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CHAPTER 5: Plane Stress

Intended Learning Outcomes

After studying this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

1. Determine the equations for transformation of axes.

2. Apply equations to determine principal normal and shear stresses.
3. Perform transformation graphically using Mohr’s circle

Plane Stress

The general state of stress at a point is characterized by six independent normal and shear
stress components, which act on the faces of an element of material located at the point, Figure a.
Engineers frequently make approximations or simplifications of the loadings on a body in order
that the stress produced in a structural member or mechanical element can be analyzed in a single
plane. When this is the case, the material is said to be subjected to plane stress, Fig. b.
For example, if there is no load on the surface of a body, then the normal and shear stress
components will be zero on the face of an element that lies on this surface. Consequently, the
corresponding stress components on the opposite face will also be zero, and so the material at the
point will be subjected to plane stress.

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The general state of plane stress at a point is therefore represented by a combination of two
normal-stress components, σx, σy and one shear stress component, τxy which act on four faces of
the element. In other words, the state of plane stress at the point is uniquely represented by two
normal stress components and one shear stress component acting on an element that has a specific
orientation at the point.

The transformation for force must only account for the force component’s magnitude and
direction. The transformation of stress components, however, is more difficult since the
transformation must account for the magnitude and direction of each stress component and the
orientation of the area upon which each component acts.

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Procedure for Analysis

If the state of stress at a point is known for a given orientation of an element of material,
Fig. a, then the state of stress in an element having some other orientation, Fig. b, can be
determined using the following procedure.

 To determine the normal and shear stress components σ x’, τx’y’ acting on the +x’ face of the
element, Fig. b, section the element in Fig. a as shown in Fig. c. If the sectioned area is ΔA
then the adjacent areas of the segment will be ΔA sinθ and ΔA cosθ
 Draw the free-body diagram of the segment, which requires showing the forces that act on
the segment, Fig. d. This is done by multiplying the stress components on each face by the
area upon which they act.
 Apply the force equations of equilibrium in the x’ and y’ directions. The area ΔA will cancel
from the equations and so the two unknown stress components σ x’ and τx’y’ can be
determined.
 If σy’, acting on the +y’ face of the element in Fig. b, is to be determined, then it is necessary
to consider a segment of the element as shown in Fig. e and follow the same procedure just
described. Here, however, the shear stress τx’y’ does not have to be determined if it was
previously calculated, since it is complementary, that is, it must have the same magnitude
on each of the four faces of the element, Fig. b.

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Sample Problem 1.0

The state of plane stress at a point on the surface of the airplane fuselage is represented on
the element oriented as shown in Fig. a. Represent the state of stress at the point on an element that
is oriented 30° clockwise from the position shown.

Solution:

The element is sectioned by the line a-a

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Applying the equations of force equilibrium in the x’ and y’ directions to avoid a

simultaneous solution for the two unknowns σx’ and τx’y’ , we have

Since σx’ is negative, it acts in the opposite direction of that shown in Fig. c. The results are
shown on the top of the element in Fig. d, since this surface is the one considered in Fig. c.

We must now repeat the procedure to obtain the stress on the perpendicular plane b–b.
Sectioning the element in Fig. a, along b–b results in a segment having sides with areas shown in
Fig. e. Orienting the axis outward, perpendicular to the sectioned face, the associated free-body
diagram is shown in Fig. f. Thus,

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Since σx’ is a negative quantity, it acts opposite to its direction shown in Fig. f. The stress
components are shown acting on the right side of the element in Fig. d.

From this analysis we may therefore conclude that the state of stress at the point can be
represented by choosing an element oriented as shown in Fig. a, or by choosing one oriented as
shown in Fig. d. In other words, these states of stress are equivalent.

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General Equations of Plane-Stress Transformation

Sign Convention. The +x and +x’ axes are used to define the outward normal from a side of the
element. Then σx and σx’ are positive when they act in the positive x and x’ directions, and τxy and
τx’y’ are positive when they act in the positive y and y’ directions.
The orientation of the plane on which the normal and shear stress components are to be
determined will be defined by the angle Ɵ, which is measured from the +x axis to the +x’ axis, Fig.
b. The angle Ɵ will be positive provided it follows the curl of the right-hand fingers, i.e.,
counterclockwise as shown in Fig. b.

Normal and Shear Stress Components. Using the established sign convention, the element in
Fig. a below is sectioned along the inclined plane and the segment shown in Fig. b is isolated.
Assuming the sectioned area is ΔA, then the horizontal and vertical faces of the segment have an
area of ΔAsinƟ and ΔAcosƟ, respectively.

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The resulting free-body diagram of the segment is shown in Fig. c. Applying the equations
of equilibrium to determine the unknown normal and shear stress components σx’ and τx’y’ we have

These two equations may be simplified by using the trigonometric identities

𝑠𝑖𝑛2𝜃 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
1 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃
𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 =
2
1 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃
𝑐𝑜𝑠 2𝜃 =
2
𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃

Equation 1:

Equation 2:

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If the normal stress acting in the direction is needed, it can be obtained by simply
substituting (θ= θ+ 90o) for θ into Eq. 1, Fig. d. This yields,

Fig. d

Equation 3:

If σy’ is calculated as a positive quantity, it indicates that it acts in the positive y’ direction as
shown in Fig. 9d.

