A graphical method employed in engineering mechanics visualizes the two-dimensional state of strain at a point within a deformable body. This representation uses a circle plotted on a coordinate system where the abscissa represents normal strain and the ordinate represents half the shear strain. The circle’s diameter represents the difference between the principal strains, and its center lies at the average normal strain. Specific points on the circle correspond to the strain components on different planes passing through the point of interest. This visualization technique enables engineers to determine principal strains, maximum shear strain, and strain components on any inclined plane easily.
This graphical approach simplifies complex strain transformations, providing a clear and intuitive understanding of strain states under various loading conditions. It offers a powerful tool for designing structures resistant to failure by enabling rapid identification of critical strain values. Developed by Christian Otto Mohr in the late 19th century, it remains a fundamental concept in stress and strain analysis and is extensively used in civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering.
