TRANSFORMATIONS OF

STRESS
Dr. Tarek Elmelegy
State of Stress at a Point

• The most general state of stress at a point may

be represented by 6 components,
 x , y , z normal stresses
 xy ,  yz ,  zx shearing stresses
(Note :  xy =  yx ,  yz =  zy ,  zx =  xz )

• Same state of stress is represented by a

different set of components if axes are rotated.
2-D State of Stress
Plane Stress vs. Plane Strain
• Plane Stress - state of stress in which two faces of
the cubic element are free of stress. For the
illustrated example, the state of stress is defined by
 x ,  y ,  xy and  z =  zx =  zy = 0.

• State of plane stress occurs in a thin plate subjected

to forces acting in the midplane of the plate.

• State of plane stress also occurs on the free surface

of a structural element or machine component, i.e.,
at any point of the surface not subjected to an
external force.
2-D State of Stress
Transformation of Plane Stress
• Consider the conditions for equilibrium
of a prismatic element with faces
perpendicular to the x, y, and x’ axes.
 Fx = 0 =  xA −  x (A cos ) cos −  xy (A cos )sin 
−  y (A sin  )sin  −  xy (A sin  ) cos
 Fy = 0 =  xyA +  x (A cos )sin  −  xy (A cos ) cos
−  y (A sin  ) cos +  xy (A sin  )sin 

• The equations may be rewritten to yield

 x + y  x − y
 x = + cos 2 +  xy sin 2
2 2
 x + y  x − y
 y = − cos 2 −  xy sin 2
2 2
 x − y
 xy = − sin 2 +  xy cos 2
2
Principal Stresses
• The previous equations are combined to
yield parametric equations for a circle,

( x −  ave )2 +  x2y = R 2
where
2
 x + y  x − y 
 ave = R =   +  xy
2
2  2 

• Principal stresses occur on the principal

planes of stress with zero shearing stresses.
2
 x + y  x − y 
 max, min =    +  xy
2
2  2 
2 xy
tan 2 p =
 x − y
Note : defines two angles separated by 90o
Maximum Shearing Stress
Maximum shearing stress occurs for  x =  ave

2
 x − y 
 max = R =   +  xy
2
 2 
 x − y
tan 2 s = −
2 xy

Note : defines two angles separated by 90o and

offset from  p by 45o
 x + y
  =  ave =
2
 Example 1
SOLUTION:
• Find the element orientation for the principal
stresses from
2 xy
tan 2 p =
 x − y
• Determine the principal stresses from
2
x + y  x − y 
 max, min =    +  xy
2
For the state of plane stress shown, 2  2 
determine (a) the principal planes, • Calculate the maximum shearing stress with
(b) the principal stresses, (c) the 2
maximum shearing stress and the   x −  y 
 max =   +  xy
2
corresponding normal stress.  2 
x + y

 =
2
 Example 2
SOLUTION:
450
• Determine an equivalent force-couple
250 system at the center of the transverse
30
section passing through H.
100
• Evaluate the normal and shearing stresses
at H.
• Determine the principal planes and
calculate the principal stresses.
A single horizontal force P of 600 N
magnitude is applied to end D of lever
ABD. Determine (a) the normal and
shearing stresses on an element at point
H having sides parallel to the x and y
axes, (b) the principal planes and
principal stresses at the point H.
Mohr’s Circle for Plane Stress
• With the physical significance of Mohr’s circle
for plane stress established, it may be applied
with simple geometric considerations. Critical
values are estimated graphically or calculated.

• For a known state of plane stress  x ,  y , xy

plot the points X and Y and construct the
circle centered at C.
2
 x + y  x − y 
 ave = R =   +  xy
2
2  2 

• The principal stresses are obtained at A and B.

 max, min =  ave  R
2 xy
tan 2 p =
 x − y
The direction of rotation of Ox to Oa is
the same as CX to CA.
Mohr’s Circle for Plane Stress
• With Mohr’s circle uniquely defined, the state
of stress at other axes orientations may be
depicted.

• For the state of stress at an angle  with

respect to the xy axes, construct a new
diameter X’Y’ at an angle 2 with respect to
XY.

• Normal and shear stresses are obtained

from the coordinates X’Y’.
 Mohr’s Circle for Plane Stress
• Mohr’s circle for centric axial loading:

P P
x = ,  y =  xy = 0  x =  y =  xy =
A 2A

• Mohr’s circle for torsional loading:

Tc Tc
 x =  y = 0  xy = x =y =  xy = 0
J J
 Example 3

For the state of plane stress shown,

(a) construct Mohr’s circle, determine
(b) the principal planes, (c) the
principal stresses, (d) the maximum
shearing stress and the corresponding
normal stress.
 Example 3

• Maximum shear stress

 s =  p + 45  max = R   =  ave

 s = 71.6  max = 50 MPa   = 20 MPa
 Example 4

For the state of stress shown,

determine (a) the principal planes
and the principal stresses, (b) the
stress components exerted on the
element obtained by rotating the
given element counterclockwise
through 30 degrees.

7 - 20
General State of Stress
• Consider the general 3D state of stress at a point and
the transformation of stress from element rotation

• State of stress at Q defined by:  x , y , z , xy , yz , zx

• Consider tetrahedron with face perpendicular to the

line QN with direction cosines: x ,  y , z

• The requirement  Fn = 0 leads to,

 n =  x2x +  y 2y +  z 2z
+ 2 xy x  y + 2 yz  y z + 2 zxz x

• Form of equation guarantees that an element

orientation can be found such that
 n =  a 2a +  bb2 +  cc2
These are the principal axes and principal planes
and the normal stresses are the principal stresses.
7 - 23
 Application of Mohr’s Circle to the
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Stress

• Transformation of stress for an element • The three circles represent the

rotated around a principal axis may be normal and shearing stresses for
represented by Mohr’s circle. rotation around each principal axis.
• Points A, B, and C represent the • Radius of the largest circle yields the
principal stresses on the principal planes maximum shearing stress.
(shearing stress is zero) 1
 max =  max −  min
2
Application of Mohr’s Circle to the
Three-Dimensional Analysis of Stress
• In the case of plane stress, the axis
perpendicular to the plane of stress is a
principal axis (shearing stress equal zero).
• If the points A and B (representing the
principal planes) are on opposite sides of
the origin, then
a) the corresponding principal stresses
are the maximum and minimum
normal stresses for the element
b) the maximum shearing stress for the
element is equal to the maximum “in-
plane” shearing stress
c) planes of maximum shearing stress
are at 45o to the principal planes.