28 Formulas for Stress and Strain [CHAP.

Equation (2.3-22) is a quadratic equation in sp for which the two

solutions are
 qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
1
sp ¼ ðsx þ sy Þ  ðsx
sy Þ2 þ 4t2xy ð2:3-23Þ
2

Since for plane stress, one of the principal stresses (sz ) is always zero,
numbering of the stresses (s1 5 s2 5 s3 ) cannot be performed until Eq.
(2.3-23) is solved.
Each solution of Eq. (2.3-23) can then be substituted into one of Eqs.
(2.3-21) to determine the direction of the principal stress. Note that if
sx ¼ sy and txy ¼ 0, then sx and sy are principal stresses and Eqs.
(2.3-21) are satisfied for all values of y. This means that all stresses in
the plane of analysis are equal and the state of stress at the point is
isotropic in the plane.

EXAMPLE
Determine the principal stresses for a case of plane stress given by the stress
matrix
 
5
4
½s ¼ kpsi

4 11

Show the element containing the principal stresses properly oriented with
respect to the initial xyz coordinate system.
Solution. From the stress matrix, sx ¼ 5, sy ¼ 11, and txy ¼
4 kpsi and Eq.
(2.3-23) gives
 qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
sp ¼ 12 ð5 þ 11Þ  ð5
11Þ2 þ 4ð
4Þ2 ¼ 13; 3 kpsi

Thus, the three principal stresses (s1 ; s2 ; s3 ), are (13, 3, 0) kpsi, respectively.
For directions, first substitute s1 ¼ 13 kpsi into either one of Eqs. (2.3-21).
Using the first equation with y ¼ y1

ðsx
s1 Þ cos y1 þ txy sin y1 ¼ ð5
13Þ cos y1 þ ð
4Þ sin y1 ¼ 0

or
 
8
y1 ¼ tan
1
¼
63:4
4

Now for the other principal stress, s2 ¼ 3 kpsi, the first of Eqs. (2.3-21) gives

ðsx
s2 Þ cos y2 þ txy sin y2 ¼ ð5
3Þ cos y2 þ ð
4Þ sin y2 ¼ 0

or
 
2
y2 ¼ tan
1 ¼ 26:6
4