Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

College : COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Campus: BAMBANG CAMPUS

DEGREE PROGRAM BSME COURSE NO. MCHE 03

SPECIALIZATION Electrical COURSE TITLE Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
YEAR LEVEL 3rd Year TIME FRAME 3 hrs WK NO. 2 - 3 IM NO. 3

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE: Stresses Under Centric Loading

II. LESSON TITLE: III. Stresses Under Centric Loading

1. Centric Loading
1.1. Concentric Loading
1.2. Eccentric Loading
2. Saint Venant’s Principle
3. Stresses on Inclined Plane

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

This module covers the concept of stresses under centric loading. Moreover, the students will
engage to learn on how to compute and visualize these stresses applied in solids in preparation to
engineering design.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. explain the concept of stress under centric loading
2. cite the differences on the types of stress applied to solids.
3. apply the equations governing stresses on solids.

V. LESSON CONTENT

The distribution of stresses in the cross section of a member under axial loading can be assumed
uniform only if the line of action of the loads P and P’ passes through the centroid of the cross section. Such a
loading is said to be centric.

1. CENTRIC/AXIAL LOADING
When a beam, or long bone in the human body, is loaded with an external force parallel to its long (i.e.
central) axis, the external force is known as an axial loading force. Axial loading forces come in two varieties,
concentric and eccentric axial loading forces.

1.1. Concentric / Centroidal Axial Loading

When an external axial compression loading force acts directly in line with the central axis of a
structure, the compression force will cause only compression of the beam, or long bone, without any
bending moment.
Figure (a) shows a bar of constant cross-sectional area A. The ends of the bar carry uniformly
distributed normal loads of intensity p (units: Pa or psi).
We know from statics that “when the loading is uniform, its resultant passes through the
centroid of the loaded area.”

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

Therefore, the resultant P =𝜎A of each end load acts along the centroidal axis (the line
connecting the centroids of cross sections) of the bar, as shown in Fig 1. (b). The loads shown are
called axial or centroidal loads.
Although the loads in Figs 1. (a) and (b) are statically equivalent, they do not result in the same
stress distribution in the bar. In the case of the uniform loading in Fig 1. (a), the internal forces acting on
all cross sections are also uniformly distributed. Therefore, the normal stress acting at any point on a
cross section is:

The stress distribution caused by the concentrated loading in Fig 1. (b) is more complicated.
Advanced methods of analysis show that on cross sections close to the ends, the maximum stress is
considerably higher than the average stress P/A. As we move away from the ends, the stress becomes
more uniform, reaching the uniform value P/A in a relatively short distance from the ends. In other
words, the stress distribution is approximately uniform in the bar, except in the regions close to the
ends.

Figure 1. A bar loaded axially by a. uniformly distributed load of intensity p; and b. a statically
equivalent centroidal force P =𝜎A.

As an example of concentrated loading, consider the thin strip of width b shown in Fig 2.a. The
strip is loaded by the centroidal force P. Figures 2 b– d show the stress distribution on three different
cross sections. Note that at a distance 2.5b from the loaded end, the maximum stress differs by only
0.2% from the average stress P/A.

Figure 2. Normal stress distribution in a strip caused by a concentrated load.

1.2. Eccentric Axial Loading

If the external axial compression loading force is offset from being in line with its central axis, it
will cause an eccentric axial loading force.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

With eccentric axial loading, the externally-acting compression force will cause a bending moment
on the beam, or long bone, which is resisted by the internal molecular structure of the beam, or long
bone. The internal resistance to deformation of a structure is known as stress. If the beam or long bone
is tending to become more convex on one surface, this surface of the beam or long bone will have
increased tension stress. If the beam or long bone is tending to become more concave on one surface,
this surface of the beam or long bone will have increased compression stress.

In the example below, the eccentric axial compression loading force causes the beam to tend to
bend the beam so that it becomes more convex on the right side of the beam, and becomes more
concave on the left side of the beam. As a result, this creates an increase in tension stress on the right
hand side of the beam and an increase in compression stress on the left hand side of the beam.

Therefore, if bending moments are being created in beams, or long bones, one way to decrease
the bending moments and resultant tension and compression stresses acting on walls of the beam, or
long bone, is to attempt to make the external loading forces become more concentric and less eccentric
relative to its central axis.

Figure 3. Concentric and eccentric axial loading.

Moments of Inertia for Geometric Shapes

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

2. SAINT VENANT’S PRINCIPLE

About 150 years ago, the French mathematician Saint Venant studied the effects of statically equivalent
loads on the twisting of bars. His results led to the following observation, called Saint Venant’s principle:
“The difference between the effects of two different but statically equivalent loads become very small at
sufficiently large distances from the load.”
Most analysis in mechanics of materials is based on simplifications that can be justified with Saint Venant’s
principle. We often replace loads (including support reactions) by their resultants and ignore the effects of holes,
grooves, and fillets on stresses and deformations. Many of the simplifications are not only justified but necessary.
Without simplifying assumptions, analysis would be exceedingly difficult. However, we must always keep in mind
the approximations that were made, and make allowances for them in the final design.
Consider, as an example, the grooved cylindrical bar of radius R shown in Fig. 3 (a). The loading consists of
the force P that is uniformly distributed over the end of the bar. If the groove were not present, the normal stress
acting at all points on a cross section would be P/A. Introduction of the groove disturbs the uniformity of the
stress, but this effect is confined to the vicinity of the groove, as seen in Figs. 3(b) and (c).

