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
50 kNØ30100 GPaØ120/60300 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 300 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø60 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 300 mm
δ = mm
2.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmCopper0.5 mØ 16 mmSteel2 mP = 105 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the total elongation δ.

P = 105 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = ?T = 500 N·m

A hollow shaft must carry a torque of 500 N·m. Its inner diameter is to be 0.6 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

T = 500 N·mdi/do = 0.6τallow = 50 MPa
do = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 50 mmT0​ = 750 N·mACBa = 2.5 mb = 2 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 50 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 750 N·m is applied at C, 2.5 m from A and 2 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 50 mmT0 = 750 N·ma = 2.5 mb = 2 m
TA = N·m
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
w = 2 kN/mP = 70 kNAB2.5 m2.5 m

The cantilever is fixed at A. It carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole length and a point load P at 2.5 m from A. Find the bending moment MA at the fixed support A. Use sagging moments positive and upward shear on the left face positive.

L = 5 mP = 70 kN at 2.5 mw = 2 kN/m from 0 to 5 m
MA = kN·m
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
35 kN55 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.

35 kN @ 12 m55 kN @ 4 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 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
200 mm200 mm140 mm40 × 50xIx​ = ?

A 200 mm × 200 mm plate has a rectangular cut-out 40 mm wide and 50 mm high, centred on the 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 = 200 mmh = 200 mmcut-out: 40 × 50 mmhole centre: y = 140 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 100σy​ = 30τxy​ = −30MPa

A point has σₓ = 100 MPa, σᵧ = 30 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 45° clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 100 MPaσy = 30 MPaτxy = −30 MPaθ = -45°
σy′ = MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −60σy​ = 10τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −60 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −60 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 20°
σθ = MPa
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 10 kN/mδL = 8 m

A simply supported beam carries a uniformly distributed load w over its whole span. Find the maximum deflection δmax, at midspan.

w = 10 kN/mL = 8 mE = 200 GPa (steel)I = 57 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
P = 20 kNABδ4.5 m3.5 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at b = 3.5 m from support B. Find the maximum deflection δmax of the beam.

P = 20 kNb = 3.5 mL = 8 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 84 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 md = 25 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
P = 25 kNL = 4 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. It must carry 25 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 25 kNn = 3L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.01516 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 60²)/4 = 8482 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 100·10³·8482 = 9.896 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·300/9.896 × 10⁸ = 0.01516 mm

Answer

δ = 0.01516 mm
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 5.579 mm

Axially loaded members: each prismatic segment obeys δ = PL/(AE). For members in series the elongations add.

Same force in both segments

The free end carries P, so every section of the bar carries the same axial force P. Only the areas and materials change.

A1 = π·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 83.56 MPa
σ2 = 522.2 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 83.56·500/117000 = 0.3571 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 522.2·2000/200000 = 5.222 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 5.579 mm

Answer

δ = 5.579 mm
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 38.82 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.

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.6⁴ = 0.8704
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·500000/(π·50·0.8704)) = 38.82 mm
di = 0.6·38.82 = 23.29 mm

Answer

do = 38.82 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 37.07 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 333.3 N·m

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 = 750
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 750·2/4.5 = 333.3 N·m
TB = 750·2.5/4.5 = 416.7 N·m

Answer

TA = 333.3 N·m
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: MA = −200 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.

Keep the free-end part

P: −70·2.5 = −175 kN·m
w: −2·5²/2 = −25 kN·m
MA = −175 − 25 = −200 kN·m

Answer

MA = −200 kN·m

Negative means hogging: tension on the top face.

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 = 26 kN, R2 = 64 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 = 52, MC = 104 kN·m, MD = 46, ME = −12, MF = −70, MG = 0

Answer

Mark C: MC = 104 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: Ix = 129.5 × 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 − 2000·140)/(40000 − 2000) = 97.89 mm

Full plate about ȳ

200·200³/12 + 40000·2.105² = 133.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Hole about ȳ

40·50³/12 + 2000·42.11² = 3.962 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Subtract

Ix = 129.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 129.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 35 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.

Transformation equation for the y′ face

σy′ = 65 − 35·0 − (−30)·(−1) = 35 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 95 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 130 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 35 MPa
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −32.53 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.

Transformation equation

σθ = −25 + −35·0.766 + 30·0.6428 = −32.53 MPa

Answer

σθ = −32.53 MPa
11.Beam deflection

Answer: δmax = 46.78 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 = 10 N/mm, L = 8000 mm
EI = 1.14 × 10¹³ N·mm²

Deflection

δmax = 5wL⁴/(384EI) = 5·10·8000⁴/(384·1.14 × 10¹³) = 46.78 mm

Answer

δmax = 46.78 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: δmax = 35.54 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 = 20000 N, b = 3500 mm, L = 8000 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) = √((8000² − 3500²)/3) = 4153 mm

Maximum deflection

δmax = Pb(L² − b²)3/2/(9√3·EIL) = 35.54 mm

Answer

δmax = 35.54 mm
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.366 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·2000 = 4000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/4000² = 2366 N = 2.366 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.366 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: d = 54.54 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 = 3·25000 = 75000 N
KL = 0.5·4000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·75000·2000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 54.54 mm

Answer

d = 54.54 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 146.7, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

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