CHAPTER 1

SIMPLE STRESS
SIMPLE STRESS

Simple stresses are expressed as the ratio of the applied

force divided by the resisting area or

Force P
 
Area A

It is the expression of force per unit area to structural

members that are subjected to external forces and/or
induced forces.
Classification:
1. Normal Stress
Normal stress develops when a force is applied
perpendicular to the cross-sectional area of the
material. If the force is going to pull the material, the
stress is said to be tensile stress and compressive
stress develops when the material is being
compressed by two opposing forces.

NORMAL STRESS
The resisting area is perpendicular to the applied
force, thus normal.
There are two types of normal stresses;

a. Tensile stress b. Compressive stress

Tensile stress applied to a Compressive stress
bar tends to elongate it. applied to bar tend to
shorten it.
2. Shearing Stress
Shear stress is developed if the applied force is parallel
to the resisting area. Example is the bolt that holds the
tension rod in its anchor. Another condition of shearing
is when we twist a bar along its longitudinal axis. This
type of shearing is called torsion and covered in
Chapter 3.
3. Bearing Stress
Another type of simple stress is the bearing stress, it is
the contact pressure between two bodies.
Problem 1. A hollow steel tube with an inside diameter of 100 mm
must carry a tensile load of 400 kN. Determine the outside diameter
of the tube if the stress is limited to 120 MPa.

Solution:
Given: 𝑃 = 400 𝑘𝑁 = 400𝑥103 𝑁
𝜎 = 120 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 120𝑥106 𝑃𝑎
𝐷𝑖 = 100 𝑚𝑚 = 0.1 𝑚

𝑃
𝜎=
Do 𝐴
3
400𝑥10
120𝑥106 = 𝜋 2
𝐷 − 0.12
4 𝑂
𝐷𝑂 = 0.119 𝑚 = 119 𝑚𝑚
Problem 2. A homogeneous 800 kg bar AB is supported at either end
by a cable as shown in Fig. P-105. Calculate the smallest area of each
cable if the stress is not to exceed 90 MPa in bronze and 120 MPa in
steel.

Fig. P-105
Solution:
Given: 𝑊𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 800 𝑥 9.81 = 7848 𝑁
𝜎𝐵𝑟 ≤ 90 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 90 𝑥 106 𝑃𝑎
𝜎𝑆𝑡 ≤ 120 𝑀𝑃𝑎 = 120 𝑥 106 𝑃𝑎
a. Determine the axial force of each bar,
𝑃𝐵𝑟 𝑃𝑆𝑡

A B

𝑀𝐴 = 0
𝑃𝑆𝑡 (10) = 7848(5); 𝑃𝑆𝑡 = 3924 𝑁
𝑀𝐵 = 0
𝑃𝐵𝑟 (10) = 7848(5); 𝑃𝐵𝑟 = 3924 𝑁
b. Due to stress in the bronze
𝑃
𝜎𝐵𝑟 = 𝐴𝐵𝑟
𝐵𝑟

3924
90 𝑥 106 = 𝐴𝐵𝑟

𝐴𝐵𝑟 = 43.6 𝑥10−6 𝑚2 = 43.6 𝑚𝑚2

c. Due to stress in the steel

𝑃𝑆𝑡
𝜎𝑆𝑡 = 𝐴𝑆𝑡

3924
120 𝑥 106 = 𝐴𝑆𝑡

𝐴𝑆𝑡 = 32.7 𝑥10−6 𝑚2 = 32.7 𝑚𝑚2

Problem 3. The homogeneous bar shown in Fig. P-106 is supported by
a smooth pin at C and a cable that runs from A to B around the
smooth peg at D. Find the stress in the cable if its diameter is 0.6 inch
and the bar weighs 6000 lb.

Solution:
a. Determine the tension in the cable.

3
5

FBD of the system

 𝑀𝐶 = 0
3
𝑇 5 +𝑇 10 − 6000 5 = 0
34
𝑇 = 2957.13 𝑙𝑏

b. Stress in the cable

𝑃
𝜎=
𝐴

2957.13
𝜎=𝜋
0.6 2
4
𝜎 = 10,458.72 psi=10.49 ksi
Problem 4. A rod is composed of an aluminum section rigidly
attached between steel and bronze sections, as shown in Fig. P-107.
Axial loads are applied at the positions indicated. If P = 3000 lb and
the cross sectional area of the rod is 0.5 in2, determine the stress in
each section.

