MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

THERMAL STRESSES

Thermal stresses are the stresses induced in a body due to change in temperature Thermal
stresses are set up in a body, when the temperature of the body is raised or lowered and the
body
is not allowed to expand or contract freely. But if the body is allowed to expand or contract
freely, no stresses will be set up in the body.
Consider a body which is heated to a certain temperature.
Let,
L - Original length of the body
T - Rise in temperature
E - Young's Modulus
α - Coefficient of linear expansion
δ - Extension of rod due to rise of temperature
If the rod is free to expand, then extension of the rod is given by,
δ = α .T.L

A B B1

(a)
L dL
A B B1
(b) P

A L

P
(c)

L
In figure, AB represents the original length and BB I represents the increase in length due to
temperature rise. Now suppose that an external compressive load, P is applied at B l so that the
rod is decreased in its length from (L+ aTL) to L.

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

Decrease∈length
Then the compressive strain =
Original length
α TL α TL
= ≈ = αT
L+ α TL L
But,

Stress
=E
Strain

Therefore. Stress = strain x E = α .T.E

And the load or thrust on the rod = stress x Area = α .T.E x A
If the ends of the body are fixed to be rigid supports, so that its expansion is prevented, then
compressive stress and strain will be set up in the rod. These stresses and strains are known as
thermal stresses and thermal strain.

Extension prevented
:.thermal strain, e =
original length

α α TL
= = = αT
L L
and thermal stress, σ = Thermal strain x E
= α T.E

Stress And Strain when The Supports Yield:

If the supports yield by an amount equal to Δ, then the actual expansion
= Expansion due to rise in temperature - Δ
=α TL - Δ

Actual expansion α TL− Δ

Actual strain = =
original length L

And, Actual stress = Actual strain x E

α TL− Δ
= L
xE

Problem

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

A rod is 2 in long at a temperature of 10°C. Find the expansion of the rod, when the
temperature is raised to 80°C. If this expansion is prevented find the stress induced in the
material of the rod. Take E = 1.0 x 105 MN/m2 and α = 0.000012 per degree centigrade.
Solution: Given,
Length of the rod, L = 2m = 200 cm
Initial temperature T1 = 10°C
Final temperature T2 80°C
Rise in temperature T = T2 - T1
= 800 - 100= 70°C
Young’s Modulus, E = 1.0 x 105 MN/m2
= 1.0x 105x 106 N/m2
= 1.0x 1011 N/m2
Coefficient of linear expansion, α = 0.000012
(i) Expansion of rod due to temperature rise = α .T.L
=0.000012 x 70x 200
=0.168cm
(ii) Thermal stress in the material of the rod ,if expansion is prevented,
σ =α .T.E
=0.000012 X 701.0 X 1011 N/m2
=84 x 106N/m2 = 84 N/mm2
Problem
A steel rod of 3 cm diameter and 5 m long is connected to two grips and the rod is maintained at temperature of
95°C. Determine the stress and pull exerted when the temperature T1 fall to 30°C, if
(I) the ends do not yield, and
(ii) the ends yield by 0.12 cm

Take E = 2.0 x 105MN/m2,α = 12 x 10-6/ 0C

Copper
Steel
15 cm rod tube

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

3cm
4 cm
5cm

P = 45000N
Solution: Given,

Diameter of the rod, d = 3cm = 30mm

π 2
Area of the rod, A= r x 302 = 225 п mm2
4
Length of the rod, L = 5m = 5000 mm
Initial temperature T1 = 95°C
Initial temperature T2 = 30°C
Rise in temperature T = T1 - T2
= 950 - 30° = 65°C

Young's Modulus, E = 2.0 x 105 MN/m2

=2.0x 105x 106 N/m2
=2.0x 1011 N/m2
Coefficient of linear expansions α =0.0000121°C
(1) When the ends do not yield:

The stress = α .T.E = 0.00002 x 65 x 2.0 x 1011 N/m2

= 156 x10 6 N/m2 = 156 N/mm2 (tensile).

Pull in the rod = stress x area = 156 x 225 п = 110269.9 N.

(ii) When the ends yield by 0.12 cm:

Δ = 0.12cm = 1.2mm
The stress when the ends yield is given by,

α TL− Δ
Stress = xE
L

(0.0000 12 x 65 x 5000−1.2)
=
5000
= 108N/mm2

Pull in the rod = stress x area = 108 x 225п= 76340.7N.

