Applying Mohr's Circles to Stress States of Continuum

σ

33

0.65

σ

32

0.4

angle of normal to the facet

0

A Mohr's circle is the representation of the stress state at any point of a continuum in a

σ

-

τ

plane, where

σ

is the normal component of the stress vector on a given material facet and

τ

is its tangential component.

Two alternative methods can be used to draw the circle and read its output. The circle is visually the same in both methods although its meaning is different.

This Demonstration helps with understanding the relationship between the two geometric constructions by viewing a synchronous animation in which the stress vector changes with the direction of the normal.