𝑦

𝜎𝑦
𝑥
𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝐷 𝐶

𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥

𝐴 𝐵
𝑦
𝜎𝑦
𝑥
𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝐷 𝐶

𝐹
𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥

𝐸
𝜃
𝐴 𝐵
𝑦
𝜎𝑦
𝑥
𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝐷 𝐶
𝑁

𝐹 𝜎𝑛
𝜏𝑛 𝐹 𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥

𝑇
𝐸 𝐸
𝜃
𝐴 𝐵
Σ𝐹𝑁 = 0
𝐹1 = 𝜎𝑛 (𝐸𝐹)(1) 𝑉2 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1)
𝐹2 = 𝜎𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1) 𝑉3 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹)(1)
𝐹3 = 𝜎𝑥 (𝐵𝐹)(1)
𝑁 𝐹1
𝜎𝑛
𝜏𝑛 𝐹 𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝐹1 = 𝐹2 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹3 sin 𝜃 + 𝑉2 cos 𝜃 + 𝑉3 sin 𝜃
𝜎𝑛 𝐸𝐹 = 𝜎𝑦 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 𝐵𝐹 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹) cos 𝜃 𝜎𝑥 𝐹
3

𝑇
𝐸
𝜃
𝐴 𝐵
𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝜎𝑦 𝐹2
Σ𝐹𝑁 = 0
𝐹1 = 𝜎𝑛 (𝐸𝐹)(1) 𝑉2 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1) 𝐴𝐵 = 𝐸𝐹 cos 𝜃
𝐹2 = 𝜎𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1) 𝑉3 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹)(1) 𝐵𝐹 = 𝐸𝐹 sin 𝜃
𝐹3 = 𝜎𝑥 (𝐵𝐹)(1)

𝐹1 = 𝐹2 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹3 sin 𝜃 + 𝑉2 cos 𝜃 + 𝑉3 sin 𝜃

𝜎𝑛 𝐸𝐹 = 𝜎𝑦 𝐴𝐵 cos 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 𝐵𝐹 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝐴𝐵 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹) cos 𝜃
𝜎𝑛 𝐸𝐹 = 𝜎𝑦 𝐸𝐹 cos 𝜃 cos 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 𝐸𝐹 sin 𝜃 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝐸𝐹 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐸𝐹 sin 𝜃) cos 𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = 𝜎𝑦 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 sin2 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = 𝜎𝑦 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 sin2 𝜃 + 2𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = 𝜎𝑦 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 sin2 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = 𝜎𝑦 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑥 sin2 𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
Trigonometric identities:
1 + cos 2𝜃 1 − cos 2𝜃
cos 2 𝜃 = sin2 𝜃 =
2 2
1 + cos 2𝜃 1 − cos 2𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = 𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2

𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑦 cos 2𝜃 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑥 cos 2𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = + + − + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2 2 2
𝜎𝑦 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 cos 2𝜃 𝜎𝑥 cos 2𝜃
𝜎𝑛 = + + − + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2 2 2
𝝈𝒚 + 𝝈𝒙 𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙
𝝈𝒏 = + cos 𝟐𝜽 + 𝝉𝒙𝒚 sin 𝟐𝜽
𝟐 𝟐
Shear stress 𝑁
𝑉1 = 𝜏𝑛 (𝐸𝐹)(1) 𝐹2 = 𝜎𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1) 𝜎𝑛 𝜏𝑛 𝐹
𝑉2 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1) 𝐹3 = 𝜎𝑥 (𝐵𝐹)(1) 𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝑉3 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹)(1) 𝜎𝑥
𝑉1
Σ𝐹𝑇 = 0 𝑉3
𝑇
𝑉1 = 𝑉3 sin 𝜃 − 𝑉2 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹2 sin 𝜃 − 𝐹3 cos 𝜃
𝐸
𝜃
𝐴 𝐵
𝑉2 𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝜎𝑦
Shear stress
𝑉1 = 𝜏𝑛 (𝐸𝐹)(1) 𝐹2 = 𝜎𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1)
𝑉2 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐴𝐵)(1) 𝐹3 = 𝜎𝑥 (𝐵𝐹)(1)
𝑉3 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹)(1)

