APL 701 Continuum Mechanics

Department of Applied Mechanics

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Arjun Sharma

Problem Set 8
Due Date: November 8, 2019
The problems given below are from chapters 8 and 5 in the textbook
∂T
(1) (5 points) In plane stress or in plane strain, the equilibrium equations reduce to ∂xiji = 0. Show that these
equations are identically satisfied if the stress components are expressed in terms of Airy’s stress function,
2 2 2χ
χ, as T11 = ∂∂xχ2 , T22 = ∂∂xχ2 and T12 = − ∂x∂1 ∂x 2
. Prove that in plane stress or plane strain of an isotropic
2 1
linear elastic solid, χ satisfies the biharmonic equation, ∇4 χ = 0.

(2) (10 points) A cantilever beam with rectangular cross-section occupies the region −a ≤ x1 ≤ a, −h ≤ x2 ≤ h,
0 ≤ x3 ≤ l. The end x3 = l is built-in and the beam is bent by a force P applied at the free end x3 = 0 and
acting in the x2 direction. The stress tensor has components

 
0 0 0
Tij = 0 0 A + Bx22 
0 A + Bx22 Cx2 x3

where A, B and C are constants.

(a) Show that this stress satisfies the equations of equilibrium with no body forces provided 2B + C = 0.
(b) Determine the relation between A and B if no traction acts on the sides x2 = ±h.
(c) express the resultant force on the free end x3 = 0 in terms of A, B and C and hence with (a) and (b),
−3P
show that C = 4ah 3.

(3) (10 points) The stress in the cantilever beam of previous problem is now given by,

 
0 0 0
Tij = 0 C( 13 x32 − h2 x2 − 32 h3 ) Cx3 (h2 − x22 ) 
2 2 2 2 3
0 Cx3 (h − x2 ) C(x2 x3 − 3 x2 ) + Dx2

where C and D are constants.

(a) Show that this stress satisfies the equations of equilibrium with no body forces.
(b) Show that the traction on the surface x2 = −h is zero.
(c) Find the magnitude and direction of the traction on the surface x2 = h and hence the total force on this
surface.
(d) Find the resultant force on the surface x3 = l. Prove that the traction on this surface exerts zero bending
couple on it provided that C(5l2 − 2h2 ) + 5D = 0.