mohr's circle a graphical representation of the stress transformation equations (all stresses on Mohr's circle are in-plane stresses) basic cases HAMLET mohr's circle engAPPLETS mohr's circle   steps in constructing mohr's circle Draw axes. (σ positive to the right and τxy positive down) Plot first point on circle. (σx, τxy) Plot second point on circle. (σy, -τxy) Draw a line between the two points. (This line is the diameter of the circle, and it passes through the center of the circle.) Draw a circle through the two points.

stress transformations		principal stresses and maximum shear stresses

Triaxial Stress

triaxial stress

when an element of material is subjected to normal stresses acting in three mutually perpendicular directions (no shear stresses)

 

spherical stress

a special case of triaxial stress where all three normal stresses are equal

 

maximum shear stresses

The absolute maximum shear stress will simply be the largest of these values (the radius of largest circle).