VI.

Combined Stresses

-is defined as any possible combinations of direct stress (tensile,compressive,shear) and indirect
stress (bending,torsional,thermal) developed inside the body.

-A stress state which cannot be represented by a single component of stress.

 Mohr Circle

This circle is usually referred to as Mohr’s circle, after the German civil engineer Otto Mohr
(1835-1918). He developed the graphical technique for drawing the circle in 1882.

Mohr’s circle is a graphical tool to illustrate how stresses combine, and it is a tool used for
finding the principal stresses. For a general stress element, Mohr’s circle can be created using
the following steps:

Steps for Developing Mohr’s Circle

1. Start with a rectangular σ-τ coordinate system

2. Plot the points (σx,τxy) and (σy,τyx)

a. For normal stress – tension is positive and compression is negative

b. For shear stress – shearing stress is positive when its moment about the element center is
clockwise

3. Join the plotted points with a straight line. The line gives the center of the circle and the
radius, which can be calculated using
FIGURE 10–30 Steps 1 through 7 of Mohr’s circle construction procedure.
FIGURE 10–31 Completed Mohr’s circle.
FIGURE 10–32 General form of final results from Mohr’s circle analysis. (a) Initial stress
element, (b) principal stress element, and (c) maximum shear stress element.

Procedure for Drawing Mohr’s Circle

1. Identify the stress condition at the point of interest and represent it as the initial stress
element in the manner shown in Figure 10–30.

2. The combination σx and τxy is plotted as point 1 on the σ–τ plane.

3. The combination σy and τyx is then plotted as point 2. Note that τ xy and τyx always act in
opposite directions. Therefore, one point will be plotted above the σ-axis and one will be
below.

4. Draw a straight line between the two points.

5. This line crosses the σ-axis at the center of Mohr’s circle, which is also the value of the
average normal stress applied to the initial stress element. The location of the center can be
observed from the data used to plot the points or computed from Equation (10–18), repeated
here:

1
σavg x = (σ +σ )
2 x y

For convenience, label the center O.

6. Identify the line from O through point 1 (σ x, τxy) as the x-axis. This line corresponds to the
original x-axis and is essential to correlating the data from Mohr’s circle to the original x- and y-
directions.
7. The points O, σx, and point 1 form an important right triangle because the distance from O to
point 1, the hypotenuse of the triangle, is equal to the radius of

the circle, R. Calling the other two sides a and b, the following calculations can be

made:

1
a = (σx – σy)
2

b = τxy

2
R =√ a2 +b 2 =
√[ 1
2 ]
( σ x – σ y ) +τ 2 xy

Note that the equation for R is identical to Equation (10–17) for the maximum shear stress on
the element. Thus, The length of the radius of Mohr’s circle is equal to the magnitude of the
maximum shear stress. Steps 8 through 11 are shown in Figure 10–30.

8. Draw the complete circle with the center at O and the radius R.

9. Draw the vertical diameter of the circle. The point at the top of the circle has the coordinates
(σavg, τmax), where the shear stress has the CW direction. The point at the bottom of the circle
represents (σavg, τmax) where the shear stress is CCW.

10. Identify the points on the σ-axis at the ends of the horizontal diameter as σ1 at the right
(the maximum principal stress) and σ2 at the left (the minimum principal stress). Note that the
shear stress is zero at these points.

11. Determine the values for σ1 and σ2 from

σ1 = “O” + R (10–19)

σ2 = “O” − R (10–20)

where “O” represents the coordinate of the center of the circle, σavg

R is the radius of the circle

Thus, Equations (10–19) and (10–20) are identical to Equations (10–13) and (10–14) for the
principal stresses.
The following steps determine the angles of orientation of the principal stress element and
maximum shear stress element. An important concept to remember is that

Angles obtained from Mohr’s circle are double the true angles.

The reason for this is that the equations on which it is based, Equations (10–9) and (10–10), are
functions of 2φ.

12. The orientation of the principal stress element is determined by finding the angle from the
x-axis to the “σ1”-axis, labeled 2φ in Figure 10–31. From the data on the circle, you can see that

2 ∅=tan−1 ( ab )
The argument of this inverse tangent function is the same as the absolute value of the
argument shown in Equation (10–12). Problems with signs for the resulting angle are avoided
by noting the direction from the x-axis to the σ1-axis on the circle, CW for the present example.
It is helpful to draw a “single-headed arrow” with a large dot at the x-axis and one arrowhead at
the end where it contacts the σ-axis. Then the principal stress element is rotated in the same
direction from the x-axis by an amount φ to locate the face on which the maximum principal
stress σ1 acts.

13. Draw the principal stress element in its proper orientation as determined from step 12 with
the two principal stresses σ1 and σ2 shown [see Figure 10–32(a) and (b)].

