CE2101 Solid Mechanics (Theory)

Stresses and Strain

Dr. Sarmad Shakeel

Assistant Professor (Structural Engineering)

6/30/2020 Sarmad Shakeel, PhD in Structural Engineering 1

Chapter 2
Axial Loaded Members

Changes in Length of Axially

Loaded Members
• Axial loaded members → Members
subjected to only tension or compression.
• Examples of axial loaded members →
Truss members and columns in buildings.

Truss members

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 Columns in Building

Spokes in Bicycle wheels

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• Member in tension → elongates (+ve).
• Total length of tension member = L + δ

L δ
Tension member

• Member in compression → shortens

(−ve).
• Total length of compression member =
L−δ

δ
L
Compression member

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Spring
• Fig. 2-2 → Elongation of an axial loaded
spring.
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Fig. 2-2 Elongation of an axially loaded spring.
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• Upper diagram: spring at natural length (P

=0).

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 unstressed length, relaxed length or free
length.
• Lower diagram → spring elongates (P≠0).
• Relationship between load P and
elongation δ?
• If the material of the spring is linearly
elastic, then the expressions for:

Load P =
Elongation kδ δ = f P
where
k = Stiffness of a spring or spring constant
f = Flexibility of a spring

• expressions can be used for both

tension and compression.

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• k → Force required to produce a unit
elongation (k = P/δ).
• f → Elongation produced by a unit load
(f = δ /P).
• It should be noted that the stiffness k and
the flexibility f are reciprocal to each
other.
• Hence, for a spring:
1
k=
1 and f =
k
f

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Prismatic bars
• As mentioned in Chapter 1: prismatic bar
= straight structural member having the
same cross section throughout its length.
• Cross section of structural members → a
variety of shapes (see Fig. 2-4).

©2001 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license.

Fig. 2-4 Typical cross sections of structural members.

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• Fig. 2-5: Elongation δ of a prismatic bar
subjected to load P (tension).
©2001 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license.

Fig. 2-5 Elongation of a prismatic bar in tension.

• Uniform normal stress results if load P

acts through the centroid of the cross
section.
• How can we determine δ?
Make use of Hooke’s law and
expressions for normal stress and strain.

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Relationship between P and δ:
Hooke’s law (linearly elastic) ⇒ E =
σ

P ε
Normal stress (by def.) ⇒ σ =
A
Normal strain (by def.) ⇒ ε =
δ
L
P
Together
σ
E= = PL
A =
ε δ δA
L
PL
∴δ =
EA
(for both tension and compression)
• EA is known as axial rigidity.
• The change in length of a member is
normally very small when compared to its
length.
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• The stiffness k and flexibility f of a
prismatic bar are defined in the same way
as for a spring.
Since
• Stiffness k = force required to produce a
unit elongation (k = P/δ), while
• Flexibility f = elongation produced by a
unit load (f = δ /P).

What is the stiffness k and flexibility f

for a prismatic bar?
Working:
P
Stiffness ⇒ k =
δ
PL
Now use δ = ⇒ P= EA
EA δ L
P EA
∴k= =
δ L
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Flexibility ⇒ f =
δ
P

Now using δ =
PL δ
⇒ = L
EA P EA
δ
∴ f = =
L
P EA
(for both tension and compression)

• Again, stiffness k and flexibility f are

reciprocal to each other. 1
1 and f =
k= k
f

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PROBLEMS CHAPTER 2
2.2-1
A vertical aluminium pole EF of height 20 ft is
supported by four symmetrically placed guy wires,
each of length 25 ft. the points of attachment of the
guy wires to the foundation (points A, B, C, and
D) form a square with base of the pole at its center.

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Calculate the shortening of the pole if each guy
wire is tightened by its turnbuckle to a tension of
3000 lb and the pole has a cross-sectional area of
18 in.2 (Assume E= 10000 ksi for aluminium)

Answer:
δ = 0.0128in.

2.2-9
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A high-strength steel rod with diameter d=0.375in.
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and modulus of elasticity E=30x10 psi must
transmit a tensile load P=3400lb.
(a) If the length L of the rod is 20 in., what is its
final length? (b) What is the ratio of the length of
the rod to the increase in length? (c) If the increase
in length is limited to 0.02 in., what is the
maximum load Pmax that ca be permitted?

Answer:
(a) 20.02 in.
(b) 975
(c) Pmax=3310 lb

2.2-12
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A hollow, circular, steel column (E=210 GPa) is
subjected to a compressive load P, as shown in the
figure. The column has length L=2.5 m and
outside diameter d=200 mm. The load P= 500 KN.
If the allowable compressive stress is 55 MPa and
the allowable shortening of the columns 0.6 mm,
what is the required wall thickness tmin?

Answer:
tmin=17.3 mm
2.2-14
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Two identical wires, AB and BC, support a load P
=225 N. The distance between supports A and C is
b=1.0 m, and the wires are at an angle θ=550 to the
horizontal. The wires are made of high-strength
steel and having axial rigidity EA=165 KN.
Calculate the downward displacement δ of point
B due to the load P.

Answer:
δ = 0.886mm

Changes in Lengths of Nonuniform Bars

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 FAQ

• Stiffness and flexibility??

Why we need them?

• How they are related to each

other?

• Are these terms only relevant,

when we have axially loaded

member??
 Thank you

6/30/2020 Sarmad Shakeel, PhD in Structural Engineering 19