Energy Methods

MAE314 SolidMechanics
Y.Zhu

Strain Energy
A uniform rod is subjected to a slowly increasing load
The elementary work done by the load P as the rod
elongates
l
by
b a small
ll dx
d is
i
dU = P dx = elementary work

which is equal to the area of width dx under the load

loaddeformation diagram.
The total work done by the load for a deformation x1,
x1

U = P dx = total work = strain energy

0

which results in an increase of strain energy in the rod.

rod
In the case of a linear elastic deformation,
x1

U = kx dx = 12 kx12 = 12 P1x1
0

Strain Energy Density

To eliminate the effects of size, evaluate the strainenergy per unit volume,
x

1
U
P dx
=
V 0A L

u = x d x = strain energy
gy densityy
0

The total strain energy density resulting from the

deformation is equal to the area under the curve to 1.
As the material is unloaded, the stress returns to zero
but there is a permanent deformation. Only the strain
energy represented by the triangular area is recovered.
R
Remainder
i d off the
h energy spent in
i deforming
d f
i the
h material
i l
is dissipated as heat.

Strain-Energy Density
The strain energy density resulting from
setting 1 = R is the modulus of toughness.
The energy per unit volume required to cause
the material to rupture is related to its ductility
as well as its ultimate strength.
If the stress remains within the proportional
limit,
1

E12 12
u = E x d x =
=
2
2E
0

The strain energy density resulting from

setting 1 = Y is the modulus of resilience.
uY =

Y2
2E

= modulus of resilience

Elastic Strain Energy for Normal Stresses

In an element with a nonuniform stress distribution,
U dU
=
dV
V 0 V

u = lim

U = u dV = total strain energy

For values of u < uY , i.e., below the proportional

limit,
x2
U =

2E

dV = elastic strain energy

Under axial loading,

loading x = P A
L

P2
U =
dx
2 AE
0

For a rod of uniform cross-section,

P2L
U=
2 AE

dV = A dx
d

Elastic Strain Energy for Normal Stresses

For a beam subjected to a bending load,
x2
M 2 y2
U =

2E

dV =

2 EI

dV

Setting dV = dA dx,
M 2 2
U=
dA dx =
y dA dx
2
2

2 EI
2 EI A

0
0 A
L

x =

My
I

=
0

M 2 y2

M2
dx
2 EI

For an end
end-loaded
loaded cantilever beam,
beam
M = Px
L

P2 x2
P 2 L3
U=
dx =
2 EI
6 EI
0

Strain Energy For Shearing Stresses

For a material subjected to plane shearing
stresses,
xy

u=

xy d xy
0

For
F values
l
off xy within
i hi the
h proportional
i l limit,
li i
u=

1 G 2
xy
2

= 12 xy xy =

2
xy

2G

The total strain energy is found from

U = u dV
=

2
xy

2G

dV

Strain Energy For Shearing Stresses

For a shaft subjected to a torsional load,
2
xy
T 2 2
U =

2G

dV =

2GJ

dV

Setting dV = dA dx,
T 2 2
U =
dA dx =
dA dx
2
2

2GJ
2GJ A

0
0A
L

xy =

T
J

T 2 2

T2
=
dx
2GJ
0

In the case of a uniform shaft

shaft,
T 2L
U=
2GJ

Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
Determine the reactions at A and B
from a free
free-body
body diagram of the
complete beam.
g
of the bendingg
Developp a diagram
moment distribution.
a) Taking into account only the normal
stresses due to bending, determine the
strain energy of the beam for the
loading shown.
b) Evaluate the strain energy knowing
that the beam is a W10x45, P = 40
kips,
p , L = 12 ft,, a = 3 ft,, b = 9 ft,, and E
= 29x106 psi.

Integrate over the volume of the

beam to find the strain energy.
Apply the particular given
conditions to evaluate the strain
energy.

Sample Problem 1
SOLUTION:
Determine the reactions at A and B
from a free-body
free body diagram of the
complete beam.
RA =

Pb
L

RB =

Pa
L

Develop a diagram of the bending

moment distribution.
M1 =

Pb
x
L

M2 =

Pa
v
L

Sample Problem 1
Integrate over the volume of the beam to find
the strain energy.
a

M12
M 22
U =
d +
dx
d
dv
2 EI
2 EI
a

Over the portion AD,

AD

Pb
M1 =
x
L
Over the portion BD,
M2 =

Pa
v
L

1 P 2 b 2 a3 a 2b3 P 2a 2b 2
(a + b )
=
+
=
2 EI L2 3
3 6 EIL2
P 2a 2b 2
U=
6 EIL

P = 45 kips

L = 144 in.

a = 36 in.
in

b = 108 in.
in

E = 29 103 ksi I = 248 in 4

1 Pb
1 Pa
=
x
dx
+
x dx

2 EI L
2 EI L

(
40 kips )2 (36 in )2 (108 in )2
U=
6(29 103 ksi )(248 in 4 )(144 in )
U = 3.89 in kips

Strain Energy for a General State of Stress

Previously found strain energy due to uniaxial stress and plane
shearing stress. For a general state of stress,

u = 12 x x + y y + z z + xy xy + yz yz + zx zx

With respect to the principal axes for an elastic, isotropic body,

u=

1 2
a + b2 + c2 2 ( a b + b c + c a )
2E

= uv + ud
uv =

1 2v
( a + b + c )2 = due to volume change
6E

ud =

1
( a b )2 + ( b c )2 + ( c a )2 = due to distortion
12G

Basis for the maximum distortion energy failure criteria,

ud < (ud )Y =

Y2
6G

for a tensile test specimen

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Strain energy may also be found from
the work of the single load P1,
x1

U = P dx
0

For an elastic deformation

deformation,
Previously, we found the strain
energy by integrating the energy
density over the volume.
For a uniform rod,
U = u dV =
L

=
0

2E

dV

(P1 A)2 Adx =

2E

P12 L
2 AE

x1

x1

U = P dx = kx dx = 12 k x12 = 12 P1x1

Knowing the relationship between

force and displacement,
p
,
PL
x1 = 1
AE
2
P
L
P
L

U = 12 P1 1 = 1
AE 2 AE

Work and Energy Under a Single Load

Strain energy may be found from the work of other types
of single concentrated loads.
Transverse load

U=

y1

1Py
P
dy
=

2 1 1

Bending moment

U = M d = 12 M11

2 3
3
1 P P1L = P1 L
2 1 3EI
6 EI

1 M M1L =
2 1 EI

Torsional couple

U = T d = 12 T11
0

M12 L
2 EI

2
1 T T1L = T1 L
2 1 JG 2 JG

Deflection Under a Single Load

If the strain energy of a structure due to a
single concentrated load is known, then the
equality between the work of the load and
energy may be
b used
d to fi
findd the
h deflection.
d fl i
Strain energy of the structure,
2
2
LBC FBD
LBD
FBC
U=
+
2 AE
2 AE

From the given geometry,

LBC = 0.6 l

LBD = 0.8 l

From statics,
FBC = +0.6 P FBD = 0.8 P

P 2l (0.6)3 + (0.8)3
P 2l
=
= 0.364
2 AE
AE

Equating work and strain energy,

P2L 1
U = 0.364
= P yB
AE 2
yB = 0.728

Pl
AE