Stress Applications 1

Example 1:
The bar in Fig. 1 has a constant width of 35 mm and a thickness of 10 mm. Determine
the maximum average normal stress in the bar when it is subjected to the loading
shown.

SOLUTION
Internal Loading. By inspection, the internal axial forces in regions AB, BC, and
CD are all constant yet have different magnitudes. Using the method of sections,
these loadings are shown on the free-body diagrams of the left segments shown in
Fig. 1–b. The normal force diagram, which represents these results graphically, is
shown in Fig. 1–c. The largest loading is in region BC, where NBC = 30 kN.
Since the cross-sectional area of the bar is constant, the largest average normal stress
also occurs within this region of the bar.
Stress Applications 2

Average Normal Stress.

𝑁𝐵𝐶 30 × 103 𝑁
𝜎𝐵𝐶 = = = 85.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴 0.035𝑚 × 0.01𝑚

The stress distribution acting on an arbitrary cross section of the bar within region
BC is shown in Fig. 1–d.

Example 2:
The 80-kg lamp is supported by two rods AB
and BC as shown in Fig. 2–a. If AB has a
diameter of 10 mm and BC has a diameter of 8
mm, determine the average normal stress in
each rod.

SOLUTION
Internal Loading. We must first determine the
axial force in each rod. A free-body diagram of
the lamp is shown in Fig. 2–b. Applying the
equations of force equilibrium,
Average Normal Stress.

𝐹𝐵𝐶 395.2 𝑁
𝜎𝐵𝐶 = = = 7.86𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝐵𝐶 𝜋(0.004 𝑚)2
𝐹𝐵𝐴 632.4 𝑁
𝜎𝐵𝐴 = = = 8.05𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝐵𝐴 𝜋(0.005 𝑚)2
Stress Applications 3

The average normal stress distribution acting over a

cross section of rod AB is shown in Fig. 2–c, and at
a point on this cross section, an element of material
is stressed as shown in Fig. 2–d.

Example 3:
The casting shown in Fig. 1–17a is made of steel having a density of 7850 kg/m3.
Determine the average compressive stress acting at points A and B.

SOLUTION
Internal Loading. A free-body diagram of the top segment of the casting where the
section passes through points A and B is shown in Fig. 3–b. The weight of this
segment is determined from Wst = Ϫst Vst. Thus the internal axial force P at the section
is
+↑ ∑𝐹𝑧 =0 𝑃 = 𝑊𝑠𝑡 = 0
Stress Applications 4

𝑃 − (7850 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3 )(9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠 2 )(0.8 𝑚 )[𝜋(0.2𝑚)2 ] = 0

𝑃 = 7.7417 × 103 𝑁
Average Compressive Stress. The cross-sectional area at the section is
A = 𝜋(0.2𝑚)2 , and so the average compressive stress becomes
𝑃 7.7417 × 103 𝑁 103 N
𝜎= = 2
= 61.61 × 2
= 61.6 kN/𝑚2
𝐴 𝜋(0.2𝑚) 𝑚

Note: The stress shown on the volume element of material in Fig. 3–c is
representative of the conditions at either point A or B. Notice that this stress acts
upward on the bottom or shaded face of the element since this face forms part of the
bottom surface area of the section, and on this surface, the resultant internal force P
is pushing upward.

Example 4:
Member AC shown in Fig. 4–a is subjected to a vertical force of 3 kN. Determine
the position x of this force so that the average compressive stress at the smooth
support C is equal to the average tensile stress in the tie rod AB. The rod has a cross-
sectional area of 400 mm2 and the contact area at C is 650 mm2.

SOLUTION
Internal Loading. The forces at A and C can be related by considering the free-body
diagram of member AC, Fig. 4–b. There are three unknowns, namely, FAB, FC, and
x. To solve we will work in units of newtons and millimeters.

+↑ ∑𝐹𝑧 =0 𝐹𝐴𝐵 + 𝐹𝑐 − 3000𝑁 = 0 (1)

⟲ +∑𝑀𝐴 = 0; −(3000𝑁)(𝑥) + 𝐹𝑐 (200𝑚𝑚) = 0 (2)

Stress Applications 5

Average Normal Stress. A necessary third equation can be written that requires
the tensile stress in the bar AB and the compressive stress at C to be equivalent, i.e.,
𝐹𝐴𝐵 𝐹𝐶
𝜎= =
400𝑚𝑚2 650 𝑚𝑚2

𝐹𝐶 = 1.625 𝐹𝐴𝐵
Substituting this into Eq. 1, solving for FAB, then solving for FC, we obtain
𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 1143 𝑁
𝐹𝐶 = 1857 𝑁
The position of the applied load is determined from Eq. 2,
x = 124 mm
As required, 0 < 𝑥 < 200𝑚𝑚.

Example 5:
Determine the average shear stress in the
20-mm-diameter pin at A and the 30-
mm-diameter pin at B that support the
beam in Fig. 5–a.

SOLUTION
Internal Loadings. The forces on the
pins can be obtained by considering the
equilibrium of the beam, Fig. 5–b.