14. The orientation of the maximum shear stress element is determined by finding the angle
from the x-axis to the τmax-axis, labeled 2φ′ in Figure 10–31. In the present example,

2φ′ = 90° − 2φ

From trigonometry it can be shown that this is equivalent to finding the inverse tangent of a/b,
the reciprocal of the argument used to find 2φ. Thus, it is a true evaluation of Equation (10–16),
derived to find the angle of orientation of the element on which the maximum shear stress
occurs.

Again problems with signs for the resulting angle are avoided by using a single-headed
arrow, noting the direction from the x-axis to the τ max-axis on the circle, CCW for the present
example. Then the maximum shear stress element is rotated in the same direction from the x-
axis by an amount φ′ to locate the face on which the CW maximum shear stress acts.

15. Draw the maximum shear stress element in its proper orientation as determined from step
14 with the shear stresses on all four faces and the average normal stress acting on each face
[see Figure 10–32(c)].
16. As a whole, Figure 10–32 gives the desired results from a Mohr’s circle analysis:

⚫ The initial stress element that shows the given data and establishes the x-

and y- axes

⚫ The principal stress element drawn in proper rotation relative to the x-axis

⚫ The maximum shear stress element also drawn in the proper rotation relative to the x-axis
These values should be summarized as a separate list.

Application:

1.) Example Problem 10–5

It has been determined that a point in a load-carrying member is subjected to the following
stress condition:

σx = 400 MPa σy = −300 MPa τxy = 200 MPa (CW)

Perform the following:

(a) Draw the initial stress element.

(b) Draw the complete Mohr’s circle, labeling critical points.

(c) Draw the complete principal stress element.

(d) Draw the maximum shear stress element.

Solution:

The 16-step Procedure for Drawing Mohr’s Circle is used here to complete the problem. The
numerical results from steps 1 through 12 are summarized here and shown in Figure 10–33:

Step 1. The initial stress element is shown at the upper left of Figure 10–33.

Step 2. Point 1 is plotted at σx = 400 MPa and τxy = 200 MPa in quadrant 1.

Step 3. Point 2 is plotted at σy = −300 MPa and τyx = −200 MPa in quadrant 3.
Step 4. The line from point 1 to point 2 has been drawn.

Step 5. The line from step 4 crosses the σ-axis at the average applied normal stress, called point
O in Figure 10–33, computed from

1 1
σavg = 2 ( σ x+ σ y )= 2 [ 400+ (−300 ) ]=50 MPa
Step 6. Point O is the center of the circle. The line from point O through point 1 is labeled as the
x-axis to correspond with the x-axis on the initial stress element.

Step 7. The values of a, b, and R are found using the triangle formed by the lines from point O
to point 1 to σx = 400 MPa and back to point O. The length of the lower side of the triangle on
the horizontal axis is called a, found from

FIGURE 10–33 Complete Mohr’s circle for Example Problem 10–15.

 1 1
a = 2 ( σ x+ σ y )= 2 [ 400+ (−300 ) ]=50 MPa
The vertical side of the triangle, b, is computed from

b = τxy = 200 MPa

The radius of the circle, R, is computed from

2 2 2 2
R=√ a + b = √ ( 350 ) + ( 200 ) =403 MPa

Step 8. This is the drawing of the circle with point O as the center at σ avg = 50 MPa and a radius
of R = 403 MPa.

Step 9. The vertical diameter of the circle has been drawn through point O. The intersection of
this line with the circle at the top indicates the value of τ max = 403 MPa, the same as the value of
R.

Step 10. The maximum principal stress, σ1, is at the right end of the horizontal diameter of the
circle and the minimum principal stress, σ2, is at the left.

Step 11. The values for or σ1 and σ2 are

σ1 = O + R = 50 + 403 = 453 MPa

σ2 = O − R = 50 − 403 = −353 MPa

Step 12. The angle 2φ is shown on the circle, using a single-headed arrow, as the angle from the
x-axis to the σ1-axis, a CW rotation. The value is computed from

2 ϕ=tan −1 ( ba )=tan ( 200

−1
350 )
=29.74 °

Note that 2φ is the angle moving from the x-axis to the σ1-axis and in a CW direction. We will
need the value of the actual angle, φ, computed here:

29.74
ϕ= =14.87 °
2

Step 13. Using the results from steps 11 and 12, the principal stress element is drawn as shown
in Figure 10–34(b). The element is rotated 14.87° CW from the original x-axis to the face on
which the tensile stress σ1 = 453 MPa acts. The compressive stress σ2 = −353 MPa acts on the
faces perpendicular to the σ1 faces.
Step 14. The angle 2φ′ is shown in Figure 10–33, using a single-headed arrow, from the x-axis
CCW to the vertical diameter that locates τ max at the top of the circle. Its value can be found in
either of two ways. First, using Equation (10–16), observe that the numerator is the same as the
value of a and the denominator is the same as the value of b from the construction of the circle.
Then,

2 ϕ '=tan −1( a/b)=tan−1 (350 /200)=60.26° CCW

Or using the geometry of the circle, we can compute

2 ϕ '=90 °−2 ϕ=90 °−29.74 °=60.26 ° CCW

FIGURE 10–34 Results for Example Problem 10–5. (a) Initial stress element, (b) principal stress
element, and (c) maximum shear stress element.