Solution:
a. Determine the axial force of each section
- for steel section
𝐹𝐻 = 0
1200 𝑃𝑆𝑡 𝑃𝑆𝑡 − 1200 = 0
𝑃𝑆𝑡 = 1200 𝑙𝑏
 - for aluminum section 𝐹𝐻 = 0

1200 𝑃𝐴𝑙 𝑃𝐴𝑙 − 1200 = 0

𝑃𝐴𝑙 = 1200 𝑙𝑏

- for the bronze section 𝐹𝐻 = 0

𝑃𝐵𝑟 + 300 − 1200 = 0
1200 300 𝑃𝐵𝑟
𝑃𝐵𝑟 = 900 𝑙𝑏

b. Stress in each section

- Steel - Aluminum - Bronze

𝑃 1200 𝑃 1200 𝑃 900
𝜎𝑆𝑡 = = 𝜎𝐴𝑙 = = 𝜎𝐵𝑟 = =
𝐴 0.5 𝐴 0.5 𝐴 0.5
𝜎𝑆𝑡 = 2400 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝜎𝐴𝑙 = 2400 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝜎𝐵𝑟 = 1800 𝑝𝑠𝑖
Problem 5. An aluminum rod is rigidly attached between a steel rod
and a bronze rod as shown in Fig. P-108. Axial loads are applied at
the positions indicated. Find the maximum value of P that will not
exceed a stress in steel of 140 MPa, in aluminum of 90 MPa, or in
bronze of 100 MPa.

Solution:
a. Determine the axial force of each section
- for bronze section
𝐹𝐻 = 0

𝑃𝐵𝑟 2P 𝑃𝐵𝑟 − 2𝑃 = 0
𝑃𝑆𝑡 = 2𝑃
 - for aluminum section
𝐹𝐻 = 0
P 𝑃𝐴𝑙 + 𝑃 − 2𝑃 = 0
𝑃𝐴𝑙 2P
𝑃𝐴𝑙 = 𝑃

- for steel section

𝐹𝐻 = 0
4P P 𝑃𝑆𝑡 + 𝑃 − 2𝑃 − 4𝑃 = 0
𝑃𝑆𝑡 2P
𝑃𝑆𝑡 = 5𝑃
b. Stress in each section
- Bronze
𝑃𝐵𝑟
𝜎𝐵𝑟 =
𝐴𝐵𝑟 𝑃 = 10,000 𝑁
2𝑃
100 =
200
 - Aluminum
𝑃𝐴𝑙
𝜎𝐴𝑙 =
𝐴𝐴𝑙 𝑃 = 36,000 𝑁
𝑃
90 =
400

- Steel
𝑃𝑆𝑡
𝜎𝑆𝑡 =
𝐴𝑆𝑡 𝑃 = 14,000 𝑁
5𝑃
140 =
500
c. Conclusion

For safe value of P

𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 10,000𝑁 = 10 𝑘𝑁
Note: Choose the smaller P for safe value. The smaller the force the lesser the stress.
Problem 6. Determine the largest weight W that can be supported by
two wires shown in Fig. P-109. The stress in either wire is not to
exceed 30 ksi. The cross-sectional areas of wires AB and AC are 0.4 in2
and 0.5 in2, respectively.

Solution:
a. Determine the stress in each wire.
Applying the sine law on the force polygon
- For wire AC - For wire AB

𝑇𝐴𝐶 𝑊 𝑇𝐴𝐵 𝑊
= =
sin 60° sin 80° sin 40° sin 80°
𝑇𝐴𝐶 = 0.879𝑊 𝑇𝐴𝐵 = 0.653𝑊

b. Stress in each wire

- For wire AC - For wire AB
0.879𝑊 0.653𝑊
30 = 30 =
0.5 0.4
𝑊 = 17.06 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠 𝑊 = 18.385 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
c. Conclusion
For safe value of W
𝑊𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 17.06 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
Problem 7: Find the stresses in members BC, BD, and CF for the truss
shown in Fig. P-113. Indicate the tension or compression. The cross
sectional area of each member is 1600 mm2.
Solution:
a. Apply the method of sections to determine the axial force in
member BC, CD and CF

