APL 701/AML7600 Continuum Mechanics

Department of Applied Mechanics

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
Arjun Sharma

Problem Set 5 (Due Date: April 22, 2022)

The problems given below are from the books by Spencer, Reddy and Fox and McDonald

(1) (5 points) The stress distribution in a thin, light circular disk with density ρ rotating at
angular speed ω is to be determined (for example, a rotating compact disk in a computer).
The internal radius of the disk is R1 and the external radius is R2 .
(a) Provide the equations of equilibrium in radial coordinates after setting the radial body
force term as ρω 2 r. Reduce the equations after making the following assumptions (i) The
stress, strain and displacement components are independent of azimuthal coordinate, ϕ
and (ii) the only non-zero displacement component is the radial displacement, ur (r).
(b) Substitute the stress-strain relation for a linearly elastic isotropic solid and the strain
displacement relations to obtain an ordinary differential equation (of second degree) in
terms of displacement component ur (r).
(c) Obtain a general solution for the above differential equation. Since the differential
equation is of second degree, two boundary conditions are needed to specify the constants.
The stress at the internal surface of the disk is specified as σrr = σ0 and at the external
surface as σrr = 0. Determine the exact solution for the given system with the given
boundary conditions.
Solution:
The equilibrium equations in the radial and azimuthal directions are, respectively,

∂σrr 1 ∂σrϕ σrr − σϕϕ

+ + + br = 0
∂r r ∂ϕ r
∂σrϕ 1 ∂σϕϕ 2σrϕ
+ + + bϕ = 0
∂r r ∂ϕ r

The components of the body force term are set as, br = ρω 2 r and bϕ = 0. If the displace-
ment components are not a function of ϕ and the azimuthal displacement component is
zero, then the shear strain component Erϕ and hence the shear stress component σrϕ are
zero. If the stress components are independent of ϕ and σrϕ = 0, then the equilibrium
equation in the azimuthal direction is identically satisfied. The above equations reduce
to an ordinary differential equation (obtained from the radial equilibrium equation) given
by,

dσrr σrr − σϕϕ

+ + ρω 2 r = 0
dr r

For the plane stress condition (σzz = 0), the constitutive relations are,

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

1
Err = [σrr − νσϕϕ ]
E
1
Eϕϕ = [σϕϕ − νσrr ]
E
−ν
Ezz = (σϕϕ + σrr )
E

The strain displacement relations reduce to the following in terms of the displacement
component in the radial direction (u = ur ).

du u
Err = , Eϕϕ =
dr r

From the stress strain relations,

 
dσrr E dEϕϕ dErr
= ν +
dr 1 − ν2 dr dr
σrr − σϕϕ E Err − Eϕϕ
=
r 1+ν r

Upon substitution in the equilibrium equations, an equation in terms of strain components

is obtained.

dErr Err − Eϕϕ 1 − ν 2 2

+ + ρω r = 0
dr r E

When the strain displacement relations are used for Err and Eϕϕ , an equation in terms
of u, the displacement component in radial direction, is obtained.

d2 u du 1 − ν2 2 3
r2 + r − u + ρω r = 0
dr2 dr E

The solution is obtained as,

B 1 − ν2 2 3
u(r) = Ar + − ρω r
r 8E

The equilibrium equation is further simplified by using the following relation.

 
σrr − σϕϕ E Err − Eϕϕ
=
r 1+ν r
 
E 1 du u
= − 2
1 + ν r dr r
2B 1 − ν 2 2
 
E
=− + ρω r
1 + ν r3 4E

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

Thus,

dσrr σrr − σϕϕ

+ + ρω 2 r = 0
dr r
2B 1 − ν 2 2
 
dσrr E
− + ρω r + ρω 2 r = 0
dr 1 + ν r3 4E

The solution for the stress component is thus obtained as,

C2 3 + ν 2 2
σrr = C1 + − ρω r
r2 8
The constants C1 and C2 are obtained when the boundary conditions for σrr are substi-
tuted. If σrr (r = R1 ) = σo and σrr (r = R2 ) = 0, then the solution is obtained as,

C2 3 + ν 2 2
σrr = C1 + − ρω r
r2 8
C2 1 + 3ν 2 2
σϕϕ = C1 − 2 − ρω r
r 8
where
3+ν
−σo R12 + 2 4
8 ρω (R2 − R1 )
4
C1 =
R22 − R12
σo − 3+ν 2 2
8 ρω (R2 − R1 )
2
C2 = R12 R22
R22 − R12

(2) (5 points) Plane stress-reduced constitutive relations: Beginning with the strain-stress
relations for an orthotropic material given below in a two-dimensional case (that is, σ33 =
σ13 = σ23 = 0), determine the two-dimensional stress- strain relations.