Procedure for Analysis

To apply the stress transformation Eqs. 1 and 2, it is simply necessary to substitute in the
known data for σx , σy , τxy , and Ɵ in accordance with the established sign convention. If σ x’ and
τx’y’ are calculated as positive quantities, then these stresses act in the positive direction of the x’
and y’ axes.
For convenience, these equations can easily be programmed on a pocket calculator.

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Sample Problem

The state of plane stress at a point is represented by the element shown in Fig. a.
Determine the state of stress at the point on another element oriented 30° clockwise from the
position shown.

Solution:

From the sign convention we have,

To obtain the stress component on the plane CD,

The negative signs indicate that σx’ and τx’y’ act in the negative x’ and y’ directions, respectively.

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In a similar manner, the stress components acting on face BC,

Here τx’y’ has been calculated twice in order to provide a check. The negative sign for σ x’ indicates
that this stress acts in the negative x’ direction, Fig. c.

*Alternatively, we could apply Eq. 3 with θ= -30 rather than Eq. 1.

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Principal Stresses and Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress

In engineering practice, it is often important to determine the orientation of the element that
causes the normal stress to be a maximum and a minimum and the orientation that causes the shear
stress to be a maximum.

In-Plane Principal Stresses.

To determine the maximum and minimum normal stress, we must differentiate the equation
for σx’ with respect to θ and set the result equal to zero.

This gives

Solving this equation, we obtain the orientation θ = θp of the planes of maximum and
minimum normal stress.

Equation 4:

The solution has two roots, θp1 and θp2 Specifically, the values of 2θp1 and 2θp2 are 180°
apart, so θp1 and θp2 will be 90° apart.

The values of θp1 and θp2 must be substituted into Eq. 1 if we are to obtain the required
normal stresses. To do this we can obtain the necessary sine and cosine of θp1 and θp2 from the
shaded triangles shown in Fig. below. The construction of these triangles is based on Eq. 4,
assuming that τxy and (σx – σy) are both positive or both negative quantities.

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Substituting these trigonometric values into Eq. 1 and simplifying, we obtain

Equation 5:

Depending upon the sign chosen, this result gives the maximum or minimum in-plane
normal stress acting at a point, where σ1 ≥ σ2. This particular set of values are called the in-plane
principal stresses, and the corresponding planes on which they act are called the principal planes
of stress. Furthermore, if the trigonometric relations for θp1 or θp2 are substituted into Eq. 2, it can
be seen that τx’y’ = 0; in other words, no shear stress acts on the principal planes.

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Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress

The orientation of an element that is subjected to maximum shear stress on its sides can be
determined by taking the derivative of Eq. 2 with respect to θ and setting the result equal to zero.
This gives

Equation 6:

By comparison with Eq. 4, tan 2Ɵs is the negative reciprocal of tan 2Ɵp and so each root is
90° from 2Ɵp, and the roots Ɵs and Ɵp are 45° apart. Therefore, an element subjected to
maximum shear stress will be 45° from the position of an element that is subjected to the
principal stress.

Using either one of the roots Ɵs1 or Ɵs2 , the maximum shear stress can be found by taking
the trigonometric values of sin 2Ɵs and cos 2Ɵs from Fig. above and substituting them into Eq.
2. The result is

Equation 7:

The value of τmax-in-plane as calculated from this equation is referred to as the maximum in-
plane shear stress because it acts on the element in the x–y plane.

Substituting the values for sin 2θs and cos 2θs into Eq 1, we see that there is also an average
normal stress on the planes of maximum in-plane shear stress. We get

Equation 8:

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Sample Problem 1

The state of plane stress at a failure point on the

shaft is shown on the element in Fig. a. Represent this
stress state in terms of the principal stresses.

SOLUTION:
From the established sign convention, we have

σx = -20 MPa ; σy = 90 MPa; τxy = 60 MPa

Orientation of Element.

Recall that is measured positive counter clockwise from the x axis to the outward normal (x’
axis) on the face of the element, and so the results are shown in Fig. b.

Principal Stress. We have

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Sample Problem 2
The state of plane stress at a point on a body is represented on the element shown in Fig.
a. Represent this stress state in terms of the maximum in-plane shear stress and associated
average normal stress.

SOLUTION:
Since σx = -20 MPa σy = 90 MPa τxy = 60 MPa, applying the equation, we have

Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress.

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The proper direction of τmax-in-plane on the element can be determined by substituting, θ – θs2 =
21.3 0 C into Eq of τx’y’. We have

This positive result indicates that τmax-in-plane acts in the positive y’ direction on this face (θ
=21.30) Fig. b. The shear stresses on the other three faces are directed as shown in Fig. c.

