Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

V{tÑàxÜ J
Strain Energy

Materials for this chapter are taken from :

1. Ferdinand P. Beer, E. Russell Johnston,Jr, John T. Dewolf, David F. Mazurek “ Mechanics of Materials” 5th Edition in SI units
2. R.C.Hibbeler “ Mechanics of Materials “ Seventh Edition

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 1

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Work & Energy

F

Consider a solid object acted upon by force, F, at a

point, O, as shown in the figure.

Let the deformation at the point be infinitesimal

F and be represented by vector dr, as shown.

dr The work done = F dr

For the general case: W = Fx dx

y F i.e., only the force in the direction of the

deformation does work.
dx

x
z

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Amount of Work Done

Constant Force: If the Force is constant, the work is simply the product of the force and
the displacement, W = Fx

x Displacement

Linear Force: If the force is proportional to the displacement, the work is

1
W = Fo xo
F 2
Fo

xo Displacement
x
MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 3
 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Concept of Strain Energy

o The application of the load produces
strain in the bar.
The strain energy U is the area covered
o The effect of these strains is to increase under the triangle

the energy level of the bar itself.

o Hence a new quantity called strain
energy is defined as the energy
absorbed by the bar during the loading
process.
o This strain energy is defined as the work
done by load provided no energy is
added or subtracted in the form of heat. Consider a simple bar which is subjected to
tensile force F, having a small element of
o Sometimes strain energy is referred to dimensions dx, dy and dz.
as internal work to distinguish it from
external work ‘W'.

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 4

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Concept of Strain Energy

Consider a simple spring system, subjected to a Force such that F is

proportional to displacement x; F = kx.

Now determine the work done when F = Fo, from before:

1
W = Fo xo
2
This energy (work) is stored in the spring and is released when the force is
returned to zero

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 5

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Strain Energy Density

Consider a cube of material acted upon by a force,
y
Fx, creating stress σx = Fx/a2 causing an elastic
a displacement, δ in the x direction, and strain εx = δ/a

1
W = Fxδ
a 2
a x 1 1
U = σ x a 2 ex a = σ x e x a 3
y 2 2

Fx U 1 3 3 1
u = = σxexa / a = σxex
V 2 2
Where U is called the Strain Energy, and u is the

a Strain Energy Density.

x
δ

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 6

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Example - Linear Elastic Materials

500

CONTINUED
Stress (MPa)

400

300

u =1/2(300)(0.0015) N.mm/mm3
200
=0.225 N.mm/mm3

100

0
0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010
Strain

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 7

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Example - Elastic Perfectly Plastic

500

CONTINUED
Stress (MPa)

400

300
u = 1/2(350)(0.0018)
+350(0.0022)
200 =1.085 N.mm/mm3

100

0
0.000 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.010
Strain

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 8

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Strain Energy Due to Various Loading

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 9

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Strain Energy due to Axial Loading

L ∆
F FL
σ axial = ; ∆= ;
A AE
A F

1 F 2L
U = F∆ =
2 2 AE

F = Axial Force (Newtons, N)

A = Cross-Sectional Area Perpendicular to “F” (mm2)
E = Young’s Modulus of Material, MPa
L = Original Length of Bar, mm

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 10

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Comparison Of Energy Stored In Straight And Stepped Bars

L/2 L/2 ∆b
L ∆a

A F nA A F

F L 2 F 2L / 2 F 2L / 2
(a) (b) U= +
U= 2 AE 2nAE
2 AE
F 2L 1+ n 
=  
2 AE  2n 
3 F 2L
Note for n = 2; case (b) has U= which is 3/4 of case (a)
4 2 AE

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 11

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Example 6.1
The steel rods AB and BC are made of a steel for which the yield strength is σy = 300
MPa and E = 200 GPa. Determine the maximum strain energy that can be acquired by
the assembly without causing any permanent deformation when the length a of rod AB
is (a) 2 m, (b) 4 m. [30.0J; 21.9J]

10-mm
A diameter

6-mm
B
diameter

a
C
P
6m

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 12

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Strain Energy due to Torsion

From definition:
ϕ
T TL
k= and G =
φ Jφ
Therefore,
L
T
Gφ
k=
I
Strain energy is:

T T 2 T 2L
U= φ= =
2 2k 2GJ

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 13

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
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Example 6.2
Rod AC is made of aluminium (G=73 GPa) and is subjected to a torque T applied at end
C. Knowing that portion BC of the rod is hollow and has an inside diameter of 16 mm, find
the strain energy of the rod for a maximum shearing stress of 120 MPa. [14.70J]

24-mm
A diameter

C
400 mm

500 mm
T

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 14

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Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Strain Energy due to Bending

From definition:
dθ
M
dU = dθ and ds = Rdθ
2
ds
Therefore,
dx
Mds
dU =
R 2R
Then,
M M M E M 2 ds
= therefore dU =
I R 2 EI
Strain energy is:

M 2 dx
U =∫
2 EI

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 15

 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Engineering Mechanics Centre of Studies

Example 6.3
Using E = 200 GPa, determine the strain energy due to bending for the steel beam and
loading shown. given I = 165 x 106 mm4 . [662J]

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 16

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Example 6.4 combine loadings

The 18 mm diameter steel rod BC is attached to the lever AB and to the fixed support C.
The uniform steel lever AB is 9 mm wide and 24 mm deep. Using E = 200 GPa, G = 77
GPa, and the method of work and energy, determine the deflection of point A.
[10.68J; 47.5mm]

C
450 N
600 mm

360 mm

A
B

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 17

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Summary
Strain Energy Strain Energy
Loading Type
Constant Variables General Case
L
2 F2
Axial F L U =∫ dx
U= 2 AE
2 AE
2AE 0

L
M 2L M2
Bending U= U =∫ dx
2 EI 0
2 EI

T 2L
L
T2
Torsion U= U =∫ dx
2 JG 0
2 JG
L
F 2L F2
Direct Shear U= U =∫ dx
2 AG 0
2 AG

L
KV 2 L KV 2
Transverse Shear U= U =∫ dx
2GA 0
2 JG

Note : The constant K for the traverse shear option is shown in the section on
traverse shear above. For a Structural section (K = 1)

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 18

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Supplementary Problems 6.1

25 mm
20 mm
1) Determine the strain energy in the rod 15 mm
5 kN C D
2 kN B
A
assembly. Portion AB is steel, BC is 3 kN
2 kN
brass, and CD is aluminium. Est = 200 5 kN

300 400 200

GPa, Ebr =101 GPa, Eal = 73.1 GPa. mm mm mm

[0.3723J]
TA = 300 Nm
2) In the assembly shown torques TA and
A
TB are exerted on disks A and B 30-mm dia.

respectively. Knowing that both shafts TB = 400 Nm 0.9 m

B
are solid and made of aluminium (G=73
46-mm dia.
GPa), determine the total energy 0.75 m
C
acquired by the assembly. [12.70J]

3) Determine the total axial and bending

1.5 kN/m
energy in the A-36 steel beam. A = 2300 15 kN
mm2, I = 9.5(106) mm4, E = 200 GPa.
[495.0J]
10 m

MEC411 – MECHANICS OF MATERIALS Ch 7 - 19