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 = ?12300 mm400 mmØ25Ø50δ = 0.4 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of bronze (diameter 50 mm, length 400 mm, E = 110 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, Ø25 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: bronze, Ø50 mm, 400 mm, E = 110 GPaδ = 0.4 mm
P = kN
2.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass2 mØ 20 mmCopper1 mP = 40 kN

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

P = 40 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 20 mmT = 50 N·m400 mmφ = 2.81°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 20 mm is twisted by a torque of 50 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 400 mm rotate 2.81° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 50 N·md = 20 mmL = 400 mmφ = 2.81°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 250 N·mACBa = 2 mb = 3 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 250 N·m is applied at C, 2 m from A and 3 m from B. Find the angle of rotation φC of section C, in degrees.

d = 40 mmT0 = 250 N·ma = 2 mb = 3 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Shear force & bending momentMedium
P1​ = 10 kNP2​ = 45 kNAB1 m1 m6 m

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

L = 8 mP1 = 10 kN at 1 mP2 = 45 kN at 2 m
Mmax = kN·m
6.Shear force & bending momentHard
40 kN20 kN40 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 @ 0 m20 kN @ 6 m40 kN @ 3 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)
7.Centroid & second moment of areaMedium
2602530012xdimensions in mm

Find the second moment of area Ix of the T-section about the horizontal axis x through its centroid.

bf = 260 mmtf = 25 mmtw = 12 mmhw = 300 mm
Ix = × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of areaHard
1602520016xM = 50 kN·mdimensions in mm

The T-section is used as a beam with the flange on top and carries a sagging bending moment of 50 kN·m. Find the size of the bending stress σtop at the top edge.

bf = 160 mmtf = 25 mmtw = 16 mmhw = 200 mmM = 50 kN·m
σtop = MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −70σy​ = 0τxy​ = −30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −70 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = −30 MPa
θp = °
10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −60σy​ = −40τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −60 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −60 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = 40 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
11.Beam deflectionMedium
w = 6 kN/mδL = 2.5 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 = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)I = 36 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δ = mm
12.Beam deflectionHard
P = 21 kNABδ5 m1 m

A simply supported beam carries a point load P at b = 1 m from support B. Find the maximum deflection δmax of the beam.

P = 21 kNb = 1 mL = 6 mE = 11 GPa (timber)I = 57 × 10⁶ mm⁴
δmax = mm
13.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 m25 × 40 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 = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
14.Column bucklingHard
P = 90 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. It must carry 90 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 90 kNn = 3L = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm

3Solutions

1.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 81.5 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 = 490.9 mm², A₂ = 1963 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 300/(200000·490.9) = 3.056 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 400/(110000·1963) = 1.852 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.4/4.908 × 10⁻⁶ = 81504 N = 81.5 kN

Answer

P = 81.5 kN
2.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.718 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 81.49 MPa
σ2 = 127.3 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 81.49·2000/100000 = 1.63 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 127.3·1000/117000 = 1.088 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 2.718 mm

Answer

δ = 2.718 mm
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 25.96 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·20⁴/32 = 15708 mm⁴
φ = 2.81·π/180 = 0.04904 rad

Shear modulus

T = 50 N·m = 50000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 50000·400/(15708·0.04904) = 25961 MPa
G = 25.96 GPa

Answer

G = 25.96 GPa

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 1.754 °

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 = 250
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 250·3/5 = 150 N·m
TB = 250·2/5 = 100 N·m

Rotation of C

Use segment AC: it is fixed at A and carries TA.

J = π·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φC = TA·a/(GJ) = 150000·2000/(39000·251327) = 0.03061 rad = 1.754°

Answer

φC = 1.754°
5.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: Mmax = 75 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·8 = 10·1 + 45·2
RB = 100/8 = 12.5 kN
ΣFy = 0: RA = 55 − 12.5 = 42.5 kN

Moment under each load

Keep the part left of each load.

under P1: M = RA·1 = 42.5·1 = 42.5 kN·m
under P2: M = RB·6 = 12.5·6 = 75 kN·m

Largest value

Mmax = 75 kN·m (under P2)

Answer

Mmax = 75 kN·m
6.Shear force & bending moment

Answer: B (x = 1 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 = 35 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 = −40 kN·m, MC = −15, MD = 10, ME = −5, MF = −20, MG = 0

Answer

Mark B: MB = −40 kN·m
7.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: Ix = 88.52 × 10⁶ mm⁴

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 = 260·25 = 6500 mm², yf = 300 + 25/2 = 312.5 mm
web: Aw = 12·300 = 3600 mm², yw = 300/2 = 150 mm

Centroid

ȳ = (Afyf + Awyw)/(Af + Aw) = (6500·312.5 + 3600·150)/10100 = 254.6 mm

Parallel-axis theorem

flange: 260·25³/12 + 6500·(312.5 − 254.6)² = 2.214 × 10⁷ mm⁴
web: 12·300³/12 + 3600·(150 − 254.6)² = 6.637 × 10⁷ mm⁴
Ix = 2.214 × 10⁷ + 6.637 × 10⁷ = 8.852 × 10⁷ mm⁴ = 88.52 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Answer

Ix = 88.52 × 10⁶ mm⁴
8.Centroid & second moment of area

Answer: σtop = 93.63 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 = 160·25 = 4000 mm², yf = 200 + 25/2 = 212.5 mm
web: Aw = 16·200 = 3200 mm², yw = 200/2 = 100 mm

Centroid

ȳ = (Afyf + Awyw)/(Af + Aw) = (4000·212.5 + 3200·100)/7200 = 162.5 mm

Parallel-axis theorem

flange: 160·25³/12 + 4000·(212.5 − 162.5)² = 1.021 × 10⁷ mm⁴
web: 16·200³/12 + 3200·(100 − 162.5)² = 2.317 × 10⁷ mm⁴
Ix = 1.021 × 10⁷ + 2.317 × 10⁷ = 3.337 × 10⁷ mm⁴

Bending stress

The top edge is h − ȳ from the axis.

y = 225 − 162.5 = 62.5 mm
σ = M·y/I = 5 × 10⁷·62.5/3.337 × 10⁷ = 93.63 MPa

Answer

σtop = 93.63 MPa
9.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −69.7 °

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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·−30, −70 − 0) = −139.4°

Angle on the element

θp = −69.7°

Answer

θp = −69.7°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

10.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −38.66 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 = −50 + −10·0.866 + 40·0.5 = −38.66 MPa

Answer

σθ = −38.66 MPa
11.Beam deflection

Answer: δ = 11.63 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 = 2500 mm
EI = 2.52 × 10¹² N·mm²

Deflection

δ = wL⁴/(8EI) = 6·2500⁴/(8·2.52 × 10¹²) = 11.63 mm

Answer

δ = 11.63 mm
12.Beam deflection

Answer: δmax = 74.15 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 = 21000 N, b = 1000 mm, L = 6000 mm
EI = 6.27 × 10¹¹ N·mm²

Position of the maximum

Setting the slope in the longer segment to zero gives the position.

x = √((L² − b²)/3) = √((6000² − 1000²)/3) = 3416 mm

Maximum deflection

δmax = Pb(L² − b²)3/2/(9√3·EIL) = 74.15 mm

Answer

δmax = 74.15 mm
13.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 25.7 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 = 40·25³/12 = 52083 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·52083/2000² = 25702 N = 25.7 kN

Answer

Pcr = 25.7 kN
14.Column buckling

Answer: d = 65.06 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 = 3·90000 = 270000 N
KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·270000·1500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 65.06 mm

Answer

d = 65.06 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 92.23, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

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