Σ𝐹𝑇 = 0
𝑉1 = 𝑉3 sin 𝜃 − 𝑉2 cos 𝜃 + 𝐹2 sin 𝜃 − 𝐹3 cos 𝜃
𝜏𝑛 (𝐸𝐹) = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐵𝐹) sin 𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐴𝐵) cos 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑦 (𝐴𝐵) sin 𝜃 − 𝜎𝑥 (𝐵𝐹) cos 𝜃
𝜏𝑛 (𝐸𝐹) = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐸𝐹 sin 𝜃) sin 𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (𝐸𝐹 cos 𝜃) cos 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑦 (𝐸𝐹 cos 𝜃) sin 𝜃 − 𝜎𝑥 (𝐸𝐹 sin 𝜃) cos 𝜃
𝜏𝑛 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin2 𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2 𝜃 + 𝜎𝑦 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃 − 𝜎𝑥 sin 𝜃 cos 𝜃
2
𝜏𝑛 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin2 𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2 𝜃 + (𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 )(cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃) ×
2
2 2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 𝜃 + (2 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃)
2
Shear stress
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin2 𝜃− 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2 𝜃
+ (2 cos 𝜃 sin 𝜃)
2
2 2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 𝜃 − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 𝜃 + (sin 2𝜃)
2
2 2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 𝜃 − cos 𝜃 + (sin 2𝜃)
2
2 2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = −𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 𝜃 − sin 𝜃 + (sin 2𝜃)
2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = −𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃 + (sin 2𝜃)
2
𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙
𝝉𝒏 = (𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝜽) − 𝝉𝒙𝒚 cos 𝟐𝜽
𝟐
 𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙
𝝉𝒏 = (𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝜽) − 𝝉𝒙𝒚 cos 𝟐𝜽
𝟐
At 𝜏𝑛 = 0
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
0= (sin 2𝜃) − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃
2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃 = (sin 2𝜃)
2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑥𝑦 =
2 tan 2𝜃
𝟐𝝉𝒙𝒚
tan 𝟐𝜽 =
𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙
The normal stress and shear stress that act on any plane can also be
determined by plotting a Mohr’s circle. The following sign conventions are
used in Mohr’s circle:
• Compressive normal stresses are taken as positive
• Shear stresses are considered positive if they act on opposite faces of the
element in such a way that they tend to produce a counterclockwise
rotation
 𝜎𝑦
−𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥
Shear Stress 𝜏

+𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦
Normal Stress 𝜎
 𝜎𝑦
−𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥
Shear Stress 𝜏

𝜎𝑥 +𝜏𝑥𝑦

+𝜏𝑥𝑦

Normal Stress 𝜎

−𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝜎𝑦
 𝜎𝑦
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥
2 −𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥
Shear Stress 𝜏

𝜎𝑥 +𝜏𝑥𝑦
(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )

Normal Stress 𝜎
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥

𝜎𝑦
(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥
2 −𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝜎𝑥
Shear Stress 𝜏

+𝜏𝑥𝑦
(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )

Normal Stress 𝜎

(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥
2
Shear Stress 𝜏

(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )

𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥

Normal Stress 𝜎

(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥
2
2
Shear Stress 𝜏

𝜏𝑥𝑦
(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
2

Normal Stress 𝜎

𝜏𝑥𝑦 2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
Radius = + 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2
(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 2
+ 𝜏𝑥𝑦 2
2 2
Shear Stress 𝜏

𝜏𝑥𝑦
(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
2

Normal Stress 𝜎
𝑅
𝜏𝑥𝑦 2
𝑅 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
Radius = + 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2
(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 2
+ 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2 2 Principal stresses
𝝈𝟏 (maximum normal stress)
Shear Stress 𝜏

