Definition of stress and usage of normal vector

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the definition of stress in mechanics and the usage of normal vectors in relation to stress vectors. Participants are examining the mathematical relationships and derivations involving stress, particularly in the context of fluid mechanics and the Navier-Stokes equations. The conversation includes attempts to clarify the conditions under which certain assumptions about stress components are valid.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents the formula for stress as ##\sigma=\frac{F}{A}## and questions the derivation of the relationship between stress vectors and forces acting on a plane.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about the assumption that stress vectors are perpendicular to the planes of interest, suggesting that shear components may be present.
  • There is a repeated emphasis on the assumption that certain shear components are zero to simplify the discussion, with some participants questioning the validity of this approach.
  • Participants discuss the dot product of the stress vector with the unit normal vector, leading to confusion about the derivation of force from stress components.
  • One participant asserts that the notation in the referenced text is misleading, while others attempt to clarify the relationships presented in the text.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the assumptions regarding shear components in the stress vectors or the clarity of the notation used in the referenced texts. Multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of the relationships between stress, force, and area.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about shear stress components and the clarity of the notation used in the referenced materials. The derivations presented are dependent on these assumptions, which remain unresolved.

fisher garry
Messages
63
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement


Uten navn.png


The texts are taken from

http://ingforum.haninge.kth.se/armin/fluid/exer/deriv_navier_stokes.pdf

and

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_(mechanics)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



The formula for stress is ##\sigma=\frac{F}{A}## (I). From the document above it is also seen that

$$T_{x}=(\sigma_{xx},\sigma_{xy},\sigma_{xz})$$
[/B]

If one looks at the drawing for $$T_{x}$$ and for simplicity sets $$\sigma_{xy}=0,\sigma_{xz}=0$$ so that $$T_{x}$$ is normal to the zy-plane. Then from

$$F_x=T_{x}n_{1}$$

and (I) one should obtain that


$$F_x=T_{x}n_{1}=\sigma A$$

But I don't get how this is correct. Can someone show a derivation
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The stress vectors in those figures do not look (to me) like they are perpendicular to the three planes of interest. It looks to me like there are shear components in all three cases.
 
Chestermiller said:
The stress vectors in those figures do not look (to me) like they are perpendicular to the three planes of interest. It looks to me like there are shear components in all three cases.

I tried to assume that it was normal to make my question easier. I believed it would not hurt the discussion.
 
fisher garry said:
I tried to assume that it was normal to make my question easier. I believed it would not hurt the discussion.
Then I don't understand what you are asking.
 
fisher garry said:

Homework Statement


View attachment 113386

The texts are taken from

http://ingforum.haninge.kth.se/armin/fluid/exer/deriv_navier_stokes.pdf

and

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stress_(mechanics)

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution



The formula for stress is ##\sigma=\frac{F}{A}## (I). From the document above it is also seen that

$$T_{x}=(\sigma_{xx},\sigma_{xy},\sigma_{xz})$$
[/B]

If one looks at the drawing for $$T_{x}$$ and for simplicity sets $$\sigma_{xy}=0,\sigma_{xz}=0$$ so that $$T_{x}$$ is normal to the zy-plane. Then from

$$F_x=T_{x}n_{1}$$

and (I) one should obtain that


$$F_x=T_{x}n_{1}=\sigma A$$

But I don't get how this is correct. Can someone show a derivation

I will try one more time.

If I do not set $$\sigma_{xy}=0,\sigma_{xz}=0$$ can you then derive why

$$F_x=\sigma A$$ and
$$F_x=n \cdot T_{x}=n \cdot(\sigma_{xx},\sigma_{xy},\sigma_{xz})$$

are the same values
 
The stress vector an a plane perpendicular to the x-axis is given by:$$\vec{T}_x=\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x+\sigma_{xy}\vec{i}_y+\sigma_{xz}\vec{i_z}$$A unit normal to this plane is ##\vec{n}=\vec{i}_x##. What do you get when you dot the stress vector on the plane with the unit normal?
 
Chestermiller said:
The stress vector an a plane perpendicular to the x-axis is given by:$$\vec{T}_x=\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x+\sigma_{xy}\vec{i}_y+\sigma_{xz}\vec{i_z}$$A unit normal to this plane is ##\vec{n}=\vec{i}_x##. What do you get when you dot the stress vector on the plane with the unit normal?
You would get $$\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}$$

but in the text they get

$$\vec{T}_x \cdot \vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x=F_{x}$$
 
fisher garry said:
You would get $$\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}$$

but in the text they get

$$\vec{T}_x \cdot \vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x=F_{x}$$
That's not what I see them getting. Of course, they did leave out the area A. I see them getting the following:

$$\vec{T}_x\centerdot \vec{i}_x=(\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x+\sigma_{xy}\vec{i}_y+\sigma_{xz}\vec{i_z})\centerdot \vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}$$
 
Uten navn.png


I assumed thy did get this in the text

$$\vec{T}_x \cdot \vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x=F_{x}$$

because of the $$\vec{F}$$ that is used in the text that I uploaded above
 
  • #10
fisher garry said:
View attachment 113424

I assumed thy did get this in the text

$$\vec{T}_x \cdot \vec{i}_x=\sigma_{xx}\vec{i}_x=F_{x}$$

because of the $$\vec{F}$$ that is used in the text that I uploaded above
The reason you are so confused is because their notation sucks. The relationships I wrote were correct.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
12K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
7K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
1K