How to calculate total strain energy

Calculation

Step 1

Determine the prior size of the object's length before force was applied. Note this value as "l."

Step 2

Determine the area of the side of the object. Note this value as "A."

Step 3

Determine the force applied to the object if not already known.

Step 4

Square the value of the force. Multiply the squared force value by the length "l" found in Step 1. Save this value.

Step 5

Divide the value found in Step 4 by 2.

Step 6

Divide the value found in Step 5 by the area "A".

Step 7

Divide the value from Step 6 by Young's modulus of the material. This result is the total strain energy.

References

• "Solid Mechanics"; S. M. A. Kazimi; 2006
• "Mechanics of Materials"; James Gere, Barry Goodno; 2008
• "Design of Machine Elements"; C. S. Sharma, Kamlesh Purohit; 2004
• "Vibration of Axially Loaded Structures"; Lawrence Virgin; 2007

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Resources

• "Fracture Mechanics"; Robert Wei; 2010
• "Advanced Mechanics of Materials and Applied Elasticity"; Anthony Armenàkas; 2005

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Tips

According to "Design of Machine Elements" by C. S. Sharma and Kamlesh Purohit, strain energy per unit volume is called proof resilience.

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Warnings

The total strain energy is not the maximum strain that the object can endure. It is only a measure of the energy stored in the object from the current forces. Maximum strain can only be determined by material failure by flexing or breaking.

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Photo Credits

pressure gauge image by Vaidas Bucys from Fotolia.com

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