Mechanics of Materials: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 14 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Axial stress & strain

Normal stress
σ = F/A
Strain
ε = ΔL/L
Hooke’s law
σ = E·ε
Elongation
ΔL = FL/(EA)
Thermal strain
εT = α·ΔT

Torsion of shafts

Shear stress
τ = T·r/J
Solid shaft
J = πd⁴/32
Hollow shaft
J = π(D⁴ − d⁴)/32
Angle of twist
φ = TL/(GJ)
Power
P = T·ω = 2πnT/60

Method

  1. Find the polar moment of area: J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft.
  2. Shear stress at the surface: τ = T·r/J, with r the outer radius.
  3. Angle of twist: φ = TL/(GJ) in radians.
  4. If power is given, find the torque first with P = T·ω, ω = 2πn/60.

Shear force & bending moment

Shear and moment
V = ΣF on one side, M = ΣF·d on one side
Bending stress
σ = M·y/I
Rectangle
I = bh³/12
Section modulus
W = I/ymax
Simply supported, uniform load
Mmax = wL²/8

Method

  1. Find the support reactions from equilibrium of the whole beam.
  2. Cut the beam at the section you need and keep one side.
  3. Shear force: sum of the vertical forces on that side. Bending moment: sum of their moments about the cut.
  4. For the maximum moment, find where the shear force is zero.

Centroid & second moment of area

Centroid
ȳ = ΣAiyi/ΣAi
Rectangle
I = bh³/12
Parallel-axis theorem
I = Ic + A·d²
Composite section
I = Σ(Ic,i + Aidi²)

Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Centre
C = (σx + σy)/2
Radius
R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²)
Principal stresses
σ1,2 = C ± R
Principal direction
tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy)
Inclined plane
σθ = C + (σx − σy)/2·cos 2θ + τxy·sin 2θ

Method

  1. Calculate the centre of Mohr’s circle: C = (σx + σy)/2.
  2. Calculate the radius: R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²).
  3. The principal stresses are C ± R and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.
  4. Angles on the circle are double the angles on the element: tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy).

Beam deflection

Point load at midspan
δ = PL³/(48EI)
Uniform load, simply supported
δ = 5wL⁴/(384EI)
Cantilever, end load
δ = PL³/(3EI)
Cantilever, uniform load
δ = wL⁴/(8EI)
Superposition
δ = δ1 + δ2

Column buckling

Euler load
Pcr = π²EI/(KL)²
Effective length factor
K = 1 pinned–pinned, 0.5 fixed–fixed, 0.7 fixed–pinned, 2 fixed–free
Critical stress
σcr = Pcr/A
Slenderness
λ = KL/r, r = √(I/A)

2Practice problems

1.Axial stress & strainMedium
300 kNØ40110 GPaØ100/70800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 110 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 300 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 300 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø70 mm, E = 110 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass1 mØ 16 mmCopper0.5 mP = 50 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
σmax = MPa
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.8 mφ = ?

A solid steel shaft is fixed at the wall and twisted by a torque T at its free end. Find the angle of twist φ of the free end, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.8 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 30 kW at 3000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 75 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 30 kWN = 3000 rpmτallow = 75 MPa
d = mm
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
45 kN10 kNABCDEFG2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m2 m

The marks A to G split the beam into six equal parts. At which mark is the bending moment largest in size, sagging or hogging? Click it in the diagram.

45 kN @ 4 m10 kN @ 2 m
  1. 1A (x = 0 m)
  2. 2B (x = 2 m)
  3. 3C (x = 4 m)
  4. 4D (x = 6 m)
  5. 5E (x = 8 m)
  6. 6F (x = 10 m)
  7. 7G (x = 12 m)
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
w = 8 kN/mABC4 m2 m

The beam rests on a pin at A and a roller at B and overhangs B by 2 m to the free end C. A uniformly distributed load w acts over the whole length A–C. Find the maximum sagging bending moment Mmax between the supports.

