Unit 5 : Principal Stresses, Theories of Failure

Lect. No 5.3 : Principal Stresses

Syllabus Content :
Principal Stresses, Theories of Failure [08 Hr.]
Principal Stresses: Introduction to principal stresses with application,
Transformation of Plane Stress, Principal Stresses and planes
(Analytical method and Mohr's Circle), Stresses due to combined
Normal and Shear stresses.
Theories of Elastic failure: Introduction to theories of failure with
application, Maximum principal stress theory, Maximum shear stress
theory, Maximum distortion energy theory, Maximum principal strain
theory, Maximum strain energy theory

LO : Students will be able to compute Principal Stresses acting on

any mechanical component / system using analytical method.

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Pre-requisite :
Simple stresses (unit 1 – SM)
In unit number 1of simple stresses and strains, we have studied in detail,
the normal stress ie direct tensile and compressive stress as well as shear
stress. In that unit, we have always referred the stress acting on a plane,
which is at right angle to the line of action of the force (in case of direct
tensile or compressive stress). In case of shear stress, line of action of
force is tangential (parallel) to the plane. Moreover, we have considered at
a time one type of stress acting in one direction only. (tensile or
compressive or shear).
But in actual practice, the majority of engineering components and
structures are subjected to complex loading conditions (or sometimes are
of such shapes), that there exists a complex state of stress, involving both
the types of stresses ie direct and shear stresses simultaneously in various
directions. It is therefore necessary to find the region where the effect of
these stresses will be critical from the design point of view.
Fig 1 shows stresses acting on normal plane and inclined (oblique) plane.

Fig 1 : Stresses on normal and inclined planes

Introduction to Principal Stresses :
In this unit, we are going to study the nature and intensity of stresses acting
on inclined plane (ie on planes other than that which is at right angle or
parallel to the line of action of force). The stress acting on an oblique plane
can be resolved into 2 components – in perpendicular and parallel direction
(ie normal and shear stress). Refer fig 2.

Fig 2 : Stresses acting on an oblique plane

When such stresses act at a point in a stressed material, there always exist
3 orthogonal planes, carrying entirely normal stresses (with no shear
stresses at all). Such planes are called principal planes and the normal
stresses acting on them are called principal stresses. These are denoted
by σ1, σ2, σ3. One of these principal stresses is the greatest normal, known
as maximum principal stress. And one of them is the least normal stress,
known as minimum principal stress. It is therefore necessary to find out
maximum principal stress, which shall not exceed a permissible value for
the safety of design. In 2 dimensional problem analysis, there are only 2
principal stresses – maximum and minimum. (not 3 principal stresses).
Examples of combined stresses :
1) In case of shaft, torsional as well as bending stresses, both are
induced.
2) A beam is always under bending and shear. (In unit 2 & 3, we
have studied it separately).
3) A bolt is subjected to tensile as well as direct shear stress.

Principal Planes and principal stresses :

The planes which have no shear stress, are known as principal planes.
Hence principal planes are the planes of zero shear stress. These planes
carry only normal stresses. The normal stresses, acting on a principal
plane, are known as principal stresses.

Stress Analysis on an inclined plane :

To find the stresses acting on an inclined plane in a stressed material, we
consider a general plane inclined at an angle θ to the known plane in an
element and we find normal and shear stresses on this plane.
The following 4 types of stressed conditions in an element are considered
for analysis :
1) Uniaxial direct stress
2) Biaxial direct stress
3) Pure shear stress condition
4) General 2 dimensional stress system (biaxial and shear stress
condition).
While analyzing a stress system, following assumptions are made :
# a tensile stress is positive and compressive stress is negative
# a pair of shear stresses on parallel plane forming a CW couple is positive
and a pair with CCW couple is negative.
# CW angle is taken as positive and CCW angle as negative.

Methods for determination of stresses on an inclined plane :

1) Analytical method
2) Graphical method [Mohr’s circle method]

Case 1) Elements subjected to uniaxial direct stresses / Stresses on

an oblique section of a body subjected to direct stress in one plane :

Fig 3 : Unidirectional stress

Above figure shows a rectangular member of uniform cross sectional area

A and of unit thickness. The bar is subjected to a principal tensile stress σ1
on the faces AD and BC.
Area of c/s = BC x thickness of bar
Area of c/s = BC x 1
Let the stresses on the oblique plane FC are to be calculated. The plane
FC is inclined at angle θ with the normal cross section EF (or BC). This can
be done by converting the stress σ1 acting on the face BC into equivalent
force. Then this force will be resolved along the inclined planes FC and
perpendicular to FC. (It is to be noted that it is force and not the stress,
which is to be resolved).
Tensile stress on face BC = σ1
Now the tensile force on BC,
P1 = stress (σ1) x Area of c/s
P1 = σ1 x BC x 1
The above tensile force P1 is also acting on the inclined section FC, in the
axial direction as shown in above figure. This force P1 is resolved into 2
components ie one normal to the plane FC and other along the plane FC.
Let Pn = component of the force P1, normal to the section FC
Pn = P1.cosθ
Pn = σ1 x BC x 1 x cosθ (a)
Let Pt = component of the force P1, parallel to the section FC
Pt = P1.sinθ
Pt = σ1 x BC x 1 x sinθ (b)

Let σn = Normal stress on the section FC

Let σt = Shear stress (or tangential stress) across the section FC

Then finding out normal stress,

Putting the value of Pn from equation (a)

Similarly finding out tangential or shear stress,

Putting the value of Pt from equation (b)

Special Case 1) When θ = 00 :

As θ = 00 , the section FC will coincide with section EF, but section EF is
normal to the line of action of loading. This means the plane normal to the
axis of loading will carry the maximum normal stress. From equation [1], we
get

So here σ1 is known as principal stress, as shear stress is zero on the

plane on which σ1 is acting.
Special Case 2) When θ = 450 :
From equation [2], it is observed that the shear stress across the section
FC will be maximum, when sin2θ is maximum and sin2θ will be maximum,
when sin2θ = 1 or 2θ = 900 or 2700 or θ = 450 or 1350.
This means the shear stress will be maximum on 2 planes inclined at 45 0
and 1350 to the normal section EF or BC.
Maximum value of this shear stress will be found out from equation [2].

