Topic 4: Simple Strain
Deformation – is a change in one’s body shape,size, or length.
Strain - is the ratio between the deformation and the original length of a material.
Hooke’s Law
σ = 𝐄𝜺
E - Young’s modulus; indicates the stiffness of
a material, which can also be used to measure
a material’s resistance to deformation.
Strain - is the ratio between the deformation and the original length of a material.
𝛿
𝜀=
𝐿
𝛿 = Deformation or change in length
𝛿 𝑃 𝛿
σ = E𝜀 σ=E =E
𝐿 𝐴 𝐿
𝑃𝐿
𝛿 =
𝐴𝐸
𝑃𝐿
𝛿 =
𝐴𝐸
Formula can be used only if:
1.) The load is an axial.
2.) The material is homogeneous.
3.) The cross-section is uniform throughout.
4.) The stress applied doesn’t exceed the proportional limit.
A steel wire 30 ft long, hanging vertically, supports a load of 500 lb. Neglecting the weight of
the wire, determine the required diameter if the stress is not to exceed 20 ksi and the total
elongation is not to exceed 0.20 in. Assume E = 29 × 106 psi.
𝐹 0.5
20 = 𝐴 ; 20 = 0.25𝑝𝑖𝐷2; D = 0.1784 in
𝑃𝐿 500(30)(12)
0.20 = 𝐴𝐸 ; 0.20 = 0.25𝑝𝑖𝐷2(29 𝑥 106); D = 0.1988 in
Answer:
0.20 in
The two wires are connected together at A . If the force P causes
point A to be displaced horizontally 2 mm, determine the normal
strain developed in each wire.
𝛿 𝐿2𝑚𝑚 −
𝐿
𝜀= 𝜀=
𝐿 𝐿
301.734 − 300
𝜀=
300
Answer:
ε = 0.00578 mm/mm
The pin-connected rigid rods AB and BC are inclined at 30° when they are
unloaded. When the force P is applied, the angle becomes 30.2°. Determine the
average normal strain developed in wire AC .
𝛿 𝐿Ѳ2 − 𝐿Ѳ
𝜀= 𝜀=
𝐿 𝐿Ѳ
(2)(301.812) − (2)(300)
𝜀=
(2)(300)
Answer:
ε = 0.00604 mm/mm
The rigid beam is supported by a pin at A and wires BD and CE . If the load P on
the beam causes the end C to be displaced 10 mm downward, determine the
normal strain developed in wires CE and BD .
𝛿𝐵𝐷 = 0.004286 𝑚𝑚
Answer:
εCE = 0.0025 mm/mm
εBD = 0.00107 mm/mm
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.
𝑃𝐿
𝛿 =σ
𝐴𝐸
(40,000)(1500) (35,000)(4500) (20,000)(7500)
𝛿= - + 𝛿 = 2.5 mm
(1750)(12𝑥1000) (1750)(12𝑥1000) (1750)(12𝑥1000)
A compound bar consisting of bronze, aluminum, and steel segments is loaded axially as shown in
the figure. Determine the maximum allowable value of P if the change in length of the bar is limited
to 2 mm and the working stresses prescribed in the table are not to be exceeded.
𝑃𝐿 Answer:
𝛿 =σ
𝐴𝐸
P = 18,000 N
(3𝑃)(600) (2𝑃)(1000) (2𝑃)(800)
2 =- - + P1 = -28,924.66 N
(450)(83𝑥1000) (600)(70𝑥1000) (300)(200𝑥1000)
3𝑃 2𝑃 2𝑃
120 = 450 = Pbr = 18,000 N 80 = 600 = PAl = 24,000 N 140 = 300 = PSt = 21,000 N
The rigid bar AB is supported by two rods made of the same material. If the bar is
horizontal before the load P is applied, find the distance x that locates the position where
P must act if the bar is to remain horizontal. Neglect the weight of bar AB.
𝛿𝐴 = 𝛿𝐵
𝑃𝐴𝐿𝐴 𝑃𝐵𝐿𝐵
=
𝐴𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐵𝐸
The rigid bar AB is supported by two rods made of the same material. If the bar is
horizontal before the load P is applied, find the distance x that locates the position where
P must act if the bar is to remain horizontal. Neglect the weight of bar AB.
𝛿𝐴 = 𝛿𝐵
𝑃𝐴𝐿𝐴 𝑃𝐵𝐿𝐵
=
𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐵
The rigid bar AB is supported by two rods made of the same material. If the bar is
horizontal before the load P is applied, find the distance x that locates the position where
P must act if the bar is to remain horizontal. Neglect the weight of bar AB.
𝑃𝐴𝐿𝐴 𝑃𝐵𝐿𝐵
=
𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐵
𝑃𝐴(2) 𝑃𝐵(3)
=
0.4 0.2
The rigid bar AB is supported by two rods made of the same material. If the bar is
horizontal before the load P is applied, find the distance x that locates the position where
P must act if the bar is to remain horizontal. Neglect the weight of bar AB.
Answer:
x = 2.5 ft
𝑃𝐴𝐿𝐴 𝑃𝐵𝐿𝐵
= σ MA = 0
𝐴𝐴 𝐴𝐵 P(X) – PB(10) = 0;
𝑋
PB = P(10)
P(10−𝑥)(2) P(10
𝑋
) (3)
σ MB = 0
10
0.4
= 0.2
𝑃𝐴(2) 𝑃𝐵(3)
= -P(10-x) + PA(10) = 0;
10−𝑥
PA = P( 10 )
0.4 0.2
Additional/Supplementary
Exercises
When an axial load is applied to the ends of the bar, the total elongation of the bar between joints A and
C is 0.15 in. In segment (2), the normal strain is measured as 1,300 Micro in./in.
Determine:
a.) The elongation of segment (2).
b.) The normal strain in segment (1) of the bar.
Answer:
a.) 0.1170 in
b.) 825 micro in./in.
The 30-mm-diameter A992 steel rod is subjected to the loading shown.
Determine the displacement of end C. E = 200,000 MPa
Answer:
-0.501 mm
If the 20-mm-diameter rod is made of A-36 steel (E = 200,000 Mpa) and the stiffness of the spring is
k = 50 MN/m, determine the displacement of end A when the 60-kN force is applied.
Hint: F = kx for spring; x is equal to displacement
Answer:
1.96 mm downward
The rigid bar ABC shown is hinged at A and supported by a steel rod at B. Determine the largest load P that
can be applied at C if the stress in the steel rod is limited to 30 ksi and the vertical movement of
end C must not exceed 0.10 in.
Answer:
P = 4.83 kips
The rigid bar AB, attached to aluminum and steel rods, is horizontal before the load P is applied. Find the
vertical displacement of point C caused by the load P = 50 kN. Neglect all weights.
Answer:
1.921 mm
The uniform 2200-lb bar BC is supported by a pin at C and the aluminum wire AB. The cross-sectional area of
the wire is 0.165 in2. Assuming bar BC to be rigid, find the vertical displacement of B due to the weight of the
bar. Use E = 10.6 x 106 psi for aluminum. Hint: Consider that bar BC is RIGID.
Answer:
0.0255 in
The structure in the figure is composed of two rigid bars (AB and CD) and two vertical rods made of aluminum and
steel. All connections are pin joints. Determine the maximum force P that can be applied to the structure if the
vertical displacement of its point of application is limited to 6 mm. Neglect the weights of the members.
Answer:
59.9 kN
