Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example,

Explained
For the safe design of the component, it is necessary to know about the maximum stresses
acting inside the component and its location.

The principal stress gives the maximum normal stress acting inside the component and its
position. In this article, we will go through comprehensive information on principal stress.

Contents:
1. What is Principal stress?
1. Principal stress explained:
2. What is Maximum and Minimum principal stress?
1. How to calculate Maximum and Minimum principal stress?
3. Von mises stress vs Principal stress:
4. Principal stress sign convention:
5. Principal stress example:

What is Principal stress?

Principal stress is the normal stress acting onto the principal plane that has zero shear
stress.

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

The above figure. A shows the member subjected to the axial stresses as well as shear
stresses and figure. B shows the principal stresses and principal planes.

A principal plane is an oblique plane that bears no shear stress. The principal planes lie at a
principal angle (θp ) from the reference plane as shown in the figure. B and there is no shear
stress acts on it.

The normal stresses acting on that plane ( σ1 and σ2 ) are the principal stresses.

Principal stress explained:

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

The member shown in the figure. A is subjected to the axial stresses in the x and y direction
and complementary shear stresses on horizontal and vertical planes.

Other than horizontal and vertical planes, the member has numerous inclined planes that are
inclined at an angle θ (0° to 90°) from the reference plane, These planes are known as the
Oblique planes.

As shown in the above figure. B, the oblique plane OA experiences the following two types of
stresses:-

A] Normal stress (σₙ):- The stress perpendicular to the oblique plane is the normal stress (
σn ).
The normal stress on an oblique plane that is inclined at angle θ is given by,

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

σx + σy σx − σy
σn = ( ) + ( )cos 2θ + τxy sin 2θ
2 2

b] Shear stress (𝜏):- The stress acting parallel to the plane is the shear stress on an oblique
plane. It is given by,

σx − σy
τ = ( )sin 2θ − τxy cos 2θ
2

Now let’s understand what is principal plane and principal stress.

Principal plane:- It is the oblique plane that experiences zero shear stress.

For the components subjected to biaxial stresses, there are two planes on which the value of
shear stress is zero.

Thus to find a position of this principal plane (θ𝗽) from the reference plane, put τ = 0 in the
equation of τ .

σx − σy
0 = ( )sin 2θP − τxy cos 2θP
2

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

σx − σy
( )sin 2θP = τxy cos 2θP
2

sin 2θP 2τxy

2τxy
tan 2θP =
σx − σy

1 2τxy
−1
∴ θP = tan . ( )
2 σx − σy

This is the position of the principal plane from the reference plane.

Principal stress:- The normal stress acts onto the principal plane is known as the principal
stress.
For biaxial (2D) stress conditions, there are two principal stresses known as Major principal
stress and minor principal stress.

What is Maximum and Minimum principal stress?

For the member subjected to the biaxial stresses, the two principal stresses are as follows:-

Maximum principal stress:-

Maximum principal stress or major principal stress is the maximum value of normal stress
acting on one of the principal planes where the value of shear stress is zero.


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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

The value of maximum principal stress is given by,

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ1 = ( ) + √( ) − τxy
2 2

Minimum principal stress:-

Minimum or minor principal stress is the minimum value of principal stress acting on one of
the principal planes where the value of shear stress is zero.

The value of minimum principal stress is given by,

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ2 = ( ) − √( ) − τxy
2 2

How to calculate Maximum and Minimum principal stress? 

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

If the values of the axial stresses (σx and σy ) and complementary shear stresses (
τxy or τyx ) are known, then the maximum and minimum principal stress can be calculated
by the following methods:-

1] Analytical method:-

In the analytical method, the principal stresses can be calculated by using the following
formulae,

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σmax = σ1 = ( ) + √( ) + τxy
2 2

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σmin = σ2 = ( ) − √( ) + τxy
2 2

2] Graphical method (Mohr’s circle):-

The mohr’s circle is another and easy method to find the stresses on each oblique plane and
principal stresses.

From above mohr’s circle,

σmax = σ1 = Distance OF

σmin = σ2 = Distance OG

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

Von mises stress vs Principal stress:

Sr.
Von mises stress Principal stress
No.

The von mises stress is the equivalent Principal stress is the real stress acting
1] stress calculated from the distortion onto the oblique plane that has zero
energy. shear stress.

Von mises stress is used in the von- Principal stress is used in the maximum
2]
mises theory of failure. principal stress theory of failure.

The von mises stress is suitable for The principal stress is suitable for the
3]
the design of ductile materials. design of brittle materials.

The table shows the Difference between von mises stress and principal stress

Principal stress sign convention:

Following is the sign convention used for the principal stress:-

1] Axial force:-

The tensile axial force is considered positive.

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

The compressive axial force is considered negative.

2] Complementary shear stress:-

If the shear stress on the vertical plane (shown by red arrows) is in a clockwise sense, then it
is considered as positive.

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

If the shear stresses on the vertical plane (shown by red arrows) are in an anticlockwise
sense, then it is considered as negative.

Principal stress example:

1] The state of stress on members is shown below, find the maximum and
minimum amount of principal stress.

Given:
σx = 100 Mpa
σy = 45 Mpa
τxy = 30 Mpa

Solution:-

The maximum principal stress on the member is given by,

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ1 = ( ) + √( ) + τxy
2 2

2
100 + 45 100 − 45
2
σ1 = ( ) + √( ) + 30
2 2

σ1 = 113.197 Mpa

The minimum principal stress on a member is given by,

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ1 = ( )– √( ) + τxy
2 2

2
100 + 45 100 − 45
2
σ1 = ( )– √( ) + 30
2 2

σ2 = 31.802 Mpa

2] Find the stresses acting on the principal planes for the below stress condition.

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

Given:
σx = 50 Mpa
σy = -75 Mpa
τxy = 20 Mpa

Solution:-

The stresses acting on the plane is a principal plane is given by,

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ1 = + √( ) + τxy
2 2

2
50 + ( − 75) 50 − ( − 75)
2
σ1 = + √( ) + 20
2 2

σ1 = 53.122 MPa

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ2 = − √( ) + τxy
2 2

2
σx + σy σx − σy
2
σ2 = − √( ) + τxy
2 2

σ2 = -78.122 MPa

Thus the principal stresses for the above biaxial stress condition are,
σ1 = 53.122 MPa

σ2 = -78.122 MPa

FAQs:

1. What exactly is principle stress? ?

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7/14/23, 5:18 PM Principal stress: Definition, Equation, Example, Explained

Principal stress is the normal stress acting onto the principal plane.

2. What is the purpose of principle stress? ?

The principal stress is the maximum normal stress acting on the object which
is considered as criteria for the maximum principal stress theory of failure.

3. What mean by the 1st principal stress? ?

The principal stress that has the maximum value is known as the first principal
stress.

4. How do you find principal stresses and directions? ?

The value of the principal stresses and their directions can be found by using
analytical formulae or by using mohr’s circle.

5. What is the major principal stress? ?

The maximum value of normal stress acting on any one of the principal planes
is known as the maximum principal stress.

6. Can maximum principal stress have a negative value? ?

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