Russell C.

Hibbeler

Chapter 2: Strain
 Deformation
When a force is applied to a body, it will change the
bodys shape and size.
These changes are deformation.

Note the before and after positions of 3 line

segments where the material is subjected
to tension.

Chapter 2: Strain
Mechanics of Material 7th Edition
2008 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
 Strain
Normal Strain

The elongation / contraction of a line segment per

unit of length is referred to as normal strain.
Average normal strain is defined as

s 's
avg
s
Units

Normal strain is a dimensionless quantity since it is a ratio of two

lengths.
Chapter 2: Strain
Mechanics of Material 7th Edition
2008 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
If the normal strain is known, then the approximate final length is

s ' 1 s

+ line elongate
- line contracts
 P 2P P P
stress
A 2A A A
2
normal strain
L L 2L L
 Shear Strain
Change in angle between 2 line segments that were
perpendicular to one another refers to shear strain.

'<90 +shear strain

nt lim '
2 CB A along n '>90 -shear strain
A along t

Chapter 2: Strain
Mechanics of Material 7th Edition
2008 Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd
Example 1
A force acting on the
grip of the lever arm
shown in figure (a)
causes the arm to
rotate clockwise
through an angle of
= 0.002 rad as shown
in figure (b).
Determine the
average normal strain
developed in the wire
BC.
Example 2
The plate is deformed
into the dashed shape as
shown in the figure. If in
this deformed shape
horizontal lines on the
plate remain horizontal
and do not change their
length, determine (a) the
average normal strain
along the side AB, and
(b) the average shear
strain in the plate relative
to the x and y axes.
Example 3
The rectangular plate is subjected to the deformation shown by
the dash line. Determine the shear strain xy of the plate.
Example 4
The rectangular plate is subjected
to the deformation shown by the
dashed line. Determine the shear
strain xy and xy developed at
point A.
Example 5
The piece of plastic is originally rectangular. Determine the
shear strain (A)xy at corner A and B if the plastic distorts as
shown by dashed lines.