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
200 kNØ30120 GPaØ100/60800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 200 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 200 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass0.5 mØ 16 mmSteel2 mP = 30 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 = 30 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 50 mmL = 3 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 = 250 N·md = 50 mmL = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 20 mmT0​ = 500 N·mACBa = 0.5 mb = 0.8 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 20 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 500 N·m is applied at C, 0.5 m from A and 0.8 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 20 mmT0 = 500 N·ma = 0.5 mb = 0.8 m
τmax = MPa
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
M0​ = 60 kN·mAB3 m3 m

The simply supported beam carries a clockwise couple M0 = 60 kN·m at x = 3 m from A, and no other load. Find the bending moment Mx just to the right of the couple. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 6 mM0 = 60 kN·m clockwise, at 3 m
Mx = kN·m
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
w = 8 kN/mAB3 m2 m1 m

The simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load over part of its span. Find the maximum bending moment Mmax in the beam.

L = 6 mw = 8 kN/m from 3 to 5 m
Mmax = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
100 mm240 mm96 mmØ30xIx​ = ?

A 100 mm × 240 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 30 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 96 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 100 mmh = 240 mmd = 30 mmhole centre: y = 96 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
2602510016xM = 20 kN·mdimensions in mm

The T-section is used as a beam with the flange on top and carries a sagging bending moment of 20 kN·m. Find the size of the bending stress σtop at the top edge.

bf = 260 mmtf = 25 mmtw = 16 mmhw = 100 mmM = 20 kN·m
σtop = MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 110σy​ = −20τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 110 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
θp = °
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 50 mm carries a bending moment of 750 N·m together with a torque of 2000 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 50 mmM = 750 N·mT = 2000 N·m
σ1 = MPa
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 8 kN/mδL = 2.5 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Find the maximum deflection δmax, at midspan.

w = 8 kN/mL = 2.5 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 84 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 20 kN/mδL = 3 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 = 20 kN/mL = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
Ireq = × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 m25 × 40 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.2149 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(100² − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 120·10³·5027 = 7.446 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 200000·800/7.446 × 10⁸ = 0.2149 mm

Answer

δ = 0.2149 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 149.2 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 = 31.18 MPa
σ2 = 149.2 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 149.2 MPa

Answer

σmax = 149.2 MPa
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.8754 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·3000/(80000·613592) = 0.01528 rad
φ = 0.01528·180/π = 0.8754°

Answer

φ = 0.8754°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 195.9 MPa

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 = 500
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 500·0.8/1.3 = 307.7 N·m
TB = 500·0.5/1.3 = 192.3 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·307692/(π·20³) = 195.9 MPa

Answer

τmax = 195.9 MPa
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mx = 30 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. An applied couple makes the bending moment diagram jump by the size of the couple.

Support reactions

Moments about A, counter-clockwise positive: RB·L − M0 = 0. Vertical balance: RA + RB = 0.

RB = M0/L = 60/6 = 10 kN (upward)
RA = −RB = −10 kN (downward)

Cut just right of the couple

The left part now contains RA and the couple.

Mx = RA·a + M0 = −10·3 + 60 = 30 kN·m

Answer

Mx = 30 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 17.78 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 = 8·2 = 16 kN, acting at x̄ = 4 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·6 = 8·2·4
RB = 64/6 = 10.67 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 16 − 10.67 = 5.333 kN

Zero shear

The shear force starts at RA, stays constant over any unloaded part and falls with slope w inside the load.

RA − w·(x0 − 3) = 0
x0 = 3 + 5.333/8 = 3.667 m

Maximum moment

Mmax = RA·x0 − w·(x0 − 3)²/2 = 5.333·3.667 − 8·0.6667²/2 = 17.78 kN·m

Answer

Mmax = 17.78 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 114.7 × 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 = (24000·120 − 706.9·96)/(24000 − 706.9) = 120.7 mm

Full plate about ȳ

100·240³/12 + 24000·−0.7283² = 115.2 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·30⁴/64 + 706.9·−24.73² = 0.472 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 114.7 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 114.7 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: σtop = 74.31 MPa

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.

Split into two rectangles

Measure every y from the bottom edge.

flange: Af = 260·25 = 6500 mm², yf = 100 + 25/2 = 112.5 mm
web: Aw = 16·100 = 1600 mm², yw = 100/2 = 50 mm

Centroid

ȳ = (Afyf + Awyw)/(Af + Aw) = (6500·112.5 + 1600·50)/8100 = 100.2 mm

Parallel-axis theorem

flange: 260·25³/12 + 6500·(112.5 − 100.2)² = 1.329 × 10⁶ mm⁴
web: 16·100³/12 + 1600·(50 − 100.2)² = 5.358 × 10⁶ mm⁴
Ix = 1.329 × 10⁶ + 5.358 × 10⁶ = 6.687 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Bending stress

The top edge is h − ȳ from the axis.

y = 125 − 100.2 = 24.85 mm
σ = M·y/I = 2 × 10⁷·24.85/6.687 × 10⁶ = 74.31 MPa

Answer

σtop = 74.31 MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 15.8 °

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.

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(2·40, 110 − −20) = 31.61°

Angle on the element

θp = 15.8°

Answer

θp = 15.8°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 117.6 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = 32M/(πd³) = 32·750000/(π·50³) = 61.12 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·2000000/(π·50³) = 81.49 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 30.56 MPa
R = √(30.56² + 81.49²) = 87.03 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 117.6 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −56.47 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 117.6 MPa
11.Beam deflection

Answer: δmax = 4.404 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 = 8 N/mm, L = 2500 mm
EI = 9.24 × 10¹¹ N·mm²

Deflection

δmax = 5wL⁴/(384EI) = 5·8·2500⁴/(384·9.24 × 10¹¹) = 4.404 mm

Answer

δmax = 4.404 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: Ireq = 12.66 × 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 = 3000/360 = 8.333 mm

Required second moment of area

I = 5wL⁴/(384·E·δallow) = 5·20·3000⁴/(384·200000·8.333) = 1.266 × 10⁷ mm⁴
Ireq = 12.66 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ireq = 12.66 × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 23.31 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 = 40·25³/12 = 52083 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·52083/2100² = 23313 N = 23.31 kN

Answer

Pcr = 23.31 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 11.05 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 1·5000 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/20 = 250

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/250² = 11.05 MPa

Answer

σcr = 11.05 MPa

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