Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

CHAPTER 05 COMPOUND STRESSES

Introduction:
In previous chapters 1 through 4, analysis of structural members subjected to only one type of
loads/stress and strain (i.e., direct axial, direct shear, bending, and torsion) were discussed. In
practical cases, a structural component may experience combination of these stresses
simultaneously. Therefore nature of stress in practical structures will be complex or
compound. For example, a beam is under bending and shear. A shaft may be under torque,
bending and direct stress.

General two dimensional system:

Figure 1. Positive sign conventions for stresses

Figure 1 shows a general two dimensional stress system. σX is a tensile stress acting on a
vertical plane and σY is a tensile stress acting on a horizontal plane. They are also called as
normal stress and ‘τ’ is the shear stress. Consider a plane AB inclined at  to the vertical
plane. This plane will carry normal stress σn and tangential stress σt. As  changes σn and σt
change.
For one value of , σn is maximum and σt is zero and for another value of , σn is minimum
and σt is zero. These normal stresses σn are known as principal stresses which are acting on
the plane at only one specific value of , where σt is zero. The corresponding planes where
tangential stresses are zero and only normal stresses exists, are known as principal planes.
The maximum normal stress on the principal plane is known as “Major Principal stress σ1”
and the minimum normal stress on the principal plane is known as “Minor Principal stress
σ2”. Similarly at one specific value of , from major and minor principal planes, there exists
maximum tangential/shear stress. However, on this plane the normal stresses need not be zero
and the plane is known as maximum shear stress plane. For all other planes inclined at angle
, there exists some normal and tangential stress.

Compound stress analysis can be carried using two methods:

1. Analytical Method (*Refer textbooks for the derivation and more information on analytical equations)
2. Graphical Method (Mohr’s circle method)

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Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

Analytical Method:
Following are the important equations used in calculating various parameters of general two
dimensional stress system.

Figure 2. Pictorial representation of analytical solutions in two dimensional stress system

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Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

Graphical Method using Mohr’s circle:

This is a graphical method of finding principal stresses, maximum shear stress and principal
planes. Mohr’s circle is used to find normal, tangential and resultant stresses in a two
dimensional stress system.

Let ‘P’ be the point on the circle such that angle AOP = 2 . Then coordinates of P (along x & y)
represents the normal and tangential stresses on a plane at any arbitrary angle 2 to plane of σ1.

Figure 3. Illustrating Mohr’s circle diagram when all stresses are positive
Using above procedure solutions to various two dimensional stress system problems can be
solved when tensile, compressive and shear stresses are positive or negative or zero.

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Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

Numericals:
1.

2.

3.

4.

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Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

5.

6.
Determine the principal stresses, maximum shear stress and their directions acting at the top most
point on the upper surface of the bar at the fixed end for the component shown in figure. Take D =
30 mm, a = 150 mm, b = 300 mm, P = 1500 N. Ignore the shear stresses developed due to bending
of the bar.

Illustration:
[Hint: First find out all the type of stresses arising at the required point (axial, bending, shear and torsion
whichever applicable). Calculate the magnitude of these stresses using corresponding equations. Then form the
combined stresses and calculate for the principal stresses, maximum shear stresses and their directions]

Free body diagram of given structure

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Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

It can be noted that, the downward load P acting at free end of the bar induces bending and torsion in
the bar. Therefore, first we need to find the bending stress and torsional shear stresses.
Torque experienced at the fixed end is,

Bending Moment induced at the fixed end is

Therefore the corresponding bending stresses, is given by bending equation

It is known that, bending stresses are experienced as axial stresses (i.e, tension and compression about
the neutral axis).

The top most point in the given structure at the fixed end is experiencing tensile axial stress due to
bending and the torsional shear stress. The 2D stress state at that point is shown in following figure.

**Now using analytical or Graphical method solve for Principal stresses, maximum shear stresses and
their direction similar to previous numericals.
(Ans: σ1 = 179.9 MPa & 1 = 13.3o; σ2 = -10.1 MPa & 2 = 103.3o; τXY = 95 MPa & 3 =
58.3o, 4 = 116.6o)
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Strength of Materials [MME 2154]–Reference Notes III Sem, B.Tech.-Mechanical Engg.

7.
The rod below is subjected to a torque T = 100 lbf*in, a load P = 250 lbf in the negative x-direction,
and a load F = 25 lbf in the positive y-direction. The rod is machined out of an AISI 4130 steel bar
(Tensile strength 95 ksi, compressive strength 75 ksi, shear strength 48 ksi), and has a diameter of d =
0.5 in. Determine the principal stresses and maximum shear stresses developed at point ‘A’ and their
directions. Also check, is the rod safe under given loadings?

[Hint: First find out all the type of stresses arising at the required point (axial, bending, shear and
torsion whichever applicable). Calculate the magnitude of these stresses using corresponding
equations. Then form the combined stresses and calculate for the principal stresses, maximum shear
stresses and their directions. Similar to that of problem 6, illustrated above.
To check for safety, compare the obtained principal stresses with the tensile/compressive strength and
Maximum shear stress with the shear strength of the material]

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