Mechanics of Aircraft structures

C.T. Sun

2.17 Consider a thin rectangular panel loaded as shown in Fig. 2.20. Show that the
Airy stress function

φ = c1 x 2 + c 2 xy + c3 y 2

solves the problem. Find the constants c1, c2, c3.

y

σ0 σ0
b x

Figure 2.20 Thin rectangular panel subjected to uniform tension

Solution:

(a) Since φ = c1 x 2 + c 2 xy + c3 y 2 is a second order equation in x and y it

automatically satisfies the compatibility equation, ∇ 2 ∇ 2φ = 0 . So the given Airy

stress function can be used to solve the problem if we can find c1, c2, c3 that
satisfies the boundary conditions.
(b) Stress matrix:
∂ 2φ
σ xx = , => σ xx = 2c3 ,
∂y 2
∂ 2φ
σ yy = , => σ yy = 2c1 ,
∂x 2
∂ 2φ
τ xy =− => τ xy = −c 2
∂x∂y
So we have,

⎡ 2c − c2 ⎤
[σ ] = ⎢ 3
⎣− c 2 2c1 ⎥⎦

(c) Applying boundary conditions:

a
(i) at x = , => n x = 1 , n y = 0 , t x = σ 0 , t y = 0
2
we have [σ ]{n} = {t}

2.17.1
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

⎡ 2c3 − c 2 ⎤ ⎧1⎫ ⎧σ 0 ⎫ ⎧ σ
⎪c3 = 0
=> ⎢ =
⎨ ⎬ ⎨ ⎬ => ⎨
⎣− c 2 2c1 ⎥⎦ ⎩0⎭ ⎩ 0 ⎭ 2
⎪⎩ c 2 = 0

b
(ii) at y = , => n x = 0 , n y = 1 , t x = 0 , t y = 0
2
we have [σ ]{n} = {t}

⎡ 2c3 − c 2 ⎤ ⎧0⎫ ⎧0⎫ ⎧c 2 = 0

=> ⎢ ⎥ ⎨ ⎬ = ⎨ ⎬ => ⎨
⎣− c 2 2c1 ⎦ ⎩1⎭ ⎩0⎭ ⎩ c1 = 0

(d) The given Airy stress function is the solution to the problem and the values of the
σo
constants are c1 = 0 , c2 = 0 and c3 = .
2
--- ANS

2.17.2
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

2.18 Consider the a × b rectangular panel shown in Fig. 2.20. Find the problem
that the Airy’s stress function φ = xy 3 solves. That is, find the tractions at the
boundary of the panel.

b x

Figure 2.20 Thin rectangular panel subjected to uniform tension

Solution:
(a) It is easy to verify that the stress function φ = xy 3 satisfies the compatibility
equation, ∇ 2 ∇ 2φ = 0 .
(b) The stresses are obtained from the stress function as
∂ 2φ
σ xx = , => σ xx = 6 xy ,
∂y 2
∂ 2φ
σ yy = , => σ yy = 0 ,
∂x 2
∂ 2φ
τ xy =− => τ xy = −3y 2
∂x∂y
So we have,

⎡ 6xy − 3y 2 ⎤
[σ ] = ⎢ ⎥
⎣− 3 y
2
0 ⎦

(c) The tractions at the boundary

a
(i) On the vertical face at x = , => n x = 1 , n y = 0 ,
2
we have {t} = [σ ]{n}

⎧t x ⎫ ⎡ 6 xy − 3 y 2 ⎤ ⎧1⎫ ⎧ 6 xy ⎫ ⎧ 3ay ⎫
=> ⎨ ⎬ = ⎢ ⎥⎨ ⎬ = ⎨ 2⎬
=⎨ 2⎬
⎩t y ⎭ ⎣− 3 y
2
0 ⎦ ⎩0⎭ ⎩− 3 y ⎭ ⎩− 3 y ⎭

--- ANS

2.18.1
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

a
(ii) On the vertical face at x = − , => n x = −1 , n y = 0 ,
2
we have {t} = [σ ]{n}

⎧t x ⎫ ⎡ 6 xy − 3 y 2 ⎤ ⎧− 1⎫ ⎧− 6 xy ⎫ ⎧3ay ⎫
=> ⎨ ⎬ = ⎢ ⎥⎨ ⎬ = ⎨ 2 ⎬ = ⎨ 2 ⎬
⎩t y ⎭ ⎣− 3 y
2
0 ⎦ ⎩ 0 ⎭ ⎩ 3 y ⎭ ⎩3 y ⎭

--- ANS
b
(iii) On the top face at y = , => n x = 0 , n y = 1 ,
2
we have {t} = [σ ]{n}

⎧t x ⎫ ⎡ 6 xy − 3 y 2 ⎤ ⎧0⎫ ⎧− 3 y 2 ⎫ ⎧⎪− 3 b 2 ⎫⎪
=> ⎨ ⎬ = ⎢ ⎥⎨ ⎬ = ⎨ ⎬=⎨ 4 ⎬
⎩t y ⎭ ⎣− 3 y
2
0 ⎦ ⎩1⎭ ⎩ 0 ⎭ ⎪ 0 ⎪
⎩ ⎭
--- ANS
b
(iv) On the bottom face at y = − , => n x = 0 , n y = −1 ,
2
we have {t} = [σ ]{n}

