Chapter 9:

MECH ANICAL PROPERTIES OF SOLIDS

A material is said to be in the solid state if all the atoms of that matter are densely
packed together. A solid material has a definite shape and size. In order to change
the shape and size of the solid object, an external force needs to be applied.

STRESS
• When a body is subjected to a deforming force, a restoring force is developed
in the body.
DEFINITION:

The internal restoring force developed per unit area of a deformed body is called
stress.

If F is deforming force applied to an area of cross-section A of the body and if the

body is within the elastic limit then,

𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒

Stress = =
𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝐅
∴ stre ss =
𝐀

-2
S.I unit of stress → Nm
Dimensional formula → [ML -1 T -2 ]

TYPES OF STRESS:
1) Longitudinal/Normal stress:
• If the deforming force acts along the normal to an area of a body, the
restoring force per unit area of the deformed body.
• Longitudinal stress is of 2 types - i) Tensile stress
ii) Compressive stress
i)Tensile stress – when the length of a body increases in the direction
of the deforming force, the restoring force per unit area of the body is
called tensile stress.
ii)Compressive stress- when the length of the body decreases under
the action of deforming force, the restoring force per unit area of the
body is called compressive stress.
2) Tangential stress:
• When the deforming force acting tangentially to the surface of
a body,it changes the shape of the body.
• It the restoring force per unit area.

3) H ydraulic / Volume stress:

• When a body is compressed uniformly from all sides by the application of
deforming forces.
• It is the restoring force per unit area.

STRAIN
• When a body is deformed , the ratio of change in configuration to the original
configuration is called strain.
• It is dimensionless quantity and has no units.
• The change in configuration maybe due to change in - length or
- volume or
- shape

TYPES OF STRAIN:
1) Longitudinal/ Tensile strain:
• If the deforming forces produce a change in length of the body.
• It is the ratio of change in length of the body to the original
length.
• If L → original length and
ΔL → change in length, then
ΔL
Longitudinal strain =
L

2) Volume/ Bulk strain:

• If the deforming forces produce a change in volume of the body.
• It is the ratio of change in volume to the original volume.
• If V → original volume
ΔV → change in volume, then
𝚫𝐕
volume strain =
𝐕
 3) Shearing / shear strain:
• If the deforming forces produce a change in shape of the body.
• The ratio of the relative displacement of one plane to its distance from the
fixed plane.
• If ΔL → displacement of a plane relative to fixed plane
L → distance of this plane from the fixed plane
ΔL
shearing strain = = tanθ ≈ θ ( since θ is small)
L

θ→ angular displacement(in radian)

➢ Shearing strain may also be defined as the angle(in radian) through which a
line originally perpendicular to the fixed plane turns on the application of
deforming force.

H OOKE’S LAW:

• Within elastic limit,the stress and strain are proportional to each other.
• It is the fundamental law in elasticity.
Stress α Strain or
(stress)= k (strain)
where k→ modulus of elasticity

STRESS-STRAIN CURVE:

• The relation between stress and strain for a given material under tensile
stress can be found experimentally.
• The applied force or load on a wire is increased in steps and the change in
length is noted.
• The stress and strain are found in each step.
• A graph is plotted between stress and strain.
(such a graph for metal is as shown)
 • O to A→ curve is linear and Hooke’s law is obeyed.
• A to B →Stress-strain is not proportional.
• B→ yield point or elastic limit.
The corresponding stress is known as yield strength (𝜎𝑦)
• B to D→stress developed exceeds yield strength and strain increases
rapidly even for small increase in the stress.
• Beyond C between B and D→ the body does not regain original dimension.
In this region,strain is not zero even when stress is zero. Then the material is
said to have a permanent set or permanent extension .
• D→ which is the highest point, stress-strain curve is called tensile
strength/ultimate strength( 𝝈𝒖 ).
• Beyond this point, strain increases even when applied force(pr stress) is
decreased and fracture occurs at point E.
• E→ fracture point/breaking point.
• D and E→if near then- brittle ;
if far - ductile
The stress-strain relation varies from material to material.
Substances like rubber,tissue of aorta,etc which can be stretched to cause
large strains → elastomers.

ELASTIC MODULI
• The ratio of stress to strain → modulus of elasticity.
• Depending upon the type of stress applied and the resulting strain, there are
3-types of modulii of elasticity.
1)Young’s modulus
2)Bulk modulus
3)Shear modulus/ modulus of rigidity
1) YOUNG’S MODULUS:

• The ratio of longitudinal stress(tensile or compressive) to the longitudinal

strain.
• It is denoted by the symbol Y.
-2
• S.I unit → Nm
-1 -2
• Dimensional formula → [ML T ]
F
Longitudinal stress σ =
A
ΔL
Longitudinal strain ε =
L
σ F L
∴ Young’s modulus Y = = ( ) ( )
ε A ΔL

2) SH EAR MODULUS:
• The ratio of the tangential stress to the shearing strain.
 • It is represented by the symbol→ η
Y
• Shear modulus of a material is less than Young’s modulus. (η= )
3
F
→ Tangential stress σ =
A
ΔL
Shearing strain θ =
L
σ
∴ shear modulus η =
𝜃
• S.I unit is Nm-2

3) BULK MODULUS :

• The ratio of hydraulic stress to volume strain(bulk strain).

• It is denoted by → B
ℎ𝑦𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑢𝑙𝑖𝑐 𝑜𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
• Bulk modulus =
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
F V
• B=( ) ( )
A ∆V
• S.I unit is Nm-2
• If the spherical body is compressed due to hydrostatic
pressure p inside a liquid,
−p
B= ∆V where p= F/A
( )
V

-ve sign→ when pressure p increases the volume decreases.

• If p is +ve, ∆V is –ve.
• The reciprocal of bulk modulus → compressibility. Denoted as K
1 1 ∆V
K= =-( ) ( )
B P V
• It is defined as the fractional change in volume per unit increase in
pressure.

4) POISSON’S RATIO

• Within the elastic limit,the ratio of the lateral strain to the longitudinal
strain(σ).
𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
• Poisson’s ratio σ =
𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛
ΔL
• Longitudinal strain =
L
ΔD
• Lateral strain =
D
∆𝐃 𝐋
σ =( ) ( )
𝐃 ∆𝐋

(in actual practice, the value of σ lies between 0.2 - 0.4)

ELASTIC ENERGY
• When a wire is stretched,some work is done against the internal restoring
force.This work done appears as elastic potential energy in the wire.
• Elastic potential energy(U) in a stretched wire is
 1
U = x (stress) x (strain) x (volume of the wire)
2
• The potential energy per unit volume of the wire is
1
U = x stress x strain
2
2
1
= x Young’s modulus x (strain)
2

APPLICATIONS OF ELASTIC BEH AVIOR OF MATERIALS

i. Thickness of metallic ropes used in cranes to lift and move heavy objects is
decided on the basis of the elastic limit of the material.
ii. Any metallic part of a machinery is never subjected to a stress beyond the
elastic limit of the material.
iii. The torque required to twist a hollow cylinder is greater than to twist a
solid cylinder(of the same mass,length and material) through same
angle.A hollow shaft is stronger than solid shaft made of same and equal
material.
iv. Ropes used in cranes are made by a number of thin wires woven together
into a rope of required radius because they have a large margin of safety.
v. In designing a beam for its use to support a load(in construction of roofs
and bridges), the cross-sectional shape of I is used. This provides large
load bearing surface and enough depth to prevent bending.