KEVOS® MAKEOS · Engineering

Axial Stress and Extension

What elastic stress and length change follow from this axial force?

Calculate nominal stress, strain, extension or shortening and strain energy for a uniform member under concentric axial load.

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How this tool works

Inputs, units and where to find them

InputUnitTypical source
Signed axial forceNConcentric force: tension positive, compression negative.
Uniform cross-sectional areamm²Uniform load-carrying area normal to force, with any justified net-area reduction.
Member lengthmmUniform length between the displacement reference points.
Young’s modulusMPaYoung’s modulus for the actual material, temperature and elastic loading direction.

Method and formulas

  1. Stress = force/area in N/mm² (MPa); strain = stress/E; extension = strain × length.
  2. Energy in joules = force² × length/(2 × area × E × 1000), for elastic loading from zero.
  3. Example: 10,000 N, 200 mm², 1000 mm and 200,000 MPa gives 50 MPa, strain 0.00025, extension 0.25 mm and 1.25 J.

Limitations

  • Small-strain linear elasticity, uniform area and concentric static load are assumed. Yielding, joints, thermal effects and concentrations are excluded.
  • Compression may buckle before nominal stress becomes high; column stability is not calculated.
  • No allowable load or structural compliance is established.
  • Default values are worked examples, not recommended settings or material properties.

Typical uses

  • axial deformation
  • tensile stress
  • elastic strain

Who it is for

  • Mechanical designers
  • Project engineers

What you get

  • Signed nominal stress and strain
  • Extension or shortening
  • Elastic strain energy

Interpreting the result

  • Compare with independently established material, stability and serviceability criteria.
  • Check load introduction and joint compliance when comparing measured displacement.

References

  • Machinery’s Handbook, 29th edition (Industrial Press, 2012), printed pp. 199–202. Topic reference; implementation and examples are original, and no source tables are reproduced.

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