MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Division of Construction Materials

CE 241  Materials Science

Solutions of Problem Set 5

Properties of Materials Related to Their Strength

1. The stress-strain relationship for a material is given by 𝜎 = 2 ∙ 105 ∙ 𝜀 0.3 in MPa. Calculate the amount of
dynamic load that just causes fracture of a 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm specimen made of this material by dropping
from a height of 100 cm from the top surface of the material.

Assume the fracture strain, 𝜀f = 0.25 %.

The modulus of toughness (energy absorption capacity) of a material is equal to the area under the stress-
strain curve up to the fracture point.

𝜀𝑓 0.0025
𝑇 = ∫ 𝜎 ∙ d𝜀 = ∫ 2 ∙ 105 ∙ 𝜀 0.3 ∙ d𝜀
0 0
2 ∙ 105 1.3 0.0025
𝑇= ∙𝜀 | = 63.74 MPa
1.3 0

The energy needed to break the specimen is obtained by the multiplication of the modulus of toughness of
the material and the volume of the specimen.

The energy to break the specimen = 𝑇 ∙ 𝑉

𝑇 ∙ 𝑉 = 63.74 ∙ (100 ∙ 100 ∙ 100) = 63.74∙ 106N − mm

𝑇 ∙ 𝑉 63.74∙ 106
𝑃= = = 63.74 kN
𝐿 1000
2. The stress-strain curves of an alloy and a brick having 5 cm x 10 cm x 20 cm dimensions are given below. Calculate
the amount of energy required to break the specimens.

16
Alloy
12

Stress [MPa]
8

0
0 0.005 0.01
Strain [-]

250
Brick
200
Stress [MPa]

150
100
50
0
0 0.0011 0.0022 0.0033 0.0044
Strain [-]

To break the specimens, the energy required is equal to the toughness of the materials. The toughness is equal
to multiplication of the volume of the material and the modulus of toughness.

For ductile materials, the modulus of toughness can be approximated by

𝜎y + 𝜎u
𝑇= ∙ 𝜀f
2

For brittle materials, the modulus of toughness can be estimated by

2
𝑇 = ∙ 𝜎u ∙ 𝜀f
3

The modulus of toughness for the alloy,

8 + 12
𝑇A = ∙ 0.01 = 0.1 MPa
2

Toughness for the alloy,

𝑇A ∙ 𝑉 = 0.1 ∙ (50 ∙ 100 ∙ 200) = 100 kN − mm

The modulus of toughness for the brick,

2
𝑇B = ∙ 0.0033∙ 200 = 0.44 MPa
3

Toughness for the alloy,

𝑇B ∙ 𝑉 = 0.44 ∙ (50 ∙ 100 ∙ 200) = 440 kN − mm
3. A 3 m-long structural member with a square cross section will be constructed either by using Material A or
Material B. The properties of the materials are given in the following table.

Material A Material B
Elasticity Modulus 72 GPa 21 GPa
Ultimate Strength 112 MPa 84 MPa
Yield Strength 70 MPa -
Strain at fracture 35 % 0.2 %

Assuming that the stress-strain curve of Material B is parabolic,

a) Determine minimum cross-sectional area if the total elongation of the member should not exceed 2.5 mm
under an axial load of 2 ∙ 104 N.
b) What will be the maximum permissible axial dynamic load for each material if the load is dropped from 1.5
meters above the member?

a)
∆𝐿 2.5
𝜀all = = = 8.33∙ 10−4
𝐿0 3000

For Material A,
𝜎A−all = 𝐸 ∙ 𝜀all = 72 ∙ 8.33∙ 10−4
𝜎A−all = 599.76 ∙ 10−4 GPa = 59.98 MPa
𝑃 20000
𝐴A−min = = = 333.33 mm2
𝜎 59.98

For Material B,
𝜎B−all = 𝐸 ∙ 𝜀all = 21 ∙ 8.33∙ 10−4
𝜎B−all = 174.93 ∙ 10−4 GPa = 17.49 MPa
𝑃 20000
𝐴B−min = = = 1143.51 mm2
𝜎 17.49

b) The work (W) required to break the specimens is equal to the toughness of the materials.

