E

126: Mechanics of Solids

Slide Decks 15:
Principal Stress and Mohr’s Circle
(Chapter 14.3 – 14.5)



Prof. Fisher

Remember…
KEY RESULT
 14.3 PRINCIPAL STRESSES & MAXIMUM
IN-PLANE SHEAR STRESS
•  From the stress transformation equations from previous chapter,
stresses in new coordinate system depend on angle θ.
•  In engineering practice it is often important to determine the
orientation that causes the normal stress to be a maximum, and the
orientation that causes the shear stress to be a maximum.
•  Solving for θp (two roots) for the planes of maximum and minimum
normal stress (note that these planes are 90 degrees apart since the
factor of “2θp” here)
 14.3 IN-PLANE PRINCIPAL STRESSES
•  We can now solve for the values of the minimum and maximum
normal stress

•  These two values, with σ1 > σ2 are called the in-plane principal
stresses, and the corresponding planes on which they act are
called the principal planes of stress
•  Spelled principal (“pal” – these stresses are your pal!)
•  No shear stress acts on the principal planes!!!
 14.3 Principal planes of stress
•  Goal: go from the stresses in xy coordinate system to the principal
stresses, which will be the same independent of the original
coordinate system!!

•  Note: no shear stress acts on the principal planes!!!

14.3 MAXIMUM IN-PLANE SHEAR STRESS
•  Likewise, we be interested in the maximum shear stresses (and the
plane on which they are located)…
•  The orientation θs of the element that is subjected to maximum
shear stress can be determined (note two roots = two angles)

•  One can show that an element subjected to maximum shear

stress must be oriented 45° from the position of an element that
is subjected to the principal stress.
14.3 MAXIMUM IN-PLANE SHEAR STRESS
•  The magnitude of the maximum in-plane shear stress can be found

•  There is also an average normal stress on the planes of maximum

in-plane shear stress (i.e. the angle where the shear stress is
maximum) – this is different than the case for maximum in plane
stresses where the shear stress is zero
14.3 MAXIMUM IN-PLANE SHEAR STRESS
•  Schematic to right shows the
orientation of the maximum
in-plane shear stress and the
average normal stresses

•  So for a given stress state

σx, σy, and τxy we can find:
–  Principal stresses σ1 and σ2
–  Maximum in-plane shear stress
τmax, in-plane
–  The planes that these stresses
are on
Example Problem 14.3
Represent the given state of stress in
terms of its principal stresses

Step 1: From established sign convention

σx = -20 MPa σy = 90 MPa τxy = 60 MPa

Step 2: solve for the angles of principal stress

(careful with radians to degrees, and use relationship
that 180 degrees between the two angles):

Step 3: Calculate principal stresses

σ1 = 116 MPa σ2 = -46.4 MPa

θp2 = -23.7 degrees θp1 = 66.3 degrees
Step 4: Note that there are NO SHEAR
STRESSES on plane of Principal Stress!
Example Problem 14.4
Represent this state of stress in terms of its
maximum in-plane shear stress and associated
average normal stress.

Step 1: From established sign convention

σx = -20 MPa σy = 90 MPa τxy = 60 MPa

Step 2: solve for the angles of max in-plane

shear stress (careful with radians to degrees):

Step 4: Calculate the average

normal stress
θs2 = 21.3 degrees θs1 = 111.3 degrees σavg = 35 MPa

Step 3: Calculate max. in-plane shear stresses

Note: can distinguish between +/- by evaluating

τmax,in-plane = +/- 81.4 MPa the shear stress at the angle (see next slide)
Example Problem 14.4
Represent this state of stress in terms of its
maximum in-plane shear stress and associated
average normal stress.

