University of Idaho Slade Klein

ME325 Katy McDonald

Spring 2005
Failure Theories Collin Peterson

The failure of a statically loaded member in uni- axial tension or compression is relatively easy to predict. One can simply compare the stress incurred with the strength of the material. However, when
the loading conditions are less simple (i.e. biaxial loading, sheer stresses) then we must use some method to compare multiple stresses to a single strength value. Below are four common criteria for
predicting failure and determining factors of safety as well as lists of some common materials for which each would be preferred.

Distortion-Energy Hypothesis (DE)

The distortion- energy hypothesis predicts that failure will
Brittle behavior Ductile behavior
Modified II-Mohr occur in a member when the distortion energy per unit volume of
This failure criteria is a modification of the Mohr Hypothesis the member equals the distortion energy in the member when it
that best accounts for the experimentally produced data is uni- axially stressed to its yield stress.
from fracture tests of brittle materials (i.e. strain to failure < Maximum Shear
σB
0.05). It is applicable when the |SUC| > SUT and σB is less Failure when: σ '≥ Sy von Mises
than- SUT. σ B εε ff Sy
Applicable Material
Where S ut < 0.05 ≥ 0.05 Examples:
0 ≤ σ A ≤ S ut − S ut ≤ σ B ≤ S ut Aluminum
− Sy
Wrought,
S Drawn, Sy σA
σ A = ut σA or Rolled
n
Most Steels
Where − Sy
0 ≤ σ A ≤ S ut − S uc ≤ σ B ≤ S ut − S Where the von Mises
1
ut stress is:
nσ + S ut 2  [(σ − σ 2 ) 2 + (σ 2 − σ 3 ) 2 + (σ 3 − σ 1 ) 2 ]  2
nσ A S ut = S uc ? S yt = S yc ? σ '=  1 
= 1− ( B ) No Yes No Yes 2
S ut − S uc + S ut  
Sy
Applicable Material Examples: The safety factor can be described by: n=
Gray Cast Iron σ'
Ceramics
− S uc
Coulomb Mohr Hypothesis
The Coulomb Mohr Hypothesis Predicts that failure will occur in a multiaxial state of stress when the larger Mohr
circle associated with the state of stress at the critical location becomes tangent to, or exceeds the bounds of the
Maximum-Normal-Stress (MNS) Hypothesis σB
failure envelope established by conditions of failure in simple tensile, compressive, and torsion tests using
The maximum - normal- stress theory states that failure specimens of the same material and condition. Maximum Stress σ
occurs whenever one of the three principal stresses equals B

S ut Case Principle Theory S ut

or exceeds the strength. Mohr ' s
Stress Requirements
Using σ 1 > σ 2 > σ 3 failure occurs when
1 (1st Quadrant) σ A > 0, σ B > 0 σ A < S t , σ B <S t
−Sc
− S uc S ut
2 (3rd Quadrant) σ A < 0, σ B < 0 σ A > −S c ,σ B > −S c
σ 1 = S ut or σ 3 = − S uc − S uc S ut
σ
Uniaxial
Tension
σA
A
3 (4th Quadrant) σA σB 1
σ A > 0, σ B < 0 − = S
St Sc n t

Correlating the hypothesis to a factor of safety gives − Sc St

4 (2nd Quadrant) −σ A σ B 1
σ A < 0, σ B > 0 + =
S ut − S uc − S uc
St Sc n
n= or n= Uniaxial

σ1 σ3
Compression
− S uc
Applicable Material Examples: The left circle is for uniaxial compression at the limiting
Applicable Material Example: Iconel® compression stress Sc of the material. Likewise, the right
Cast Aluminum Certain Titanium Alloys circle is for uniaxial tension at the limiting tension stress St
Referenced Materials: 1. Shigley, J; Mischke, C; “Failure Prevention.” Mechanical Engineering Design. 5th ed. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2002. 2. http://www.efunda.com/formulae/solid_mechanics/failure_criteria 3. www.matweb.com