  1 −ν21 −ν31


E11 E1 E2 E3 0 0 0 σ11

−ν12 1 −ν32
E22  
 E1 E2 E3 0 0 0  σ 
  22 
  −ν13 −ν23 1
E33  
 = E1 E2 E3 0 0 0  σ33 
 
E23   1
0 0 0 0 0  σ23 
 
   G23
E13  
 0 1  σ13
 
0 0 0 G13 0
E12 1 σ12
0 0 0 0 0 G12

Solution:

(10 points) Plane stress-reduced constitutive relations: Beginning with the strain-stress
relations for an orthotropic material given below in a two-dimensional case (that is, σ33 =
σ13 = σ23 = 0), determine the two-dimensional stress- strain relations.
For an orthotropic material, with σ33 = σ13 = σ23 = 0, the strain components E13 =
σ13 σ23
G13 = 0 and E23 = G23 = 0. The strain-stress relations are reduced to,

  1 −ν21

0

E11 E1 E2  
E22   −ν12 1
0  σ11
E1 E2
E33  =   σ22
  
 −ν −ν23
 
E1
13
E2 0
σ12

E12 1
0 0 G12

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

Hence the stress-strain relations are written as follows for shear stress components,

σ12 = G12 E12

For normal stress components, the relations are obtained from

1 ν21
E11 = σ11 − σ22
E1 E2
ν12 1
E22 =− σ11 + σ22
E1 E2

as follows after using the reciprocal relation ν12 /E1 = ν21 /E2 .

1
σ11 = (E1 E11 + ν21 E1 E22 )
1 − ν12 ν21
1
= (E1 E11 + ν12 E2 E22 )
1 − ν12 ν21
1
σ22 = (ν12 E2 E11 + E2 E22 )
1 − ν12 ν21
1
= (ν21 E1 E11 + E2 E22 )
1 − ν12 ν21

Hence,

    
σ11 E1 ν12 E2 0 E11
σ22  = 1 ν21 E1 E2 0  E22 
1 − ν12 ν21
σ12 0 0 G12 (1 − ν12 ν21 ) E12

(3) (5 points) Consider fully developed laminar flow in the annular space formed by two
concentric cylinders shown in the diagram. A constant pressure gradient is applied in
the axial direction. Both the cylinders are stationary. The radii of the inner and outer
cylinders are kR (k < 1) and R, respectively.
(a) Derive an expression for the axial velocity profile, vz (r). Clearly mention the assump-
tions used in the derivation.
(b) Show that the expression for the volume flow rate Q is obtained as given below.
Compare the result with the case when k → 0.

πR4 ∂p (1 − k 2 )2
 
4
Q=− 1−k −
8µ ∂z ln(1/k)

Solution:

∂
(a) The flow is fully developed, that is, there are no axial variations in the flow, ∂z = 0.
∂
There are no azimuthal variations in the flow, ∂ϕ = 0. The continuity equation implies
that the radial component of velocity is zero. vz = vz (r) is the only non-zero velocity

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

Figure 1: Question 3

component. The flow is driven by the external pressure gradient in the axial direction.
∂p
The momentum equation in the axial direction, reduces to µ∇2 vz − ∂z = 0. Let α =
∂p
− ∂z = constant.

 
∂ ∂vz αr
r =−
∂r ∂r µ
αr 2
vz (r) = − + c1 ln r + c2
4µ

Since vz (r = kR) = 0 and vz (r = R) = 0, the velocity profile is obtained as,

R2 ∂p r2 1 − k2
  r 
vz (r) = − 1− 2 + ln
4µ ∂z R ln(1/k) R

(b) The volumetric flow rate is obtained

 as shown below. The above2 expression for velocity
αR2 r2 αR 1−k2
is written as, vz (r) = 4µ 1 − R2 + c ln(r/R), where c = 4µ ln(1/k) , to simply the
integral below.

Z R
Q= 2πrvz (r)dr
kR
παR4 (1 − k 2 )2
 
2 2 2 2


= 1−k + 2k (1 − k ) +
8µ ln k
4 2 2
 
παR (1 − k )
= 1 − k4 +
8µ ln k

In the limit k → 0, the expression for volume flow rate Q tends to the value for Poiseuille
4
pipe flow, Q = παR
8µ .

