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 = ?12600 mm500 mmØ40Ø50δ = 0.4 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of aluminium (diameter 50 mm, length 500 mm, E = 70 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.4 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø50 mm, 500 mm, E = 70 GPaδ = 0.4 mm
P = kN
2.Axial stress & strainHard
20 kN12600 mm400 mmØ25Ø40σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of brass (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 100 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 20 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø25 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 100 GPaP = 20 kN
σ2 = MPa
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 75 mmd2​ = 40 mmT = 1000 N·mABC1.2 m1.2 m

A stepped solid aluminium shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 75 mm and length 1.2 m; segment BC has diameter 40 mm and length 1.2 m. A torque of 1000 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 1000 N·md1 = 75 mm, L1 = 1.2 md2 = 40 mm, L2 = 1.2 mG = 26 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 80 mm, di​ = 64 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 50 kW at 1500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 50 kWN = 1500 rpmdo = 80 mmdi = 64 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
5 kN/m40 kNABCDEFG1 m1 m1 m1 m1 m1 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.

40 kN @ 2 m5 kN/m, 1–6 m
  1. 1A (x = 0 m)
  2. 2B (x = 1 m)
  3. 3C (x = 2 m)
  4. 4D (x = 3 m)
  5. 5E (x = 4 m)
  6. 6F (x = 5 m)
  7. 7G (x = 6 m)
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
w = 12 kN/mP = 30 kNABsection1 m1.5 m1.5 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 1 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 4 mP = 30 kN at 2.5 mw = 12 kN/m from 0 to 4 mx = 1 m
Mx = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
120 mm200 mm70 mmØ30xIx​ = ?

A 120 mm × 200 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 30 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 70 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 120 mmh = 200 mmd = 30 mmhole centre: y = 70 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
1402522010xM = 30 kN·mdimensions in mm

The T-section is used as a beam with the flange on top and carries a sagging bending moment of 30 kN·m. Find the size of the bending stress σtop at the top edge.

bf = 140 mmtf = 25 mmtw = 10 mmhw = 220 mmM = 30 kN·m
σtop = MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = 50MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 80 MPa and σᵧ = 50 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 140 MPa?

σx = 80 MPaσy = 50 MPaσ1 = 140 MPa
τxy = MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = −20τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 355 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = −70 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = 30 MPaσY = 355 MPa
n =
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 12 kN/mδL = 2 m

A cantilever carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole length. Find the deflection δ at the free end.

w = 12 kN/mL = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)I = 57 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = 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 = 11 GPa (timber)
Ireq = × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 50 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
P = 120 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. It must carry 120 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 120 kNn = 3L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 66.39 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 = 1257 mm², A₂ = 1963 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·1257) = 2.387 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 500/(70000·1963) = 3.638 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.4/6.025 × 10⁻⁶ = 66388 N = 66.39 kN

Answer

P = 66.39 kN
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 10.46 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 = 200000·490.9/600 = 163625 N/mm
k₂ = 100000·1257/400 = 314159 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 20000·314159/477784 = 13151 N

Stress

σ2 = 13151/1257 = 10.46 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 10.46 MPa
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 11.37 °

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·75⁴/32 = 3.106 × 10⁶ mm⁴
J2 = π·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φAB = 1 × 10⁶·1200/(26000·3.106 × 10⁶) = 0.01486 rad
φBC = 1 × 10⁶·1200/(26000·251327) = 0.1836 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.01486 + 0.1836 = 0.1985 rad = 11.37°

Answer

φC = 11.37°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 5.363 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/157.1 = 318.3 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(80⁴ − 64⁴)/32 = 2.374 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 318310·40/2.374 × 10⁶ = 5.363 MPa

Answer

τmax = 5.363 MPa
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: C (x = 2 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 = 37.08 kN, R2 = 27.92 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 = 37.08, MC = 71.67 kN·m, MD = 61.25, ME = 45.83, MF = 25.42, MG = 0

Answer

Mark C: MC = 71.67 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mx = 29.25 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.

Support reactions

Equilibrium of the whole beam.

UDL resultant: W = w·ℓ = 12·4 = 48 kN, acting at x̄ = 2 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·4 = 30·2.5 + 12·4·2
RB = 171/4 = 42.75 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 78 − 42.75 = 35.25 kN
w = 12 kN/mP = 30 kNABRA​ = 35.25RB​ = 42.75section1 m1.5 m1.5 m

Cut at x = 1 m and keep the left part

Only forces left of the cut appear. A UDL portion acts as one force at the middle of that portion.

M = RA·x − (each load left of the cut × its distance to the cut)
Mx = 35.25·1 − 12·1·0.5 = 29.25 kN·m

Answer

Mx = 29.25 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 79.3 × 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 = (24000·100 − 706.9·70)/(24000 − 706.9) = 100.9 mm

Full plate about ȳ

120·200³/12 + 24000·−0.9104² = 80.02 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·30⁴/64 + 706.9·−30.91² = 0.7151 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 79.3 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 79.3 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: σtop = 61.15 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 = 140·25 = 3500 mm², yf = 220 + 25/2 = 232.5 mm
web: Aw = 10·220 = 2200 mm², yw = 220/2 = 110 mm

Centroid

ȳ = (Afyf + Awyw)/(Af + Aw) = (3500·232.5 + 2200·110)/5700 = 185.2 mm

Parallel-axis theorem

flange: 140·25³/12 + 3500·(232.5 − 185.2)² = 8.006 × 10⁶ mm⁴
web: 10·220³/12 + 2200·(110 − 185.2)² = 2.132 × 10⁷ mm⁴
Ix = 8.006 × 10⁶ + 2.132 × 10⁷ = 2.933 × 10⁷ mm⁴

Bending stress

The top edge is h − ȳ from the axis.

y = 245 − 185.2 = 59.78 mm
σ = M·y/I = 3 × 10⁷·59.78/2.933 × 10⁷ = 61.15 MPa

Answer

σtop = 61.15 MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 73.48 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.

Required radius

C = (80 + 50)/2 = 65 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 140 − 65 = 75 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(75² − 15²) = 73.48 MPa

Answer

τxy = 73.48 MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 4.37

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 = −45 MPa, R = 39.05 MPa
σ1 = −5.949 MPa, σ2 = −84.05 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √((−5.949)² − (−5.949)·(−84.05) + (−84.05)²) = 81.24 MPa
n = 355/81.24 = 4.37

Answer

n = 4.37

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

11.Beam deflection

Answer: δ = 2.105 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 = 12 N/mm, L = 2000 mm
EI = 1.14 × 10¹³ N·mm²

Deflection

δ = wL⁴/(8EI) = 12·2000⁴/(8·1.14 × 10¹³) = 2.105 mm

Answer

δ = 2.105 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: Ireq = 230.1 × 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/(384·11000·8.333) = 2.301 × 10⁸ mm⁴
Ireq = 230.1 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ireq = 230.1 × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 23.55 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 = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·306796/3000² = 23551 N = 23.55 kN

Answer

Pcr = 23.55 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: d = 69.42 mm

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.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 3·120000 = 360000 N
KL = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·360000·2500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 69.42 mm

Answer

d = 69.42 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 144.1, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

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