⎧t x ⎫ ⎡ 6 xy − 3 y 2 ⎤ ⎧ 0 ⎫ ⎧3 y 2 ⎫ ⎧⎪ 3 b 2 ⎫⎪
=> ⎨ ⎬ = ⎢ ⎥⎨ ⎬ = ⎨ ⎬ = ⎨4 ⎬
⎩t y ⎭ ⎣− 3 y
2
0 ⎦ ⎩− 1⎭ ⎩ 0 ⎭ ⎪ 0 ⎪
⎩ ⎭
--- ANS

Note: The tractions on the edges can also be found directly from the stress
components at the same locations.

2.18.2
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

3.1 Show that there is no warping in a bar of circular cross-section.

Solution:
(a) Saint-Venant assumed that as the shaft twists the plane cross-sections are warped
but the projections on the x-y plane rotate as a rigid body, then,
u = −θzy
v = θzx (3.1.1)
w = θψ ( x, y )
where ψ ( x, y ) is some function of x and y, called warping function, and θ is
the angle of twist per unit length of the shaft and is assumed to be very small.
(b) From the displacement field above, it is easy to obtain that

ε xx = ε yy = ε zz = γ xy = 0

So from the stress-strain relationship, we have

σ xx = σ yy = σ zz = τ xy = 0

Therefore the equilibrium equations reduce to

∂τ xz ∂τ yz
+ =0
∂x ∂y
This equation is identically satisfied if the stresses are derived from a stress
function φ ( x, y ) , so that
∂φ ∂φ
τ xz = , τ yz = − (3.1.2)
∂y ∂x
(c) From the displacement field and stress-strain relationship, we can obtain
∂w ∂u ∂w
γ xz = + = − θy (3.1.3)
∂x ∂z ∂x
∂w ∂v ∂w
γ yz = + = + θx (3.1.4)
∂y ∂z ∂y
∂γ yz ∂γ xz
So it forms the compatibility equation − = 2θ ,
∂x ∂y
∂ φ ∂ 2φ
2
or in terms of Prandtl stress function + = −2Gθ (3.1.5)
∂x 2 ∂y 2
(d) Boundary conditions,
dφ
= 0 , or φ = const . But for a solid sections with a single contour boundary,
ds
this constant can be chosen to be zero. Then we have the boundary condition
φ = 0 on the lateral surface of the bar.
(e) For a bar with circular cross-section, assume the Prandtl stress function as

3.1.1
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

x2 y2
φ = C( + − 1) which satisfies the boundary conditions stated above.
a2 a2
1
Substitute φ into (3.1.5), we obtain C = − a 2 Gθ
2
Gθ 2
Then φ = − (x + y 2 − a 2 )
2
Using (3.1.2), we have
1 ∂φ 1 ∂φ
γ xz = = −θy , and γ yz = − = θx
G ∂y G ∂x
Comparing with (3.1.3) and (3.1.4), we have
∂w ∂w
γ xz = − θy = −θy => = 0 . Thus, w = f ( y )
∂x ∂x
∂w ∂w
γ yz = + θx = θx => = 0 , Thus, w = g (x )
∂y ∂y
Hence we conclude w = const . This means that the cross-section remains plane
after torsion. In other words, there is no warping.

Therefore w( x, y ) = 0 can be verified, and it successfully expresses the

statement.
--- ANS

3.1.2
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

3.3 Consider the straight bar of a uniform elliptical cross-section. The semimajor
and semiminor axes are a and b, respectively. Show that the stress function of
the form
x2 y2
φ = C(
+ − 1)
a2 b2
provides the solution for torsion of the bar.
Find the expression of C and show that
πa 3 b 3
J=
a2 + b2
− 2Ty 2Tx
τ zx = , τ zy =
πab 3 πa 3b
and the warping displacement
T (b 2 − a 2 )
w= xy
πa 3b 3G

Solution:
Recall:
1. Saint-Venant assumed that as the shaft twists the plane cross-sections are warped
but the projections on the x-y plane rotate as a rigid body, then,
u = −θzy
v = θzx (3.3.1)
w = θψ ( x, y )
where ψ ( x, y ) is warping function, and θ is the angle of twist per unit length
of the shaft and is assumed to be very small.
2. From the displacement field above, it is easy to obtain that

ε xx = ε yy = ε zz = γ xy = 0

From the stress-strain relationship, we have

σ xx = σ yy = σ zz = τ xy = 0

Therefore the equilibrium equations reduce to

∂τ xz ∂τ yz
+ =0
∂x ∂y
which is identically satisfied if the stresses are derived from a stress function
φ ( x, y ) , so that
∂φ ∂φ
τ xz = , τ yz = − (3.3.2)
∂y ∂x
3. From the displacement field and stress-strain relationship, we can obtain