For Material A,
𝜎y + 𝜎u 72 + 112
𝑇A = ∙ 𝜀f = ∙ 0.35
2 2

𝑇A = 32.2 MPa

𝑊 = 𝑇A ∙ 𝑉 = 𝑇A ∙ (𝐴A−min ∙ 𝐿 )
𝑊 = 32.2 ∙ (333.33 ∙ 3000) = 32.2 ∙ 106 N − mm

The work done by the dynamic load is equal to the amount of load times the height where the load is dropped.
𝑊 = 𝑃 ∙𝐿
𝑊 32.2∙ 106
𝑃= = = 21.47 kN
𝐿 1500
 For Material B,
2 2
𝑇B = ∙ 𝜀f ∙ 𝜎u = ∙ 0.002∙ 84
3 3

𝑇B = 0.112 MPa

𝑊 = 𝑇B ∙ 𝑉 = 𝑇B ∙ (𝐴B−min ∙ 𝐿 )
𝑊 = 0.112 ∙ (1143.51 ∙ 3000) = 384.22∙ 103N − mm

The work done by the dynamic load is equal to the amount of load times the height where the load is dropped.
𝑊 = 𝑃 ∙𝐿
𝑊 384.22 ∙ 103
𝑃= = = 256.15 N
𝐿 1500

4. A steel rod with 8 mm x 20 mm cross section and 250 cm length carries 60 kN at yield point and then fractures
at 72 kN. The elastic modulus is 210 GPa. Calculate:

a) Yield strength.
b) Length under 60 kN load application.
c) Modulus of resilience.

a)
𝑃y 60000
𝜎y = = = 375 MPa
𝐴 8 ∙ 20

b)
𝜎y 375
𝜀y = = = 0.00179
𝐸 210000
𝐿f = 𝐿0 ∙ (1 + 𝜀)
𝐿f = 2500∙ (1 + 0.00179) = 2504.48 mm

c)
𝜎y ∙ 𝜀y 375 ∙ 0.00179 J
𝑅= = = 0.3356 MPa = 335625 ⁄m3
2 2

5. The initial cross-sectional area of a tensile specimen is 0.2 cm2 . If there is no volume change, determine the
cross-sectional area when the engineering strain is 30 %.

If there is no volume change, the final volume should be equal to the initial volume.
𝑉0 = 𝑉f
𝐿0 ∙ 𝐴0 = 𝐿f ∙ 𝐴f
𝐿0 ∙ 𝐴0 = 𝐿0 ∙ (1 + 𝜀) ∙ 𝐴f
𝐴0 = (1 + 𝜀) ∙ 𝐴f
0.2 = (1 + 0.3) ∙ 𝐴f
𝐴f = 0.154 cm2
6. For a metal alloy, true stresses of 345 MPa and 415 MPa produce true plastic strains of 0.01 and 0.02,
respectively. Assuming the true stress-strain relation as 𝜎T = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜀T 𝑛 where K is a constant in MPa, calculate
the true stress that leads to a true strain 0.25.

𝜎𝑇 = 𝐾 ∙ 𝜀T 𝑛

345 = 𝐾 ∙ 0.01𝑛
415 = 𝐾 ∙ 0.02𝑛

Solving these equations for 𝐾 and 𝑛, we obtain,

𝑛 = 0.269 and 𝐾 = 1190 MPa

𝜎𝑇 = 1190∙ 𝜀T 0.269
𝜎𝑇 = 1190∙ 0.250.269 = 819 MPa

7. A cylindrical metal rod with 12 mm diameter fractures under 4.7 kN load. At fracture, its final diameter becomes
7.4 mm. Calculate:

a) True strength.
b) Engineering strength.
c) Percent reduction in cross-sectional area.

a)
𝑃 4700
𝜎t = = = 109.3 MPa
𝐴f 𝜋 ∙ 7.42
4

b)
𝑃 4700
𝜎t = = = 41.55 MPa
𝐴i 𝜋 ∙ 122
4

c)
𝐴i − 𝐴f
Percent reduction = ∙ 100
𝐴i

𝜋 ∙ 122 𝜋 ∙ 7.42
4 − 4
Percent reduction = ∙ 100 ≅ 62 %
𝜋 ∙ 122
4
8. A cylindrical steel bar with 22 mm diameter and 8 cm gage length was axially loaded in tension until fracture and
the following load-deformation diagram was obtained.