For BD
𝑀𝐶 = 0
4
𝐵𝐷 5 3 − 60 3 = 0
𝐵𝐷 = 75 𝑘𝑁 (Tension)
 For CF
𝑀𝐷 = 0
1
𝐶𝐹 4 − 60 7 − 90(4) = 0
2
CF = 275.77 𝑘𝑁 (Compression)
For CD
𝐹𝐻 = 0
4 1
𝐶𝐷 + 𝐵𝐷 − 𝐶𝐹 =0
5 2
C𝐷 = 135 𝑘𝑁 (Compression)

b. Stress in each members

- For member BD
𝑃 75000
𝜎𝐵𝐷 = 𝐴 = 1600

𝜎𝐵𝐷 = 46.875 𝑀𝑃𝑎

- For member CF
𝑃 275.77 𝑥 103
𝜎𝐶𝐹 = =
𝐴 1600

𝜎𝐶𝐹 = 172.36 𝑀𝑃𝑎

- For member CD

𝑃 135 𝑥 103
𝜎𝐶𝐷 = =
𝐴 1600
𝜎𝐶𝐷 = 84.375 𝑀𝑃𝑎
SHEARING STRESS
Forces parallel to the area resisting the force cause
shearing stress. It differs to tensile and compressive
stresses, which are caused by forces perpendicular to the
area on which they act. Shearing stress is also known as
tangential stress.
V

A

where : V = resultant shearing force

A = area
Types of Shear:

1. Single Shear 3. Punching Shear

2. Double Shear
Problems:
1. What force is required to punch a 20-mm-
diameter hole in a plate that is 25 mm thick? The
shear strength is 350 MN/m2.

Solution:
The resisting area is the shaded area along the
perimeter (𝐴 = 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠) and the
shear force V is equal to the punching force P.

𝑉 𝑃
𝜏= =
𝐴 𝐴
𝑃
350 𝑥 106 𝑁=
𝜋(0.02 𝑚)(0.025 𝑚)
𝑃 = 549,778.71 𝑁 = 549.78 𝑘𝑁
2. Find the smallest diameter bolt that can be used in the clevis
shown in Fig. 1-11b if P = 400 kN. The shearing strength of the bolt is
300 MPa.

Solution:
- the bolt is subjected to double shear.
𝑉
𝜏=
𝐴
6
400,000 𝑁
300 𝑥 10 𝑃𝑎 =
2 14𝜋𝑑2
𝑑 = 0.0291 𝑚 = 29.1 𝑚𝑚
3. Compute the shearing stress in the pin
at B for the member supported as shown.
The pin diameter is 20 mm.

Solution:

From the FBD shown, determine the reactions at

the pin at B.
𝑀𝐶 = 0
0.25𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 0.25 40 sin 35° + 0.20(40 cos 35°)
𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 49.156 𝑘𝑁

𝐹𝐻 = 0
𝑅𝐵𝐻 = 40 cos 35°
𝑅𝐵𝐻 = 32.766 𝑘𝑁
 𝑅𝐵 = 𝑅𝐵𝑉 2 + 𝑅𝐵𝐻 2
𝑅𝐵 = 49.1562 + 32.7662
𝑅𝐵 = 59.076 𝑘𝑁 = shear force V of pin at B

For the shearing stress of the pin at B.

- The pin at B is subjected to double shear as shown on the
detail.
𝑉
𝜏=
𝐴

59.076 𝑥 103 𝑁
𝜏= 1
2 4
𝜋(0.02)2

𝜏= 94.02 𝑥 106 𝑃𝑎
𝜏 = 94.02 𝑀𝑃𝑎
4. The members of the structure in Fig. P-120
weigh 200 lb/ft. Determine the smallest
diameter pin that can be used at A if the
shearing stress is limited to 5000 psi.
Assume single shear.

Solution:
- determine the weight of each member.
For member AB
𝐿𝐴𝐵 = 42 + 42 = 5.657 𝑓𝑡.
𝑊𝐴𝐵 = 200 5.657 = 1131.37 𝑙𝑏.

