200mm2 for wire AC.
Ans. W=33.5KN
B

30o

45o

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.
Ans. P=12.5KN
A=500mm2
A=200mm2

A=400mm2

Bronze

Steel

Aluminum
P

3P

1m

2m

2P

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.
Ans. SAB=65.7MN/m2
Hollow Strut
OD=40mm
ID=30mm

B
C

200mm

450mm