Some important definitions and formulas of Strength of materials

There are few terms which are used so many times in this subject and to properly study this subject
students should have knowledge about all of these terms and their formulas.

The first thing which should be known is the types of forces

All the forces which come on any structure are not of same type. There are different types of forces,
which are....

AXIAL FORCE:

When the force is applied along the primary axis of the body, the force is known as Axial force. It is
generally denoted by (P) and its SI unit is NEWTON. This force is again classified into two types,
Tensile force and Compressive force.

TENSILE FORCE:

When the axial forces act in the outward direction from the body, the force is called the tensile
force. Due to this force, the body tends to expand in the outward direction.

COMPRESSIVE FORCE:

When the axial forces act toward the body, the force is known as compressive force. Due to this
force, the body tends to contract in the inward direction.

SHEAR FORCE:

When the force acts in the direction perpendicular to the main axis of the body, the force is called
the shear force. It is generally denoted by (V) and its SI unit is NEWTON. Due to this force the shear
is developed, for which the body tends to slide along any plane perpendicular to the main axis.

TORSIONAL FORCE:

When the force acts around the longitudinal axis of the body in a rotational manner, the force is
known as torsional force or torsion. It is generally denoted by (T) and its SI unit is NEWTON. Due to
this force the body tends to turn around the longitudinal axis.

There are also some factors which occurs due to effect o these forces. Those are

STRESS(NORMAL):

When some force is applied to any body, due to its elasticity property the body deforms from its
original shape and size. Due to this deformation is a force developed into the body which try to take
the body back to its original position. This internal force per unit cross sectional area is called the
stress. It is generally denoted by () and its SI unit is NEWTON/SQ. METER.

Therefore,  = Internal force/Area

STRAIN(NORMAL):
When the body get deformed by the action of external forces, it may expand or contract according
to type of force. The amount of deformation of length per unit length of its original shape is called
strain. It is denoted by () and it is unit less.

Therefore,  = Change in length/Original length

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY:

Modulus of elasticity is the ratio between the normal stress and normal strain of a body. It is
generally defined as (E) and its unit is NEWTON/SQ. METER.

Therefore, E = Normal stress/Normal strain