From equations [3] and [4], it is seen that maximum normal stress equal to
σ1 whereas the maximum shear stress is equal to σ1/2 or equal to half of
the value of greatest normal stress.

Case 2) Elements subjected to biaxial direct stresses / Stresses on an

oblique section of a body subjected to direct stresses in 2 mutually
perpendicular direction :

Fig 4 : Biaxial stresses

Above figure shows a rectangular bar ABCD of uniform cross sectional
area A and of unit thickness. The bar is subjected to 2 direct tensile
stresses (or 2 principal tensile stresses).
Let FC be the oblique section on which stresses are to be calculated. This
can be done by converting the stresses σ1 (acting on face BC) and σ2
(acting on face AB) into equivalent forces. Then these forces will be
resolved along the inclined plane FC and perpendicular to FC.

Consider the forces acting on wedge FBC.

Let θ = angle made by oblique section FC with normal cross section BC.
σ1 = Major tensile stress on face AD and BC.
σ2 = Minor tensile stress on face AB and CD.
P1 = Tensile force on face BC.
P2 = Tensile force on face BF.

The tensile force on face BC,

P1 = σ1 x area of face BC = σ1 x BC x 1 (c)
The tensile force on face FB,
P2 = Stress on BF x area of BF = σ2 x BF x 1 (d)

The tensile forces P1 and P2 are also acting on the oblique section FC. The
force P1 is acting in the axial direction, whereas the force P2 is acting
downwards as shown in above fig. Two forces P1 and P2 each can be
resolved into 2 components ie one normal to the plane FC and other along
ie parallel to the plane FC. The components of P1 are P1.cosθ normal to the
plane FC and P1.sinθ along the plane in upward direction. The components
of P2 are P2.sinθ normal to the plane FC and P2. cosθ along the plane in
downward direction.
Let Pn = Total force normal to the section FC
Pn = Component of force P1 normal to the section FC
+ Component of force P2 normal to the section FC

Putting the values of P1 and P2 from equations (c) and (d),

Let Pt = Total force along the section FC

Pt = Component of force P1 along the section FC
+ Component of force P2 along the section FC

Putting the values of P1 and P2 from equations (c) and (d),

σn = Normal stress across the section FC

Putting the value of Pn from equation [e]

But we know that

 Putting in above equation of σn

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

σt = Shear stress along section FC

Putting the value of Pt from equation [f]

But we know that

Putting in above equation of σt

( )
 The resultant stress on the section FC will be given as follows
√

Maximum shear stress :

The shear stress is given by equation [4].
The shear stress will be maximum,
when sin2θ = 1 or 2θ = 900 or 2700 ie θ = 450 or 1350.
And maximum shear stress is given as,

The planes of maximum shear stress are obtained by making an angle 45 0

and 1350 with the planes BC (at any point on the plane BC) in such a way
that the planes of maximum shear stress lie within the material. Hence the
planes, which are at an angle of 450 or 1350 with the normal cross section
BC, carry the maximum shear stresses.

Principal Planes :
Principal planes are the planes on which shear stress is zero. To locate the
position of principal planes, the shear stress given by equation [4], should
be equated to zero.
Therefore for principal planes,

( )

So putting θ = 0 in equation [3],

( ) ( )
 ( ) ( )

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

So putting θ = 900 in equation [3],

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

( ) ( )

The equations [3] to [6] also hold good when one or both the stresses are
compressive.

Case 3) Elements subjected to simple shear stress :

Fig 5 : Simple shear stress

Above fig shows a rectangular bar ABCD of uniform cross sectional area A
and of unit thickness. The bar is subjected to a simple shear stress across
the faces BC and AD. Let FC be the oblique section on which normal and
tangential stresses are to be calculated.
Let θ = angle made by oblique section FC with normal cross section BC
τ = shear stress across faces BC and AD.
It has been already proved that a shear stress is always accompanied by
an equal shear stress at right angles to it (known as complimentary shear
stress).
By following the same procedure as earlier, we can find out normal and
tangential (ie shear) stresses on inclined section FC as follows,

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Formulae
Principal stresses and planes –
[A] uniaxial direct stresses:

[B] Biaxial direct stresses:

( ) ( )

√ √
[C] Biaxial & shear stress:

( )

√( )

√( )

√( )

√( )

√( )

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Applications principal stresses :
1. A bolt is subjected to tensile stress as well as direct shear
stress.
2. A shaft having pulley or gear mounted on it is subjected to
torsional shear stresses as well as bending stresses
3. Propeller shaft of ship is subjected to axial stresses as well as
torsional shear stresses
4. Pressure vessels, thick and thin cylinder
5. And many more

References :
1. https://www.slideshare.net/deepak_223/lecture-2-principal-
stress-and-strain
2. Strength of Material by R K Bansal