Overview Of Strength Of Materials

Introduction:

Strength of materials is a branch of material science and applied mechanics which deals with solid bodies’ behavior whenever it is subjected to any type of loading. Solid bodies can be shafts in torsion, beams, shells, axially loaded members, columns and structures. Main objective of strength of material analysis is to determine the strain, stress and displacement which are due to loading of system. This analysis helps in conceptual framework of understanding mechanical behavior of a solid body. Strength of material analysis helps in assessing the material ability without any failure.

Stress strain curve of a material is referred as yield strength. Material deforms when the applied stress and strain due to loading is removed. Applied stress and applied strain shall be shear, compressive or tensile. Stress strain curve with respect to maximum stress gives ultimate strength of a material. The entire strength of material is completely dependent on microstructure of material. It is because when stress or strain is applied, microstructure of a material changes accordingly.

Strengthening mechanism:

Mechanism of assessing strength of material is as follows.

• Work hardening/Strain hardening : Material strengthening is by plastic deformation
• Precipitation hardening/Age hardening: Material strengthening is by heat treatment
• Grain boundary strengthening/ Hall petch strengthening: Material strengthening is by changing crystalline size
• Solid solution strengthening: Material strengthening is by alloying
  • Substitution solid solution
  • Interstitial solid solution

Questions:

• What is strength of material?
• What are the applied stress and strain?
• What is the strength of material mechanism?