ESci132 Module 1.3

44 ESci 132 – Mechanics of Deformable Bodies
Lesson 1.3: Strain
Lesson Summary
In this lesson, we will learn the concept of strain and know its importance in
studying mechanics of deformable bodies. We will also know how to calculate
the strain of a deformed body.
Learning Outcomes
1. Understand the concept of stress; and,

2. Solve problems about normal and shear stress.
Discussion
Deformation
Whenever a force is applied to a body, it will tend to change the body’s shape
and size. These changes are referred to as deformation, and they may be
highly visible or practically unnoticeable. Consider a rubber band that is
stretched, you will notice that it will undergo a large deformation. But on the
other hand, concrete does not easily deform even if you exert a large force into
it. Deformation also occurs when the temperature of the body is changed, and
it is technically called thermal expansion.
Figure 9. A rubber subjected to tension
Deformation may vary in its location in a body. To study deformation, we always

consider a very small line segment next to the point of focus. The deformation
of this line segment will vary depending on how it is oriented. As shown in
Figure 9, a rubber is subjected to tension and lines are drawn before the rubber
is stretched as shown on the left. If the segment is oriented along the axis
where the loads are applied (red line), the segment elongates. The line
segment perpendicular to the red line (blue line) tends to shrink, and the line
oriented diagonally (green line), the segment changes its length and rotates.
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Strain
In order to describe the deformation of a body by the changes of the lengths of
the line segments and the changes in its angles, we will develop the concept
of strain. Strain is measured by experiment, and once the strain is obtained, it
will be shown in the next chapter how it can be related to the stress acting
within the body.
Normal Strain
Figure 10. A bar that is stretched
If a tensile load 𝑷 is applied to the bar in Figure 10, it will change the bar’s
length 𝐿𝑂 to a length 𝐿. We will define the average normal strain 𝝐 (epsilon) of
the bar as the change in its length 𝜹 (delta) = 𝐿 − 𝐿𝑂 divided by its original
length 𝐿, that is
Units
As shown, normal strain is a dimensionless quantity, since it is a ratio of two
lengths. However, it is sometimes stated in terms of a ratio of length units. In
engineering, it can be expressed as micrometers per meter (𝜇𝑚/𝑚) in the SI
units. For english units, inches per inch (𝑖𝑛/𝑖𝑛) is used. For experimental work,
strain is often expressed in percent.
Shear Strain
Figure 11. A block subjected to shear stress creates shear strain
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Deformations not only cause line segments to elongate or contract, but they
also cause them to change direction. If we select two line segments that are
originally perpendicular to one another, then the change in angle that occurs
between them is referred to as shear strain. This angle is denoted by 𝜸
(gamma) and is always measured in radians (rad), which are dimensionless.
For example, consider the two perpendicular line segments at a point in the
block shown in Figure 11a. If an applied loading causes the block to deform as
shown in Figure 11b, so that the angle between the line segments becomes 𝜃,
then the shear strain at the point becomes,
Notice that if 𝜃 is smaller than 𝜋/2, Figure 11c (left), then the shear strain is
positive. whereas if 𝜃 is larger than 𝜋/2, Figure 11c (right), then the shear strain
is negative.
Cartesian Strain Components
Figure 12. Three-dimensional strain components
We can generalize our definitions of normal and shear strain and consider the
undeformed element at a point in a body, Figure 12a. Since the element’s
dimensions are very small, its deformed shape will become a parallelepiped,
Figure 12b.
Here, the normal strain changes the sides of the element to
which produces a change in the volume of the element.
And the shear strain changes the angles between the sides of the element to
which changes the shape of the element.
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Examples
Example 1.11
Determine the average normal strains in the two wires in Figure 1-11 if the ring
at A moves to A′.
Figure 1-11. A ring supported by two wires
Solution
Geometry
The original length of each wire is
Their final lengths are
Average Normal Strain
Example 1-12
When force P is applied to the rigid lever arm ABC in Figure 1-12a, the arm
rotates counterclockwise about pin A through an angle of 0.05°. Determine the
normal strain in wire BD.
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Figure 1-12. A rigid lever arm
Solution I
Geometry
The orientation of the lever arm after it rotates about point A is shown in Figure
1-12b. From the geometry of this figure,
Then
For triangle ABD the Pythagorean theorem gives
Using this result and applying the law of cosines to triangle AB′D,
Solution II
Since the strain is small, this same result can be obtained by approximating the
elongation of wire BD as ∆𝐿𝐵𝐷 , shown in Figure 1-12b. Here,
Therefore,
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No.CET.ESC SLG20-14
Example 1.13
The plate shown in Figure 1-13a is fixed connected along AB and held in the
horizontal guides at its top and bottom, AD and BC. If its right side CD is given
a uniform horizontal displacement of 2 mm, determine (a) the average normal
strain along the diagonal AC, and (b) the shear strain at E relative to the x, y
axes.
Figure 1-13. A plate held by guides
Solution
Part A
When the plate is deformed, the diagonal AC becomes AC′, Figure 1-13b. The
lengths of diagonals AC and AC′ can be found from the Pythagorean theorem.
We have
Therefore the average normal strain along AC is
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No.CET.ESC SLG20-14
Part B
To find the shear strain at E relative to the x and y axes, which are 90° apart, it
is necessary to find the change in the angle at E. After deformation, Figure 1-
13b,
Applying the shear strain, the shear strain at E is therefore the change in the
angle AED,
The negative sign indicates that the once 90° angle becomes larger.
References
Hibbeler, R.C. (2015). Mechanics of Materials (10th Edition). Pearson Prentice

Hall Pearson Education, Inc. Hoboken, New Jersey 07030
Yiheng Wang (Youtube Channel). [2013] Mechanics of Materials. Retrieved
on Aug. 4, 20 from the website:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coRgpxG2pyY&list=PLLbvVfERDo
n3 oDfCYxkwRct1Q6YeOzi9g
Mechanics of Materials RC Hibbeler 6th Edition PDF ....
https://sustainablenevada.org/edition-pdf/14443-mechanics-of-
materials-rc-hibbeler-6th-edition-pdf-332-257.php
R.c hibbeler - LinkedIn SlideShare.
https://www.slideshare.net/alvarovelazquezThe581/rc-hibbeler
Mechanics of Materials by R.C.Hibbeler Free Download PDF ....
http://www.mechanicalibrary.com/2017/04/mechanics-of-materials-by-
rc-hibbeler-free-download-pdf-mechanicalibrary.com.html
The centre C of the circle is located on the \u03c3 x1 ....
https://www.coursehero.com/file/p1ftsam/The-centre-C-of-the-circle-is-
located-on-the-%CF%83-x1-axis-at-the-point-where-%CF%83-x1/
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ESci132 Module 1.3

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44 ESci 132 – Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

Lesson 1.3: Strain

1. Understand the concept of stress; and,

Figure 9. A rubber subjected to tension

Deformation may vary in its location in a body. To study deformation, we always

Figure 10. A bar that is stretched

Figure 11. A block subjected to shear stress creates shear strain

Cartesian Strain Components

Figure 12. Three-dimensional strain components

Here, the normal strain changes the sides of the element to

which produces a change in the volume of the element.

which changes the shape of the element.

Figure 1-11. A ring supported by two wires

Their final lengths are

Average Normal Strain

Figure 1-12. A rigid lever arm

For triangle ABD the Pythagorean theorem gives

Figure 1-13. A plate held by guides

Therefore the average normal strain along AC is

Hibbeler, R.C. (2015). Mechanics of Materials (10th Edition). Pearson Prentice

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