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Airy's Stress Function is introduced to satisfy the equilibrium equations in two-dimensional elasticity problems without body forces, leading to the biharmonic equation ∂⁴Φ/∂x⁴ + 2 ∂⁴Φ/∂x²∂y² + ∂⁴Φ/∂y⁴ = 0. This function allows for the complete stress field to be derived from a single equation, subject to boundary conditions. In plane stress conditions, while the Airy function provides an approximate solution, it is widely accepted due to minimal errors in thin plates.

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Airy's Stress Function is introduced to satisfy the equilibrium equations in two-dimensional elasticity problems without body forces, leading to the biharmonic equation ∂⁴Φ/∂x⁴ + 2 ∂⁴Φ/∂x²∂y² + ∂⁴Φ/∂y⁴ = 0. This function allows for the complete stress field to be derived from a single equation, subject to boundary conditions. In plane stress conditions, while the Airy function provides an approximate solution, it is widely accepted due to minimal errors in thin plates.

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Q .

Derive Airy's stress function and show that it satisfies the biharmonic equation for plane
problems in elasticity. Also discuss its application in plane stress condition.
Answer : Airy's Stress Function (for 2D problems without body forces)
In two-dimensional elasticity problems (plane stress or plane strain), when body forces are
negligible (Fx = Fy = 0), the equations are:
1. Equations of equilibrium:
∂σ ∂ / x + ∂τ y/∂y = 0
∂τ y/∂x + ∂σ ∂ / y = 0 …(1)
2. Compatibility equation (from strain compatibility, after simplification):
(∂²/∂x² + ∂²/∂y²)(σ + σ )= 0
or
²(σ + σ )= 0 …(2)
To satisfy both equilibrium equations automatically, we introduce Airy's stress function Φ(x,y),
defined as:
σ = ∂²Φ / ∂y²
σ = ∂²Φ / ∂x²
τ y= – ∂²Φ / ∂x∂y …(3)
Why this form?
Substitute (3) into equilibrium equations (1):
∂/∂x (∂²Φ/∂y²) + ∂/∂y (–∂²Φ/∂x∂y) = ∂³Φ/∂x∂y² – ∂³Φ/∂y∂x∂y = 0
Similarly for the second equation both equilibrium equations are identically satisfied.
3. Now use compatibility:
Substitute the stress expressions (3) into equation (2):
²(σ + σ )= ²(∂²Φ/∂y² + ∂²Φ/∂x²) = ²( ²Φ)= 0
i.e.
∂⁴Φ/∂x⁴ + 2 ∂⁴Φ/∂x²∂y² + ∂⁴Φ/∂y⁴ = 0
or
⁴Φ= 0 …(4)
This is called the biharmonic equation (or Airy biharmonic equation).
Summary so far:
For 2D elasticity problems with no body forces, the complete stress field can be obtained by
solving only one equation:
⁴Φ= 0
subject to the boundary conditions on stresses.
4. Special note – Plane stress approximation
In plane stress (thin plates):
σ_z = τ_xz = τ_yz = 0
strains ε_z, γ_xz, γ_yz are not zero, but independent of z.
From strain-displacement and Hooke's law, we get additional compatibility conditions:
∂²ε_z/∂x² = 0, ∂²ε_z/∂y² = 0, ∂²ε_z/∂x∂y = 0 …(5)
These are not automatically satisfied if we solve only ⁴Φ= 0.
Solution using Airy function for plane stress is approximate
But for thin plates, the error is very small widely used and acceptable

typical polynomial form


Φ = A x² + B y² + C x y + D x³ + E x² y + F x y² + G y³ + … (up to degree 5–6 usually)

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