Theories of failure or strength under combined

stresses
Failure by yielding under combined stresses occur when
a stress, strain or strain energy in case of combined
stresses equals the value of the corresponding stress,
strain or strain energy in simple tension or compression

The combined stresses in bi-axial case: S1, S2 and Ss

S1
Ss

The strength theories are

S2

Maximum stress theory (Rankin theory)

Maximum shear theory (Coulomb theory)
Maximum strain theory ( St Venant theory)
Maximum strain energy theory
Distortion energy theory (Von Mises- Hencky)

Maximum stress theory:

Yielding in the element subjected to combined stresses occurs when
one of the principle stresses becomes equal to yield stress in simple
tension or compression
S1 = Sy or S1 = -Sy
S2 = Sy or S2 = -Sy
This theory is applicable to brittle materials

+S2
Sy
*P

-S1

+S1
Sy

Sy

-S2

Sy

Maximum shear theory

Assumes that yielding is produced when the maximum shear stress reaches
the value of maximum shear stress at yield under uni-axial stress
Reasonably applicable to ductile materials.
Yield stress in tension and compression to be nearly equal
Consider principle stresses S1, S2 and S3 on an element of the material
Max shear stresses are (S1-S2)/2

(S2-S3)/2 and (S3-S1)/2

Equating to shear stress at yield point,

(S1-S2)/2 = Sy /2 ; (S2-S3)/2 = Sy/2 and (S3-S1)/2 = Sy/2
When S3 = 0,

(S1-S2) = +/- Sy
S2
= +/- Sy
S1
= +/- Sy

It requires that yield stress in tension and compression are equal

Maximum shear theory

S2
Sy

Sy

-S1

Sy

Sy
-S2

S1

Maximum strain theory

Failure by yielding in case of combined stresses occurs when the
max value of principle strains equal the value of strain at yielding in
simple tension and compression
S1 u S2 = +/- Sy
S2 u S1 = +/- Sy
This theory is in agreement with tests for thick wall cylinders such as
gun barrels

Maximum strain energy theory

Yielding occurs when the elastic strain energy under combined stresses
equals that at yield in simple tension or compression
It is assumed that yield stress in tension and compression are equal
Principal strains

1= S1/E S2/E
2= S2/E S1/E

Where S1 and S2 are principal stresses

Strain energy U = S1x e1/2 + S2e2/2
= (1/2E)[ S1**2 2 S1S2 S2**2]
to be = (1/2E) Sy**2
Failure is defined by

S1**2 2 S1S2 + S2**2 = Sy**2

Distortion energy theory

It assumes that yielding begins when distortion energy produced in
a unit element subjected to combined stresses becomes equal to
the distortion energy at yield when subjected to simple tension
Total energy U = Energy causing volume change + energy causing
distortion
= Uv + Ud
Uv = (1-2 )( S1 + S2 )**2 / 6E
Ud = (1+ )[ S1**2 + S2**2 S1S2 ] / 3E
At failure Ud = (1+ ) Sy **2 / 3E
which can be expressed as [ S1**2 + S2**2 S1S2 ] = Sy**2
It is assumed that Sy is equal in tension and compression.
Experimental results for ductile materials show the best agreement
with distortion energy theory

Distortion energy theory : envelop of yielding

S2
Sy

Sy
-S1

Sy

Sy

-S2

S1

Ultimate strength theories for combined stresses

The theories are based on maximum stress, maximum shear and internal
friction which do not need the assumption of Hooks law (linearity of
stress strain curve)
S2

Max stress theory: S1 = Su or S1= -Su

S2 = Su or S2= -Su
Su = ultimate tensile

Su

strength
Su = ultimate
compressive
strength

Su
-S1

Max shear theory:

S1-S2 = Su
S1= +/- Su
S2= +/- Su

Su

Su

S1

Su

Su
-S2

Internal friction
theory