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 = ?12500 mm500 mmØ30Ø50δ = 0.2 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 500 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 50 mm, length 500 mm, E = 100 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, 500 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø50 mm, 500 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.2 mm
P = kN
2.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass1.5 mØ 12 mmBrass1 mP = 95 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 = 95 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 50 mmd2​ = 25 mmT = 750 N·mABC1.5 m1.2 m

A stepped solid steel shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 50 mm and length 1.5 m; segment BC has diameter 25 mm and length 1.2 m. A torque of 750 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 750 N·md1 = 50 mm, L1 = 1.5 md2 = 25 mm, L2 = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmT0​ = 2000 N·mACBa = 1.5 mb = 0.5 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 2000 N·m is applied at C, 1.5 m from A and 0.5 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 60 mmT0 = 2000 N·ma = 1.5 mb = 0.5 m
TA = N·m
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
50 kN15 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.

50 kN @ 6 m15 kN @ 4 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 = 5 kN/mP = 25 kNAB2.5 m3.5 m

The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span and a point load P. Find the maximum bending moment Mmax in the beam.

L = 6 mP = 25 kN at 2.5 mw = 5 kN/m from 0 to 6 m
Mmax = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
120 mm240 mm144 mmØ40xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 240 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 40 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 144 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 240 mmd = 40 mmhole centre: y = 144 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
120 mm150 mm45 mm40 × 20xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 150 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 40 mm wide and 20 mm high, centred on the vertical centre line with its centre 45 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 150 mmcut-out: 40 × 20 mmhole centre: y = 45 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = 20τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 40 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = −50 MPa
θp = °
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20σy​ = 110τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 420 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = −60 MPaσY = 420 MPa
n =
11.Beam deflectionMedium
P = 10 kNABδ4 m2 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at a = 4 m from support A. Find the deflection δP under the load.

P = 10 kNa = 4 mL = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 160 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δP = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 8 kN/mδL = 6 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w. Its deflection may not exceed span/360. Find the smallest second moment of area Ireq that meets this limit.

w = 8 kN/mL = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
Ireq = × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 m40 × 100 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 40 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 32.88 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 = 1963 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 500/(200000·706.9) = 3.537 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 500/(100000·1963) = 2.546 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.2/6.083 × 10⁻⁶ = 32877 N = 32.88 kN

Answer

P = 32.88 kN
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 840 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 193.5 MPa
σ2 = 840 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 840 MPa

Answer

σmax = 840 MPa
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 18.12 °

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 moments

J1 = π·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴
J2 = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 750 N·m = 750000 N·mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φAB = 750000·1500/(80000·613592) = 0.02292 rad
φBC = 750000·1200/(80000·38350) = 0.2934 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.02292 + 0.2934 = 0.3163 rad = 18.12°

Answer

φC = 18.12°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 500 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 = 2000·0.5/2 = 500 N·m
TB = 2000·1.5/2 = 1500 N·m

Answer

TA = 500 N·m
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: D (x = 6 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 = 35 kN, R2 = 30 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 = 70, MC = 140, MD = 180 kN·m, ME = 120, MF = 60, MG = 0

Answer

Mark D: MD = 180 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 58.33 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.

UDL resultant: W = w·ℓ = 5·6 = 30 kN, acting at x̄ = 3 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·6 = 25·2.5 + 5·6·3
RB = 152.5/6 = 25.42 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 55 − 25.42 = 29.58 kN

Where is V = 0?

V(2.5⁻) = RA − w·2.5 = 17.08 kN
V(2.5⁺) = 17.08 − 25 = −7.917 kN
The shear changes sign at the load, so the maximum is under the load.

Maximum moment

Mmax = RA·2.5 − w·2.5²/2 = 29.58·2.5 − 5·2.5²/2 = 58.33 kN·m

Answer

Mmax = 58.33 kN·m

It occurs at x = 2.5 m from A.

7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 137.4 × 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 = (28800·120 − 1257·144)/(28800 − 1257) = 118.9 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·240³/12 + 28800·1.095² = 138.3 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·40⁴/64 + 1257·25.09² = 0.917 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 137.4 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 137.4 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 32.97 × 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 − 800·45)/(18000 − 800) = 76.4 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·150³/12 + 18000·−1.395² = 33.79 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

40·20³/12 + 800·−31.4² = 0.8152 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 32.97 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 32.97 × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −39.35 °

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·−50, 40 − 20) = −78.69°

Angle on the element

θp = −39.35°

Answer

θp = −39.35°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.8

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 65 MPa, R = 75 MPa
σ1 = 140 MPa, σ2 = −10 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 150 MPa
n = 420/150 = 2.8

Answer

n = 2.8

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

11.Beam deflection

Answer: δP = 3.175 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 = 10000 N, a = 4000 mm, b = 2000 mm, L = 6000 mm
EI = 1.12 × 10¹³ N·mm²

Deflection under the load

δP = Pa²b²/(3EIL) = 10000·4000²·2000²/(3·1.12 × 10¹³·6000) = 3.175 mm

Answer

δP = 3.175 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: Ireq = 115.7 × 10⁶ mm⁴

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).

Deflection limit

δallow = L/360 = 6000/360 = 16.67 mm

Required second moment of area

I = 5wL⁴/(384·E·δallow) = 5·8·6000⁴/(384·70000·16.67) = 1.157 × 10⁸ mm⁴
Ireq = 115.7 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ireq = 115.7 × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 30.08 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 = 100·40³/12 = 533333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·533333/3500² = 30079 N = 30.08 kN

Answer

Pcr = 30.08 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 7.896 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 = 1·5000 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/10 = 500

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/500² = 7.896 MPa

Answer

σcr = 7.896 MPa

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