EAT 115/4

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

AXIAL LOAD
 OBJECTIVES
• Determine the deformation of members

• Develop a method for finding the support reactions

• Analyze the effects of thermal stress, stress

concentrations, inelastic deformations and residual
stress
 SAINT-VENANT’S PRINCIPLE
• Saint-Venant’s
principle states
that both
localized
deformation
and stress tend
to “even out” at
a distance
sufficiently
removed from
these regions.
 ELASTIC DEFORMATION OF AN AXIALLY
LOADED MEMBER
• Using Hooke’s law and the definitions of stress and strain,
we are able to develop the elastic deformation of a member
subjected to axial loads.
• Suppose an element subjected to loads,
P( x ) dδ L
P ( x )dx
= and ε =  = 
A(x ) dx 0
A( x )E

 = small displacement
L = original length
P(x) = internal axial force
A(x) = cross-sectional area
E = modulus of elasticity
Constant Load and Cross-Sectional Area

 When a constant external force is applied at each end of

the member,
PL
 =
AE
Sign Convention

 Force and displacement is positive when tension and

elongation and negative will be compression and contraction.
 EXAMPLE

The assembly consists of an aluminum tube AB having a cross-

sectional area of 400 mm2. A steel rod having a diameter of 10 mm is
attached to a rigid collar and passes through the tube. If a tensile load
of 80 kN is applied to the rod, determine the displacement of the
end C of the rod. (Est = 200 GPa, Eal = 70 GPa )
Solution:

Find the displacement of end C with respect to end B.

C / B =
PL
=
 ( )
+ 80 103 (0.6 )
= +0.003056 m →
AE 
 (0.005) 200 109 ( )
Displacement of end B with respect to the fixed end A,
 =
PL
=
− 80(103 )(0.4)
= −0.001143 = 0.001143 m →
B
AE 400(10 )70(10 )
−6 9

Since both displacements are to the right,

 C =  C +  C / B = 0.0042 m = 4.20 mm → (Ans)
EXAMPLE

The A-36 steel bar shown in figure

is made from two segments having
cross sectional areas of AAB =
600mm2 and ABD = 1200mm2.
Determine the vertical
displacement of end A and the
displacement of B relative to C.
SOLUTION
 PRINCIPLE OF SUPERPOSITION
• Principle of superposition is used to determine the stress or
displacement at a point in a member when a member is
subjected to a complicated loading.
• Is applied by subdividing the loading into components and
adding the results.
• Two condition must be satisfied the Principle of Superposition:
1. The loading must be linearly related to the stress or
displacement that is to be determined.
σ = P/A and δ = PL/AE

2. The loading must not significantly change the original

geometry or configuration of the member.
• Refer to figure:
• P = P1 + P2
• Moment, Pd = P1d1 + P2d2
• If P cause the rod to deflect a large amount
Pd ≠ P1d1 + P2d2, since d ≠ d1 ≠ d2, thus principle of
superposition cannot be applied.

• Principle of superposition will be used whenever Hooke’s Law

applies, and the bodies that are considered will be such that
the loading will produce deformation that are so small that the
change in position and direction of the loading will be
insignificant.
 STATICALLY INDETERMINATE AXIALLY
LOADED MEMBER
• A member is statically indeterminate when equations of
equilibrium are not sufficient to determine the reactions
on a member.
• Equilibrium requires (fig. b):
+↑ƩF = 0; FB + FA – P = 0

- Statistical indeterminate,
since equilibrium
equation(s) are not
sufficient to determine the
two reactions on the bar.
1) Equilibrium eq:
+↑ƩF = 0; FB + FA – P = 0

2) Compatibility condition:
δA/B = 0

• Internal force in segment AC = +FA

• Internal force in segment CB = -FB
𝐹𝐴𝐿𝐴𝐶 𝐹𝐵𝐿𝐶𝐵
• Thus, δA/B= 0 = -
𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐸

𝑃𝐿𝐶𝐵 𝑃𝐿𝐴𝐶
• FA = and FB =
𝐿 𝐿

3) Solve equilibrium and compatibility eq.