Figure 4. Normal stress distribution in a grooved bar.

3. STRESSES ON INCLINED PLANES

When a bar of cross-sectional area A is subjected to an axial load P, the normal stress P/A acts on the
cross section of the bar. Let us now consider the stresses that act on plane a – a, that is inclined at the angle y
to the cross section, as shown in Fig. 4 (a). Note that the area of the inclined plane is A/cos Ɵ: To investigate
the forces that act on this plane, we consider the free-body diagram of the segment of the bar shown in Fig.
4(b). Because the segment is a two-force body, the resultant internal force acting on the inclined plane must be
the axial force P, which can be resolved into the normal component P cos Ɵ and the shear component P sin y.
Therefore, the corresponding stresses, shown in Fig. 4(c), are

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

Figure 5. Determining the stresses acting on an inclined section of a bar.

From these equations we see that the maximum normal stress is P/A, and it acts on the cross section of
the bar (that is, on the plane 𝜃 = 0). The shear stress is zero when 𝜃 = 0, as would be expected. The maximum
shear stress is P/2A, which acts on the planes inclined at 𝜃 = 45 to the cross section. In summary, an axial
load causes not only normal stress but also shear stress. The magnitudes of both stresses depend on the
orientation of the plane on which they act.
By replacing Ɵ with Ɵ + 90 in the equation above, we obtain the stresses acting on plane a’ – a’ , which
is perpendicular to a - a, as illustrated in Fig. 5 (a):

Similarly, applying trigonometric identity:

cos (Ɵ + 90) = - sin Ɵ
sin 2(Ɵ + 90) = - sin 2 Ɵ

In other words, “The shear stresses that act on complementary planes have the same magnitude
but opposite sense.”

Figure 5. Stresses acting on two mutually perpendicular inclined sections of a bar.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

Procedure for Stress Analysis:

In general, the stress analysis of an axially loaded member of a structure involves the following steps.

1. Equilibrium Analysis
✓ If necessary, find the external reactions using a free-body diagram (FBD) of the entire structure.
✓ Compute the axial force P in the member using the method of sections. This method introduces an
imaginary cutting plane that isolates a segment of the structure. The cutting plane must include the
cross section of the member of interest. The axial force acting in the member can then be found from
the FBD of the isolated segment because it now appears as an external force on the FBD.
2. Computation of Stress
✓ After the axial force has been found by equilibrium analysis, the average normal stress in the member
can be obtained from ơ = P/A, where A is the cross-sectional area of the member at the cutting plane.
✓ In slender bars, ơ = P/A is the normal stress if the section is sufficiently far from applied loads and
abrupt changes in the cross section (Saint Venant’s principle).
3. Design Considerations
✓ For purposes of design, the computed stress must be compared with the allowable stress, also called
the working stress. To prevent failure of the member, the computed stress must be less than the
working stress.

Sample Problems:
1. The rectangular wood panel is formed by gluing together two boards along the 30-degree seam as
shown in the figure. Determine the largest axial force P that can be carried safely by the panel if the
working stress for the wood is 1120 psi, and the normal and shear stresses in the glue are limited to
700 psi and 450 psi, respectively.

Solution:
The most convenient method for analyzing this design-type problem is to calculate the largest safe
value of P that satisfies each of the three design criteria. The smallest of these three values is the
largest safe value of P for the panel.

Design for Working Stress in Wood

The value of P for which the wood would reach its working stress is found as follows:
P = 𝜎 w A = 1120 psi (4 in x 1.0 in ) = 4480 lb
Design for Normal Stress in Glue
The axial force P that would cause the normal stress in the glue to equal
its maximum allowable value is computed as:
𝑃
𝜎= 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 Ɵ
𝐴
𝑃
700 psi = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 30
(4 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 1.0 𝑖𝑛)
P = 3730 lb

Design for Shear Stress in Glue

The value of P that would cause the shear stress in the glue to equal its
maximum value is computed as:
𝑃
𝜏 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛2Ɵ
2𝐴

𝑃
450 psi = 𝑠𝑖𝑛60
2(4 𝑖𝑛 𝑥 1.0 𝑖𝑛)
P = 4160 lb

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

❖ Comparing the above three solutions, we see that the largest safe axial load that can be safely
applied is governed by the normal stress in the glue, its value being: P = 3730 lb

2. The simply supported beam as shown has a rectangular cross section 120 mm wide and 200 mm
high. With a maximum moment of 16 KN – m
a. compute the maximum bending stress of the beam
b. compute the bending stress at a point on section B that is 25 mm below the top of the beam whose
moment is 9.28 KN-m.