L = 6 mw = 8 kN/m from 0 to 6 msupports at x = 0 and x = 4 m
Mmax = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
xD = 290d = 258dimensions in mm

A circular tube has outside diameter D = 290 mm and inside diameter d = 258 mm. Find its radius of gyration r about the horizontal centroidal axis.

D = 290 mmd = 258 mm
r = mm
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
120 mm300 mm210 mm60 × 20xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 300 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 60 mm wide and 20 mm high, centred on the vertical centre line with its centre 210 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 300 mmcut-out: 60 × 20 mmhole centre: y = 210 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 70σy​ = 40τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 70 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θp = °
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −40σy​ = −70τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −40 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 40°
σθ = MPa
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 10 kN/mδL = 2.5 m

A cantilever carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole length. Find the deflection δ at the free end.

w = 10 kN/mL = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 160 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 6 kN/mP = 23 kNδL = 4 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w and a point load P at midspan. Using superposition, find the midspan deflection δmax.

P = 23 kNw = 6 kN/mL = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 12 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m25 × 80 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 50 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.3469 mm

Two materials: in series (one after the other) every segment carries the same force and the elongations add: δ = P·Σ L/(E·A). In parallel (side by side between rigid plates) both parts shorten by the same amount, so their strains are equal: the stiffer part takes the larger share, Pi = P·EiAi/ΣEA, and σi = Ei·ε. A bar held between two rigid walls with a load at the junction is statically indeterminate: the two segments share the load in proportion to their stiffness k = EA/L.

Areas

Ar = π·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(100² − 70²)/4 = 4006 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 110·10³·4006 = 6.919 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 300000·800/6.919 × 10⁸ = 0.3469 mm

Answer

δ = 0.3469 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 248.7 MPa

Axially loaded members: each prismatic segment obeys δ = PL/(AE). For members in series the elongations add.

Same force in both segments

The free end carries P, so every section of the bar carries the same axial force P. Only the areas and materials change.

A1 = π·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 51.97 MPa
σ2 = 248.7 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 248.7 MPa

Answer

σmax = 248.7 MPa
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.988 °

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Polar second moment of area

J = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 200·1000·800/(80000·38350) = 0.05215 rad
φ = 0.05215·180/π = 2.988°

Answer

φ = 2.988°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 18.65 mm

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 30000/314.2 = 95.49 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·95493/(π·75)) = 18.65 mm

Answer

d = 18.65 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: C (x = 4 m)

Largest bending moment: M changes slope wherever the shear force changes, so its peaks sit where the shear force crosses zero: under a point load, inside a distributed load, or over a support of an overhang. At a fixed support of a cantilever the moment is largest at the wall. Compare the size of M at those places, sagging or hogging.

Support reactions

Take moments about one support, then use the vertical force balance.

R1 = 38.33 kN, R2 = 16.67 kN

Bending moment at every mark

Sum the moments of all forces on one side of the cut. Sagging is positive, hogging negative.

MA = 0, MB = 76.67, MC = 133.3 kN·m, MD = 100, ME = 66.67, MF = 33.33, MG = 0

Answer

Mark C: MC = 133.3 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 9 kN·m

Method of sections: cut the beam where you want the internal forces and keep one side. The shear force V balances the vertical forces on that side, and the bending moment M balances their moments about the cut. Maximum moment: since dM/dx = V, the bending moment has its peak where the shear force passes through zero, either at a point load or inside a distributed load.

Support reactions

Equilibrium of the whole beam, including the load on the overhang.

UDL resultant: W = w·ℓ = 8·6 = 48 kN, acting at x̄ = 3 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·4 = 8·6·3
RB = 144/4 = 36 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 48 − 36 = 12 kN

Zero shear

RA − w·x0 = 0 → x0 = 12/8 = 1.5 m

Maximum sagging moment

Mmax = RA·x0 − w·x0²/2 = RA²/(2w) = 12²/(2·8) = 9 kN·m

Answer

Mmax = 9 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: r = 97.04 mm

Second moment of area: for a rectangle about its own centroidal axis I = bh³/12, and about its base bh³/3 (parallel-axis theorem I = Ic + A·d²). A hole is handled by subtracting its I, as long as both parts share the same axis. The elastic section modulus is S = I/c, where c is the distance to the extreme fibre. The radius of gyration r = √(I/A) is the distance at which the whole area would give the same I; it is used in column buckling.

