Stress-strain curve

The stress-strain curve relates the applied stress to the resulting strain and each material has its own
unique stress-strain curve.

The initial straight line (0P)of the curve

characterizes proportional relationship between
the stress and the deformation (strain). the
relationship between the stress and the strain of
the specimen exhibits is linear.
The stress value at the point P is called the limit
of proportionality:
σp= FP / A0

Figure of Stress-strain diagram for mild steel

 This behavior conforms to the Hook’s Law:
σ = E*
Where E is a constant, known as Young’s Modulus or Modulus of Elasticity.
The value of Young’s Modulus is determined mainly by the nature of the material and is nearly
insensitive to the heat treatment and composition.
Modulus of elasticity determines stiffness K - resistance of a body to elastic deformation caused by an
applied force. K = F / change of length (L - L )

The line 0E in the Stress-Strain curve indicates the range of elastic deformation –
removal of the load at any point of this part of the curve results in return of the specimen
length to its original value.
The elastic behavior is characterized by the elasticity limit (stress value at the point E):
σel= FE / A0
For the most materials the points P and E coincide and therefore σel=σp.
A point where the stress causes sudden deformation without any increase in the
force is called yield limit (yield stress, yield strength):
σy= FY / A0
The highest stress (point YU) , occurring before the sudden deformation is
called upper yield limit .
The lower stress value, causing the sudden deformation (point YL) is called lower
yield limit.
The commonly used parameter of yield limit is actually lower yield limit.

If the load reaches the yield point the specimen undergoes plastic deformation – it
does not return to its original length after removal of the load.
Ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is the maximum stress that can be sustained by the specimen undergoes tension force-
the point S in the diagram.
Tensile strengths may vary anywhere from 50 MPa for an aluminum to as high as 3000 MPa for the high-strength steels.
Ordinarily, when the strength of a metal is cited for design purposes, the yield strength is used. This is because by the
time a stress corresponding to the tensile strength has been applied, often a structure has experienced so much plastic
deformation that it is useless. Furthermore, fracture strengths are not normally specified for engineering design
purposes.
- Continuation of the deformation results in breaking the specimen - the point F in the diagram.

Figure showing
Specimen
behavior during
tensile test
Stress-Strain Graph for Mild Steel, Cast Iron
& Concrete
 Let's compare the strengths and weaknesses of mild steel, cast iron, and concrete based on their stress-strain
graphs:

Mild Steel:
■ Strengths:
■ Ductility: Mild steel exhibits significant plastic deformation before fracture. This property makes it
suitable for applications requiring flexibility and energy absorption.
■ Toughness: The combination of ductility and ability to absorb energy before failure makes mild
steel tough and able to withstand dynamic loads.
■ Well-Defined Yield Point: The well-defined yield point provides a clear indication of the onset of
plastic deformation.
■ Weaknesses:
■ Lower Compressive Strength: Mild steel's compressive strength is lower compared to materials
like concrete.
■ Corrosion Susceptibility: Mild steel is susceptible to corrosion, which can weaken the material
over time, especially in humid or corrosive environments.
■ Lower Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS): Mild steel's UTS is lower than some other high-strength
materials.
Cast Iron:
■ Strengths:
■ Compressive Strength: Cast iron has high compressive strength, making it suitable for
applications requiring load-bearing capacity under compression.
■ Wear Resistance: Cast iron's hardness and wear resistance make it suitable for applications
where abrasion resistance is important.

■ Weaknesses:
■ Brittleness: Cast iron's lack of ductility and limited plastic deformation make it highly brittle.
This can lead to sudden and catastrophic failures without warning.
■ Low Tensile Strength: Cast iron's tensile strength is generally lower than materials like mild
steel, limiting its use in tension-loaded structures.
■ No Yield Point: Cast iron lacks a well-defined yield point, which can make predicting its
behavior and failure point more challenging.
Concrete:
■ Strengths:
■ Compressive Strength: Concrete is excellent in bearing compressive loads and is commonly used
in structures where compression is the primary load.
■ Fire Resistance: Concrete is highly resistant to fire due to its composition and low thermal
conductivity.
■ Durability: Well-designed and properly cured concrete can have a long service life, especially in
stable environments.

■ Weaknesses:
■ Brittleness: Like cast iron, concrete is brittle and exhibits limited plastic deformation. This can
lead to sudden and brittle failures.
■ Low Tensile Strength: Concrete's tensile strength is very low, making it susceptible to cracking
under tension.
■ Complex Failure Modes: Concrete can fail in various ways, including cracking, crushing, and
shearing, which can complicate its behavior prediction.
■ In summary, each material has its own set of strengths and weaknesses based on its
behavior on a stress-strain graph.
■ Mild steel offers a balance of ductility and strength, making it suitable for a wide range of
applications.
■ Cast iron excels in compression and wear resistance but is highly brittle.
■ Concrete is strong under compression and has good fire resistance but lacks ductility and
has limited tensile strength.
■ The choice of material depends on the specific requirements of the application and the load
conditions it will experience.