Theory of elasticity

Problem 5: Derive the expressions for radial,hoop and shear

stresses when a hollow cylinder, of internal radius a and
external radius b, is subjected only to internal pressure pi and
external pressure po.

Solution to this problem was given by Lame in 1852.Hence, it

is also known as Lames problem.

 Expressions for radial,circumferential and shear stress

components in polar co-ordinates (when body force is zero):
1 1 2
r
2
r r r 2
2
2
r
1 1 2
1
r 2

r r r
r r

To have a possible stress distribution, stress function must

satisfy the compatibility condition, which is given by the
following equation for polar co-ordinates:
2 1
1 2 2 1 1 2
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
r r r r
r r r
r
4

 Stress distribution symmetrical about and axis: If the stress

distribution is symmetrical with respect to an axis passing
through origin and perpendicular to the xy-plane, the stress
components do not depend on and are functions of r
only.From symmetry it follows also that the shear stress
component must vanish.
Thus,the equation of compatibility and stress components
will be as follows:
d 2 1 d d 2 1 d d 4 2 d 3 1 d 2 1 d
2
2

2
2
0
4
3
2
r dr dr
r dr dr
r dr
r dr
r dr
dr

1
r r
2
2
r
r 0

 The general solution of the above ordinary differential

equation is given below and it has 4 constants which must be
determined using boundary conditions:

A log r Br 2 log r Cr 2 D
The corresponding stress functions will be as follows:
1
A
r
2 B(1 2 log r ) 2C
r r
r
2
A

2 B(3 2 log r ) 2C
2
r
r
r 0

For a circular plate with no hole at the origin of the

coordinates,constants A and B will vanish.And the plate will
be in uniform tension or compression in its plane.

 If there is a hole in the circular plate at origin then

constant B will be zero.(Proof that B must be zero
requires consideration of displacements.)
Thus,the equations for stresses will be as follows:
A
r 2 2C
r
A
2 2C
r

For the given problem, the boundary conditions are:

( r ) r a pi

( r ) r b po

Substitution of these values in the equations of

A
stress gives:
2C p
i

a2
A
2C po
2
b

 On solving the above two equations, we get A

and B as :
a 2b 2 ( p p )
A

b2 a2
pi a 2 p o b 2
2C
b2 a2

Substitution of these constants in the

equation for stress gives:
a 2b 2 ( po pi ) 1 pi a 2 po b 2
r

2
2
2
b a
r
b2 a2
a 2b 2 ( po pi ) 1 pi a 2 po b 2

2
2
2
b a
r
b2 a2

 Special Cases:
(i) A cylinder subjected to internal pressure only: In this case,
po = 0 and pi = p.

pa 2 b 2
r 2 2 1 2
(b a ) r
pa 2 b 2
2 2 1 2
(b a ) r

 Special Cases:
(ii) A cylinder subjected to external pressure only: In this
case, pi = 0 and po = p.

pb 2 a 2
r 2 2 1 2
b a r
pb 2 a 2
2 2 1 2
b a r

 Problem 6: Define the plane polar components of stress, r ,

and r and assuming the relations:
x

2
2
2

, y
, xy
2
2
y
x
xy

between the Airys stress function and the Cartesian

components of stress prove that:
1
1 2
r
2
r r r 2
2
2
r
1 1 2
1
r 2

r r r
r r

In the absence of body forces, show that:

2 1
1 2 2 1 1 2
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
r r r r
r r r
r
4

for the solution of the problem of plane stress.

Plane polar components of stress:

Consider the equilibrium of a small element cut out from a
plate by radial sections and cylindrical surfaces.
The normal stress component in the radial direction is
denoted by r, the normal component in circumferential
direction by ,the shearing stress component by r.

Derivation of expressions for stress components in

polar coordinates:
x

2
2
2

, y
, xy
2
2
y
x
xy

x r cos
r

x y
2

y r sin
2

tan

y
x

Using chain rule:

r
sin

cos

x x r
x
r
r

r
cos

sin

y
y r
y
r
r
Eqn 12
2
2

2
2

cos

sin

2
sin

cos

r r r 2 2
r 2 r r
x 2
r 2

Eqn 2 1 1 2
2
2
1 2
2
2 1
2 sin cos 2
sin 2 cos
2

2
2
y
r
r r r
r r r

Eqn 3-

2 1 1 2
1 1 2
2
2
2
cos sin 2
sin cos 2
2

2
xy
r r r
r
r r r

From figure one sees

that:

r ( x ) 0
( y ) 0
r ( xy ) 0
2
1 2 1
r 2
2

2
r r
y 0 r
2
2
2

2
x 0 r

2
1 1 2
1

y
r

r
r

Adding Eqn 1 and Eqn 2:

2 2 2 1 1 2
2 2
2
2
x
y
r
r r r 2
Thus, in the polar coordinate system Laplacian operator is:
2
2
2
2

2 2 2 2
2
x
y
r
r r r 2

In cartesian system we had derived the compatibility equation

as:
2 2

2
2 2 2
2 2 2 2 0
y x
y
x
2 1
1 2 2 1 1 2
2
2
0
2
2
2
2
r r r r
r r r
r

Main references:
-Theory of elasticity by Timonshenko and
Goodier
-Advanced strength of materials by Volterra
and Gaines
-Nptel web course by T.G.Sitharam &
L.GovindaRaju