𝝈𝟑 (minimum normal stress)

(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )

Normal Stress 𝜎

(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 2
+ 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2 2 Principal stresses
Shear Stress 𝜏

𝝈𝟑 (minimum normal stress)

(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )

(maximum normal stress)

𝝈𝟏
Normal Stress 𝜎

(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 2
+ 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2 2 Principal stresses
Shear Stress 𝜏

(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )

(minimum normal stress) (maximum normal stress)

𝝈𝟑 𝝈𝟏
Normal Stress 𝜎

(𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
 𝜎𝑦

𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝝈𝒚 + 𝝈𝒙 𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙 𝟐
𝟐
Major Principal Stress: 𝝈𝟏 = + + 𝝉𝒙𝒚
(Maximum) 𝟐 𝟐

𝝈𝒚 + 𝝈𝒙 𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙 𝟐
𝟐
Minor Principal Stress: 𝝈𝟑 = − + 𝝉𝒙𝒚
(Minimum) 𝟐 𝟐
 𝜎𝑦
𝝈𝒚 + 𝝈𝒙 𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙 𝟐
𝟐
Major Principal Stress: 𝝈𝟏 = + + 𝝉𝒙𝒚
(Maximum) 𝟐 𝟐

𝝈𝒚 + 𝝈𝒙 𝝈𝒚 − 𝝈𝒙 𝟐
𝟐
Minor Principal Stress: 𝝈𝟑 = − + 𝝉𝒙𝒚
𝟐 𝟐 𝜎𝑥
(Minimum)
𝜃 𝜏𝑥𝑦
Stresses along the plane: 𝜏𝑥𝑦
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜎𝑛 = + cos 2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = (sin 2𝜃) − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃
2
A soil element is shown in the figure below. The magnitudes of the stresses
are 𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa, 𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa, and 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa. Determine the following:
(a) Major principal stress 𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa
Ans. 308.49 kPa 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa
(b) Minor principal stress
𝑎′
Ans. 111.51 kPa
𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa
(c) Normal stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
𝑎 20° 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa
Ans. 253.24 kPa
(d) Shear stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
Ans. 88.50 kPa
Solution: (a) Major principal stress
𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa 2
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa 𝜎1 = + + 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2 2

𝑎′ 2
300 + 120 300 − 120 2
𝜎1 = + + 40 = 𝟑𝟎𝟖. 𝟒𝟗 kPa
𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa 2 2
𝑎 20° 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa
(b) Minor principal stress
𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
2
𝜎3 = − + 𝜏𝑥𝑦
2 2
2
300 + 120 300 − 120 2
𝜎3 = − + 40 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟓𝟏 kPa
2 2
Solution: (c) Normal stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa 𝜎𝑦 + 𝜎𝑥 𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜎𝑛 = + cos 2𝜃 + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa 2 2
300 + 120 300 − 120
𝜎𝑛 = + cos(40°) + 40 sin(40°)
𝑎′ 2 2
𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa 𝜎𝑛 = 𝟐𝟓𝟑. 𝟐𝟒 kPa
𝑎 20° 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa
(d) Shear stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥
𝜏𝑛 = (sin 2𝜃) − 𝜏𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃
2
300 − 120
𝜏𝑛 = (sin 40°) − (−40) cos 40°
2
𝜏𝑛 = 𝟖𝟖. 𝟓𝟎 kPa
 𝜎𝑦 (−) 𝜏
𝜏𝑥𝑦

𝑎′
𝜎𝑥
(𝜎𝑥 , +𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
𝑎 𝜃 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (+)
(𝜎𝑎−𝑎′ , 𝜏𝑎−𝑎′ )
𝟐𝜽
𝜏𝑎−𝑎′