For member BC
𝐿𝐵𝐶 = 32 + 62 = 6.708 𝑓𝑡.
𝑊𝐵𝐶 = 200 6.708 = 1341.64 𝑙𝑏.
 - draw the FBD of each member to determine the pin force at A

FBD of member AB FBD of member BC

𝑀𝐴 = 0 𝑀𝐶 = 0
4𝑅𝐵𝐻 + 4𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 2𝑊𝐴𝐵 6𝑅𝐵𝐻 = 3𝑅𝐵𝑉 + 1.5𝑊𝐵𝐶
4𝑅𝐵𝐻 + 4𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 2(1131.37) 6𝑅𝐵𝐻 = 3𝑅𝐵𝑉 + 1.5(1341.64)
𝑅𝐵𝐻 + 𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 565.685 (1) 2𝑅𝐵𝐻 − 𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 670.82 (2)
 Solving simultaneous equations (1) and (2) gives us
𝑅𝐵𝐻 = 412.168 𝑙𝑏
𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 153.517 𝑙𝑏
From the FBD of member AB
𝐹𝐻 = 0
𝑅𝐴𝐻 = 𝑅𝐵𝐻 = 412.168 𝑙𝑏 𝑅𝐴 = 𝑅𝐴𝑉 2 + 𝑅𝐴𝐻 2
𝑅𝐴 = 977.8532 + 412.1682
𝐹𝑉 = 0
𝑅𝐴 = 1061.17 𝑙𝑏 = 𝑉𝐴
𝑅𝐴𝑉 + 𝑅𝐵𝑉 = 𝑊𝐴𝐵
shear force V of pin at A
𝑅𝐴𝑉 = 977.853 𝑙𝑏.

Based on the shear strength of the pin,

𝑉𝐴
𝜏=
𝐴
1061.17
5000 = 1
2
4𝜋𝑑
𝑑 = 0.52 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
5. Referring to Fig. P-121, compute the maximum force W that can be
applied by the machine operator, if the shearing stress in the pin at B
and the axial stress in the control rod at C are limited to 4000 psi and
5000 psi, respectively. The diameters are 0.25 inch for the pin, and 0.5
inch for the control rod. Assume single shear for the pin at B.

Control rod
Solution:
W

FBD of the mechanism

Based on the tensile strength of the control rod

- from the FBD
𝑃
𝜎=
𝑀𝐵 = 0 𝐴

6𝑊 = 𝑇 sin 10° (2) 17.276𝑊

5000 = 1
𝑇 = 17.276𝑊 (1) 2
4𝜋(0.5 )

(axial force of the control rod) 𝑊 = 56.83 𝑙𝑏.

Based on the shear strength of the pin at B.
- from the FBD

𝐹𝐻 = 0 𝐹𝐻 = 0
𝐵𝐻 = 𝑇 cos 10° 𝐵𝑉 = 𝑇 sin 10° + 𝑊
but 𝑇 = 17.276𝑊 but 𝑇 = 17.276𝑊
𝐵𝐻 = 17.01𝑊 𝐵𝑉 = 4𝑊

𝑅𝐵 = 𝐵𝐻 2 + 𝐵𝑉 2 = 17.47𝑊
shear force V at B

𝑉
𝜏=
𝐴 The maximum safe force W
17.47𝑊
4000 = 1
𝜋 0.25 2
4 𝑊𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 11.24 𝑙𝑏.
𝑊 = 11.24 𝑙𝑏.
BEARING STRESS
Bearing stress is the contact pressure between the
separate bodies. It differs from compressive stress, as it is
an internal stress caused by compressive forces.
Pb
b 
Ab

𝐴𝑏 = 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑥 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠

Problems:
1. In the figure shown, assume that a 20-mm-diameter rivet joins the
plates that are each 110 mm wide. The allowable stresses are 120
MPa for bearing in the plate material and 60 MPa for shearing of
rivet. Determine (a) the minimum thickness of each plate; and (b)
the largest average tensile stress in the plates.
Critical section
Solution:
(a) the minimum thickness of each plate

- From shear stress of the rivet - From bearing of the plate

𝑃
𝑉 𝜎𝑏 =
𝜏= 𝐴𝑏
𝐴 18,849.56
𝑃 6
120 𝑥10 =
60 𝑥106 =1 0.02𝑡
2
4𝜋(0.02 ) 𝑡 = 7.85 𝑥 10−3 𝑚
𝑃 = 18,849.56 𝑁 𝑡 = 7.85 𝑚𝑚

