Single shear element in stress tensor: Finding Von Mises

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Von Mises yield criterion to a stress tensor with a single shear component. Participants explore the implications of using this criterion in the context of shear stress calculations, particularly in mechanical design scenarios involving torque and shafts.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a stress tensor with a single shear component and calculates the Von Mises stress as √3×τ, questioning the validity of the Von Mises criterion in this scenario.
  • Another participant references Wikipedia to support the application of the Von Mises criterion in pure shear stress cases, suggesting that the shear stress is lower than tensile stress at yielding.
  • A third participant raises concerns about reconciling the calculated shear stress from torque with the shear allowable for the material, providing specific numerical examples and margins of safety.
  • Participants discuss the implications of using the Von Mises criterion versus simple shear stress calculations in design, with one suggesting a preference for the Von Mises approach given the context of small shafts under torque.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriateness of the Von Mises criterion for a single shear component, with some supporting its use while others question its implications in practical applications. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach for design safety margins.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the dependence on specific assumptions regarding shear and tensile stress relationships, as well as the context of the applied loads in their calculations. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity involved in comparing shear stress to yield limits.

jasc15
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When finding the Von Mises of given a stress tensor who's only element is a single shear component (τ):

\begin{bmatrix}
0 & τ & 0\\
τ & 0 & 0\\
0 & 0 & 0
\end{bmatrix}
the result is simply √3×τ. Is the Von Mises criterion not valid when considering a single component as in this example? I can't seem to reconcile that a calculated shear stress (say by a simple shaft twisting where τ=Tc/J) should be multiplied by √3. I understand that when using the Von Mises yield criterion, it is to be compared to the uniaxial yield allowable, not the shear allowable. However, the yield allowable is not √3 greater than the shear allowable.

In the example I am actually considering there is also normal component, but I want to see the effect of the two components in isolation as well as combined
 
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I think this is consistent with the calculations of the Von Mises criterion. In the case of a pure shear stress,
b9639ecbd343db3d22c0be8c5155911c.png
according to the load scenario table in the page below.

See below information from Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Mises_yield_criterion

Wikipedia.org said:
In the case of pure shear stress, [PLAIN]https://upload.wikimedia.org/math/4/4/d/44dcfff99c0c0c4fc2ab5177bb18be1f.png, while all other [PLAIN]https://upload.wikimedia.org/math/2/5/d/25d584aefa115a4f46e0d761fef717d8.png, von Mises criterion becomes:

[PLAIN]https://upload.wikimedia.org/math/3/c/3/3c3d2ee47e2ecaab57039f34a5cedcb9.png.
This means that, at the onset of yielding, the magnitude of the shear stress in pure shear is
7d2db2b2c90be143cb85c105105317da.png
times lower than the tensile stress in the case of simple tension.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the reply. How am I to understand this from the point of view of a simple strength of materials problem, where I am asked to find the shear stress in a shaft with an applied torque, and to compare it to the shear allowable for that material.

For example, a torque of 150 in*lb and a shaft radius of 0.15 in results in an applied shear stress of

τ = T*c/J = 150*0.15/(Π*.152) = 28,294 psi.

The shear allowable of the material I am working with is 31000 psi, and the uniaxial yield allowable is 36000 psi.

Using the simple shear stress calculated, I get a margin of safety of 31,000/28,294 -1 = 0.10

Using Von Mises, I get √3*28,294 psi = 49,007 psi, with a resulting margin of 36,000/49,007 -1 = -0.27

Is this simply a matter of choosing how conservative you want to be in design? I wouldn't be comfortable using only the first method knowing the second method results in negative margin.
 
Generally speaking I would lean towards the Von Mises criterion for your margin, especially since you have such a small shaft for the torque.
 

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