400
350
300
250
Load [kN]

200
150
100
50
0
0 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128
-2
Deformation [mm·10 ]

Determine:
a) 𝜎y by 0.2 % off-set method.
b) 𝐸 by the initial tangent method.
c) 𝐸 by the tangent method at 2/3 of the yield strength.
d) 𝐸 by the secant method at 70% of ultimate strength.
e) Strain at fracture.

400
350 D
A C
300
270
250
Load [kN]

200
150
100
B
50
0
0 16 32 48 64 80 96 112 128
-2
Deformation [mm·10 ]

a) Firstly, the deformation corresponding to 0.002 strain value should be found.

∆𝐿
𝜀=
𝐿0
∆𝐿
0.002 =
80
∆𝐿 = 0.16 mm = 16 ∙ 10−2 mm

The intersection point of the parallel line (red line) to the initial portion of load-deformation curve, drawn from
this deformation point and the curve gives the yield load (𝑃y).

From graph, 𝑃y = 270 kN

 𝑃y 270000
𝜎y = =
𝐴 𝜋 ∙ 222
4
𝜎y = 710.28 MPa

b) Elastic modulus by initial tangent method can be determined from the slope of a tangent line of the curve
from the initial point (black line). Using the data points which the line passes, the elastic modulus can be
calculated.

As the initial point, origin (0,0) can be considered.

𝑃 = 0,∆𝐿 = 0
𝑃
𝜎= =0
𝐴
∆𝐿
𝜀= =0
𝐿0

As the final point, point A (0.32, 300) can be considered.

𝑃 = 300 kN,∆𝐿 = 32 ∙ 10−2 mm
300000
𝜎= = 789.2 MPa
𝜋 ∙ 222
4
32 ∙ 10−2
𝜀= = 0.004
80

The slope of strain-stress curve,

𝜎𝑓 − 𝜎𝑖 789.2 − 0
𝐸= = = 197.3 GPa
𝜀𝑓 − 𝜀𝑖 0.004 − 0

c) In Part (a), the yield load is determined 270 kN.

2 2
∙ 𝑃𝑦 = ∙ 270 = 180 kN
3 3

Elastic modulus by tangent method at 2/3 of the yield strength can be determined from the slope of a
tangent line to the curve (orange line). Using the data points which the line passes, the elastic modulus can
be calculated.

As the initial point, Point B (0,70) can be considered.

𝑃 = 70 kN, ∆𝐿 = 0 mm
70000
𝜎= = 184.15 MPa
𝜋 ∙ 222
4
∆𝐿
𝜀= =0
𝐿0

As the final point, point C (0.56, 350) can be considered.

𝑃 = 350 kN,∆𝐿 = 56 ∙ 10−2 mm
350000
𝜎= = 920.74 MPa
𝜋 ∙ 222
4
56 ∙ 10−2
𝜀= = 0.007
80
 The slope of strain-stress curve,
𝜎𝑓 − 𝜎𝑖 920.74 − 184.15
𝐸= = = 105.2 GPa
𝜀𝑓 − 𝜀𝑖 0.007 − 0

d) Ultimate load is the maximum load carried by the specimen.

𝑃𝑢 = 340 kN
70 % 𝑃𝑢 = 0.7 ∙ 340 = 238 kN

Elastic modulus by secant modulus at 70% of ultimate strength can be determined from the slope of the line
from origin to the corresponding point to 70% of the ultimate strength of the curve (green line). Using the
data points which the line passes, the elastic modulus can be calculated.

As the initial point, Point D (0.48,330) can be considered.

𝑃 = 330 kN,∆𝐿 = 0.48 mm
330000
𝜎= = 868.12 MPa
𝜋 ∙ 222
4
∆𝐿 0.48
𝜀= = = 6 ∙ 10−3
𝐿0 80

As the final point, origin (0, 0) can be considered.