4
⟲ +∑𝑀𝐴 = 0; 𝐹𝐵 ( ) − 30𝑘𝑁(2𝑚) = 0 𝐹𝐵 = 12.5𝑘𝑁
5
Stress Applications 6

+ 3
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; (12.5 kN) ( ) − 𝐴𝑥 =0 𝐴𝑥 = 7.5 𝑘𝑁
5

4
+↑ ∑𝐹𝑧 = 0; 𝐴𝑥 + (12.5 𝑘𝑁) ( ) − 30 𝑘𝑁 = 0 𝐴𝑦 = 7.5 𝑘𝑁
5
Thus, the resultant force acting on pin A is

𝐹𝐴 = √𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 = √(7.5𝑘𝑁)2 + (20𝑘𝑁)2 = 21.36 𝑘𝑁

The pin at A is supported by two fixed “leaves”

and so the free-body diagram of the center
segment of the pin shown in Fig. 5–c has two
shearing surfaces between the beam and each
leaf. Since the force of the beam (21.36 kN)
acting on the pin is supported by shear force on
each of two surfaces, it is called double shear.
Thus,

𝐹𝐴 21.36𝑘𝑁
𝑉𝐴 = = = 10.68 𝑘𝑁
2 2
In Fig. 5–a, note that pin B is subjected to
single shear, which occurs on the section
between the cable and beam, Fig. 5–d. For this
pin segment,

𝑉𝐵 = 𝐹𝐵 = 12.5𝑘𝑁
Average Shear Stress.

𝑉𝐴 10.68 (103 )𝑁
(𝜏𝐴 )𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = 𝜋 = 34.0 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝐴 (0.02 𝑚) 2
4
𝑉𝐵 12.5 (103 )𝑁
(𝜏𝐴 )𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 17.7 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝐵 𝜋 (0.03 𝑚)2
4
Stress Applications 7

Example 6:
If the wood joint in Fig. 6–a has a
thickness of 150 mm, determine the
average shear stress along shear planes a–
a and b–b of the connected member. For
each plane, represent the state of stress on
an element of the material.

SOLUTION
Internal Loadings. Referring to the free-body
diagram of the member, Fig. 6–b,

+
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; 6𝑘𝑁 − 𝐹 − 𝐹 = 0 𝐹 = 3𝑘𝑁

Now consider the equilibrium of segments cut

across shear planes a–a and b–b, shown in Figs.
6–c and 6–d.

+
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; 𝑉𝑎 − 3𝑘𝑁 = 0
𝑉𝑎 = 3𝑘𝑁
+
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; 3𝑘𝑁 − 𝑉𝑏 = 0
𝑉𝑏 = 3𝑘𝑁
Average Shear Stress.
𝑉𝑎 3 (103 )𝑁
(𝜏𝐴 )𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 200 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝑎 (0.1 𝑚) (0.15 𝑚)
𝑉𝑏 3 (103 )𝑁
(𝜏𝐴 )𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = = 160 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝐴𝑏 (0.125 𝑚) (0.15 𝑚)
The state of stress on elements located on sections a–a and b–b is shown in Figs. 6–
c and 6–d, respectively.
Stress Applications 8

Example 7:
The inclined member in Fig. 7–a is subjected to a
compressive force of 3000 N. Determine the average
compressive stress along the smooth areas of contact
defined by AB and BC, and the average shear stress
along the horizontal plane defined by DB.

SOLUTION
Internal Loadings. The free-body diagram of the
inclined member is shown in
Fig. 7–b. The compressive forces acting on the areas of
contact are
3
+
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; 𝐹𝐴𝐵 − (300N) ( ) = 0
5
𝐹𝐴𝐵 = 1800 𝑘𝑁
4
+
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; 𝐹𝐵𝐶 − (300N) ( )=0
5
𝐹𝐵𝐶 = 2400 𝑘𝑁
Also, from the free-body diagram of the top segment
ABD of the bottom member, Fig. 7–c, the shear force
acting on the sectioned horizontal plane DB is

+
→ ∑𝐹𝑥 = 0; 𝑉 = 1800 𝑁

Average Stress. The average compressive stresses along the

horizontal and vertical planes of the inclined member are
𝐹𝐴𝐵 1800 𝑁
𝜎𝐴𝐵 = = = 1.8 × 106 𝑁⁄𝑚2
𝐴𝐴𝐵 (0.25 𝑚)(0.04𝑚)
= 1.8 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐹𝐵𝐶 2400 𝑁
𝜎𝐴𝐵 = = = 1.2 × 106 𝑁⁄𝑚2
𝐴𝐵𝐶 (0.05 𝑚)(0.04𝑚)
= 1.2 𝑀𝑃𝑎
These stress distributions are shown in Fig. 7–d.
Stress Applications 9

The average shear stress acting on the

horizontal plane defined by DB is
1800 𝑁
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
(0.075 𝑚)(0.04𝑚)
= 0.600 × 106 𝑁⁄𝑚2
= 0.6 𝑀𝑃𝑎
This stress is shown uniformly distributed over
the sectioned area in Fig. 7–e.