ENERGY METHODS

Todays Objectives:
Students will be able to :
a) Formulate the strain energy stored in a
member, when it is subjected to an axial
load, bending moment, transverse shear
or torsional moment.
b) Apply the principle of conservation of
energy to determine the deflection of a
structure due to a load

In-Class Activities:
Work of a force and

energy
Strain energy derived
from axial load and
bending
Strain energy derived
from shear and torsion
Conservation of energy

WORK OF A FORCE AND ENERGY

Work of a force:

A force does work when it undergoes a displacement dx that is

in the same direction as the force. If the total displacement is x,
the work becomes

For a linear-elastic material, if the force F increases gradually

from zero to a value P=F, then work done is represented by the
light-color-shaded triangle, i.e.

WORK OF A FORCE AND ENERGY

If an additional force P is subsequently added and it causes a
further displacement , then the work done by P (not by P ) is
represented by the dark color-shaped rectangle, i.e.

WORK OF A FORCE AND ENERGY

Strain Energy:

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM AXIAL LOAD

Consider a bar of variable yet slightly tapered cross section,

which is subjected to an axial load coincident with the bars
centroidal axis,

For a prismatic bar of constant cross-sectional area A, length

L, and constant axial load N,

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM AXIAL LOAD

Example
One of the two high-strength steel bolts A and B shown is to be chosen to
support a sudden tensile loading. For the choice it is necessary to determine
the greatest amount of elastic strain energy that each bolt can absorb. Bolt A
has a diameter of 20 mm for 50 mm of its length and a root (or smallest)
diameter of 18 mm within the 6 mm threaded region. Bolt B has upset
threads, such that the diameter throughout its 56-mm length can be taken as
18 mm. In both cases, neglect the extra material that makes up the threads.
Take Est = 210 MPa and Y = 310 MPa.

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM AXIAL LOAD

Solutions
Bolt A
If the bolt is subjected to its maximum tension, the maximum stress of
Y is 310 MPa will occur within the 6 mm region.
This tension force is

Applying the general equation to each region of the bolt, we have

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM AXIAL LOAD

Solutions
Bolt B
Here the bolt is assumed to have a uniform diameter of 18 mm
throughout its 56-mm length.
Also, from the calculation above, it can support a maximum tension
force of Pmax = 78 886 N.
Thus,
By comparison, bolt B can absorb 36% more elastic energy than bolt
A, because it has a smaller cross section along its shank.

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM BENDING MOMENT

Consider an axi-symmetric beam. The normal stress in the beam
is

Then,

Or

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM BENDING MOMENT

Example
Determine the elastic strain energy due to bending of the
cantilevered beam in the Figure. EI is constant.

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM BENDING MOMENT

Solutions

From the left segment of the beam, we have

For elastic strain energy, we determine the beam by

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM SHEAR FORCE

We have

Hence,

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM SHEAR FORCE

The shear stress is

Then,

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM SHEAR FORCE

Writing

leads to

Form factor for a rectangular cross section

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM SHEAR FORCE

Example
Determine the strain energy in the cantilevered beam due to shear if
the beam has a square cross section and is subjected to a uniform
distributed load w. EI and G are constant.

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM SHEAR FORCE

Solution
From the free-body diagram of an arbitrary section, we have

Since the cross section is square, form factor fs = 6/5, thus

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM TORSION

Consider a circular shaft or due. The shear stress is

Then

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM TORSION

For the most common case of a prismatic shaft (or tube) of
constant cross sectional and constant applied torque,

Note: For rectangular-section having dimensions h > b, the

torsional constant J = c.h.b3, where

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM TORSION

Example
The tubular shaft in the Figure is fixed at the wall and subjected to two
torques as shown. Determine the strain energy stored in the shaft due
to this loading. G = 75 GPa.

STRAIN ENERGY DERIVED FROM TORSION

Solution
Using the method of sections, internal torque is determined within the
two regions of the shaft where it is constant.
The polar moment of inertia for the shaft is

Thus the strain energy is

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Physically, the external loads tends to deform the body so that
the loads do external work Ue as they are displaced.
The external work caused by the loads is transformed into
internal work or strain energy Ui, which is stored within the body.
When the loads are removed, the strain energy restores the
body back to is original un-derformed position, provided that
the materials elastic limit is not exceeded.
The conservation of energy is stated as

U e = Ui

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
A truss

A beam (subjected to a load P)

A beam (subjected to a moment M0)

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Example
The three-bar truss in Fig. 1421a is subjected to a horizontal force of
20 kN. If the cross-sectional area of each member is 100 mm2,
determine the horizontal displacement at point B. E 200 GPa.

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY
Solutions

Using the method of joints,

Substituting in the numerical data for A and E and solving, we get

End of the lecture