Stress/strain/elongation question

  • Thread starter Thread starter donjt81
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the elongation of a steel cable supporting a 711 kg object using stress, strain, and Young's Modulus. The initial approach correctly applies the formula for stress (S = F/A) and relates strain to stress via Hooke's Law (S = eE). For the second part, the correct force calculation when the object is accelerated upward is F = ma + mg, which leads to a greater elongation than when using F = ma - mg. This confirms that the cable elongates more under acceleration than under static conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stress and strain concepts in materials science
  • Familiarity with Young's Modulus and Hooke's Law
  • Basic knowledge of Newton's laws of motion
  • Ability to perform calculations involving force, mass, and acceleration
NEXT STEPS
  • Study Young's Modulus and its application in material elongation calculations
  • Learn about the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in dynamic systems
  • Explore advanced topics in material science, such as plastic deformation and fatigue
  • Investigate the effects of different materials on elongation under load
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, materials scientists, physics students, and anyone involved in the design and analysis of load-bearing structures.

donjt81
Messages
70
Reaction score
0
First part of the question:
A high speed lifting mechanism supportsa 711kg object with a steel cable 24.9m long and 3.83cm(squared) in cross sectional area. Determine elongation of the cable.

I think I got this first part right... can anyone confirm my approach.

stress = F/A
F = mg = 711*9.8
A = .0383

strain = stress/Y

and then

elongation delta L = Lo * strain

Is this how you find elongation?

Second part of the question
By what additional amount does the cable increase in length if the object is accelerated upward at a rate of 3.3m/s2?

This was my approach to the second part. not sure if this is correct...

stress = F/A
but this time F = ma - mg (is this correct?)

everything else will be the same as the first part.

can someone please verify both these please.

Thanks in advance
 
Physics news on Phys.org
donjt81 said:
First part of the question:
A high speed lifting mechanism supportsa 711kg object with a steel cable 24.9m long and 3.83cm(squared) in cross sectional area. Determine elongation of the cable.
I think I got this first part right... can anyone confirm my approach.
stress = F/A
F = mg = 711*9.8
A = .0383
strain = stress/Y
and then
elongation delta L = Lo * strain
Is this how you find elongation?
As long as you are in the elastic range, yes. Your approach is correct since

[tex]S = \frac{P}{A}[/tex]

you can then relate strain (e) to stress via Young's Modulus, E by Hooke's Law

[tex]S = eE[/tex]

Once you have the strain, use the definition of engineering strain to find the increase in length:

[tex]e = \frac{\Delta L}{L_o}[/tex]

donjt81 said:
By what additional amount does the cable increase in length if the object is accelerated upward at a rate of 3.3m/s2?
This was my approach to the second part. not sure if this is correct...
stress = F/A
but this time F = ma - mg (is this correct?)
Close, but it will be
[tex]F = ma + mg[/tex]

You can reason this out. If the mass is accelerating, would you expect it to weigh more or less than it does staically? The other way to think of it is that the acceleration is in the upward direction, but the reaction force, the force that causes the increased deflection, is opposite because of Newton's 3rd law.
 
OK that makes sense. Because when i calculated it with F = ma - mg, I was getting a smaller elongation than the first part. It didnt make sense.

But if we do F = ma + mg then the elongation will be more than the first part and it makes more sense.

thanks again
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K