(4) (5 marks) (Stokes’ problem) Consider the two-dimensional, unsteady, incompressible flow
above an infintely large flat plate which oscillates in its own plane (figure 2(a)). The
velocity of the plate is U cos(ωt), where U is the amplitude and ω is the angular frequency
of oscillation. Assume constant density ρ and viscosity µ.
(a) Show that unidirectional flow with v1 = v1 (x2 , t) and v2 = 0 satisfies the continuity
equation.
(b) Simplify the momentum equations in x1 and x2 directions. (Hint: x1 momentum
equation reduces to an unsteady diffusion equation). Specify the boundary conditions at
x2 = 0 and x2 → ∞ for v1 velocity component.
√
(c) Assume a velocity profile of the form, v1 (x2 , t) = f (x2 ) exp(iωt), where i = −1, to
obtain the velocity profile for large time when it settles to a periodic state. Transform the

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

x1 momentum equation to an ordinary differential equation for the function f (x2 ). What
are the boundary conditions on f (x2 )?
(d) Solve the ordinary differential√equation for f√(x2 ). Express the velocity profile v(x2 , t) =
real[f (x2 ) exp(iωt)]. (Hint: Use i = (i + 1)/ 2)
Solution:

∂v1 ∂v2
(a) The continuity equation is ∂x1 + ∂x2
= 0, since v1 is only a function of x2 and v2 = 0.
(b) Since there are no volumetric body forces, the momentum equation in x1 direction is,

∂v1 ∂v1 ∂v1 1 ∂p µ ∂ 2 v1

+ v1 + v2 =− +
∂t ∂x1 ∂x2 ρ ∂x1 ρ ∂xj ∂xj
Since v1 = v1 (x2 , t) and v2 = 0
∂v1 1 ∂p µ ∂ 2 v1
=− +
∂t ρ ∂x1 ρ ∂x2 ∂x2

∂p
The momentum equation in x2 direction is, ∂x 2
= 0, since v2 = 0. Thus there are no
variations in pressure in the x2 direction. But the pressure field must be uniform at large
wall-normal distances (x2 → ∞) from the plate. Thus, the pressure field p is uniform
∂p
throughout and ∂x 1
= 0. Thus, the x1 momentum equation is reduced to unsteady
diffusion equation.

∂v1 ∂ 2 v1
=ν
∂t ∂x22
v1 (x2 = 0, t) = U cos ωt and v1 (x2 → ∞, t) = 0

(c) If v1 (x2 , t) = f (x2 ) exp(iωt), then the following ordinary differential equation for f (x2 )
is obtained.

∂v1
= iωf (x2 ) exp(iωt)
∂t
∂ 2 v1 d2 f
= exp(iωt)
∂x22 dx22
d2 f iω
⇒ 2 − f =0
dx2 ν

The boundary conditions on the function f (x2 ) are

f (x2 → ∞) = 0
Since f (0) exp(iωt) = U cos ωt
⇒ real[f (x2 = 0)] = U and imag[f (x2 = 0)] = 0
p p
(d) Let α = iω/ν = (i + 1) ω/2ν. Solving the equation for f (x2 ),

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

f (x2 ) = C1 exp(αx2 ) + C2 exp(−αx2 )

Since f (x2 → ∞) = 0 ⇒ C1 = 0
Since f (x2 = 0) = U ⇒ C2 = U
p p p
Hence, f (x2 ) = U exp(−ix2 ω/2ν) exp(−x2 ω/2ν). Let η = x2 ω/2ν. Then,

v(x2 , t) = U exp(−η) exp[i (ωt − η)]

Taking the real part of the complex function,

v(x2 , t) = U exp(−η) cos (ωt − η)

The velocity profiles at a few time instants are shown in figure 1.

Figure 2: Question 4

(5) (5 marks) Consider a thin, infinitely large, rectangular metallic plate with a small circular
hole of radius R at the center of the plate, as shown in figure. A uniform traction of
magnitude σ0 in the b e1 direction is applied to the ends of the plate. The stress field in
the plate is determined in the limit where R is much smaller than the dimensions of the
plate. In plane stress condition, the only non-zero stress components are σ11 , σ22 and σ12 .
According to Saint-Venant’s principle, the effect of change in boundary conditions from
pointwise specification to a statically equivalent (that is, the same net force and moment
due to the distributed forces and stresses) is local. Hence, stress field in the plate outside a
radius c, such that R/c → 0, is the same as in a plate without the hole (which is a uniform
stress field, σ11 = σ0 and σ12 = σ22 = 0). The non-uniform stress components are obtained
using the principle of superposition, in terms of Airy stress function, ϕ = ϕ(1) (r)+ϕ(2) (r, θ).
Here, ϕ(1) is the radially symmetric part, and, ϕ(2) is the θ-dependent part.
(a) The problem is formulated in cylindrical polar coordinate system. (i) Applying trans-
formation of coordinates, obtain expressions for σrr , σθθ and σrθ , at the boundary r = c,
as superposition of constant and θ dependent terms. Specify boundary conditions for σrr
and σrθ at r = R. (ii) Show diagrammatically, the boundary conditions that the radially
symmetric part of the solution satisfies at r = R and r = c.