(b) the largest average tensile stress in the plates. The weakest
section on the plate is at the critical section with a width of
110 − 20 = 90 𝑚𝑚
𝑃 18,849.56
𝜎= = 𝜎 = 26.68 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐴 7.85(90)
2. The lap joint shown is fastened by four ¾-in.-diameter rivets.
Calculate the maximum safe load P that can be applied if the
shearing stress in the rivets is limited to 14 ksi and the bearing stress
in the plates is limited to 18 ksi. Assume the applied load is uniformly
distributed among the four rivets.
Solution:

a. Due to shearing stress of the four rivets

𝑃
𝜏=
𝐴
𝑃
14,000 =
1 3 2
4 4𝜋 4
𝑃 = 24740.04 𝑙𝑏. = 24.74 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
b. Due to bearing stress of the plates
𝑃
𝜎𝑏 =
𝐴𝑏
𝑃
18,000 = 3 7
448
𝑃 = 47,250 𝑙𝑏. = 47.25 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
The safe load P
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 24.74 𝑘𝑖𝑝𝑠
3. In the clevis shown, find the minimum bolt
diameter and the minimum thickness of each
yoke that will support a load P = 14 kips without
exceeding a shearing stress of 12 ksi and a
d
bearing stress of 20 ksi.

Solution:
a. Due to shearing of the b. Due to bearing of the yokes.
bolt (double shear)

𝑃 𝑃
𝜏= 𝜎𝑏 =
𝐴 𝐴𝑏

14,000
14,000 20,000 =
12,000 = 1 2 0.86 𝑡
2 4 𝜋 𝑑 2

𝑡 = 0.41 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
𝑑 = 0.86 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ
4. The figure shows a roof truss and the detail of the riveted
connection at joint B. Using allowable stresses of  = 70 MPa
and b= 140 MPa, how many 19-mm diameter rivets are
required to fasten member BC to the gusset plate? Member BE?
What is the largest average tensile or compressive stress in BC
and BE?

Detail of joint B
Solution:
- determine the axial force in members BC and BE.

At joint C Section through mbrs. BD, BE and CE

𝐹𝑉 = 0
𝐵𝐶 = 96 𝑘𝑁 (𝑇𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
𝑀𝐴 = 0
𝐵𝐸 35 8 = 96(4)
𝐵𝐸 = 80 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛)
 - analyze each member due to shear on the rivets and bearing
on the plate.
let 𝑛 be the number of rivets.
For member BC
- Due to shear - Due to bearing
𝑃𝐵𝐶 𝑃𝐵𝐶
𝜏𝐵𝐶 = 𝜎𝑏 =
𝐴𝐵𝐶 𝐴𝑏
6
96,000 96,000
70 𝑥 10 = 1 6
140 𝑥 10 =
4𝜋 0.019
2 𝑛 0.019 0.006 𝑛
𝑛 = 4.84 𝑠𝑎𝑦 5 𝑝𝑐𝑠. 𝑛 = 6.015 𝑠𝑎𝑦 7 𝑝𝑐𝑠.

Use 7 rivets for member BC

Note: 𝐴𝑏 = 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑡 𝑥 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑐𝑘𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑥 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑡𝑠

For member BE
- Due to shear - Due to bearing
𝑃𝐵𝐸 𝑃𝐵𝐸
𝜏𝐵𝐸 = 𝜎𝑏 =
𝐴𝐵𝐸 𝐴𝑏
6
80,000 80,000
70 𝑥 10 = 1 6
140 𝑥 10 =
4
𝜋 0.0192 𝑛 0.019 0.013 𝑛
𝑛 = 4.03 𝑠𝑎𝑦 5 𝑝𝑐𝑠. 𝑛 = 2.31 𝑠𝑎𝑦 3 𝑝𝑐𝑠.

Use 5 rivets for member BE

- largest average tensile or compressive stress in BC and BE

Properties of Equal Angle Sections: SI Units

Designation Area
𝐿75 𝑥 75 𝑥 6 864 𝑚𝑚2
𝐿75 𝑥 75 𝑥 13 1780 𝑚𝑚2

Tensile Stress of member BC (𝐿75 𝑥 75 𝑥 6)

𝑃 96,000
𝜎= =
𝐴 864 − 19(6)
𝜎 = 128 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Compressive Stress of member BE (𝐿75 𝑥 75 𝑥 13)

𝑃 80,000
𝜎= =
𝐴 1780 − 19(13)
𝜎 = 52.185 𝑀𝑃𝑎