𝑃 = 0 kN,∆𝐿 = 0 mm
𝑃
𝜎= =0
𝐴
∆𝐿
𝜀= =0
𝐿0

The slope of strain-stress curve,

𝜎𝑓 − 𝜎𝑖 0 − 868.12
𝐸= = = 144686 MPa = 144 GPa
𝜀𝑓 − 𝜀𝑖 0 − 6 ∙ 10−3

e) The deformation in the specimen at fracture is 1.28 mm.

1.28
𝜀𝑓 = = 0.016
80
9* . Using the given stress-strain curve and hardness-strength figures given below, for a brass alloy estimate:

a) Brinell hardness (in HB).

b) Rockwell hardness (in HRB).

The tensile strength of brass is determined from the stress-strain curve.

𝜎𝑢 = 450 MPa

a) Using the chart, Brinell hardness is about 125 HB.

b) Using the chart, Rockwell hardness is about 82 HRB.

*
Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2007). Materials science and engineering: an introduction. New York:
Wiley.
10 . Calculate the modulus of resilience of the material with the stress-strain behavior given below.

Resilience is the energy absorption capacity in elastic region. The strain at the yield point can be determined
from graph.

𝜎𝑦 ∙ 𝜀𝑦 250 ∙ 0.005 J
𝑅= = = 0.625 MPa = 625000 ⁄m3
2 2


Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2007). Materials science and engineering: an introduction. New York:
Wiley.
 Creep and Fatigue

11. The following data have been obtained during a creep test of an asphalt paving mixture under a tensile stress of
700 kPa at 20 oC. The data refer to the period of secondary creep. Determine the viscosity of the mixture in kPa-
s.

Time [s] Creep [%]

100 0.6
200 0.8
300 1.0

1.2

0.8
Strain [%]

0.6

0.4

0.2

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Time [s]

d𝜀 𝜎
𝜀̇ = =
d𝑡 𝜇
0.01 − 0.006
𝜀̇ = = 0.00002 1⁄s
300 − 100
700
0.00002 =
𝜇
6
𝜇 = 35 ∙ 10 kPa − s
12. A specimen with 𝐸 = 20 GPa is a subjected to a constant stress. Under these conditions, the creep strain
function of this specimen with respect to time in hours for that specimen is given below.
−3.75 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 2 + 8.75 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 + 0.005, 0≤𝑡<1
( )
𝜀 𝑡 = { −3
1.25 ∙ 10 ∙ 𝑡 + 8.75 ∙ 10 , −3 1≤𝑡≤9
3 ∙ 10−4 ∙ 𝑡 2 − 4.15 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 + 3.31 ∙ 10−2 , 9 < 𝑡 ≤ 11.5

If the same load is applied to the specimen under the same conditions,

a) Plot the strain-time graph and show the following on the graph:
i. Elastic strain
ii. Primary creep strain
iii. Secondary (steady-state) creep strain
iv. Tertiary creep strain
v. Rupture lifetime
b) Determine the constant stress.
c) Determine the minimum creep rate, analytically.
d) Determine the viscosity of the material in kPa-s.
e) If the load is removed at 11th hour, determine the total strain and permanent strain immediately after the
removal of the load, analytically.

a)

0.03 Rupture lifetime

0.025 Tertiary
creep strain
0.02
Strain [-]

Secondary
0.015
creep strain
0.01
Primary creep
strain
0.005
Elastic strain
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Time [h]

b) The elastic strain occurs at the beginning 𝑡 = 0.

𝑡 = 0, 𝜀 (𝑡 ) = −3.75 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 2 + 8.75∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 + 0.005

𝜀 (0) = −3.75 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 02 + 8.75 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 0 + 0.005

𝜀 (0) = 0.005
 From Hooke’s Law,
𝜎 = 𝜀 ∙ 𝐸 = 0.005 ∙ 20
𝜎 = 0.1 GPa = 100 MPa

c) The minimum creep rate can be determined from the linear portion (secondary creep region).

