1.4 Stress-strain relations

Understanding Stress and Strength Relations in Structural Members

Key Concepts of Stress and Strength

• The relationship between stress and strength is crucial; strength refers to the deformations a member undergoes, while stress relates to the forces acting on that member.

• When a structural member experiences bending, compressive strength develops above the neutral axis, whereas tensile strength occurs below it. This distinction is vital for understanding how members respond to loads.

• The response of cross-sections under deformation can be illustrated through stress diagrams, which help visualize the stresses resulting from applied forces.

Principles of Equilibrium and Compatibility

• The analysis of stresses relies on two fundamental principles: equilibrium of forces and compatibility of strengths. For a member to remain static, total horizontal forces and moments must equal zero.