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
Ø 30 mmCopper1 mP = 20 kN

Find the elongation δ of the copper bar under the axial load.

P = 20 kNd = 30 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30110 GPaØ80/50400 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 80 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 80 MPa
Pmax = kN
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 30 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 = 100 N·md = 30 mmL = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmT0​ = 1500 N·mACBa = 3 mb = 0.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 1500 N·m is applied at C, 3 m from A and 0.5 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 30 mmT0 = 1500 N·ma = 3 mb = 0.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
M0​ = 35 kN·mAB1.5 m2.5 m

The simply supported beam carries a clockwise couple M0 = 35 kN·m at x = 1.5 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 = 4 mM0 = 35 kN·m clockwise, at 1.5 m
Mx = kN·m
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
8 kN/m25 kN25 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.

25 kN @ 0 m25 kN @ 12 m45 kN @ 6 m8 kN/m, 2–8 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)
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
120 mm150 mm97.5 mmØ50xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 150 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 50 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 = 120 mmh = 150 mmd = 50 mmhole centre: y = 97.5 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
120 mm240 mm84 mm80 × 20xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 240 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 80 mm wide and 20 mm high, centred on the vertical centre line with its centre 84 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 240 mmcut-out: 80 × 20 mmhole centre: y = 84 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 20σy​ = −10τxy​ = −20MPa

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

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

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 460 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 60 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = −20 MPaσY = 460 MPa
n =
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 5 kN/mABθ3 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Find the slope θA of the beam at support A, in radians.

w = 5 kN/mL = 3 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 23 × 10⁶ mm⁴
θA = rad
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 5 kN/mAB8 m

A propped cantilever is fixed at A and simply supported (propped) at B. It carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole length. EI is constant. Find the reaction RB at the prop.

L = 8 mw = 5 kN/m
RB = kN
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 20 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 = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.2418 mm

Hooke’s law: within the elastic range σ = E·ε. Combining with σ = P/A and ε = δ/L gives δ = PL/(AE).

Stress

A = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 20·1000/706.9 = 28.29 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 28.29/117000 = 0.0002418 = 241.8 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0002418·1000 mm = 0.2418 mm

Answer

δ = 0.2418 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 347.9 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(80² − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 110·10³·3063 = 4.783 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0007273) = 0.0007273 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0007273·4.783 × 10⁸ = 347860 N = 347.9 kN

Answer

Pmax = 347.9 kN
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.081 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·1200/(80000·79522) = 0.01886 rad
φ = 0.01886·180/π = 1.081°

Answer

φ = 1.081°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 242.5 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 = 1500
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 1500·0.5/3.5 = 214.3 N·m
TB = 1500·3/3.5 = 1286 N·m

Maximum shear stress

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

τmax = 16·1.286 × 10⁶/(π·30³) = 242.5 MPa

Answer

τmax = 242.5 MPa
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mx = 21.88 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 = 35/4 = 8.75 kN (upward)
RA = −RB = −8.75 kN (downward)

Cut just right of the couple

The left part now contains RA and the couple.

Mx = RA·a + M0 = −8.75·1.5 + 35 = 21.88 kN·m

Answer

Mx = 21.88 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: E (x = 8 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 = 55.67 kN, R2 = 87.33 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 = −50, MC = −4.667, MD = 8.667, ME = −100 kN·m, MF = −50, MG = 0

Answer

Mark E: ME = −100 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 32.33 × 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 − 1963·97.5)/(18000 − 1963) = 72.25 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·150³/12 + 18000·2.755² = 33.89 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·50⁴/64 + 1963·25.25² = 1.559 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 32.33 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 32.33 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 136 × 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 − 1600·84)/(28800 − 1600) = 122.1 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·240³/12 + 28800·−2.118² = 138.4 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

80·20³/12 + 1600·−38.12² = 2.378 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 136 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 136 × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 25 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 = √(((20 − −10)/2)² + −20²) = 25 MPa

Answer

τmax = 25 MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 7.015

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 = 55 MPa, R = 20.62 MPa
σ1 = 75.62 MPa, σ2 = 34.38 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(75.62² − 75.62·34.38 + 34.38²) = 65.57 MPa
n = 460/65.57 = 7.015

Answer

n = 7.015

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

11.Beam deflection

Answer: θA = 0.02223 rad

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). The slope θ = dv/dx is the first integral of M/(EI); in consistent units it comes out in radians.

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 = 5 N/mm, L = 3000 mm
EI = 2.53 × 10¹¹ N·mm²

End slope

θA = wL³/(24EI) = 5·3000³/(24·2.53 × 10¹¹) = 0.02223 rad

Answer

θA = 0.02223 rad

That is 1.274°.

12.Beam deflection

Answer: RB = 15 kN

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). For a statically indeterminate beam, remove a redundant support and require the deflection there to be zero (compatibility).

Remove the prop

Without the prop the beam is a cantilever. Its free end would deflect under the load.

δload = wL⁴/(8EI)

Compatibility at the prop

The prop force RB alone lifts the free end by RBL³/(3EI). The prop holds B at zero deflection, so the two must cancel. EI cancels out.

RB·L³/(3EI) = wL⁴/(8EI) → RB = 3wL/8 = 3·5·8/8 = 15 kN

Answer

RB = 15 kN
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 31.64 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1000 = 700 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·7854/700² = 31639 N = 31.64 kN

Answer

Pcr = 31.64 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 100.7 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 = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm
KL/r = 1750/12.5 = 140

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/140² = 100.7 MPa

Answer

σcr = 100.7 MPa

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