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
P = ?12600 mm400 mmØ30Ø30δ = 0.2 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of copper (diameter 30 mm, length 400 mm, E = 120 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.2 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø30 mm, 400 mm, E = 120 GPaδ = 0.2 mm
P = kN
2.Axial stress & strainHard
80 kN12600 mm500 mmØ40Ø60σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of copper (diameter 60 mm, length 500 mm, E = 120 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 80 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø60 mm, 500 mm, E = 120 GPaP = 80 kN
σ2 = MPa
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 400 N·md = 25 mmL = 1.2 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 = 400 N·md = 25 mmL = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 2000 N·mACBa = 2 mb = 1.5 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 2000 N·m is applied at C, 2 m from A and 1.5 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 40 mmT0 = 2000 N·ma = 2 mb = 1.5 m
TA = N·m
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
15 kN/m10 kNABCDEFG1 m1 m1 m1 m1 m1 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.

10 kN @ 3 m15 kN/m, 1–4 m
  1. 1A (x = 0 m)
  2. 2B (x = 1 m)
  3. 3C (x = 2 m)
  4. 4D (x = 3 m)
  5. 5E (x = 4 m)
  6. 6F (x = 5 m)
  7. 7G (x = 6 m)
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
w = 4 kN/mABC8 m1 m

The beam rests on a pin at A and a roller at B and overhangs B by 1 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 = 9 mw = 4 kN/m from 0 to 9 msupports at x = 0 and x = 8 m
Mmax = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
120 mm150 mm60 mmØ30xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 150 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 30 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 60 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 150 mmd = 30 mmhole centre: y = 60 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
1801512012xhogging Mdimensions in mm

A cast-iron beam has the T-section shown, with the flange on top. The allowable stresses are 60 MPa in tension and 120 MPa in compression. Find the largest hogging bending moment Mallow the beam can carry (give its size).

bf = 180 mmtf = 15 mmtw = 12 mmhw = 120 mmσt,allow = 60 MPaσc,allow = 120 MPa
Mallow = kN·m
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −60σy​ = 60τxy​ = −30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −60 MPa, σᵧ = 60 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −60 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = −30 MPa
θp = °
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
30°D = 400 mm, t = 10 mm, p = 1 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 400 mm and wall thickness 10 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 1 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 30° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the normal stress σn acting across the weld seam.

D = 400 mmt = 10 mmp = 1 MPaα = 30°
σn = MPa
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 10 kN/mP = 30 kNABδ2 m

A cantilever carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole length and a point load P at its free end. Using superposition, find the deflection δ at the free end.

P = 30 kNw = 10 kN/mL = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 36 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 1.5 kN/mABδ6 m

A simply supported timber beam of rectangular section, 75 mm wide, carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Its midspan deflection may not exceed span/300. Find the smallest depth hreq of the section.

w = 1.5 kN/mL = 6 mE = 11 GPa (timber)b = 75 mm
hreq = mm
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m50 × 60 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 50 × 60 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 22.32 kN

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

A₁ = 706.9 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·706.9) = 4.244 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 400/(120000·706.9) = 4.716 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.2/8.96 × 10⁻⁶ = 22322 N = 22.32 kN

Answer

P = 22.32 kN
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 17.49 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·1257/600 = 418879 N/mm
k₂ = 120000·2827/500 = 678584 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 80000·678584/1.097 × 10⁶ = 49466 N

Stress

σ2 = 49466/2827 = 17.49 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 17.49 MPa
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 8.964 °

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) = 400·1000·1200/(80000·38350) = 0.1565 rad
φ = 0.1565·180/π = 8.964°

Answer

φ = 8.964°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 857.1 N·m

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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 2000
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 2000·1.5/3.5 = 857.1 N·m
TB = 2000·2/3.5 = 1143 N·m

Answer

TA = 857.1 N·m
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: D (x = 3 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 = 31.25 kN, R2 = 23.75 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 = 31.25, MC = 55, MD = 63.75 kN·m, ME = 47.5, MF = 23.75, MG = 0

Answer

Mark D: MD = 63.75 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 31.01 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 = 4·9 = 36 kN, acting at x̄ = 4.5 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·8 = 4·9·4.5
RB = 162/8 = 20.25 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 36 − 20.25 = 15.75 kN

Zero shear

RA − w·x0 = 0 → x0 = 15.75/4 = 3.938 m

Maximum sagging moment

Mmax = RA·x0 − w·x0²/2 = RA²/(2w) = 15.75²/(2·4) = 31.01 kN·m

Answer

Mmax = 31.01 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 33.54 × 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 = (18000·75 − 706.9·60)/(18000 − 706.9) = 75.61 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·150³/12 + 18000·−0.6131² = 33.76 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·30⁴/64 + 706.9·−15.61² = 0.2121 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 33.54 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 33.54 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Mallow = 6.988 kN·m

Composite areas: split the section into rectangles. The centroid is the area-weighted average ȳ = ΣAᵢyᵢ/ΣAᵢ. The second moment of area about the centroidal axis adds each part’s own bh³/12 and its parallel-axis term A·d², where d is the distance from the part’s centroid to the overall centroid. Bending stress is σ = M·y/I.

Centroid

ȳ = (2700·127.5 + 1440·60)/4140 = 104 mm
top edge: c = 135 − 104 = 30.98 mm

Second moment of area

I = 180·15³/12 + 2700·23.48² + 12·120³/12 + 1440·44.02² = 6.058 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Moment allowed by each edge

Hogging: the top is in tension, the bottom in compression.

top edge: M = 60·6.058 × 10⁶/30.98 = 11.73 kN·m
bottom edge: M = 120·6.058 × 10⁶/104 = 6.988 kN·m

Governing value

Mallow = min = 6.988 kN·m (bottom edge)

Answer

Mallow = 6.988 kN·m
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −76.72 °

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.

στxyCσ1​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·−30, −60 − 60) = −153.4°

Angle on the element

θp = −76.72°

Answer

θp = −76.72°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σn = 17.5 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 400/2 = 200 mm
σh = pr/t = 1·200/10 = 20 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 10 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

σn = 10·sin²30° + 20·cos²30° = 17.5 MPa

Answer

σn = 17.5 MPa
11.Beam deflection

Answer: δ = 39.68 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 = 30000 N, w = 10 N/mm, L = 2000 mm
EI = 2.52 × 10¹² N·mm²

Each load on its own

δP = PL³/(3EI) = 30000·2000³/(3·2.52 × 10¹²) = 31.75 mm
δw = wL⁴/(8EI) = 10·2000⁴/(8·2.52 × 10¹²) = 7.937 mm

Add them

δ = 31.75 + 7.937 = 39.68 mm

Answer

δ = 39.68 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: hreq = 264 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 = 1.5 N/mm, L = 6000 mm, E = 11000 N/mm²

Deflection limit

δallow = L/300 = 6000/300 = 20 mm

Required second moment of area

Ireq = 5wL⁴/(384·E·δallow) = 5·1.5·6000⁴/(384·11000·20) = 1.151 × 10⁸ mm⁴

Required depth

bh³/12 = Ireq → h = (12·1.151 × 10⁸/75)1/3 = 264 mm

Answer

hreq = 264 mm

In practice, choose the next standard depth above this value.

13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 157.4 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 = 60·50³/12 = 625000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·625000/2800² = 157360 N = 157.4 kN

Answer

Pcr = 157.4 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 35.25 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm
KL/r = 1400/10 = 140

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/140² = 35.25 MPa

Answer

σcr = 35.25 MPa

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