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 kNØ40100 GPaØ120/70400 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 400 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/Ø70 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 400 mm
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
80 kN12600 mm300 mmØ20Ø40σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of aluminium (diameter 40 mm, length 300 mm, E = 70 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, Ø20 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø40 mm, 300 mm, E = 70 GPaP = 80 kN
σ2 = MPa
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 12 mmT = 30 N·m200 mmφ = 2.11°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 12 mm is twisted by a torque of 30 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 200 mm rotate 2.11° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 30 N·md = 12 mmL = 200 mmφ = 2.11°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?30 kW, 3000 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 30 kW at 3000 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.7 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 40 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 30 kWN = 3000 rpmdi/do = 0.7τallow = 40 MPa
do = mm
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
P1​ = 10 kNP2​ = 80 kNAB1 m2.5 m1.5 m

The simply supported beam carries two point loads. Find the maximum bending moment Mmax in the beam.

L = 5 mP1 = 10 kN at 1 mP2 = 80 kN at 3.5 m
Mmax = kN·m
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
10 kN/m60 kN45 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.

60 kN @ 12 m45 kN @ 4 m10 kN/m, 0–10 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)
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
200 mm150 mm97.5 mmØ40xIx​ = ?

A 200 mm × 150 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 40 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 97.5 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 200 mmh = 150 mmd = 40 mmhole centre: y = 97.5 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
200 mm200 mm120 mm50 × 40xIx​ = ?

A 200 mm × 200 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 50 mm wide and 40 mm high, centred on the vertical centre line with its centre 120 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 200 mmh = 200 mmcut-out: 50 × 40 mmhole centre: y = 120 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −10σy​ = 90τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −10 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −10 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = 20 MPa
τmax = MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = 120τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = −70 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
σvM = MPa
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 12 kN/mP = 27 kNABδ3 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 = 27 kNw = 12 kN/mL = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)I = 57 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 5 kN/mδL = 2 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 = 5 kN/mL = 2 mE = 11 GPa (timber)
Ireq = × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m40 × 50 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 = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 40 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 50 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 = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.06015 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 − 70²)/4 = 7461 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 100·10³·7461 = 9.975 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 150000·400/9.975 × 10⁸ = 0.06015 mm

Answer

δ = 0.06015 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 46.91 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 = 200000·314.2/600 = 104720 N/mm
k₂ = 70000·1257/300 = 293215 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 80000·293215/397935 = 58947 N

Stress

σ2 = 58947/1257 = 46.91 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 46.91 MPa
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 80.03 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·12⁴/32 = 2036 mm⁴
φ = 2.11·π/180 = 0.03683 rad

Shear modulus

T = 30 N·m = 30000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 30000·200/(2036·0.03683) = 80033 MPa
G = 80.03 GPa

Answer

G = 80.03 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 25.2 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

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 95.49 N·m = 95493 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.7⁴ = 0.7599
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·95493/(π·40·0.7599)) = 25.2 mm
di = 0.7·25.2 = 17.64 mm

Answer

do = 25.2 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 22.99 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 87 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.

ΣMA = 0: RB·5 = 10·1 + 80·3.5
RB = 290/5 = 58 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 90 − 58 = 32 kN

Moment under each load

Keep the part left of each load.

under P1: M = RA·1 = 32·1 = 32 kN·m
under P2: M = RB·1.5 = 58·1.5 = 87 kN·m

Largest value

Mmax = 87 kN·m (under P2)

Answer

Mmax = 87 kN·m
6.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 = 65 kN, R2 = 140 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 = 110, MC = 180 kN·m, MD = 120, ME = 20, MF = −120, MG = 0

Answer

Mark C: MC = 180 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 55.46 × 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 = (30000·75 − 1257·97.5)/(30000 − 1257) = 74.02 mm

Full plate about ȳ

200·150³/12 + 30000·0.9837² = 56.28 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·40⁴/64 + 1257·23.48² = 0.8187 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 55.46 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 55.46 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 132.2 × 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 = (40000·100 − 2000·120)/(40000 − 2000) = 98.95 mm

Full plate about ȳ

200·200³/12 + 40000·1.053² = 133.4 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

50·40³/12 + 2000·21.05² = 1.153 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 132.2 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 132.2 × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 53.85 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((−10 − 90)/2)² + 20²) = 53.85 MPa

Answer

τmax = 53.85 MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 167.3 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. 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 = 25 MPa, R = 95.52 MPa
σ1 = 120.5 MPa, σ2 = −70.52 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(120.5² − 120.5·(−70.52) + (−70.52)²) = 167.3 MPa

Answer

σvM = 167.3 MPa
11.Beam deflection

Answer: δ = 31.97 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 = 27000 N, w = 12 N/mm, L = 3000 mm
EI = 1.14 × 10¹³ N·mm²

Each load on its own

δP = PL³/(3EI) = 27000·3000³/(3·1.14 × 10¹³) = 21.32 mm
δw = wL⁴/(8EI) = 12·3000⁴/(8·1.14 × 10¹³) = 10.66 mm

Add them

δ = 21.32 + 10.66 = 31.97 mm

Answer

δ = 31.97 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: Ireq = 17.05 × 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 = 2000/360 = 5.556 mm

Required second moment of area

I = 5wL⁴/(384·E·δallow) = 5·5·2000⁴/(384·11000·5.556) = 1.705 × 10⁷ mm⁴
Ireq = 17.05 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ireq = 17.05 × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 60.16 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 = 50·40³/12 = 266667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·266667/1750² = 60158 N = 60.16 kN

Answer

Pcr = 60.16 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 2.999 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 = 1·6000 = 6000 mm
KL/r = 6000/12.5 = 480

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/480² = 2.999 MPa

Answer

σcr = 2.999 MPa

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