Chapter 2 – Strain

2.1. Introduction

In Mechanics of Materials, we remove the assumption in the subject Fundamentals of Mechanics

that all structures are rigid bodies.

Instead, under external loads, the structure will deform (size change or shape change)

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2.2. Normal strain
Normal stress Deflection, elongation
0  δ

=0 Average normal stain of the square:

 Pronounce : delta
L' L 
L
 
L
L L Pronounce : Epsilon
L

• If the square becomes longer, the normal strain is

positive.

Under the action of a positive normal stress (), a square (solid) • If the square becomes shorter, the normal strain is
lengthens by an amount  and becomes a rectangular (dashed). negative.

units of elongation m
The units of normal stain are:  dimensionl ess
units of length m

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2.3. Shear strain

y y y
  
D D
B B D B 

 L
2
C C
A A A
C
x x x

The square becomes a diamond Positive shear stress, Negative shear stress,
when it is loaded by a shear stress .
angle BAC reduces. angle BAC increases.

Deflection of the top surface of the square () is in direction x.

 
Shear strain is defined as Since  is very small, tan   Pronounce : gama
L L

Shear strain (  ) ： Change in angle with respect to x and y axes (measured in radians)


   BAC
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Units of shear strain = Units of angle = Radians (or dimensionless)
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 Example 1. The piece of plastic ABCD is originally rectangular. Determine the average normal strain that occurs along the
diagonals AC and the shear strain xy at corner A if the plastic distorts to ABCD as shown by the dashed lines.

Solution:
y 5 mm 5 mm
C LAC   ( LAE ) 2  ( LEC  ) 2 
5 mm
D C (400  5) 2  (300  5) 2 507 mm
D
300
LAC = 500 mm
mm
B
 5 mm LAC ,  LAC 507  500
B E x  AC   0.014
A LAC 500
400 mm

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 tan   0.0167 rad
300

5
 tan   0.0125 rad
400


   BAD    0.0292
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Example 2. Solve the preceding problem for the data shown in the figure below.

Solution:

y 5 mm 5 mm
LAC   ( LAE ) 2  ( LEC  ) 2
C
5 mm  (400  5) 2  (300  5) 2 507 mm
D C
D
300 LAC = 500 mm
mm

E x LAC ,  LAC 507  500

 B 5 mm  AC   0.014
A
F
LAC 500
B
400 mm
5
 tan   0.0167 rad
300
5
 tan   0.0125 rad
400


   BAD    0.0042
2
5