(Stress element) 𝜎
𝜎𝑎−𝑎′
Counterclockwise ∠𝜽 from 𝑥-
axis
(Mohr Circle)
Counterclockwise ∠𝟐𝜽 from 𝑥 (𝜎𝑦 , −𝜏𝑥𝑦 )
A soil element is shown in the figure below. The magnitudes of the stresses
are 𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa, 𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa, and 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa. Determine the following:
(a) Major principal stress 𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa
Ans. 308.49 kPa 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa
(b) Minor principal stress
𝐵
Ans. 111.51 kPa
𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa
(c) Normal stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
𝐴 20° 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa
Ans. 253.24 kPa
(d) Shear stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
Ans. 88.50 kPa
 𝜏

𝜎𝑦 = 300 kPa
(𝜎𝐴𝐵 , 𝜏𝐴𝐵 )
𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa

𝐵
𝑅
𝜎𝑥 = 120 kPa (300,40)
63.96°
𝐴 20° 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 40 kPa 𝜎3 𝐶 𝜎1
𝜎
23.96°
40°
(120, −40)
Solution:
(a) Major principal stress (b) Minor principal stress (d) Shear stress on
300 + 120 𝜎3 = 𝐶 − 𝑅 = 210 − 98.489 plane 𝐴𝐵
𝐶= = 210 kPa 𝝉𝑨𝑩 = 𝟖𝟖. 𝟒𝟗 kPa
2 𝝈𝟑 = 𝟏𝟏𝟏. 𝟓𝟏 kPa
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
2
𝑅= + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (c) Normal stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
2
𝜎𝐴𝐵 = 210 + 43.24
2 𝝈𝑨𝑩 = 𝟐𝟓𝟑. 𝟐𝟒 kPa
300 − 120

88.49 kPa
𝑅= + 40 2
2
𝑅 = 98.489 kPa 63.96°
𝜎1 = 𝐶 + 𝑅 = 210 + 98.489
43.24 kPa
𝝈𝟏 = 𝟑𝟎𝟖. 𝟒𝟗 kPa
A soil element is shown in the figure below. The magnitudes of the stresses
are 𝜎𝑥 = 150 kPa, 𝜎𝑦 = 100 kPa, and 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 25 kPa. Determine the following:
(a) Major principal stress 𝜎𝑦 = 100 kPa
Ans. 308.49 kPa 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 25 kPa
(b) Minor principal stress
𝑎′
Ans. 111.51 kPa 55°
𝜎𝑥 = 150 kPa
(c) Normal stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
𝑎 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 25 kPa
Ans. 253.24 kPa
(d) Shear stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
Ans. 88.50 kPa
 𝜏

(150,25)
𝜎𝑦 = 100 kPa
𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 25 kPa

𝑎′
55°
𝜎𝑥 = 150 kPa
𝜎3 65° 𝐶 𝜎1
𝑎 𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 25 kPa 𝜎
110° 45°
65°

(100, −25) (𝜎𝑎𝑎′ , 𝜏𝑎𝑎′ )

Solution:
(a) Major principal stress (b) Minor principal stress (d) Shear stress on
150 + 100 𝜎3 = 𝐶 − 𝑅 = 125 − 35.355 plane 𝐴𝐵
𝐶= = 125 kPa 𝝉𝑨𝑩 = 𝟑𝟐. 𝟎𝟒 kPa
2 𝝈𝟑 = 𝟖𝟗. 𝟔𝟓 kPa
𝜎𝑦 − 𝜎𝑥 2
2
𝑅= + 𝜏𝑥𝑦 (c) Normal stress on plane 𝐴𝐵
2
𝜎𝐴𝐵 = 125 + 14.94
2 𝝈𝑨𝑩 = 𝟏𝟑𝟗. 𝟗𝟒 kPa
150 − 100
𝑅= + 25 2 14.94 kPa
2
65°
𝑅 = 35.355 kPa

32.04 kPa
𝜎1 = 𝐶 + 𝑅 = 125 + 35.355
𝝈𝟏 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎. 𝟑𝟔 kPa