AXIALLY LOADED BARS

CHAPTER 2: STRAIN The figure shows a bar of length L and constant cross-
INTRODUCTION: sectional area A that is loaded by an axial tensile force P.
In general terms, strain is a geometric quantity that measures the deformation of a body. We assume that the stress caused by P is below the
Stress and strain are two fundamental concepts of mechanics of materials. proportional limit, so that Hooke’s law  = EЄ is
Although our emphasis in this chapter will be on axially loaded bars, the principles and applicable.
methods developed here apply equally well to more complex cases of loading discussed later. We
will learn how to use force-deformation relationships in conjunction with equilibrium analysis to solve
statically indeterminate problems. Because the bar deforms uniformly, the axial strain is Є = /L, which upon substitution into Hooke’s
law yields  = E(/L). Therefore, the elongation of the bar is
NORMAL (AXIAL) STRAIN
The normal strain Є (lowercase Greek epsilon) is defined as the elongation per unit length.
Therefore, the normal strain in the bar in the axial direction, also known as the axial strain, is
SAMPLE PROBLEM #1:
The timber member has a cross-sectional area of 1750 mm2 and its modulus of elasticity is 12 GPa.
Compute the change in the total length of the member after the loads shown are applied.
STRESS-STRAIN DIAGRAM
As seen in the figure, the stress-strain
diagram is a straight line from the
origin O to a point called the
proportional limit. This plot is a
manifestation of Hooke’s law: Stress
is proportional to strain; that is,

where E is a material property known

as the modulus of elasticity or
Young’s modulus.

Elastic Limit A material is said to be elastic if, after being loaded, the material returns to its original
shape when the load is removed. The elastic limit is, as its name implies, the stress beyond which
the material is no longer elastic. The permanent deformation that remains after the removal of the
load is called the permanent set.
Yield Point The point where the stress-strain diagram becomes almost horizontal is called the yield
point, and the corresponding stress is known as the yield stress or yield strength. Beyond the yield
point there is an appreciable elongation, or yielding, of the material without a corresponding increase
in load.
Ultimate Stress The ultimate stress or ultimate strength, as it is often called, is the highest stress
on the stress-strain curve.
Rupture Stress The rupture stress or rupture strength is the stress at which failure occurs.
SAMPLE PROBLEM #2: STATICALLY INDETERMINATE PROBLEMS
The bar ABC is supported by a pin at A and a steel wire at B. If the equilibrium equations are sufficient to calculate all the forces (including support
Calculate the elongation of the wire when the 36-lb horizontal force reactions) that act on a body, these forces are said to be statically determinate. In statically
is applied at C. The crosssectional area of the wire is 0.0025 in.2 determinate problems, the number of unknown forces is always equal to the number of independent
and the modulus of elasticity of steel is 29 x 106 psi. equilibrium equations. If the number of unknown forces exceeds the number of independent
equilibrium equations, the problem is said to be statically indeterminate.
Static indeterminacy does not imply that the problem cannot be solved; it simply means that
the solution cannot be obtained from the equilibrium equations alone. A statically indeterminate
problem always has geometric restrictions imposed on its deformation. The mathematical
expressions of these restrictions, known as the compatibility equations, provide us with the additional
equations needed to solve the problem (the term compatibility refers to the geometric compatibility
between deformation and the imposed constraints).

SAMPLE PROBLEM #4:

The rigid beam of negligible weight is supported by a pin at O and two vertical rods. Find the vertical
displacement of the 50-kip weight.

SAMPLE PROBLEM #3:

The rigid bar ABC is supported by a pin at A and a steel rod
at B. Determine the largest vertical load P that can be
applied at C if the stress in the steel rod is limited to 35 ksi
and the vertical movement of end C must not exceed 0.12
in. Neglect the weights of the members.
SAMPLE PROBLEM #5: THERMAL STRESSES
The rigid, homogeneous slab weighing 600 kN is supported by It is well known that changes in temperature cause dimensional changes in a body: An
three rods of identical material and cross section. Before the increase in temperature results in expansion, whereas a temperature decrease produces
slab was attached, the lower ends of the rods were at the same contraction.
level. Compute the axial force in each rod. The associated strain, called thermal strain, is

where the constant  is a material property known as the coefficient of thermal expansion, and T
is the temperature change. If the temperature change is uniform throughout the body, the thermal
strain is also uniform. Consequently, the change in any dimension L of the body is given by

SAMPLE PROBLEM #7:

The horizontal steel rod, 2.5 m long and 1200 mm2 in cross-sectional area, is secured between two
walls as shown in the figure. If the rod is stress-free at 20C, compute the stress when the
temperature has dropped to -20C. Assume that (1) the walls do not move and (2) the walls move
together a distance  = 0.5 mm. Use  = 11.7 x 10-6/C and E = 200 GPa.

Sample Problem #6:

The 12-in.-diameter rod CE and the 34-in.-diameter rod
DF are attached to the rigid bar ABCD as shown.
Knowing that the rods are made of aluminum and using
E = 10.6 x 106 psi, determine (a) the force in each rod
caused by the loading shown, (b) the corresponding
deflection of point A.
SAMPLE PROBLEM #8: ASSIGNMENT:
The rigid bar of negligible weight is supported as shown in
the figure. If W = 80 kN, compute the temperature change PROBLEM 1:
of the assembly that will cause a tensile stress of 50 MPa Each of the links AB and CD is made of aluminum (E
=10.9 x 106 psi) and has a cross-sectional area of 0.2 in.
in the steel rod. Use the following data:
Knowing that they support the rigid member BC,
determine the deflection of point E.

PROBLEM 2:
Link BD is made of brass (E = 105 GPa) and has a cross-
sectional area of 240 mm2. Link CE is made of aluminum (E =
72 GPa) and has a cross-sectional area of 300 mm2. Knowing
that they support rigid member ABC, determine the maximum
force P that can be applied vertically at point A if the deflection
of A is not to exceed 0.35 mm.

PROBLEM 3:
The rigid bar AD is supported by two steel wires of
1/16-in. diameter (E = 29 x 106 psi) and a pin and
bracket at D. Knowing that the wires were initially taut,
determine (a) the additional tension in each wire when
a 120-lb load P is applied at B, (b) the corresponding
deflection of point B.

PROBLEM 4:
A rod consisting of two cylindrical portions AB and BC is restrained
at both ends. Portion AB is made of steel (Es = 29 x 106 psi, s =
6.5 x 10-6/ F) and portion BC is made of aluminum (Ea = 10.4 x
106 psi, a = 13.3 x 10-6/ F). Knowing that the rod is initially
unstressed, determine (a) the normal stresses induced in portions
AB and BC by a temperature rise of 70F, (b) the corresponding
deflection of point B.