Engineering ToolBox - Resources, Tools and Basic Information for Engineering and Design of Technical Applications!

Stress

Stress is force applied on cross-sectional area.

Stress is the ratio between applied force and cross-sectional area where the applied force is acting. 

Normal Stress

Normal stress can be expressed as

σ = FN / A                           (1)

where

σ = normal stress (N/m2, Pa, psi)

FN = applied force perpendicular to the area - Normal force (N, lb)

A = cross-sectional area (m2, in2)

Shear Stress

Shear stress can be expressed as

τ = FV / A                           (2)

where

τ = shear stress (N/m2, Pa, psi)

FV = applied force in plane of the area - Shear force (N, lb)

Example - Normal Stress in a Column

he-a steel beam

A 10000 N force is acting in the direction of a British Universal Column UB 152 x 89 x 16 with cross sectional area 20.3 cm2. The normal stress in the column can be calculated as

σ = (10000 N) / ((20.3 cm2) (0.0001 m2/cm2

   = 4926108 Pa (N/m2)

   = 4.9 MPa

The Yield strength - the amount of stress that a material can undergo before moving from elastic deformation into plastic deformation - is typical 250 MPa for steel.

Example - Shear Stress in a Beam with Point Load

Beam with point load - shear force

For a beam with single point load supported on both ends - the shear force Fv (or V in the figure above) is equal in magnitude to support force R1 or R2.

Reaction forces can be calculated due to moment equilibrium around support 1

F L / 2 = R2 L                              (4)

R2 = F / 2                              (5)

R1 = R2 = F / 2                         (6)

For a 10000 N point load perpendicular on a beam similar to the example above - supported at both ends - the magnitude of the reaction and shear forces can be calculated as

R1 = R2

    = V1

    = V2    

    = (10000 N) / 2

    = 5000 N

    = 5 kN       

The shear stress can be calculated as

τ = (5000 N) / ((20.3 cm2) (0.0001 m2/cm2)

  = 2463054 Pa

           = 2.5 MPa    

Related Topics

  • Mechanics

    The relationships between forces, acceleration, displacement, vectors, motion, momentum, energy of objects and more.
  • Statics

    Forces acting on bodies at rest under equilibrium conditions - loads, forces and torque, beams and columns.

Related Documents

Search

Search is the most efficient way to navigate the Engineering ToolBox.

Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - Online 3D modeling!

3D Engineering ToolBox Extension to SketchUp - add parametric components to your SketchUp model

Add standard and customized parametric components - like flange beams, lumbers, piping, stairs and more - to your Sketchup model with the Engineering ToolBox - SketchUp Extension - enabled for use with older versions of the amazing SketchUp Make and the newer "up to date" SketchUp Pro . Add the Engineering ToolBox extension to your SketchUp Make/Pro from the Extension Warehouse !

Translate this Page

Translate this page to Your Own Language .

About the Engineering ToolBox!

Privacy Policy

We don't collect information from our users. More about

We use a third-party to provide monetization technologies for our site. You can review their privacy and cookie policy here.

You can change your privacy settings by clicking the following button: .

Citation

This page can be cited as

  • The Engineering ToolBox (2008). Stress. [online] Available at: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/stress-d_1395.html [Accessed Day Month Year].

Modify the access date according your visit.

3D Engineering ToolBox - draw and model technical applications! 2D Engineering ToolBox - create and share online diagram drawing templates! Engineering ToolBox Apps - mobile online and offline engineering applications!

Unit Converter


















































12.6.9

.