University of Anbar

College of Engineering

Civil Department

(Strength of Materials)

Name: Abdullah Amer Hamid

Sophomore: -
Group: B

Supervised by Dr. Dhafer Khalifa Jadaan

Submission date: 2024/12/16

Introduction: -
Strength of Materials (SOM), also known as Mechanics of Materials, is a fundamental subject
in engineering that focuses on understanding the behavior of solid objects under various types
of forces. This field is essential for the design, analysis, and testing of structures and
mechanical components in civil, mechanical, aerospace, and other engineering disciplines.
At its core, Strength of Materials is concerned with how materials deform, fail, or resist
external forces. The study includes both the internal stresses and strains that occur when an
object is subjected to loads, as well as the resulting deformations and potential material
failures. Engineers use the principles of SOM to ensure that materials and structures will not
fail under the conditions they are expected to experience, thus maintaining safety and
functionality.
Key Concepts in Strength of Materials
1. Stress and Strain:
o Stress refers to the internal force per unit area within materials, which arises
from externally applied forces, uneven heating, or permanent deformation. It is
measured in Pascals (Pa) or N/m².
o Strain is the deformation or displacement per unit length caused by applied
stress. Strain is dimensionless (it’s a ratio of lengths).
2. Types of Stress:
o Normal Stress: Stress that occurs perpendicular to the material's surface (tensile
or compressive).
o Shear Stress: Stress that occurs parallel to the surface, causing sliding between
material layers.
3. Elasticity and Plasticity:
o Elastic Behavior refers to the ability of a material to return to its original shape
after the stress is removed, provided the material has not exceeded its yield
point.
o Plastic Deformation occurs when a material undergoes permanent deformation
beyond its elastic limit, meaning it does not return to its original shape.
4. Modulus of Elasticity:
o This is a material property that describes its sti ness, indicating how much a
material will deform under a given stress. A higher modulus indicates that the
material is sti er.
5. Failure Theories:
o Engineers study various theories to predict when and how materials will fail
under stress, such as ductile failure, brittle failure, or fatigue failure.
 6. Bending, Torsion, and Shear:
o Materials subjected to bending (like beams under loads) experience a
combination of compressive and tensile stresses.
o Torsion deals with twisting forces and their impact on materials.
o Shear force can cause materials to deform by sliding one layer over another.
7. Axial Load and Deformation:
o When an object is subjected to an axial load (a force applied along the length of a
member), it undergoes deformation that can be calculated based on material
properties and load conditions.
8. Columns and Stability:
o Columns are vertical structural elements that carry axial loads. The study of
columns involves analyzing buckling, a form of failure when columns experience
excessive compressive forces, leading to instability.
Applications in Engineering
Strength of Materials is essential in the design of:
 Buildings and Bridges: Understanding the stresses and strains in structural elements
like beams, columns, and slabs helps ensure safety and durability.
 Mechanical Components: Components like gears, shafts, and bolts in machines must
be designed to withstand forces and prevent failure under stress.
 Aircraft and Automotive Design: The materials used in the construction of these
vehicles must withstand various forces such as aerodynamic forces, vibration, and
pressure without failing.
 Earthquake Engineering: The study of material strength is crucial for designing buildings
and bridges that can resist seismic forces.
Importance of Strength of Materials
Strength of Materials plays a crucial role in preventing catastrophic failures. It helps engineers
make informed decisions on material selection, dimensions of components, and structural
design. By understanding how materials behave under load, engineers can ensure that their
designs are both functional and safe, leading to better performance and longevity of
structures, machines, and components. This knowledge also aids in optimizing resources,
reducing waste, and improving the cost-e ectiveness of engineering designs.
In summary, Strength of Materials is a key area of study for anyone involved in the engineering
field. It is foundational to designing safe, e icient, and durable structures and products.
Mastery of this subject allows engineers to understand the complexities of material behavior
and apply that knowledge to real-world challenges.
 In my report I will talk about

(Shear and Bending diagrams)

Shear and bending diagrams are essential tools in structural engineering that help
visualize how forces act inside a beam when it is subjected to external loads. These
diagrams show the internal forces, namely shear force and bending moment, that a
beam experiences under di erent loading conditions.
Shear force is the internal force that acts along the beam and tries to slide one part of
the beam past the other. Bending moment is the internal force that causes the beam to
bend, creating tension on one side and compression on the other. Understanding how
these forces vary along the length of a beam is crucial for designing safe and e icient
structures.
By drawing shear and bending diagrams, engineers can determine critical points where
the forces are greatest and design beams that can withstand these forces without
failing. These diagrams help engineers select appropriate materials and beam sizes,
ensuring that the structure remains safe under di erent load conditions. Overall, shear
and bending diagrams are vital for making informed engineering decisions in the design
of beams and structures.

Steps to solve this type of issues:

1. Determine the Support Reactions.
2. Draw the Free-Body Diagram (FBD).
3. Calculate Shear Force at Key Points.
4. Plot the Shear Force Diagram (SFD).
5. Calculate Bending Moment at Key Points.
6. Plot the Bending Moment Diagram (BMD).