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

STRAIN ENERGY

When some load is attached to a hanging wire, it extends and the load moves downwards by
an amount equal to the extension of the Wire. It is found that when the load moves
downwards. It loses its potential energy. This energy is absorbed (or stored) in the stretched
wire, which may be released by removing the load. This energy which is absorbed in a body,
when strained within its elastic limit is known as strain energy. It is found that this strain
energy is always capable of doing some work. The amount of strain energy, in a body is
found out by the principle of work.
STRAIN ENERGY = WORK DONE

Strain energy stored in a body when the load is gradually applied

STRAIN ENERGY = WORK DONE
It is most common and practical way of loading a in which the loading starts from zero and
increases gradually till the body is fully loaded. e.g., when we lower a body with the help of a
crane, the body first touches the platform on which it is to place. On further releasing the
chain, the platform goes on ladino till it fully loaded by the body. This is the case of a
gradually applied load.
K M

Load P
N
x
O Extension

Now consider a metallic bar subjected to a gradual load.

Let, P = load gradually applied,
A = Cross - sectional area of the bar,
l = length of the bar,
E = Modulus of elasticity of the bar material
Deformation of the bar due to load
Since the load applied is gradual, and varies from am to P, therefore the average load is equal
to P/2.
Work done = Force x Distance
= Average load x deformation

P P
= x δ l = x (𝜀. l )
2 2

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

1
= x σ . 𝜀 A. l
2

1
= x (Stress x Strain x Volume)
2

1 σ
= xσ . A l
2 E
2
σ
= xV
2E

Since the energy stored is also equal to the work done, therefore strain energy stored,

σ 2
U= xV
2E

Modulus of resilience = Strain energy per unit volume

2
σ
=
2E
Problem 2.10:
Calculate the strain energy snored in a bar 2 m long, 50 mm wide and 40 mm thick when it is
subjected to a tensile load of 60kN. Take E as 200GPa.
Solution: Given
Length of bar (l) = 2m = 2 x 103 mm:
width of bar (b) = 50 mm:
Thickness of bar (t) =40 mm:
Tensile load on bar (P)= 60kN = 60x 103 N and

Modulus of elasticity (E) = 200GPa = 200 x 10’ N/mm’

Srress in the bar, σ =P/A = (60 x 103) / (50 x 40)
= 30 N/mm2

2
σ
strain energy stored in the bar, U = xV
2E

302 6
= 3 x 4 x 10 N-mm
2 x (200 x 10 )

= 9 kN-mm

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

Strain Energy Stored in a Body when the Load is suddenly applied

Sometimes in factories and workshops, the load is suddenly applied on a body e.g., when we
lower a body with the help of a crane the body is, first of all, just above the platform on
which it is to be placed. If the chain breaks at once at this moment the whole load of the body
begins to act on the platform. This is the case of a suddenly applied load. Now consider a bar
subjected to a sudden load.
P = Load applied suddenly,
A = Cross-sectional area of bar,
l = Length or the bar,
E = Modulus of elasticity of material.
δl = Deformation of the bar, and

σ = Stress induced by the application of the sudden load

Since the load is applied suddenly, therefore the load (P) is constant throughout the process of
deformation of the bar.
Work done = Force x Distance Load x deformation

=P x δl
2
σ
strain energy stored,U = xAl
2E

Since the energy stored is equal to the work done, therefore

σ 2 σ
xAl=P x δl = P x E l
2E

P
σ =2x
A

It means that the stress induced in this case is twice the stress induced when the same
load is applied gradually. Once the stress (σ ) is obtained, the corresponding

instantaneous deformation, (δl) and strain energy may be found out as usual.

Problem

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 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS –MODULE 2

An axial pull of 20kN is suddenly applied on a steel rod 2.5 m long and l000mm in cross-
section. Calculate the strain energy, which can be absorbed in the rod.
Take E = 200GPa.
Solution: Given,

Axial pull on the rod (P) = 20kN = 20 x 103N;

Length of rod (l) = 2.5 m = 2.5 x 103 mm;
Cross-sectional area of rod (A) = 1000mm2 and
Modulus of elasticity (E) = 200GPa = 200 x 103 N/mm2
Stress in the rod, when the load is suddenly applied,

2
P 20 x 10
σ =2x =2x = 440 N/mm2
A 1000

And volume of the rod, V =l. A= (2.5 x l03) X 1000 =2.5 x 106 mm3
Strain energy which can be absorbed in the rod,

2 2
σ 40 6
U= xV = 3
2.5 x 10 N-mm
2E 2 x (200 x 10 )

= 10 x 103 N-mm = 10 kN-mm

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