Then the angle φ′ is one-half of 2φ′:

60.26°
ϕ '= =30.13 °
2

Step 15. The maximum shear stress element is drawn in Figure 10–34(c), rotated 30.13° CCW
from the original x-axis to the face on which the positive τ max acts. The maximum shear stress of
403 MPa is shown on all four faces with vectors that create the two pairs of opposing couples
characteristic of shear stresses on a stress element. Also shown is the tensile stress σ avg = 50
MPa acting on all four faces of the element.

Step 16. Here is the summary of results for Example Problem 10–5, using Mohr’s circle.
Given σx = 400 MPa; σy = −300 MPa; τxy = 200 MPa CW

Results Figures 10–33 and 10–34.

σ1 = 453 MPa tension

σ2 = −353 MPa compression

φ = 14.87° CW from x-axis

τmax = 403 MPa

σavg = 50 MPa tension

φ′ = 30.13° CW from x-axis

∴ The x−axis is∈the first quadrant .

2.) The given stress components for the stress element are,

σx = 30 MPa

σy = -60 MPa

 τxy = 50 MPa
Mohr's Circle center will be at the normal stress average,

σaverage = [30 + (-60)]/2 = -15 MPa

which is plotted on the diagram at the left. Next, a point on the circle is needed. Two different
points can be used,

Point 1: (σx , τxy) = (30, 50)

Point 2: (σy, -τxy) = (-60, -50)

Remember, the shear stress is plotted positive in the downward direction. From the plotted
center and points on the circle, the radius (shear maximum) can be determined.

R = τmax = [(30+15)2 + 502]1/2 = 67.3 MPa

Principal stresses are

  σ1 = -15 + 67.3 = 52.3 MPa

σ2 = -15 - 67.3 = -82.3 MPa

The principle direction is

tan 2θ1 = 50/(15+30)

 2θ1 = 48.0o

3.) Find maximum σ such that tmax ≤ 15 MPa for the element shown
Here, we have

σx = - σ
σy = 0

τ xy = +7.55 MPa

σ X +σX −σ + 0
σave = 2
=
2
=−σ /2

Hence, the center of the circle is at (σave, 0) = (-σ/2, 0). Also, consider two points X and Y with
coordinates

X : (-σ /2, -7.55)

Y: (0,-7.55)

Given τmax = 15 MPa = R (maximum possible).

Using the shaded right-angled triangle

R2 = (7.55)2 + (σ/2)2

(15)2 = (7.55)2 + (σ/2)2

→ σ/2 = 12.96 MPa

→ σ = 25.92 MPa

Hence, maximum σ = 25.92 MPa will give τmax = 15 MPa.

4.) Find maximum τxy such that τmax ≤ 15 MPa for the element shown.
Here, we have

σx = -15.1 MPa

σy = 0

τxy
σx+ σ y −15.1+0
σave = = MPa=−7.55 MPa
2 2

Hence, the center of the circle is at (σ ave, 0) ≡ (-7.55, 0). Also, consider two points X and Y with
coordinates

X : (-15.1, τxy)

Y : (0, τxy)

Given τmax = 15 MPa = R (maximum possible). Using the shaded right-angled triangle

R2 = τ2xy + (7.55)2

(15)2 = τ2xy + (7.55)2

→τxy = 12.96 MPa

Hence, maximum τxy = 12.96 MPa will give τmax = 15 MPa.

5.) At a certain point on the outside of a shah, which is subjected to a twisting moment (torque)
and a tensile force, the axial tensile stress is 30 MN m- 2 and the shear stress 50 MN m-2 (Figure
62). Estimate the principal stresses and draw the inclined element with the principal stresses.

Figure 62

Solution:

First draw Mohr’s circle (Figure 63a):

Figure 63a

1. Scale: 10 mm: 20 MN m-2 on both axes.

2. X (30.50) MN m-2, Y (0, -50) MN m-2.

3. Join XY, mark in C. Check C is the point (15.0) MN m-2.

4. Draw Mohr's circle

Estimate and draw the principal stresses:

1. σ1-68MNm-2, a2= - 37 MN m-2.

2. 2θ = 74° clockwise, θ = 37° clockwise.

3. Draw the element experiencing the principal stresses (Fire 63b). τ = 0 on this element.