Strains at a point (Strain Element)

Shear Strain (radians)

Similar to stress analysis at a point, strain can also be rotated to different directions and thus maximum shear and normal strains can be found. Strain at a given point on a two dimensional object can be seen as a small strain element with two normal strains and one shear strain, as shown in the diagram.

The sign convention for strains at a point is similar to stresses at a point. Normal tension strain in both the x and y direction are assumed positive. The positive shear strain direction is shown in the diagram at the left. Shear stresses act on four sides of the stress element, causing a pinching or shear action. Shear strains on all four sides are the same, thus

     γ_xy = γ_yx

Recall, the shear strain is actually defined as the angle of rotation or twist due to the shear stress. This angle is in radians and is shown at the left.

Rotated Strain Element

Rotated Strain Element

Stains at a point (strain element) can be rotated to give a new strain state at any particular angle. The rotation angle, θ, is assumed positive using the right hand rule (counter-clockwise in the x-y plane is positive). The new coordinate system is labeled as x' and y'. The new rotated strains are shown in the diagram at the left. The shear strains, γ_x'y' and γ_y'x' are still equal.

As one may expect, the strain transformation equations are nearly identical to the stress transformation angles. The only difference is a factor of 2 for the shear strain. Other than that, the strain symbol, ε, can be simply substituted for σ to give the strain transformation equations (detail derivation is omitted). The final equations are,

Generally, the largest normal strain is of most interest. This can be found by taking a derivative of either the ε_x´ or ε_y´ strain with respect to θ and equating it to zero. This will give the principal rotation angle, θ_p, that will produce the principal (maximum and minimum) strains. The resulting equations are

These strains, ε₁ or ε₂ are referred to as the principal shear strains.

Similar to the principal strains, the maximum shear strain can be determine by taking a derivative of γ_x´y´ strain with respect to θ and equating it to zero. This gives