ABSTRACT
For a structural material which suffers elastic failure, there are many different theories of elastic failure. Moreover, some of these theories are good for materials such as mild steel, which has definite yield point, while others are more satisfactory for brittle materials, such as cast iron. Theories can also be affected by the complex combination of the stresses that occur on the structure. For these reasons, a study of the theories of elastic failure is more important, and many of them are presented in this chapter. This chapter shows to: appreciate the many theories as to which stress or strain causes the onset of yield, state and use the maximum principal stress theory, plot and interpret yield loci. It also shows how to: calculate pressures and torques based on the five major theories of elastic failure, state and use the maximum shear strain energy theory.