Solutions:
a. The maximum bending stress of the beam
First, we find the moment of inertia of the rectangular section
𝑏ℎ3 (0.12𝑚)(0.2𝑚)3
I= = = 80 x 10-6 m4
12 12

Solving for the maximum bending stress of the beam, we have:

𝑀𝑦 (16 𝐾𝑁−𝑚)(0.1𝑚)
𝜎Bmax = = = 20 MPa
𝐼 80 𝑥 10−6 𝑚4

b. The bending stress at section B of the beam

The y coordinate of the point that lies 25 mm below the top of the beam is:
y = 100 – 25
y = 75 mm

Since the moment of inertia is the same, I = 80 x 10-6 m4

Solving for the maximum bending stress of the beam, we have:

𝑀𝑦 (9.28𝐾𝑁−𝑚)(0.075𝑚)
𝜎Bmax = = = - 8.70 MPa
𝐼 80 𝑥 10−6 𝑚4

The negative sign indicates that this bending stress is compressive, which is expected because the
bending moment is positive and the point of interest lie above the neutral axis.

3. The simply supported beam has the T-shaped cross section shown. Determine the values and
locations of the maximum tensile and compressive bending stresses. Let the maximum moments for x =
10 ft & 4 ft length are 4000 lb – ft and 3200 lb – ft respectively.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

Solution:
As shown in the figure, the T- shaped cross section composed of the two rectangles with areas:
@ the bottom: vertical part
A1 = (0.8 in) (8 in) = 6.4 in 2

@ the top: horizontal part

A2 = (0.8 in) (6 in) = 4.8 in 2

The centroid coordinates of the areas that are measured from the bottom of the cross section are:
Centroid Coordinate 1:

__
8 𝑖𝑛
y1 = = 4 in
2

Centroid Coordinate 2:

__
0.8 𝑖𝑛
y2 = 8 𝑖𝑛 + = 8.4 in
2

Therefore, the coordinate of the centroid on the T-shaped cross section is:

Using the parallel – axis theorem to compute the moment of inertia of the cross-sectional area
about the neutral axis:

where:

i = 1,2,3….

The distances from the neutral axis to the top and the bottom of the cross section are:
@ the bottom: @ the top:
__ __
c1 = y = 5.886 in C2 = 8.8 - y = 8.8 – 5.886 = 2.914 in

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

Computing for the maximum bending stresses:

At x = 4 ft length, the bending moment is 3200 lb - ft causing

compression above the neutral axis and tension below the axis.
The resulting bending stresses at the top and bottom of the cross
section are:

At x = 10 ft length, the bending moment at this section is 4000 lb - ft, resulting in tension the neutral axis
and compression below the neutral axis. The corresponding bending stresses at the extremities of the
cross section are:

Thus, the maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the beam are:

(𝜎𝑇 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2580 𝑝𝑠𝑖 ( 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 4 𝑓𝑡)

(𝜎𝑐 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 3230 𝑝𝑠𝑖 ( 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 10 𝑓𝑡)

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

4. A cast-iron machine part is acted upon by a 3 KN-m couple. Knowing E = 165 GPa and neglecting the
effects of fillets, Determine the following:
a. the maximum tensile and compressive stresses,
b. the radius of curvature.

Solution:
Based on the cross section geometry, calculate the location of the section centroid and moment
of inertia.

a. Apply the elastic flexural formula to find the maximum tensile and compressive stresses.

b. the radius of curvature

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

NAME: _______________________ SCORE: ____________

COURSE & YEAR: ______________ DATE: ______________

ACTIVITY 3.1

Direction: A centroid symbol is shown on the shape. Determine if the actual centroid location be
above or below this line and compute for the coordinate centroid. All units are in cm.

Cross Sectional Areas Answers

1.

2.

3.

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

VII. EVALUATION (Note: Not to be included in the student’s copy of the IM)

NAME: _____________________________ SCORE: ______________

COURSE AND YEAR: _________________ DATE: ________________

QUIZ 3.1

1. A centroid symbol is shown on the shape. Determine if the actual centroid location be above or below
this line and compute for the coordinate of centroid. All units are in cm.
A. B.

2. Select which among the values on the table shown is incorrect. Write your answers on the blank
provided and show your justification why it is incorrect. Also, compute for the correct product of yiAi.
A. B.

Incorrect value: _________________ Incorrect value: _________________

Justification: _______________________ Justification: ___________________

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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.: MCHE03-2S-2020-2021

VIII. REFERENCES

A) Book/Printed Resources
Beer, F; DeWolf, J; Johnston Jr, E.R & Mazurek, D. (2012). Mechanics of Materials, 6th Edition.
The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Pytel, A & Kiusalaas, J. (2012). Mechanics of Materials, 2nd Edition. Cengage Learning and Nelson
Education Ltd.
Singer, F. (2000). Strength of Materials, 2nd Edition. Harper & Ro, New York.

B) e-Resources
Mechanics of Solids. [Link]
Mechanics of Solids. [Link].

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