𝜀 (𝑡 ) = 1.25∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 + 8.75 ∙ 10−3

d𝜀 d
= 𝜀̇ = (1.25 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 + 8.75 ∙ 10−3 )
d𝑡 d𝑡

𝜀̇ = 1.25∙ 10−3 1⁄h = 0.347 ∙ 10−6 1⁄s

d)
𝜎
𝜀̇ =
𝜇
100
0.347 ∙ 10−6 =
𝜇
100
𝜇=
0.347 ∙ 10−6

𝜇 = 288 ∙ 106 MPa − s = 288 ∙ 109 kPa − s

e) The total deformation can be calculated from creep strain function.

𝜀(𝑡 ) = 3 ∙ 10−4 ∙ 𝑡 2 − 4.15 ∙ 10−3 ∙ 𝑡 + 3.31∙ 10−2 if 9 < 𝑡 ≤ 11.5

𝜀 (11) = 3 ∙ 10−4 ∙ 112 − 4.15∙ 10−3 ∙ 11 + 3.31 ∙ 10−2

𝜀 (11) = 0.02375

𝜀 (11) is consisting of permanent and elastic strain. Immediately after removing the load, only the elastic
strain is recovered.

The total strain is 𝜀 (11) = 0.02375

The elastic strain is 𝜀 (0) = 0.005 (calculated in part (a)).
The permanent strain is 𝜀 (11) − 𝜀 (0) = 0.01875
13 . The fatigue data for a ductile cast iron are given as follows:

Stress Amplitude [MPa] Cycles to Failure

248 1 ∙ 105
236 3 ∙ 105
224 1 ∙ 106
213 3 ∙ 106
201 1 ∙ 107
193 3 ∙ 107
193 1 ∙ 108
193 3 ∙ 108

a) Make an S-N plot (stress amplitude versus logarithm of cycles to failure) using these data.
b) What is the fatigue limit for this alloy?
c) Determine fatigue lifetimes at stress amplitudes of 230 MPa and 175 MPa.
d) Estimate fatigue strengths at 2 ∙ 105 and 6 ∙ 106 cycles.

a)

275

250
Stress Amplitude [MPa]

240
230
225

206
200
193

175

150 2.00E+055.00E+05
1.00E+04 1.00E+05 1.00E+06 1.00E+07 1.00E+08 1.00E+09
Cycles to Failure

b) The fatigue limit is 193 MPa (red line in the graph).

c) For 230 MPa, the fatigue lifetime is 5 ∙ 105(green line in the graph).
For 175 MPa, the fatigue lifetime is infinity. At this level of stress, the specimen will never fail (black line in
the graph).
d) For 2 ∙ 105 cycles, the fatigue strength is 240 MPa (orange line in the graph).
For 6 ∙ 106 cycles, the fatigue strength is 206 MPa (purple line in the graph).


Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2007). Materials science and engineering: an introduction. New York:
Wiley.
14* . Suppose that the fatigue data for the cast iron in Question 13 were taken for bending-rotating tests, and that a
†

rod of this alloy is to be used for an automobile axle that rotates at an average rotational velocity of 750
revolutions per minute (rpm). Give maximum lifetimes of continuous driving that are allowable for the following
stress levels:
a) 240 MPa.
b) 215 MPa.
c) 200 MPa.
d) 150 MPa.

275

250
240
Stress Amplitude [MPa]

225
215
200

175

150

125

100
1.00E+04 1.00E+05 1.00E+06 1.00E+07 1.00E+08 1.00E+09
Cycles to Failure

a) For 240 MPa, the number of cycles is 2 ∙ 105 (red line in the graph).
2 ∙ 105
Lifetime240 MPa = = 266.66 min
750
266.66
Lifetime240 MPa = = 4.44 hr
60

b) For 215 MPa, the number of cycles is 2.3 ∙ 106 (green line in the graph).
2.3 ∙ 106
Lifetime215 MPa = = 3066.66 min
750
3066.66
Lifetime215 MPa = = 51.11 hr
60

c) For 200 MPa, the number of cycles is 1 ∙ 107 (black line in the graph).
1 ∙ 107
Lifetime200 MPa = = 13333.33 min
750
13333.33
Lifetime200 MPa = = 222.22 hr
60
d) There is no failure since fatigue limit is higher than the stress applied on the specimen.

*
Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2007). Materials science and engineering: an introduction. New York:
Wiley.