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

(a) (b)

Figure 3: Questions 4 and 5

(b) The solution for stress components are obtained as,

R2 3R4 4R2
   
σ0 σ0
σrr = 1− 2 + 1 + 4 − 2 cos(2θ) (1)
2 r 2 r r
2 4
   
σ0 R σ0 3R
σθθ = 1+ 2 − 1 + 4 cos(2θ)
2 r 2 r
4 2
 
σ0 3R 2R
σrθ =− 1 − 4 + 2 sin(2θ)
2 r r

(i) Describe the variation of σθθ with θ at r = R. Prove that σθθ is maximum at the
radial location r = R (this is referred to as stress concentration). (ii) Identify the radially
symmetric part of the solution in equations 1.
(c) In plane stress condition and without any body forces, the Airy’s stress functions, ϕ(1)
and ϕ(2) , both satisfy the biharmonic equation. If ϕ(2) = g(r) cos(2θ) and ∇4 ϕ(2) = 0,
show that

d4 g 2 d3 g 9 d2 g 9 dg
4
+ 3
− 2 2
+ 3 =0 (2)
dr r dr r dr r dr

(d) Obtain general solution for ordinary differential equation 2. (Hint: try a solution of
the form dg n
dr = r and solve for n)
Solution:

(a) At circular boundary r = c, at an azimuthal position θ, the stress components in polar

coordinates are obtained as,

1 1 σ0 σ0
σrr = (σ11 + σ22 ) + (σ11 − σ22 ) cos 2θ + σ12 sin 2θ = + cos(2θ)
2 2 2 2
1 1 σ0 σ0
σθθ = (σ11 + σ22 ) − (σ11 − σ22 ) cos 2θ − σ12 sin 2θ = − cos(2θ)
2 2 2 2
1 σ0
σrθ = − (σ11 − σ22 ) sin 2θ + σ12 cos 2θ = − sin(2θ)
2 2

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

(a)

Figure 4: Question 5

At r = R, the boundary conditions are σrr = σrθ = 0. The symmetric part of the
boundary conditions is shown in figure 3.
(b) At r = R, the σθθ component is obtained as,

σθθ (r = R) = σ0 − 2σ0 cos(2θ)

σθθ is tensile and has a maximum value of 3σ0 at θ = π/2, 3π/2. σθθ is compressive and
has a maximum value of −σ0 at θ = 0, π. σθθ = 0 when cos(2θ) = 1/2 or θ = ±π/6.
For σ0 > 0, in the expression for σθθ , the symmetric and θ− dependent terms, both are
positive and decrease for increasing values of r. The maximum for σθθ should
 be obtained

σ0 R 2 4
when both terms are positive, that is cos(2θ) = −1 and σθθ = σ0 + 2 r2 + 3 Rr4 . For
cos 2θ = −1, σθθ (r) is a monotonically decreasing function so the maximum is at r = R,
σθθ,max = 3σ0 .
(c) In plane polar coordinates,

1 ∂2
   
2 (2) 1 ∂ ∂
∇ ϕ = r + 2 2 ϕ(2)
r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ
1 ∂2
   
1 ∂ ∂
= r + 2 2 g(r) cos 2θ
r ∂r ∂r r ∂θ
 2 
d 1 d 4
= + − g(r) cos(2θ)
dr2 r dr r2

Hence, if ∇4 ϕ(2) = ∇2 [∇2 ϕ(2) ] = 0, it is possible to show after following through algebraic
steps,

d2
  2 
1 d 4 d g 1 dg 4g
+ − + − 2 =0
dr2 r dr r2 dr2 r dr r
4
d g 2d g 3 2
9 d g 9 dg
⇒ 4+ − 2 2+ 3 =0
dr r dr3 r dr r dr

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Continuum Mechanics APL701/AML7600, Sem 2 2025-26

(d) The solutions for n, after substituting dg n

dr = r , are obtained from the roots of the
equation, (n − 1)(n − 3)(n + 3) = 0, as n = 1, 3, −3.

dg 1
= C1 r + C2 r 3 + C3 3 (3)
dr r
1
⇒ g(r) = D1 r2 + D2 r4 + D3 + D4 (4)
r2

where constants D1−4 are obtained from the boundary conditions imposed on stress com-
ponents.

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