MECH 401

Mechanical Design Applications

Dr. M. K. OMalley Master Notes

Spring 2007
Dr. D. M. McStravick
Rice University
Design Considerations

Stress Yield Failure or Code Compliance

Deflection
Often the controlling factor for
Strain functionality
Stiffness
Stability Important in compressive members

Stress and strain relationships can be studied

with Mohrs circle
Deflection [Everythings a Spring]

When loads are applied, we have deflection

Depends on
Type of loading
Tension

Compression

Bending

Torsion

Cross-section of member
Comparable to pushing on a spring
We can calculate the amount of beam deflection by
various methods
Superposition

Determine effects of individual loads separately and

add the results [see examples 4-2,3,4]
Tables are useful see A-9
May be applied if
Each effect is linearly related to the load that produces it
A load does not create a condition that affects the result of
another load
Deformations resulting from any specific load are not large
enough to appreciably alter the geometric relations of the
parts of the structural system
Deflection --- Energy Method
There are situations where the tables are insufficient
We can use energy-methods in these circumstances
Define strain energy
x1
s x Ee x
U Fdx
1 sx
2
1
0
s xe x
Define strain energy density** 2 2 E
dU

dU V volume
dV dV
Put in terms of s, e dV dU
1 s x2
U dV

2 E
Example beam in bending

My
s
I
sx 2
I y 2dA
U dV
2E
U
M y 2 2
M y2 2 M2 y dAdx
2

U
M 2 y2
dV 2 EI 2
dV 2 EI 2
( dAdx)
2 EI 2
2
2 EI M2
dV dAdx U dx
2 EI
M2
2
f ( x)
2 EI
Castiglianos Theorem
[He was a Grad Student at the Time!!]
Deflection at any point along a beam subjected to n loads may
be expressed as the partial derivative of the strain energy of
the structure WRT the load at that point
U
i
Fi
We can derive the strain energy equations as we did for
bending
Then we take the partial derivative to determine the deflection
equation
Plug in load and solve!
AND if we dont have a force at the desired point:
If there is no load acting at the point of interest, add a dummy load
Q, work out equations, then set Q = 0
Castigliano Example
Beam AB supports a uniformly
distributed load w. Determine the
deflection at A.

No load acting specifically at point A! Q

Apply a dummy load Q
U M M
L
Substitute expressions for M, M/ Q A, A dx
Q A 0 EI Q A
A
and QA (=0)
We directed QA downward and found A M ( x) Q A x 12 wx 2
to be positive
M
Defection is in same direction as QA
(downward) x
Q A

L
wL4 wL4
wx x dx
1
A A 1
2
2

8EI EI 0
8EI
 Stability
Up until now, 2 primary concerns
Strength of a structure
Its ability to support a specified load without
experiencing excessive stress
Material
failure Ability of a structure to support a specified
load without undergoing unacceptable
deformations
Now, look at STABILITY of the structure
Its ability to support a load without
undergoing a sudden change in configuration
Buckling

Buckling is a mode of failure that does not depend

on stress or strength, but rather on structural
stiffness
Examples:
More buckling examples
Buckling

The most common problem involving

buckling is the design of columns
Compression members
The analysis of an element in buckling
involves establishing a differential equation(s)
for beam deformation and finding the solution
to the ODE, then determining which solutions
are stable
Euler solved this problem for columns
Euler Column Formula
c 2 EI 2 EI
Pcrit Pcrit
L2 L2e
Where C is as follows:

C = ;Le=2L C = 2; Le=0.7071L C = 1: Le=L C = 4; Le=L/2

Fixed-free Fixed-pinned Rounded-rounded Fixed-fixed
Pinned-pinned
Buckling

Geometry is crucial to correct analysis

Euler long columns
Johnson intermediate length columns
Determine difference by slenderness ratio
The point is that a designer must be alert to
the possibility of buckling
A structure must not only be strong enough,
but must also be sufficiently rigid
Buckling Stress vs. Slenderness Ratio
Johnson Equation for Buckling
Solving buckling problems
Le 2 2 E
Find Euler-Johnson tangent point with

r Sy

For Le/r < tangent point (intermediate), use Johnsons Equation: 2 2

Le
Sy
Scr S y 2
4 E r
For Le/r > tangent point (long), use Eulers equation: S E
2

cr 2
Le

For Le/r < 10 (short), Scr = Sy r

If length is unknown, predict whether it is long or intermediate, use the

appropriate equation, then check using the Euler-Johnson tangent point once
you have a numerical solution for the critical strength
Special Buckling Cases

Buckling in very long Pipe

c 2 EI
Pcrit
L2
Note Pcrit is inversely related to length squared
A tiny load will cause buckling
L = 10 feet vs. L = 1000 feet:
Pcrit1000/Pcrit10 = 0.0001

Buckling under hydrostatic Pressure

Pipe in Horizontal Pipe Buckling Diagram

Far End vs. Input Load with Buckling


Buckling Length: Fiberglass vs. Steel

Impact
Dynamic loading
Impact Chapter 4
Fatigue Chapter 6
Shock loading = sudden loading
Examples?
3 categories
Rapidly moving loads of constant magnitude
Driving over a bridge
Suddenly applied loads Increasing
Explosion, combustion Severity
Direct impact
Pile driver, jack hammer, auto crash
Impact, cont.

It is difficult to define the time rates of load application

Leads to use of empirically determined stress impact factors
If t is time constant of the system, where
m
t 2
k
We can define the load type by the time required to apply the
load (tAL = time required to apply the load)

Static t AL 3t
1
Gray area t t AL 3t
2
1
Dynamic t AL t
2
Stress and deflection due to impact
W freely falling mass
k structure with stiffness (usually large)
Assumptions
Mass of structure is negligible
Deflections within the mass are negligible
Damping is negligible
Equations are only a GUIDE
h is height of freely falling mass before its release
is the amount of deflection of the spring/structure
Impact Assumptions
Impact Energy
Balance
Energy balance

Fe is the equivalent static force

necessary to create an amount of
deflection equal to
Energy Balance of falling weight, W
12
W h Fe
1
W (h ) W
2 2 s
W k static ks 12
h
Fe k 2 s
2h
Fe W s 1 1
s s

Fe
2h
W s
Fe W 1 1
s
Impact, cont.

Sometimes we know velocity at impact rather than

the height of the fall
An energy balance gives:

v 2 2 gh
v 2
s 1 1
g s

v 2

Fe W 1 1
g s

Pinger Pulse Setup
Pinger
Pressure Pulse in Small Diameter Tubing
1500 Foot Pulse Test