EXAMPLE
The steel rod has a diameter of 5 mm. It is attached to the fixed
wall at A, and before it is loaded, there is a gap between the
wall at and B’ and the rod of 1 mm. Find the reactions at A and
B’ if the rod is subjected to an axial force of P = 20 kN.
Neglect the size of the collar at C. (Est = 200 GPa)
Solution:
Equilibrium of the rod requires
+ →  Fx = 0; ( )
− FA − FB + 20 10 3 = 0 (1)

The compatibility condition for the rod is  B / A = 0.001 m

.
By using the load–displacement relationship,

FA LAC FB LCB
 B / A = 0.001 = −
AE AE
FA (0.4) − FB (0.8) = 3927.0 N  m (2)

Solving Eqs. 1 and 2 yields

FA = 16.6 kN and FB = 3.39 kN. (Ans)
EXAMPLE

The bolt is made of 2014-T6 aluminum alloy

and is tightened so it compresses a cylindrical
tube made of Am 1004-T61 magnesium alloy.
The tube has an outer radius of 10 mm, and
both the inner radius of the tube and the
radius of the bolt are 5 mm. The washers at
the top and bottom of the tube are considered
to be rigid and have a negligible thickness.
Initially the nut is hand-tightened slightly;
then, using a wrench, the nut is further
tightened one-half turn. If the bolt has 25
threads per 25 mm, determine the stress in
the bolt.
Solution:
Equilibrium requires
+   Fy = 0; Fb − Ft = 0 (1)
When the nut is tightened on the bolt, the tube
will shorten and the bolt will elongate.
(+  )  t = 0 .5 −  b
 Taking the 2 modulus of elasticity,

Ft (60) Fb (60)
= −
  (
 10 2 − 52 45 103 )0 .5
  (
 52 75 103 )
5 Ft = 125 (1125) − 9 Fb (2)

Solving Eqs. 1 and 2 simultaneously, we get

Fb = Ft = 31556 = 31.56 kN
The stresses in the bolt and tube are therefore:

Fb 31556
b = = = 401.8 N/mm 2 = 401.8 MPa (Ans)
Ab  (5)
Ft 31556
s = = = 2
= 133.9 MPa (Ans)
(
At  10 − 5
2 2
133
)
.9 N/mm

These stresses are less than reported yield stress for each
material, (σY)al = 414 Mpa and (σY)mg = 152 Mpa, therefore
this ‘elastic’ analysis is valid
 THE FORCE METHOD OF ANALYSIS FOR
AXIALLY LOADED MEMBERS

• Another method to solve statically indeterminate

problem by writing the compatibility equation using
principle of superposition.
• Referred as flexibility or force method of analysis.
Fig. (b)
• Consider support at B as redundant and
temporarily remove its effect on the bar
• Load P cause B to be displaced downward,
δP.

Fig. (c)
• Add back the unknown redundant load, FB.
• Reaction FB must displace end B upward by
an amount δB.

Thus, no displacement occurred at B, δP – δB = 0

1) Equilibrium eq:
+↑ƩF = 0; FB + FA – P = 0

2) Compatibility condition:
0 = δP - δB
𝑃𝐿𝐴𝐶 𝐹𝐵𝐿
• Thus, δP – δB = 0 = -
𝐴𝐸 𝐴𝐸

𝑃𝐿𝐴𝐶
FB = 𝐿

3) Solve equilibrium and compatibility eq.:

+↑ƩF = 0; FB + FA – P = 0
EXAMPLE
The A-36 steel rod shown has a diameter of 5 mm. It is
attached to the fixed wall at A, and before it is loaded there is a
gap between the wall at and the rod of 1 mm. Determine the
reactions at A and B’.
Solution:

Consider the support at B’

as redundant and using
principle of
superposition,

+→ 0.001 =  p −  B (1)

Thus,

P =
PLAC
=
 ( )
20 103 (0.4 )
= 0.002037 m
AE  ( )
 (0.0025) 200 10 9

FB (1.2 )
B =
FB LAB
AE
=
 (0.0025) 200 10 9
(= 0
)
.3056(10 )
−6
FB
By substituting into Eq. 1,
(
0.001 = 0.002037 − 0.3056 10 −6 FB )
( )
FB = 3.39 103 = 3.39 kN (Ans)

From the free-body diagram,

+ →  Fx = 0; − FA + 20 − 3.39 = 0
FA = 16.6 kN (Ans)
THERMAL STRESS
• Change in temperature cause a material to
change its dimensions.
• Since the material is homogeneous and

