Relation Among Elastic Constants Relation Between E, G and
Relation Among Elastic Constants Relation Between E, G and
Let us establish a relation among the elastic constants E,G and . Consider a cube of material of side �a'
subjected to the action of the shear and complementary shear stresses as shown in the figure and producing the
strained shape as shown in the figure below.
Assuming that the strains are small and the angle A C B may be taken as 450.
Since angle between OA and OB is very small hence OA OB therefore BC, is the change in the length of the
diagonal OA
Now this shear stress system is equivalent or can be replaced by a system of direct stresses at 450 as shown
below. One set will be compressive, the other tensile, and both will be equal in value to the applied shear strain.
Thus, for the direct state of stress system which applies along the diagonals:
We have introduced a total of four elastic constants, i.e E, G, K and . It turns out that not all of these are
independent of the others. Infact given any two of then, the other two can be found.
When = 0.5 Value of k is infinite, rather than a zero value of E and volumetric strain is zero, or in other words,
the material is incompressible.
Consider a cube subjected to three equal stresses as shown in the figure below
The total strain in one direction or along one edge due to the application of hydrostatic stress or volumetric
stress is given as
The relationship between E, G and K can be easily determained by eliminating from the already derived
relations
We have introduced a total of four elastic constants i.e E, G, K and . It may be seen that not all of these are
independent of the others. Infact given any two of them, the other two can be determined. Futher, it may be noted
that
hence if = 0.5, the value of K becomes infinite, rather than a zero value of E and the volumetric strain is zero or
in otherwords, the material becomes incompressible
Futher, it may be noted that under condition of simple tension and simple shear, all real materials tend to
experience displacements in the directions of the applied forces and Under hydrostatic loading they tend to
increase in volume. In otherwords the value of the elastic constants E, G and K cannot be negative
E = 2 G ( 1 + )
E = 3 K ( 1 )
Yields
In actual practice no real material has value of Poisson's ratio negative . Thus, the value of cannot be greater
than 0.5, if however 0.5 than v = ve, which is physically unlikely because when the material is stretched its
volume would always increase.
Determination of Poisson's ratio: Poisson's ratio can be determined easily by simultaneous use of two strain
gauges on a test specimen subjected to uniaxial tensile or compressive load. One gage is mounted parallel to the
longitudnal axis of the specimen and other is mounted perpendicular to the longitudnal axis as shown below:
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