ES325: MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES

LECTURE 2.0 | STRESS & STRAIN AXIAL LOADING

2.3 | Hookes law; Modulus of Elasticity

2.1 | Normal Strain Under Axial Loading

Hookes law. A relation where the stress is directly

proportional to the strain .

Normal Strain. Deformation per unit length.

=
=

2.2 | Stress-Strain Diagram

where E = modulus of elasticity, after the English scientist,

Thomas Young.
Proportional Limit. The largest value of the stress for which
Hookes law can be used for a given material.
2.4 | ELASTIC VERSUS PLASTIC BAHAVIOR OF A MATERIAL
Elastic Limit. The largest value of the stress for which the
material behaves elastically (strains caused by the
application of a given load disappear when the load is
removed).
Plastic Deformation (Permanent Set). Strain does not
return to zero after the load has been removed.

Test Specimen with

Tensile Load

Tested Specimen of
a Ductile Material

2.4 | Deformations of Members Under Axial Loading

Stress-Strain Diagrams of Two Typical Materials

Ductile materials, which comprise structural steel, as well as

many alloys of other metals, are characterized by their
ability to yield at normal temperatures. As the specimen is
subjected to an increasing load, its length first increases
linearly with the load and at a very slow rate.
Necking. A phenomenon in which after a certain
maximum value of the load has been reached, the
diameter of a portion of the specimen begins to decrease
because of local instability. After necking has begun,
somewhat lower loads are sufficient to keep the specimen
elongating further, until it finally ruptures.

Deformation of Axially Loaded Rod.

This equation may be used only if the rod is homogeneous

(constant E), has a uniform cross section of area A, and is
loaded at its ends.
If the rod is loaded at other points, or if it consists of several
portions of various cross sections and possibly of different
materials,
=

Yield Strength. The stress Y at which yield is initiated.

Ultimate Strength. The stress U corresponding to the
maximum load applied to the specimen.

In the case of a member of variable cross section, the total

deformation of the member is obtained by integrating d
= dx = Pdx / AE over the length L of the member.

Breaking Strength. The stress B corresponding to rupture.

Stress-Strain Diagram for a Typical Brittle Material

Brittle materials, which comprise cast iron, glass, and stone,

are characterized by the fact that rupture occurs without
noticeable prior change in the rate of elongation.

Illustrative Examples
1.

Determine the deformation of the steel rod shown

under the given loads. E = 29x106 psi.

ES325: MECHANICS OF DEFORMABLE BODIES

2.

The rigid bar BDE is supported by two links AB and

CD. Link AB is made up of aluminum (E = 70GPa)
and has a cross-sectional area of 500mm2; link CD
is made up of steel (E = 200GPa) and has a crosssectional area of 600 mm2. For the 30-kN force
shown, determine the deflection (a) of B, (b) of D,
(c) of E.

3.

The rigid castings A and B are connected by two

-in diameter steel bolts CD and GH and are in
contact with the ends of a 1.5 in diameter
aluminum rod EF. Each bolt is single-threaded
with a pitch of 0.1 in., and after being snugly
fitted, the nuts at D and H are both tightened
one-quarter of a turn. Knowing that E is 29x106 psi
for aluminum, determine the normal stress in the
rod.