7-1

Mohrs Circle for Plane Stress

With the physical significance of Mohrs
circle for plane stress established, it may be
applied with simple geometric considerations.
Critical values are estimated graphically or
calculated.
For a known state of plane stress x , y , xy
plot the points X and Y and construct the
circle centered at C.
Shear angle always (angle +45O)

ave

x y
2

x y

R
2

2
xy

The principal stresses are obtained at A and B.

max, min ave R
tan 2 p

2 xy

x y

The direction of rotation of Ox to Oa is

the 7same
as CX to CA.
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7-8

Mohrs Circle for Plane Stress

With Mohrs circle uniquely defined, the state
of stress at other axes orientations may be
depicted.
For the state of stress at an angle with
respect to the xy axes, construct a new
diameter XY at an angle 2 with respect to
XY.
Normal and shear stresses are obtained
from the coordinates XY.

Observe direction of rotation

Observe double of the element angle
Shear angle always (angle +45O
7-9

Mohrs Circle for Plane Stress

Mohrs circle for centric axial loading:

P
, y xy 0
A

x y xy

P
2A

Mohrs circle for torsional loading:

x y 0 xy

Tc
J

x y
7 - 10

Tc
xy 0
J

Example 1

For the state of plane stress shown,

(a) construct Mohrs circle, determine
(b) the principal planes, (c) the
principal stresses, (d) the maximum
shearing stress and the corresponding
normal stress.

SOLUTION:
Construction of Mohrs circle
ave

x y

50 10 20 MPa

2
2
CF 50 20 30 MPa FX 40 MPa
R CX

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30 2 40 2 50 MPa

Example 1
Principal planes and stresses
max OA OC CA 20 50
max 70 MPa
max OB OC BC 20 50
max 30 MPa
FX 40

CP 30
2 p 53.1

tan 2 p

p 26.6

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Example 1

Maximum shear stress

Shear angle always (angle +45O

s p 45

max R

ave

s 71.6

max 50 MPa

20 MPa

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Sample Problem 7.2

For the state of stress shown,

determine (a) the principal planes
and the principal stresses, (b) the
stress components exerted on the
element obtained by rotating the SOLUTION:
given element counterclockwise Construct Mohrs circle
through 30 degrees.
x y 100 60
ave
R
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80 MPa

CF 2 FX 2 20 2 48 2 52 MPa

Sample Problem 7.2

Principal planes and stresses

XF 48

2.4
CF 20
2 p 67.4

tan 2 p

p 33.7 clockwise

max OA OC CA
80 52

max OA OC BC
80 52

max 132 MPa

min 28 MPa

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Sample Problem 7.2

Stress components after rotation by 30o

Points X and Y on Mohrs circle that
correspond to stress components on the
rotated element are obtained by
rotating XY counterclockwise through
2 60

180 60 67.4 52.6

x OK OC KC 80 52 cos 52.6
y OL OC CL 80 52 cos 52.6
xy KX 52 sin 52.6
x 48.4 MPa
y 111 .6 MPa
xy 41.3 MPa

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Yield Criteria for Ductile Materials Under Plane Stress

Failure of a machine component

subjected to uniaxial stress is directly
predicted from an equivalent tensile test
Failure of a machine component
subjected to plane stress cannot be
directly predicted from the uniaxial state
of stress in a tensile test specimen
It is convenient to determine the
principal stresses and to base the failure
criteria on the corresponding biaxial
stress state
Failure criteria are based on the
mechanism of failure. Allows
comparison of the failure conditions for
a uniaxial stress test and biaxial
component loading
7 - 17

Yield Criteria for Ductile Materials Under Plane Stress

Maximum shearing stress criteria:

Structural component is safe as long as the
maximum shearing stress is less than the
maximum shearing stress in a tensile test
specimen at yield, i.e.,

max Y Y
2

For a and b with the same sign,

a
b Y
max
or

2
2
2

For a and b with opposite signs,

max

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a b Y

2
2

Fracture Criteria for Brittle Materials Under Plane Stress

Brittle materials fail suddenly through rupture
or fracture in a tensile test. The failure
condition is characterized by the ultimate
strength U.
Maximum normal stress criteria:
Structural component is safe as long as the
maximum normal stress is less than the
ultimate strength of a tensile test specimen.
a U
b U

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