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
300 kNØ40110 GPaØ100/60600 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 110 GPa). Both are 600 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 300 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 300 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 110 GPaL = 600 mm
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30110 GPaØ120/60600 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 200 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 100 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 200 MPatube: Ø120/Ø60 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 100 MPa
Pmax = kN
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 30, di​ = 15 mmT = 500 N·mL = 0.5 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 30 mm, inner diameter 15 mm, length 0.5 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 500 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 500 N·mdo = 30 mmdi = 15 mmL = 0.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?50 kW, 1500 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 50 kW at 1500 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.75° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 50 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 80 MPaθallow = 0.75°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
10 kN/m55 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.

55 kN @ 4 m10 kN/m, 0–6 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 = 8 kN/mP = 15 kNABsection2 m4 m

Find the bending moment Mx at the section x = 2 m from support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 6 mP = 15 kN at 2 mw = 8 kN/m from 0 to 6 mx = 2 m
Mx = kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
150 mm200 mm140 mmØ40xIx​ = ?

A 150 mm × 200 mm plate has a circular hole of diameter 40 mm on its vertical centre line, with its centre 140 mm above the bottom. Find the second moment of area Ix about the horizontal axis through the centroid.

b = 150 mmh = 200 mmd = 40 mmhole centre: y = 140 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
150 mm150 mm97.5 mm50 × 30xIx​ = ?

A 150 mm × 150 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 50 mm wide and 30 mm high, centred on the 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 = 150 mmh = 150 mmcut-out: 50 × 30 mmhole centre: y = 97.5 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −60σy​ = −60τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −60 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −60 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −80σy​ = −20τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 460 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = −80 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = 10 MPaσY = 460 MPa
n =
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 6 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 = 6 kN/mL = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)I = 57 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
w = 15 kN/mδL = 8 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 = 15 kN/mL = 8 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
Ireq = × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 60 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 = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.2238 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(100² − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 110·10³·5027 = 8.042 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 300000·600/8.042 × 10⁸ = 0.2238 mm

Answer

δ = 0.2238 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 976.7 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(120² − 60²)/4 = 8482 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 110·10³·8482 = 1.074 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.001, 0.0009091) = 0.0009091 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0009091·1.074 × 10⁹ = 976750 N = 976.7 kN

Answer

Pmax = 976.7 kN
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 4.927 °

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 − 15⁴)/32 = 74551 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 0.5 m = 500 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 500000·500/(39000·74551) = 0.08598 rad
φ = 0.08598·180/π = 4.927°

Answer

φ = 4.927°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 50.2 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/157.1 = 318.3 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 318.3 N·m = 318310 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·318310/(π·80)) = 27.26 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.75·π/180/1000 = 1.309 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·318310/(π·39000·1.309 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 50.2 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(27.26, 50.2) = 50.2 mm

Answer

d = 50.2 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: E (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 = 48.33 kN, R2 = 66.67 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 = 43.33, MC = 76.67, MD = 100, ME = 113.3 kN·m, MF = 61.67, MG = 0

Answer

Mark E: ME = 113.3 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mx = 52 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 = 8·6 = 48 kN, acting at x̄ = 3 m
ΣMA = 0: RB·6 = 15·2 + 8·6·3
RB = 174/6 = 29 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 63 − 29 = 34 kN
w = 8 kN/mP = 15 kNABRA​ = 34RB​ = 29section2 m4 m

Cut at x = 2 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 = 34·2 − 8·2·1 = 52 kN·m

Answer

Mx = 52 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 97.78 × 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 = (30000·100 − 1257·140)/(30000 − 1257) = 98.25 mm

Full plate about ȳ

150·200³/12 + 30000·1.749² = 100.1 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

π·40⁴/64 + 1257·41.75² = 2.316 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 97.78 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 97.78 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 41.26 × 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 = (22500·75 − 1500·97.5)/(22500 − 1500) = 73.39 mm

Full plate about ȳ

150·150³/12 + 22500·1.607² = 42.25 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

50·30³/12 + 1500·24.11² = 0.9842 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 41.26 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 41.26 × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 30 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 = √(((−60 − −60)/2)² + 30²) = 30 MPa

Answer

τmax = 30 MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 5.636

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 = −50 MPa, R = 31.62 MPa
σ1 = −18.38 MPa, σ2 = −81.62 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 81.62 MPa
n = 460/81.62 = 5.636

Answer

n = 5.636

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

11.Beam deflection

Answer: δ = 1.053 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 = 6 N/mm, L = 2000 mm
EI = 1.14 × 10¹³ N·mm²

Deflection

δ = wL⁴/(8EI) = 6·2000⁴/(8·1.14 × 10¹³) = 1.053 mm

Answer

δ = 1.053 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: Ireq = 514.3 × 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 = 8000/360 = 22.22 mm

Required second moment of area

I = 5wL⁴/(384·E·δallow) = 5·15·8000⁴/(384·70000·22.22) = 5.143 × 10⁸ mm⁴
Ireq = 514.3 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ireq = 514.3 × 10⁶ mm⁴
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 139.5 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·636173/3000² = 139528 N = 139.5 kN

Answer

Pcr = 139.5 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 12.34 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 1·6000 = 6000 mm
KL/r = 6000/15 = 400

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/400² = 12.34 MPa

Answer

σcr = 12.34 MPa

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