Average Normal Stress.

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Sample Problem 3
When the torsional loading T is applied to the bar in Fig. a, it produces a state of pure
shear stress in the material. Determine (a) the maximum in-plane shear stress and the
associated average normal stress, and (b) the principal stress.

SOLUTION:
From the established sign convection,
σx = 0 σy = 0 τxy = -τ
Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress.

Principal Stress.

If we now apply Eq. 1 with Ɵp2=45 ̊ then

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Sample Problem 4
When the axial loading P is applied to the bar in Fig. a, it produces a tensile stress in the
material. Determine (a) the principal stress and (b) the maximum in-plane shear stress and
associated average normal stress.

SOLUTION:
From the established sign convention,

Principal Stress.

Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress.

To determine the proper orientation of the element, apply Eq. 2.

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Mohr’s Circle—Plane Stress

Mohr’s Circle for Stress transformation is a graphical way to represent the transformation
of stress equations. This method will allow us to “visualize” how the normal and shear stress
components and vary as the plane on which they act is oriented in different directions, figure a. If
we write Eqs. 1 and 2 in the form

Eq. 9

Eq. 10

then the parameter θ can be eliminated by squaring each equation and adding the equations
together. The result is

For a specific problem, σx, σy, τxy are known constants. Thus, the above equation can be
written in a more compact form as

Eq. 11

Where:

Eq. 12

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If we establish coordinate axes, σ positive to the right and τ positive downward, and then
plot Eq. 11, it will be seen that this equation represents a circle having a radius R and center on
the σ axis at point C ( σave , 0) Fig. b. This circle is called Mohr’s circle, because it was
developed by the German engineer Otto Mohr.

Steps in Construction of Mohr’s Circle

1. Show the stresses σx, σy, and τxy on a cube. Label the vertical plane V and the horizontal
plane H.
2. Write the coordinates of points V and H as V(,σ x, -τxy) and H(σy, τxy).
3. Draw the horizontal axis with the tensile normal stress to the right (i.e., positive) and the
compressive normal stress to the left (i.e., negative). Draw the vertical axis with the
clockwise (CW) direction of shear stress (i.e., positive) up and the counterclockwise (CCW)
direction of rotation down.
4. Locate points V and H and join the points by drawing a line. Label the point where line VH
intersects the horizontal axis as C, the center of the circle. The center has coordinates C
(σaverage, 0).
5. Draw Mohr’s circle with point C as the center and a radius, R of

6. The angle between lines CV and Cσ1 is labeled 2θ because the angles on Mohr’s circle are
double the actual angle between planes.

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To determine the direction of rotation (i.e., the sign) we first record the direction in which
we move from point V(σx, -τxy) to point (σ1, 0) on Mohr’s circle.

If the direction of rotation is CCW (i.e., towards the positive shear direction), then the sign
of θ is positive. If the rotation is CW then the sign of θ is negative.

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Sample Problem 1

Consider a point in a solid that is subjected to the following state of stress:

σx = 90 MPa; σy = -50 MPa; τxy = -60 MPa.

a. Draw a free body diagram representing the stress state.

b. Determine the principal stresses, the maximum in-plane shear stress acting on the
point, and the orientation of the principal planes using Mohr’s circle. c. Show the
stresses no an appropriate diagram.

Solution:
a. Draw a free body diagram representing the stress state.

b. Determine the principal stresses, the maximum in-plane shear stress acting on the point,
and the orientation of the principal planes using Mohr’s circle.

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c. Show the stresses on an appropriate diagram.

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Sample Problem 2
The state of plane stress at a point is shown on the
element in Fig. a. Determine the maximum in-plane shear
stress at this point.

Solution:

From the data,

σx = -20 MPa, σy = 90 MPa, τxy = 60 MPa

for:
V plane : (,σx, -τxy) : (-20MPa, -60MPa)
H Plane: (σy, τxy), : (90 MPa, 60 MPa)
Center : ( (σave, 0) : ( 35MPa, 0)

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R = 81.4 = τmac-in-plane

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CHAPTER TEST
Directions: Solve the following problems.

Problem 1.0

The state of stress at a point in a member is shown

on the element. Determine the stress components acting
on the inclined plane AB.
a. Solve the problem using the method of
equilibrium
b. Solve the problem using the stress-
transformation equations developed. Show the
result on a sketch.

Answer:

Problem 2. 0

The state of stress at a point is shown on the element. Determine (a) the principal stress and
(b) the maximum in-plane shear stress and average normal stress at the point. Specify the
orientation of the element in each case. Sketch the results on each element.

Answer:

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Problem 3. 0
The state of stress at a point is shown on the element. Determine (a) the principal stress and
(b) the maximum in-plane shear stress and average normal stress at the point. Specify the
orientation of the element in each case. Sketch the results on each element.

Problem 4. 0

Solve the problem 3.0 using Mohr’s Circle.

References:
1. HIBBELER, R. C., Mechanics of Materials, 8th Ed. (USA: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011)

Module 5 – Plane Stress