3.3.1
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

∂w ∂u ∂w
γ xz = + = − θy (3.3.3)
∂x ∂z ∂x
∂w ∂v ∂w
γ yz = + = + θx (3.3.4)
∂y ∂z ∂y
∂γ yz ∂γ xz
The compatibility equation becomes − = 2θ ,
∂x ∂y
∂ 2φ ∂ 2φ
or in terms of Prandtl stress function + = −2Gθ (3.3.5)
∂x 2 ∂y 2
4. The boundary condition along the bounding surface is
dφ
= 0 , or φ = const .
ds

---

x2 y2
(a) Let the stress function be of the form φ = C ( + − 1) . In order to show this
a2 b2
stress function provides the solution for torsion of the bar, we have to show that
this stress function satisfies the equilibrium equations, compatibility equations and
traction boundary conditions.
(1) Equilibrium equations
∂φ 2y ∂φ 2x
τ xz = = C( 2 ) , τ yz = − = C( 2 )
∂y b ∂x a
Substituting the above stress expressions into the equilibrium equations, we
have
∂τ xz ∂τ yz
+ =0+0=0
∂x ∂y
(2) Compatibility equations
x2 y2
Substituting φ = C ( + − 1) into (3.3.5) we get
a2 b2
a 2b 2
C = −Gθ . (3.3.6)
a 2 + b2
Therefore we have a stress function satisfying compatibility equation
(3) Traction boundary conditions
dφ
To satisfy the traction boundary condition we must show = 0 on the
ds
traction free lateral surface.
Since the boundary of the cross section is given by the equation

3.3.2
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

x2 y2
+ −1 = 0 ,
a2 b2
x2 y2
it is easy to see that φ = C ( + − 1) = 0 on the free surface and therefore
a2 b2
dφ
it satisfies the required condition =0
ds
Since equilibrium equations, compatibility equations and traction boundary
conditions are all satisfied, the stated stress function provides the solution
for torsion of the bar.
--- ANS
(b) Torsion constant J
(1) We have the torque produced by the stresses is
∂φ ∂φ
T = ∫∫ (− x − y ) dA (3.3.7)
A
∂x ∂y
x2 y2
Substituting φ = C ( + − 1) into (3.3.7), then we have,
a2 b2
2x 2y x2 y2
T = ∫∫ (− x(C 2 ) − y (C 2 ))dA = − C ∫∫ ( 2 + 2 )dA
A a b A a b
Note that the integral part of the above equation is the area of the elliptical
x2 y2
cross-section. It can be easily obtained that ∫∫ (
A
+ )dA = πab
a2 b2
So we have the torsion T = −Cπab
By substituting C and utilizing T = GJθ , we have
a 2b 2
− (−Gθ )πab
− Cπab a2 + b2 πa 3b 3
J= = = 2 (3.3.8)
Gθ Gθ a + b2
--- ANS
∂φ 2y T 2y 2Ty
(2) τ xz = = C( 2 ) = ( 2)=− , (3.3.9)
∂y b − πab b πab 3
∂φ 2x 2Tx
and τ yz = − = −C ( 2 ) = 3 (3.3.10)
∂x a πa b
--- ANS
(c) The warping displacement can be derived from (3.3.3), (3.3.4), (3.3.9), (3.3.10)
2Ty 2Tx
From (3.3.9) and (3.3.10), we have γ xz = − and γ yz = .
Gπab 3
Gπa 3 b
T T (a 2 + b 2 )
Also we need to know θ = =
GJ Gπa 3b 3
So from (3.3.3) and (3.3.4), we can rewrite in

3.3.3
 Mechanics of Aircraft structures
C.T. Sun

∂w 2Ty T (a 2 + b 2 ) y T (b 2 − a 2 ) y
= γ xz + θy = − + = (3.3.11)
∂x Gπab 3 Gπa 3b 3 Gπa 3 b 3
∂w 2Tx T (a 2 + b 2 ) x T (b 2 − a 2 ) x
= γ yz − θx = − = (3.3.12)
∂y Gπa 3 b Gπa 3 b 3 Gπa 3b 3
From (3.3.11), we can obtain
T (b 2 − a 2 )
w( x, y ) = xy + f ( y ) (3.3.13)
Gπa 3 b 3
Then differentiating (3.3.13) with respect to y, we have
∂w( x, y ) T (b 2 − a 2 )
= x + f ′( y ) .
∂y Gπa 3b 3
Comparing this equation with (3.3.12) we have f ′( y ) = 0 , that is f ( y ) = const .

For a symmetric cross-section w(0,0) = 0 , that is, f ( y ) = 0.

Thus, the warping displacement is
T (b 2 − a 2 )
w( x, y ) = xy.
Gπa 3 b 3
--- ANS

And it is easy to also find that the warping function

T (b 2 − a 2 )
xy.
w( x, y ) a2 − b2
= Gπa2 b 2
3 3
ψ ( x, y ) = =− 2 xy
θ T (a + b ) a + b2
Gπa 3 b 3

3.3.4