Step 1: From established sign convention

σx = -20 MPa σy = 90 MPa τxy = 60 MPa

Step 2: solve for the angles of max in-plane

shear stress (careful with radians to degrees):
θs2 = 21.3 degrees θs1 = 111.3 degrees

Step 3: Calculate max. in-plane shear stresses

τmax,in-plane = +/- 81.4 MPa
Note: From Step 3, don’t know
direction of in-plane max shear
stress (is it positive or negative)?

To find, use equation at left at the

appropriate angle (θ = 21.3 deg.)

τx’y’ = 81.4 MPa

 14.4 Mohr’s Circle - Plane Stress
•  Can apply the equations for plane-stress transformation (last
section) using a graphical procedure that is often convenient to
use and easy to remember.
•  If we establish coordinate axes, σ positive to the right and τ
positive downward,
we have a circle
with radius R
centered on x-axis
at point C(σavg , 0)
•  This is Mohr’s circle
 14.4 Mohr’s Circle - Plane Stress
•  Each point on Mohr's circle represents the two stress components
σx’ and τx’y’ acting on the side of the element defined by the
outward x' axis, when this axis is in a specific direction θ

•  We will refer to a "reference point" A and plot its coordinates A

(σx, τxy) – be careful that positive τ is down by convention. This
represents the angle θ = 0

•  Find the radius from A to the center of the circle C – then have
your circle

•  A rotation θ of the x' axis on the element will correspond to a

rotation 2θ on the circle in the same direction.
 Procedure for Analysis
Construction of Mohr’s Circle
•  Establish coordinate system such that the horizontal axis represents the normal
stress σ , with positive to the right, and the vertical axis represents the shear
stress τ , with positive downwards
•  Using the positive sign convention for stresses, add the average stress (center of
circle) at σavg = (σx + σy) / 2
•  Plot reference point coordinates A (σx, τxy)
•  Determine the radius using trig and then
sketch the circle
Principal Stresses
•  The principal stresses σ1 and σ2 (σ1 ≥ σ2 ) are
the coordinates of points B and D, where the
circle intersects the σ axis, i.e., where τ = 0
•  From here, can determine the planes for the
principle stresses θp1 and θp2 recalling 2θp1
 Procedure for Analysis
Maximum In-Plane Shear Stress
•  The average normal stress and maximum in-plane shear stress components are
determined from the circle as the coordinates of either point E or F
•  In this case the angles θs1 and θs2 give the orientation of the planes that contain
these components

Stress on an Arbitrary Plane
•  The normal and shear stress components
σx’, σy’, and τx’y’ acting on a specified plane
or x' axis, defined by the angle θ, can be
found using trigonometry

Want to find points B, D, E, and F

 Example Problem 14.7
Point A on the solid shaft is subjected to the state
of stress shown. Determine the principal stresses.
Step 1: center of Mohr’s circle

Step 2: add reference point A (remember that positive shear is DOWN)

Reference point is (-12, -6) ksi – but this is UP

Step 3: calculate Radius of Mohr’s circle

R = sqrt (6^2 + 6^2) = 8.45 ksi

Step 4: use geometry to find Principal Stresses

(points B and D on plot)
Example Problem 14.7
https://mechanicalc.com/calculators/mohrs-circle/
 Example Problem 14.8
Determine the maximum in-plane shear stress

Step 1: center of Mohr’s circle

Step 2: add reference point A (remember that positive shear is DOWN)

Step 3: calculate Radius of Mohr’s circle

R = sqrt (60^2 + 55^2) = 81.4 MPa

Step 4: use geometry to find E and F on plot

Example Problem 14.8
https://mechanicalc.com/calculators/mohrs-circle/
 14.5 ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM SHEAR
STRESS
•  Since the strength of a ductile material depends upon its ability to
resist shear stress, it becomes important to find the absolute
maximum shear stress in the material when it is subjected to a
loading.
•  Here we will talk about the case of PLANE STRESS. More advanced
3D stress states can be found in more advanced books
 Class Problems
•  Course Problem 63
•  Course Problem 64
•  Course Problem 65