Basics in Theory of Elasticity

Basics on Theory of Elasticity for isotropic bodies

The most used (frequently applied) experimental methods offer only
information about the surface displacement (strain) or stress states,
and consequently, the basics of the plane Theory of Elasticity are
practically enough in their understanding and adequate application of
them.
In order to obtain information (displacements, strains or stresses) on
the specimens volume, are requested other, more sophisticated
experimental methods, used especially only in special well-focused
investigations.
In usually industrial praxis, the
described methods in this chapter,
broadly speaking are enough. In
this sense, the author has over 30
years experience in applying the
presented methods in didactical
and industrial measurements.
Lets consider an infinitesimal
element, detached from a plane
Figure A.1: The stress
stress
state
body,
where
components on an inclined plane,
= zx = yz = zy = 0 , respectdetached from a plane stress state xz
plate
tively z = 0 are assumed.

We assume also the following hypotheses:

The material of the analyzed body is homogenous, isotropic
and respects the Hookes law;
The hypotheses of a continuous medium and of a perfect/ideal
elastic material are also valid;
1

Basics in Theory of Elasticity

The solicitations are in the linear-elastic zone, respectively

The stress components x , y , xy = yx are given.
Based on these hypothesises, the Theory of Elasticity offers:
the stress components on an - inclined plane:
x + y x y

(
)

=
+
cos 2 + xy sin 2 ;

2
2

x y

(
)

=
sin 2 xy cos 2 ;

(A.1)

the orientation of the two orthogonal planes, on which act the

main stresses (the principal normal stresses) 1 , 2 :
tg 2 =

2 xy

x y ;

(A.2)

the magnitude of the principal (normal) stresses:

1, 2 =

x + y
2

1
2
( x y ) + 4 xy2 ;
2

(A.3)

the orientation of the two orthogonal planes, on which act the

main shear stresses max , and which are disposed/rotated with
45 compared to the main stresses orientations:
x y
tg 2 =
(A.4)
2 xy ;
0

the magnitude of the main shear stresses:

max = ( 1 2 ) = ( x y )2 + 4 xy2 ;
1
2

1
2

(A.5)

Basics in Theory of Elasticity

In case of the given strains (linear/normal ones: x , y ,

respectively the shear strain ( xy ), the adequate strain
components on an - inclined plane are:

+y x y
xy

( ) = x
+
cos 2 +
sin 2 ;

2
2
2

xy ( ) = ( x y ) sin 2 xy cos 2 ;

(A.6)

the orientation of the main (normal) strain components ( 1 , 2 )

is given by:
tg 2 =

xy
,
x y

(A.7)

and the main (normal) strain components are:

1, 2 =

x +y
2

1
2
( x y ) + xy2 ;
2

(A.8)

similarly with the maximal shear stresses, the orientation of the

main shear strains max , which are disposed/rotated with
450 compared to the main (normal) strains orientations, is given
by:
x y

tg 2 =
;
(A.9)
xy
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Basics in Theory of Elasticity

the main shear strains values are:

max = ( 1 2 ) .

(A.10)

In the case of the isotropic and homogenous materials, the main

(normal) stresses orientations coincide with the orientation of the
main (normal) strains.
Useful remarks:
The relationships (A.1) . (A.5), determined for the stresses,
can be transposed for strains by simply substitutions of
1

xy ;

,
x x ; y
respectively xy
y
2
In case of the coincidence of the x and y directions with the main
directions (in hypothesis of a homogenous and isotropic
material) 1 and 2 (when 1, 2 = 0 ), the relations (A.6) became:
+ 2 1 2

( ) = 1
+
cos 2 ;

2
2
xy ( ) = ( 1 2 ) sin 2 .

(A.6)

From the generalized form of the Hookes law

[
[
[

]
]
]

x E x ( y + z ) ;

1
=
y ( z + x ) ;

y
E

z = 1 z ( x + y ) ;

xy

=
;
xy
G

yz

=
;
yz
G

= zx ;
zx
G

G=

E
,
2 (1 + )

(A.11)

Basics in Theory of Elasticity

One can obtain the adequate particular forms, corresponding to the:

plane stress state (even a flat plate-like structure, whose
thickness is small compared with its other dimensions, a socalled a very thin plate, subjected to a load system/loaded/ only
in its median plane; or a free surface of a more complicated
three-dimensional body, where z = 0 ; zx = zy = 0 ;
zx = zy = 0 ;

z 0

):

x E ( x y ) ;

1
( y x ) ;
=

y
E

xy

=
,
xy

(A.12)

Or solved for stresses,

E

=
x 1 2 ( x + y ) ;

=
( y + x ) ;
y
2
1

z = 0 ; xy = G xy ;

(A.13)

plane strain state (where are prohibited/obstructed the

displacements and the respectively strain along the z-axis, I
mean: z = 0 ; zx = zy = 0 ), from the generalized Hookes law,
expressed by means of relations (A.11), offers the corresponding
expressions; one of them is the stress along the z-axis, I mean:

z = ( x + y ) .

(A.14)
5

Basics in Theory of Elasticity

In the case, which the x, y and z-axis coincide with the main
directions (i.e. x 1 , y 2 , z 3 ), and with the following
substitutions:
the main strain, referring to volume

V = 1 + 2 + 3 =

1 2
I1 ;
E

(A.15)

the first order invariant of the stresses

I1 = 1 + 2 + 3 ,

(A.16)

we obtain, for the generalized Hookes law, a new form (A.17), from
where, by mean of the above-mentioned particularisations, one can
obtain the main (normal) stresses, expressed in terms of the main
strains:

V
E
=

;
1
1

1 +
1 2

V
E

;
2
2
1
+
1

(A.17)
V
E

,
3
3 1 +
1

Useful remarks, regarding on figure A.2:

These main strains are usually calculated based on measured
strains (usually, along the x, y and z-axis of the body;
One can observe the difference between their strain-state (their
deformation-field).
6

Basics in Theory of Elasticity

For example, the orthotropic material, subjected to mono-axial

tensile loading along its elastic symmetry-axis, presents a symmetric
deformation-field (Case b.), but when the loading direction has an
angular distance to its elastic symmetry-axis, in this case the
deformation-field became asymmetric, even the specimen was
subjected to mono-axial tensile load.

Figure A.2: A comparative strain-state of the isotropic and orthotropic

materials subjected to mono-axial tensile, and pure shear loading: a. isotropic
material; b. orthotropic material subjected to loads along its elastic symmetryaxis; c. orthotropic material subjected to loads along an inclined direction to its
elastic symmetry-axis one

In the case of the composite materials, this problem presents a

very high importance because the engineer has to be able
evaluating correctly the obtained information and to be able
applying the adequate measuring technique.
For example, in the case of electric strain gauge method, for such
materials are strongly recommended the using of some 3directional rosettes, not simply gauges (with a single, mono-axial
grid), how is presented in the sub-chapter of the electrical strain
gauges.

Basics in Theory of Elasticity

Application: For the given rod, lets analyze at different inclined

0
0
0
0
0
planes ( = 0 ; 30 ; 45 ; 60 ; 90 ) the corresponding stress-states.
0
Lets draw up the adequate Mohrs circle for = 30 .