MOHRS CIRCLE EXAMPLE: For the initial stress element shown, determine the principle stresses and the
maximum shear stress and show these values on properly oriented stress elements. 300 MPa
(cw)
400 MPa 200 MPa
x-axis (400, 200 cw) MPa
Initial Stress Element
R= 403 MPa
200 MPa
2p = 29.7
2= -353 MPa
350 MPa
1= 453 MPa
avg = 50 MPa 2s = 119.7
(-300, 200 ccw) MPa y-axis
(50, 403 ccw) MPa
(ccw) Procedure: 1. The normal stress on the x-face is 400 MPa. The shear stress on this face is 200 MPa and it has the tendency to rotate the stress element clockwise. (This shear stress is considered to be positive) We plot the state of stress of the x-face on the sigma-tau space as represented by the red circle in the Mohrs circle figure. 2. Plot the state of stress on the positive y-face. The normal stress is -300 MPa which is a compressive stress and a shear stress that tends to rotate the stress element in a counter-clockwise fashion. This point is shown as the blue circle in the Mohrs circle figure above. 3. Draw a line between these two points. The point where this line crosses the normal stress axis is the center of Mohrs circle. The normal stress at center of the circle is the average stress. Draw the circle and compute the average stress.
avg = x + y 2 = 400 MPa + ( 300 MPa ) = 50 MPa 2
The line from the circle origin to the first plotted point (red) represents the orientation of the x-axis of the initial stress element. The line from the origin of the circle to the second plotted point (blue) represents the orientation of the y-axis of the initial stress element. Note that on the initial stress element, these axes are 90 degrees apart. On Mohrs circle, they are twice that, or 180 degrees apart. 4. A right triangle forms between the first plotted point and the average stress as shown shaded blue in the figure. Compute the length of the sides of the triangle using the values of x, avg and xy. Compute the radius of the circle using the Pythagorean Theorem:
R = (350 MPa )2 + ( 200 MPa )2 = 403 MPa
The magnitude of the radius is also the magnitude of the maximum shear stress.
5. Using the radius of the circle and the average stress, compute the principle stresses.
1 = avg + R = 50 MPa + 403 MPa = 453 MPa 2 = avg R = 50 MPa 403 MPa = 353 MPa
6. Next, determine the angle between the x-axis and the positive normal stress axis in Mohrs circle. This angle is labeled 2p. Determine this angle by inspection of Mohrs circle and the inverse tangent function.
200 MPa 2p = tan 1 = 29.7 350 MPa
7. By inspection of Mohrs circle, 2s, the angle from the x-axis to the maximum shear stress, is equal to 90 degrees plus 2p.
2s = 2p + 90 = 29 .7 + 90 = 119 .7
8. Show the results on properly oriented stress elements: There is never a shear stress on the principle stress element.
x-axis
14.85
2 = 353 MPa
p s
59.85
1 = 453 MPa
Principle Stress Element avg = 50 MPa avg = 50 MPa max = 403 MPa
Maximum shear stress will always have the average normal stress on each face.
Maximum Shear Stress Element The rotation on the part between the x-axis and the maximum shear and principle stress elements is in the same direction as is shown on Mohrs circle. The angles on the part are 1/2 the angles found on Mohrs circle. Keep in mind that these are the maximum stresses found at one point on the real part. Note that the angle between the maximum shear stress and the principle stress elements is 45 degrees. You should be able to verify these values using the stress transformation equations.
