All questions of Principal Stresses & Strains (Mohr's Circle) for Mechanical Engineering Exam

Normal stresses of equal magnitude a, but of opposite signs, act at a point of a strained material in perpendicular direction. What is the magnitude of the stress on a plane inclined at 45° to the applied stresses?
  • a)
  • b)
    σ/2
  • c)
    σ/4
  • d)
    Zero
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Degrees to each of the normal stresses?

The stress on a plane inclined at 45 degrees to each of the normal stresses can be calculated using the formula:

σ = (σx + σy)/2 + (σx - σy)/2cos(2θ)

where σx and σy are the normal stresses and θ is the angle between the plane and the x-axis.

In this case, since the normal stresses have equal magnitude a but opposite signs, we have:

σx = a and σy = -a

Substituting these values into the formula, we get:

σ = (a - a)/2 + (a + a)/2cos(2(45°))
= a/2 + a/2cos(90°)
= a/2

Therefore, the magnitude of the stress on a plane inclined at 45 degrees to each of the normal stresses is equal to half the magnitude of the normal stresses, or a/2.

Which of the following formulae is used to calculate tangential stress, when a member is subjected to stress in mutually perpendicular axis and accompanied by shear stress?
  • a)
     [(σx – σy)/2 ]– τ cos 2θ
  • b)
    None of the these
  • c)
     [(σx – σy)/2 ]sin θ – τ cos 2θ
  • d)
    [(σx – σy)/2 ]sin θ – τ2 cos θ
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Ameya Sen answered
Σx+σy)/2]+[(σx-σy)/2cos(2θ)+τxysin(2θ)]

b) [(σx+σy)/2]+[(σx-σy)/2sin(2θ)+τxycos(2θ)]

c) [(σx+σy)/2]-[(σx-σy)/2cos(2θ)-τxy*sin(2θ)]

d) [(σx+σy)/2]-[(σx-σy)/2sin(2θ)-τxy*cos(2θ)]

The correct answer is a) [(σx+σy)/2]+[(σx-σy)/2cos(2θ)+τxysin(2θ)].

The radius of Mohr’s circle gives the value of
  • a)
    minimum normal stress
  • b)
    minimum shear stress
  • c)
    maximum normal stress
  • d)
    maximum shear stress
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Abhay Kapoor answered
The Concept of Mohr's Circle
Mohr's Circle is a graphical representation used in engineering to determine the state of stress at a point. It illustrates the relationship between normal and shear stresses acting on different planes.
Understanding the Radius of Mohr's Circle
- The radius of Mohr's Circle represents the maximum shear stress at a given point in a material.
- This maximum shear stress occurs on the plane that is oriented at 45 degrees to the principal stress directions.
Key Points about Shear Stress
- Maximum Shear Stress: The maximum shear stress (τ_max) can be calculated directly from the radius of the circle, which is half the distance between the maximum and minimum normal stresses (σ_max and σ_min).
- Implication: The larger the radius, the greater the potential for material failure due to shear.
Relation to Normal Stresses
- While the radius is directly related to shear stress, normal stresses are also represented on the Mohr's Circle, namely the maximum normal stress (σ_max) and minimum normal stress (σ_min).
- However, the primary significance of the radius focuses on shear stress rather than normal stresses.
Conclusion
- Thus, option 'D' (maximum shear stress) is the correct answer. The radius of Mohr's Circle is crucial for understanding how materials will behave under different loading conditions, particularly in predicting failure modes due to shear.
Understanding this concept is essential for civil engineers when designing structures to ensure safety and performance under various stresses.

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