STRENGTH OF MATERIALS-MECHANICS OF MATERIALS

Mechanics of Solids or Strength of Materials is a popular branch of Engineering Mechanics. It deals with the relation of externally applied loads and its internal effect on the bodies. In general study we assume bodies and objects to be rigid but in Mechanics of Solids we do consider the deformation/deflection however small they may be. Modern Mechanics have many fields and/or types e.g quantum mechanics, fluid mechanics, engineering mechanics, automotive mechanics etc.

The subject of mechanics of materials involves analytical methods for determining the strength, stiffness (deformation characteristics), and stability of the various members in a structural system. The behavior of a member depends not only on the fundamental laws that govern the equilibrium of forces, but also on the mechanical characteristics of the material. These mechanical characteristics come from the laboratory, where materials are tested under accurately known forces and their behavior is carefully observed and measured. For this reason, mechanics of materials is a blended science of experiment and Newtonian postulates of analytical mechanics.

Applications of strength of materials

1. To design a structure. In design of a structure the engineer must consider:
• Dimensions
• Type of Material
• Costs
2. To fulfill the requirements of strength and rigidity

Analysis of internal forces consists of the following procedure....  [Read More]

Some Technical terms		Mohr's Circle & Principle stresses
Engineering Stress and Engg. Strain True Stress and True Strain Strain Hardening UTM - Universal Testing Machine	Tensile Test - Tensile Strength or Tension Test	Principle planes: The planes at which maximum and minimum stresses occur ...  [Read More]
Kern of a section		Intermediate columns
Kern: The portion or section of a body where vertical compressive load if applied will not cause any tension in the member  [Read More]		Columns: A compression member is said to ba column if its unsupported length is more than 10 times its least laterl dimension. Intermediate columns are those which fail by crushing or by buckling.
Shear flow, shear center & Shape factor		Eccentrically loaded columns
Shear flow: The longitudinal force per unit length transmitted across the section of a body is known as shear flow Shear centre: A point within or outside a member (beam) such that if any transverse load is applied at this point it will cause bending without twisting...  [Read More]
Thick & Thin Walled Cylinders		Theories of failure
The traditional building materials for bridges are stones, timber and steel, and more recently reinforced and pre-stressed concrete. For special elements aluminum and its alloys and some types of plastics are used. These materials have different qualities of strength, workability, durability and resistance against corrosion. They differ also in their structure, texture and color or in the possibilities of surface tre ring texture.