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
150 kNØ40120 GPaØ120/50800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 150 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 150 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø40120 GPaØ120/60500 mm

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 120 MPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa, allowable stress 100 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 120 MPatube: Ø120/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPa, σallow = 100 MPa
Pmax = kN
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 60 mmd2​ = 40 mmT = 250 N·mABC3 m3 m

A stepped solid aluminium shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 60 mm and length 3 m; segment BC has diameter 40 mm and length 3 m. A torque of 250 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

T = 250 N·md1 = 60 mm, L1 = 3 md2 = 40 mm, L2 = 3 m
τmax = MPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 60 mm, di​ = 48 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 20 kW at 1800 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 20 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 60 mmdi = 48 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
5 kN/m15 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.

15 kN @ 6 m5 kN/m, 0–8 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 = 4 kN/mP = 35 kNAB8 m2 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 = 10 mP = 35 kN at 8 mw = 4 kN/m from 0 to 10 m
Mmax = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
120 mm150 mm105 mmØ40xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 150 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 40 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 105 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 150 mmd = 40 mmhole centre: y = 105 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
1802526018xM = 25 kN·mdimensions in mm

The T-section is used as a beam with the flange on top and carries a sagging bending moment of 25 kN·m. Find the size of the bending stress σtop at the top edge.

bf = 180 mmtf = 25 mmtw = 18 mmhw = 260 mmM = 25 kN·m
σtop = MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 60σy​ = 90τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 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 = 90 MPaτxy = −60 MPa
θp = °
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 100σy​ = 120τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 100 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 275 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 100 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = 30 MPaσY = 275 MPa
n =
11.Beam deflectionMedium
P = 6 kNABδ2.5 m1.5 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at a = 2.5 m from support A. Find the deflection δP under the load.

P = 6 kNa = 2.5 mL = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 57 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δP = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
P = 15 kNABδ5 m1 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at b = 1 m from support B. Find the maximum deflection δmax of the beam.

P = 15 kNb = 1 mL = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 84 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 50 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 80 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.08741 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(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 120·10³·9346 = 1.373 × 10⁹ N

Shortening

δ = 150000·800/1.373 × 10⁹ = 0.08741 mm

Answer

δ = 0.08741 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 761.5 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

Ar = π·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(120² − 60²)/4 = 8482 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 120·10³·8482 = 1.269 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.0006, 0.0008333) = 0.0006 (steel)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0006·1.269 × 10⁹ = 761522 N = 761.5 kN

Answer

Pmax = 761.5 kN
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 19.89 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.

Stress in each segment

T = 250 N·m = 250000 N·mm
τAB = 16·250000/(π·60³) = 5.895 MPa
τBC = 16·250000/(π·40³) = 19.89 MPa

Answer

τmax = 19.89 MPa
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 4.237 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/188.5 = 106.1 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(60⁴ − 48⁴)/32 = 751193 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 106103·30/751193 = 4.237 MPa

Answer

τmax = 4.237 MPa
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 = 34.17 kN, R2 = 20.83 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 = 58.33, MC = 96.67, MD = 115 kN·m, ME = 83.33, MF = 41.67, MG = 0

Answer

Mark D: MD = 115 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 91.13 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 = 4·10 = 40 kN, acting at x̄ = 5 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·10 = 35·8 + 4·10·5
RB = 480/10 = 48 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 75 − 48 = 27 kN

Where is V = 0?

RA − w·x0 = 0 → x0 = 27/4 = 6.75 m

Maximum moment

Mmax = RA·x0 − w·x0²/2 = 27·6.75 − 4·6.75²/2 = 91.13 kN·m

Answer

Mmax = 91.13 kN·m

It occurs at x = 6.75 m from A.

7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 32.41 × 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 − 1257·105)/(18000 − 1257) = 72.75 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·150³/12 + 18000·2.252² = 33.84 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·40⁴/64 + 1257·32.25² = 1.433 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 32.41 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 32.41 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: σtop = 29.09 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 = 180·25 = 4500 mm², yf = 260 + 25/2 = 272.5 mm
web: Aw = 18·260 = 4680 mm², yw = 260/2 = 130 mm

Centroid

ȳ = (Afyf + Awyw)/(Af + Aw) = (4500·272.5 + 4680·130)/9180 = 199.9 mm

Parallel-axis theorem

flange: 180·25³/12 + 4500·(272.5 − 199.9)² = 2.398 × 10⁷ mm⁴
web: 18·260³/12 + 4680·(130 − 199.9)² = 4.92 × 10⁷ mm⁴
Ix = 2.398 × 10⁷ + 4.92 × 10⁷ = 7.318 × 10⁷ mm⁴

Bending stress

The top edge is h − ȳ from the axis.

y = 285 − 199.9 = 85.15 mm
σ = M·y/I = 2.5 × 10⁷·85.15/7.318 × 10⁷ = 29.09 MPa

Answer

σtop = 29.09 MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −52.02 °

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·−60, 60 − 90) = −104°

Angle on the element

θp = −52.02°

Answer

θp = −52.02°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.238

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.

σxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 110 MPa, R = 31.62 MPa
σ1 = 141.6 MPa, σ2 = 78.38 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(141.6² − 141.6·78.38 + 78.38²) = 122.9 MPa
n = 275/122.9 = 2.238

Answer

n = 2.238

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

11.Beam deflection

Answer: δP = 1.762 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 = 6000 N, a = 2500 mm, b = 1500 mm, L = 4000 mm
EI = 3.99 × 10¹² N·mm²

Deflection under the load

δP = Pa²b²/(3EIL) = 6000·2500²·1500²/(3·3.99 × 10¹²·4000) = 1.762 mm

Answer

δP = 1.762 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: δmax = 5.648 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 = 15000 N, b = 1000 mm, L = 6000 mm
EI = 5.88 × 10¹² N·mm²

Position of the maximum

Setting the slope in the longer segment to zero gives the position.

x = √((L² − b²)/3) = √((6000² − 1000²)/3) = 3416 mm

Maximum deflection

δmax = Pb(L² − b²)3/2/(9√3·EIL) = 5.648 mm

Answer

δmax = 5.648 mm
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 269.2 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 round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/1500² = 269152 N = 269.2 kN

Answer

Pcr = 269.2 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 31.58 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 = 2·2500 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/20 = 250

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/250² = 31.58 MPa

Answer

σcr = 31.58 MPa

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