Finals Problem Set
1. An element in plane stress is subjected to stresses as shown in the figure. Determine the stresses
acting on an element oriented at an angle 60° from the x axis, where the angle is positive when
counterclockwise. Show these stresses on a sketch of an element oriented at the angle.
2. The stresses acting on element A in the web of a train rail are found to be 42 MPa tension in the
horizontal direction and 140 MPa compression in the vertical direction. Also, shear stresses of
magnitude 60 MPa act in the directions shown. Determine the stresses acting on an element oriented at a
counterclockwise angle of 48°from the horizontal. Show these stresses on a sketch of an element
oriented at this angle.
3. A propeller shaft subjected to combined torsion and axial thrust is designed to resist a shear stress
of 63 MPa and a compressive stress of 90 MPa.
(a)Determine the principal stresses and show them on a sketch of a properly oriented element.
(b) Determine the maximum shear stresses and associated normal stresses and show them on a sketch of a
properly oriented element.
4. An element in plane stress is subjected to stresses σx, σy, and τxy. Using Mohr’s circle, determine the
stresses acting on an element oriented at an angle from the x axis. Show these stresses on a sketch of
an element oriented at the angle. (Note: The angle is positive when counterclockwise and negative when
clockwise.)
5. An element in biaxial stress is subjected to stresses shown in the figure. Using Mohr’s circle,
determine (a) the stresses acting on an element oriented at a slope of 1 on 2.5 and (b)the maximum
shear stresses and associated normal stresses. Show all results on sketches of properly oriented
elements.
6. A large spherical tank contains gas at a pressure of 450 psi. The tank is 42ft in diameter and is
constructed of high strength steel having a yield stress in tension of 80 ksi. Determine the required
thickness in inches of the wall id a factor of safety of 3.5 with respect to yielding id required.
7. A water main 80 cm diameter contains water at a pressure head of 100 m. If the weight density of water
is 9810 N/mm3, find the thickness of the metal required for the water main. Given the permissible stress
as 20 N/mm2. Express in cm.
8. A compressed-air tank having an inner diameter of 18 inches and a wall thickness of 1/4 inch is formed
by welding two steel hemispheres. (a) If the allowable tensile stress in the steel is 14,000 psi, what
is the maximum permissible air pressure Pa in the tank? (b) If the normal strain at the outer surface of
the tank is not to exceed 0.0003, what is the maximum permissible pressure Pb? (Assume that Hooke’s law
is valid and that the modulus of elasticity for the steel is 29x106 psi and Poisson’s ratio is 0.28.)?
Express both in kPa.
9. The wall thickness of a 4-ft-diameter spherical tank is 5/16 in. Calculate the allowable internal
pressure in psi if the stress is limited to 8000 psi.