Mechanics of Solids-II

Theories of Failure
A failure theory is a criterion that is used in an effort to predict the failure of a given
material when subjected to a complex stress condition.
Failure of a member is defined as one of two conditions.
1. Fracture of the material of which the member is made.
This type of failure is the characteristic of brittle materials.
2. Initiation of inelastic (Plastic) behavior in the material.
This type of failure is the one generally exhibited by ductile materials.
When an engineer is faced with the problem of design using a specific material, it
becomes important to place an upper limit on the state of stress that defines the material's
failure. If the material is ductile, failure is usually specified by the initiation of yielding,
whereas if the material is brittle it is specified by fracture.
These modes of failure are readily defined if the member is subjected to a uniaxial state
of stress, as in the case of simple tension however, if the member is subjected to biaxial
or triaxial stress, the criteria for failure becomes more difficult to establish.

Types of theories
i.

Maximum shear stress (Tresca) theory for ductile materials.

ii.

Maximum principal stress (Rankine) theory.

iii.

Maximum normal strain (Saint Venants) theory.

iv.

Maximum shear strain (Distortion Energy) theory.

1. Maximum shear stress theory for Ductile Materials

The French engineer Tresca proposed this theory. It states that a member subjected to
any state of stress fails (yields) when the maximum shearing stress (max) in the member
becomes equal to the yield point stress (y) in a simple tension or compression test
(Uniaxial test). Since the maximum shear stress in a material under uniaxial stress
condition is one half the value of normal stress and the maximum normal stress
(maximum principal stress) is max, then from Mohrs circle.

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In case of Biaxial stress state

max

max min 1 2
2

(2)

max y
1 2 y

2
2
1 2 y (3)
If both of principal stresses are of the same sign tension compression, then
1 <y

(4)

2 <y

(5)

A graph of these equation is given in the figure. Any given state of stress will be
represented in this figure by a point of co-ordinate 1 and 2 where 1 and 2 are two
principal stresses. If these point falls within the area shown, the member is safe and if
outside then member fails as a result of yielding of material. The Hexagon associated
with the initiation of yield in the member is known as Tresca Hexagon. (1814-1885). In
the first and third quadrant 1 and 2 have the same signs and

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Mechanics of Solids-II

max is half of the numerically larger value of principal stress 1 or 2. In the second and
fourth quad, where 1 and 2 are of opposite sign, max is half of arithmetical sum of the
two 1 and 2.
In fourth quadrant, the equation of the boundary or limit (yield/boundary stress) stress line
is

1 - 2 = y
And in the second quadrant the relation is

1 - 2 = -y

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Mechanics of Solids-II

2. Maximum Principal Stress theory or (Rankine Theory)

According to this theory, it is assumed that when a member is subjected to any state of
stress, fails (fracture of brittle material or yielding of ductile material) when the principal
stress of largest magnitude. (1) in the member reaches to a limiting value that is equal
to the ultimate normal stress, the material can sustain when subjected to simple tension
or compression.

1 ult

(1)

2 ult

(2)

The equations are shown graphically as

These equations are shown graphically if the point obtained by plotting the values of 1 +
2 falls within the square area the member is safe.
It can be seen that stress co-ordinate 1 and 2 at a point in the material falls on the
boundary for outside the shaded area, the material is said to be fractured failed.
Experimentally, it has been found to be in close agreement with the behavior of brittle
material that have stress-strain diagram similar in both tension and compression. It can
be further noticed that in first and third quad, the boundary is the save as for maximum
shear stress theory.

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Mohrs Criterion
In some material such as cast iron, have much greater strength in compression than
tension so Mohr proposed that is 1st and third quadrant of a failure broke, a maximum
principal stress theory was appropriate based on the ultimate strength of materials in
tension or compression. Therefore, in 2nd and 4th quad, where the maximum shear stress
theory should apply.
Pure shear is one in which x and y is equal but of opposite sense.

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Mechanics of Solids-II

3. Maximum Normal Strain or Saint Venants Criterion

In this theory, it is assumed that a member subjected to any state of stress fails (yields)
when the maximum normal strain at any point equals, the yield point strain obtained
from a simple tension or compression test (y = y/).
Principal strain of largest magnitude |max| could be one of two principal strain 1 and 2
depending upon the stress conditions acting in the member. Thus the maximum Principal
strain theory may be represented by the following equation.

As stress in one direction produces the lateral deformation in the other two
perpendicular directions and using law of superposition, we find three principal strains of
the element.

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Mechanics of Solids-II
Thus

Also

E
E
Equating 1 and 4

( For 2 d )

( 4)

y 1
y
E

1
E

and 2

2
E

1
E

Then
y 1 2

(5)

y 2 1

( 6)

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Mechanics of Solids-II

4. Maximum shear strain (Distortion Energy) theory

According to this theory when a member is subjected to any state of stress fails (yields)
when the distortion energy per unit volume at a point becomes equal to the strain energy
of distortion per unit volume at failure (yielding) in uniaxial tension (or compression).
The distortion strain energy is that energy associated with a change in the shape of the
body.
The total strain energy per unit volume also called strain energy density is the energy in
a body stored internally throughout its volume due to deformation produced by external
loading.
If the axial stress arising in a tension test is and the corresponding axial strain is
then the work done or a unit volume of the test specimen is the product of mean value of
the force per unit area (/2) times the displacement in the direction of the force, or . The
work is thus
U

(1)

This work is stored as internal strain energy.

When an elastic element subjected to triaxial loading as show in Fig the stresses can be
resolves in to three principal stresses 1, 2 and 3. where 1,2 and 3 are the principal
axes. These three principal stresses will be accompanied by these principal strain related
to the stresses by equations 3,4 and 5

If it is assumed that loads are applied gradually and simultaneous then stresses and strain
will increase in the same manner. The total strain energy per unit volume in the sum of
energies produced by each of the stresses (as energy is a scalar quantity)

1
1
1
U ,, 2,2 , 3,3
2
2
2

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(5)

Mechanics of Solids-II
Where 1, 2, and 3, are the normal strain in the direction of principal stresses respectively
of strain are expressed in term of stresses than equation (5) taken the following form
U

1
1
1

( 1 ) 1 2 3 2 2 1 3 3 3 1 2
2
E E 2 E
E E 2 E
E E
E

Which can be reduced to

U

1
12 22 33 2 ( 1 2 1 3 2 3 )
2E

( 6)

As the deformation of a material can be separated in to two parts

(a)

Change in volume, (b)

change in shape or distortion.

Similarly, the total strain energy can be broken in to two parts. One part representing the
energy needed to cause volume change of the element with no change in shape (Uv) and
the other part representing the energy needed to distort the element (Ud).
U Uv Ud

(7 )

The principal stresses 1, 2 and 3 of Fig. (01) can be resolved in to two states of
stresses in Fig. (02) b & c. the state of stress shown in Fig. b represents a hydrostatic
stress condition in which all these principal stress is equal to the quantity .

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