Net area and second moment of area

A = π(D² − d²)/4 = 13773 mm²
I = π(D⁴ − d⁴)/64 = 1.297 × 10⁸ mm⁴

Radius of gyration

r = √(I/A) = √(1.297 × 10⁸/13773) = 97.04 mm

Answer

r = 97.04 mm
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 265.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Sections with holes: treat a hole as a negative area. The centroid is ȳ = (A₁y₁ − A₂y₂)/(A₁ − A₂), with A₁, y₁ for the full plate and A₂, y₂ for the hole. For the second moment of area about the centroidal axis, use the parallel-axis theorem for each part and subtract the hole: I = (Ic1 + A₁d₁²) − (Ic2 + A₂d₂²), where d is the distance from each part's own centroid to the axis through ȳ. A rectangle has Ic = bh³/12 and a circle Ic = πd⁴/64.

Centroid

ȳ = (36000·150 − 1200·210)/(36000 − 1200) = 147.9 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·300³/12 + 36000·2.069² = 270.2 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

60·20³/12 + 1200·62.07² = 4.663 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 265.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 265.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 16.85 °

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

σxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·10, 70 − 40) = 33.69°

Angle on the element

θp = 16.85°

Answer

θp = 16.85°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −22.85 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

Transformation equation

σθ = −55 + 15·0.1736 + 30·0.9848 = −22.85 MPa

Answer

σθ = −22.85 MPa
11.Beam deflection

Answer: δ = 4.36 mm

Beam deflection: deflections come from integrating the curvature M/(EI) twice. Standard cases are tabulated, for example PL³/(3EI) for a cantilever with an end load and 5wL⁴/(384EI) for a simply supported beam under a full uniform load. Deflections from separate loads add (superposition).

Consistent units

Work in N and mm: P in N, w in N/mm (kN/m = N/mm), L in mm, E in N/mm² (GPa × 1000), I in mm⁴.

w = 10 N/mm, L = 2500 mm
EI = 1.12 × 10¹³ N·mm²

Deflection

δ = wL⁴/(8EI) = 10·2500⁴/(8·1.12 × 10¹³) = 4.36 mm

Answer

δ = 4.36 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: δmax = 60.32 mm

Beam deflection: deflections come from integrating the curvature M/(EI) twice. Standard cases are tabulated, for example PL³/(3EI) for a cantilever with an end load and 5wL⁴/(384EI) for a simply supported beam under a full uniform load. Deflections from separate loads add (superposition).

Consistent units

Work in N and mm: P in N, w in N/mm (kN/m = N/mm), L in mm, E in N/mm² (GPa × 1000), I in mm⁴.

P = 23000 N, w = 6 N/mm, L = 4000 mm, EI = 8.4 × 10¹¹ N·mm²

Each load on its own

δP = PL³/(48EI) = 23000·4000³/(48·8.4 × 10¹¹) = 36.51 mm
δw = 5wL⁴/(384EI) = 5·6·4000⁴/(384·8.4 × 10¹¹) = 23.81 mm

Add them

δmax = 36.51 + 23.81 = 60.32 mm

Answer

δmax = 60.32 mm
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 205.6 kN

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 80·25³/12 = 104167 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·104167/1000² = 205617 N = 205.6 kN

Answer

Pcr = 205.6 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 2.142 MPa

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1963 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(306796/1963) = 12.5 mm
KL = 2·6000 = 12000 mm
KL/r = 12000/12.5 = 960

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/960² = 2.142 MPa

Answer

σcr = 2.142 MPa

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