Stress
Any component, no matter how simple or complex, has to transmit or sustain a mechanical load of some sort. The load may be one of the following types: a load that is applied steadily ("dead" load); a load that fluctuates, with slow or fast changes in magnitude ("live" load); a load that is applied suddenly (“shock” load); or a load due to impact in some form. Stress is a form of load that may be applied to a component.
Definition of Stress
When a metal is subjected to a load (force), it is distorted or deformed, no matter how strong the metal or light the load. If the load is small, the distortion will probably disappear when the load is removed. The intensity, or degree, of distortion is known as strain. If the distortion disappears and the metal returns to its original dimensions upon removal of the load, the strain is called elastic strain. If the distortion disappears and the metal remains distorted, the strain type is called plastic strain. Strain is discussed in more detail in another saVRee article.
When a load is applied to metal, the atomic structure itself is strained, being compressed, warped, or extended in the process. The atoms comprising a metal are arranged in a certain geometric pattern, specific for that particular metal or alloy, and are maintained in that pattern by interatomic forces. When so arranged, the atoms are in their state of minimum energy and tend to remain in that arrangement. Work must be done on the metal (that is, energy must be added) to distort the atomic pattern (work is equal to force times the distance the force moves).
Stress is the internal resistance, or counterforce, of a material to the distorting effects of an external force or load. These counterforces tend to return the atoms to their normal positions. The total resistance developed is equal to the external load. This resistance is known as stress.
Although it is impossible to measure the intensity of this stress, the external load and the area to which it is applied can be measured. Stress (σ) can be equated to the load per unit area or the force (F) applied per cross-sectional area (A) perpendicular to the force as shown in equation below.
where:
σ = stress (psi or lbs of force per in.2)
F = applied force (lbs)
A = cross-sectional area (in.2)
Note
The imperial unit of force is pound-force (lbf), which is different to pound-mass (lb) depending upon the effect of gravity. On planet Earth, pound-force is almost exactly the same as pound-mass. For simplicity, pound-mass (lb) units will be used for all calculations shown.
The SI metric unit of force is the Newton. Stress is expressed in Newtons per metre squared (N/m2).
Types of Stress
Stresses occur in any material that is subject to a load or any applied force. There are many types of stresses, but they can all be generally classified in one of six categories: residual stresses, structural stresses, pressure stresses, flow stresses, thermal stresses, and fatigue stresses.
Residual Stresses
Residual stresses are due to the manufacturing processes that leave stresses in a material. Welding leaves residual stresses in the metals welded.
Structural Stresses
Structural stresses are stresses produced in structural members because of the weights they support. The weights provide the loadings. These stresses are found in building foundations and frameworks, as well as in machinery parts.
Pressure Stresses
Pressure stresses are stresses induced in vessels containing pressurised materials. The loading is provided by the same force producing the pressure.
Flow Stresses
Flow stresses occur when a mass of flowing fluid induces a dynamic pressure on a conduit wall. The force of the fluid striking the wall acts as the load. This type of stress may be applied in an unsteady fashion when flow rates fluctuate. A water hammer scenario is an example of a transient flow stress.
Thermal Stresses
Thermal stresses exist whenever temperature gradients are present in a material. Different temperatures produce different expansions and subject materials to internal stress. This type of stress is particularly noticeable in mechanisms operating at high temperatures that are cooled by a cold fluid.
Fatigue Stresses
Fatigue stresses are due to cyclic application of a stress. The stresses could be due to vibration or thermal cycling.
The importance of all stresses is increased when the materials supporting them are flawed. Flaws tend to add additional stress to a material. Also, when loadings are cyclic or unsteady, stresses can affect a material more severely. The additional stresses associated with flaws and cyclic loading may exceed the stress necessary for a material to fail.
Types of Applied Stress
Stress intensity within the body of a component is expressed as one of three basic types of internal load. They are known as tensile, compressive, and shear. The image below illustrates the different types of stress. Mathematically, there are only two types of internal load because tensile and compressive stress may be regarded as the positive and negative versions of the same type of normal loading.
However, in mechanical design, the response of components to the two conditions can be so different that it is better, and safer, to regard them as separate types.
As illustrated in the image below, the plane of a tensile or compressive stress lies perpendicular to the axis of operation of the force from which it originates. The plane of a shear stress lies in the plane of the force system from which it originates. It is essential to keep these differences quite clear both in mind and mode of expression.
Types of Applied Stress
Tensile Stress
Tensile stress is a type of stress in which the two sections of material on either side of a stress plane tend to pull apart or elongate as illustrated in the image above (Tensile).
Compressive Stress
Compressive stress is the reverse of tensile stress. Adjacent parts of the material tend to press against each other through a typical stress plane as illustrated in the image above (Compressive).
Shear Stress
Shear stress exists when two parts of a material tend to slide across each other in any typical plane of shear upon application of force parallel to that plane as illustrated in the image above (Shear).
Assessment of mechanical properties is made by addressing the three basic stress types. Because tensile and compressive loads produce stresses that act across a plane, in a direction perpendicular (normal) to the plane, tensile and compressive stresses are called normal stresses. The shorthand designations are as follows.
For tensile stresses: "+SN" (or "SN") or "σ" (sigma)
For compressive stresses: "-SN" or "-σ" (minus sigma)
The ability of a material to react to compressive stress or pressure is called compressibility. For example, metals and liquids are incompressible, but gases and vapours are compressible. The shear stress is equal to the force divided by the area of the face parallel to the direction in which the force acts, as shown in the previous image (Shear).
Two types of stress can be present simultaneously in one plane, provided that one of the stresses is shear stress. Under certain conditions, different basic stress type combinations may be simultaneously present in the material. A pressure vessel wall has tensile stress at various locations due to the temperature and pressure of the fluid acting on the wall. Compressive stress is applied from the outside at other locations on the wall due to outside pressure, temperature, and constriction of the supports associated with the vessel. In this situation, the tensile and compressive stresses are considered principal stresses. If present, shear stress will act at a 90° angle to the principal stress.
Summary
The important information in this chapter is summarised below.
Stress Summary
- Stress is the internal resistance of a material to the distorting effects of an external force or load.
- There are three types of stress:
Tensile stress is a type of stress in which the two sections of material on either side of a stress plane tend to pull apart or elongate.
Compressive stress is the reverse of tensile stress. Adjacent parts of the material tend to press against each other.
Shear stress exists when two parts of a material tend to slide across each other upon application of force parallel to that plane.
- Compressibility is the ability of a material to react to compressive stress or pressure.