03 METHODOLOGY

CHAPTER 03
METHODOLOGY

This chapter gives detailed information of the methods that are used for stress
analysis. Fig. 3.1 shows method for stress analysis.

Stress Analysis

Analytical Numerical Experimental

1]Strength of 1]Finite 1]Whole Field

Material Element Method
2]Theory of 2]Finite 2]Point-by-
Elasticity Difference point method
3]Theory of 3]Boundary 3]Analogy
Plasticity collocation method

Fig.3.1 Methods for Stress analysis

3.1 Analytical Approach

The strength of materials approach is applicable to very simple cases only. Theory of
elasticity and theory of plasticity can be applied to many complicated situations, i.e.
plate with circular hole even under such load as pressurisation of hole. Starting from
stress and strain at a point and their correlation through Hooke’s law, theory of
elasticity and theory of plasticity can analyse the whole field stresses through
equations of equilibrium and strain energy functions. (28)

3.2 Numerical Approach

Finite element method is based upon discretization of material surface or space into
several small planes of solid elements. The law of distribution of stress over the
element is assumed and displacement at boundaries of adjacent elements are matched
to determine the shape of deform body. The stresses are calculated making use of

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stiffness matrix. In recent years, with the advent of advanced software’s, the FEA
based software ANSYS [APDL,WORKBENCH], COSMOL, DIANA, ABACUS
and NASTRAN have been very useful for stress analysis. These software’s are
preferred by users according to the type of stress analysis, the type of elements to be
analyzed and the depth of accuracy required.

Finite difference method is similar technique in which elasticity equilibrium equation

is applied and solved by using small but finite distance between adjacent points.

In Boundary collocation stress function is determine by satisfying condition along

boundary.

Distribution of stresses in a structure with boundary conditions, i.e. displacements

and/or forces on the boundary can be determined by using either the closed
form analytical methods or by approximate numerical methods. Boundary value
problems can be solved analytically by using constitutive equations based on
the elastic or plastic behaviour of the material under load. Analytical or close-
form solutions can be obtained for simple geometries, constitutive relations and
boundary conditions. Distribution of stresses in a structure with boundary conditions,
i.e. displacements and/or forces on the boundary can be determined by using
either the closed form analytical methods or by approximate numerical methods.
Boundary value problems can be solved analytically by using constitutive
equations based on the elastic or plastic behaviour of the material under load.
Analytical or close-form solutions can be obtained for simple geometries,
constitutive relations and boundary conditions.

Numerical method invariably and theory of elasticity method in several cases depends
upon use of computers for arriving at solution. (28)

3.3 Experimental Approach

Among the whole field experimental methods three have gained popularity. These
methods are:

i. Photoelasticity
ii. Brittle Coating and
iii. Electrical Strain Gauges.

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3.3.1 Photoelasticity

Photoelasticity is a non destructive, whole-field, graphic stress-analysis technique

based on an optical mechanical property called birefringence, possessed by many
transparent polymers. Combined with other optical elements and illuminated with an
ordinary light source, a loaded photoelastic specimen (or photoelastic coating applied
to an ordinary specimen) exhibits fringe patterns that are related to the difference
between the principal stresses in a plane normal to the light propagation direction. The
method is used primarily for analyzing two dimensional plane problems, which is the
emphasis in these notes. A method called stress freezing allows the method to be
extended to three dimensional problems. Photoelastic coatings are used to analyze
surface stresses in bodies of complex geometry.

3.3.2 Brittle Coating

A brittle coating as the name suggest, is a material forming a thin layer on a base
material and is brittle in nature particularly with respect to base material. Due to
the brittle nature, the coating may crack when the body is subjected to certain
minimum stress. Brittle coating is a Non destructive technique directly applicable on
machine part to be analyzed in actual situation.

The various type coating material like Stresscoat, Straintec, All-Temp, Glass-
Lacquer are now available for application. Coating is normally air sprayed onto
the component in the same way as spray paint. Thickness of coating is tried to be
maintained uniform in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 mm. The coating is often dried at room
temperature but seldom is it dried in oven.

3.3.3 Electrical Strain Gauges

Probably the most ubiquitous and reliable of all the tools of experimental stress
analysis is the electrical resistance strain gauges. The principle of its action is that the
electrical resistance of a conductor changes proportionally to any strain applied to it.
Thus, if a short length of wire were bonded to the structure in such a way that it
experiences the same deformation as the structure, then by measuring the change in
resistance, the strain can be obtained. (26)

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