 T = −TL
isotropic,

 = linear
coefficient of thermal expansion, property of
the material
T = algebraic change in temperature of the member
L = original length of the member
T = algebraic change in length of the member
 EXAMPLE
The rigid bar is fixed to the top of the three posts made of A-36
steel and 2014-T6 aluminum. The posts each have a length of
250 mm when no load is applied to the bar, and the
temperature is T1 = 20°C. Determine the force supported by
each post if the bar is subjected to a uniform distributed load
of 150 kN/m and the temperature is raised to T2 = 80°C.
Solution:
From free-body diagram we have
+   Fy = 0; ( )= 0
2 Fst + Fal − 90 10 3
(1)
The top of each post is displaced by an equal amount

(+ )
and hence,
 st =  al (2)
Solution:
The final position of the top of each post is equal to its
displacement caused by the temperature increase and
internal axial compressive force.
(+ )  st = −( st )T + ( st )F
(+ )  al = −( al )T + ( al )F
 Applying Eq. 2 gives

− ( st )T + ( st )F = −( st )T + ( al )F
With reference from the material properties, we have

Fst (0.25) Fal (0.25)

 ( )(80 − 20)(0.25) +
− 12 10 −6
 ( )(80 − 20)(0.25) +
= − 23 10 −6

 (0.02) 200(10 )
2 9
 (0.03) 73.1(10 )
2 9

F = 1.216F − 165.9(10 )
st al
3
(3)

Solving Eqs. 1 and 3 simultaneously yields

Fst = −16.4 kN and Fal = 123 kN (Ans)

 STRESS CONCENTRATIONS
• Stress concentrations occur when cross-
sectional area changes.
• Maximum stress is determined using a stress
concentration factor, K, which is a function of
geometry.

 max
K =
 avg
Note: K is independent of the bar’s material
properties; rather it depends only on the bar’s
geometry and the type of discontinuity.
 EXAMPLE
The steel strap is subjected to an axial load of 80 kN.
Find the maximum normal stress developed in the strap
and the displacement of one end of the strap with
respect to the other end. The steel has a yield stress of σY
= 700 MPa, and Est = 200 GPa.
Solution:
Maximum normal stress occurs at the smaller cross
section (B-C),
r 6 w 40
= = 0.3, = =2
h 20 h 20
Using the table and geometry ratios, we get K = 1.6. Thus
the maximum stress is

 max
P
= K = 1.6
( )
 80 103 
 = 640 MPa (Ans)
A  (0.02)(0.01)
Solution:
Neglecting the localized deformations surrounding the
applied load and at the sudden change in cross section
of the shoulder fillet (Saint-Venant’s principle), we have

 A/ D =
PL 
= 2
( )
80 103 (0.3)  
+
( )
80 103 (0.8) 
AE  ( ) 9  
 ( ) 9 
 (0.04)(0.01) 200 10   (0.02)(0.01) 200 10 
= 2.20 mm (Ans)
 *INELASTIC AXIAL DEFORMATION
 Member may be designed
to yield and permanently
deform; this is referred to
as being elastic perfectly
plastic or elastoplastic.

Pp =   Y dA =  Y A
A
 *INELASTIC AXIAL DEFORMATION

The yield stress and A is the bar’s

cross-sectional area at section
a–a.
 EXAMPLE
The bar is made of steel that is assumed to be elastic
perfectly plastic, with σY = 250 MPa. Determine (a) the
maximum value of the applied load P that can be applied
without causing the steel to yield and (b) the maximum
value of P that the bar can support. Sketch the stress
distribution at the critical section for each case.
Solution:
a) Finding the stress concentration factor,
r 4 w 40
= = 0.125, = = 1.25
h (40 − 8) h (40 − 8)

Pp =   Y dA =  Y A
A
Using the table and geometry
ratios, we get K = 1.7. We have

 PY 
 max = K avg ; Y = K 
 A
 
( )
250 10 = 1.75
6 PY
  PY = 9.14 kN (Ans)
 (0.002)(0.032)
b) As P is increased to the plastic load it gradually
changes the stress distribution from the elastic state
to the plastic state.

Pp
Y =
A

250 10 ( 6
) = (0.002)(0.032)
Pp

Pp = 16.0 kN (Ans)
DON’T BE STRANDED
WITHOUT THE RIGHT
TOOLS TO DO THE
JOB
CO 1: Ability to DETERMINE the
stresses, strain and deformation of
members in simple one-
dimensional elastic system.

THANK YOU