Skip to content

Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Mechanics of Materials · FE Reference Handbook section

Mechanics of Materials
9 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~60 min
All Mechanics of Materials lectures

Handbook notes for this section

Definitions and conditions exactly as the handbook states them.

  • True stress is load divided by actual cross-sectional area whereas engineering stress is load divided by the initial area.

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Axial elongation — solve for elongation — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 89.0000 kip; length (L) = 85.0000 in; area (A) = 4.4000 in²; modulus (E) = 26,000 ksi, determine the elongation (delta) in in.

Given

  • axialload(P)=89.0000kipaxial load (P) = 89.0000 kip
  • length(L)=85.0000inlength (L) = 85.0000 in
  • area(A)=4.4000in2area (A) = 4.4000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=26,000ksimodulus (E) = 26,000 ksi

Find

elongation (delta), in in

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except delta is given, so isolate delta symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that delta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 89.0000 kip, length (L) = 85.0000 in, area (A) = 4.4000 in², modulus (E) = 26,000 ksi.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    δ=0.0661 in\delta = 0.0661\ \text{in}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning delta = 0.0661 in to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
δ=0.0661 in\delta = 0.0661\ \text{in}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.1323 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0331 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.0727 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 2
Axial elongation — solve for axial load — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (2)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given length (L) = 217.0 in; area (A) = 6.0000 in²; modulus (E) = 22,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.9443 in, determine the axial load (P) in kip.

Given

  • length(L)=217.0inlength (L) = 217.0 in
  • area(A)=6.0000in2area (A) = 6.0000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=22,000ksimodulus (E) = 22,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.9443inelongation (delta) = 0.9443 in

Find

axial load (P), in kip

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: length (L) = 217.0 in, area (A) = 6.0000 in², modulus (E) = 22,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.9443 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=574.4 kipP = 574.4\ \text{kip}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 574.4 kip to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=574.4 kipP = 574.4\ \text{kip}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,149 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 287.2 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 631.9 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 3
Axial elongation — solve for area — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (3)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 65.0000 kip; length (L) = 203.0 in; modulus (E) = 27,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.9724 in, determine the area (A) in in².

Given

  • axialload(P)=65.0000kipaxial load (P) = 65.0000 kip
  • length(L)=203.0inlength (L) = 203.0 in
  • modulus(E)=27,000ksimodulus (E) = 27,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.9724inelongation (delta) = 0.9724 in

Find

area (A), in in²

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 65.0000 kip, length (L) = 203.0 in, modulus (E) = 27,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.9724 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A=0.5026 in²A = 0.5026\ \text{in²}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.5026 in² to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A=0.5026 in²A = 0.5026\ \text{in²}

Why the other options are there

  • 1.0051 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.2513 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.5528 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 4
Axial elongation — solve for length — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (4)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 18.0000 kip; area (A) = 5.4000 in²; modulus (E) = 26,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.0754 in, determine the length (L) in in.

Given

  • axialload(P)=18.0000kipaxial load (P) = 18.0000 kip
  • area(A)=5.4000in2area (A) = 5.4000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=26,000ksimodulus (E) = 26,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.0754inelongation (delta) = 0.0754 in

Find

length (L), in in

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except L is given, so isolate L symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that L stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 18.0000 kip, area (A) = 5.4000 in², modulus (E) = 26,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.0754 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    L=588.1 inL = 588.1\ \text{in}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning L = 588.1 in to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
L=588.1 inL = 588.1\ \text{in}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,176 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 294.1 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 646.9 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 5
Axial elongation — solve for elongation (case 2) — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (5)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 64.0000 kip; length (L) = 97.0000 in; area (A) = 7.4000 in²; modulus (E) = 29,000 ksi, determine the elongation (delta) in in.

Given

  • axialload(P)=64.0000kipaxial load (P) = 64.0000 kip
  • length(L)=97.0000inlength (L) = 97.0000 in
  • area(A)=7.4000in2area (A) = 7.4000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=29,000ksimodulus (E) = 29,000 ksi

Find

elongation (delta), in in

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except delta is given, so isolate delta symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that delta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 64.0000 kip, length (L) = 97.0000 in, area (A) = 7.4000 in², modulus (E) = 29,000 ksi.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    δ=0.0289 in\delta = 0.0289\ \text{in}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning delta = 0.0289 in to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
δ=0.0289 in\delta = 0.0289\ \text{in}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.0579 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0145 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.0318 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 6
Axial elongation — solve for axial load (case 2) — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (6)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given length (L) = 88.0000 in; area (A) = 3.0000 in²; modulus (E) = 25,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.6307 in, determine the axial load (P) in kip.

Given

  • length(L)=88.0000inlength (L) = 88.0000 in
  • area(A)=3.0000in2area (A) = 3.0000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=25,000ksimodulus (E) = 25,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.6307inelongation (delta) = 0.6307 in

Find

axial load (P), in kip

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: length (L) = 88.0000 in, area (A) = 3.0000 in², modulus (E) = 25,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.6307 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=537.5 kipP = 537.5\ \text{kip}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 537.5 kip to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=537.5 kipP = 537.5\ \text{kip}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,075 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 268.8 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 591.3 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 7
Axial elongation — solve for area (case 2) — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (7)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 52.0000 kip; length (L) = 61.0000 in; modulus (E) = 25,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.1445 in, determine the area (A) in in².

Given

  • axialload(P)=52.0000kipaxial load (P) = 52.0000 kip
  • length(L)=61.0000inlength (L) = 61.0000 in
  • modulus(E)=25,000ksimodulus (E) = 25,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.1445inelongation (delta) = 0.1445 in

Find

area (A), in in²

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except A is given, so isolate A symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that A stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 52.0000 kip, length (L) = 61.0000 in, modulus (E) = 25,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.1445 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    A=0.8781 in²A = 0.8781\ \text{in²}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning A = 0.8781 in² to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
A=0.8781 in²A = 0.8781\ \text{in²}

Why the other options are there

  • 1.7561 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.4390 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.9659 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 8
Axial elongation — solve for length (case 2) — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (8)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 40.0000 kip; area (A) = 6.7000 in²; modulus (E) = 12,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.5487 in, determine the length (L) in in.

Given

  • axialload(P)=40.0000kipaxial load (P) = 40.0000 kip
  • area(A)=6.7000in2area (A) = 6.7000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=12,000ksimodulus (E) = 12,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.5487inelongation (delta) = 0.5487 in

Find

length (L), in in

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except L is given, so isolate L symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that L stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 40.0000 kip, area (A) = 6.7000 in², modulus (E) = 12,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.5487 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    L=1103 inL = 1103\ \text{in}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning L = 1,103 in to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
L=1103 inL = 1103\ \text{in}

Why the other options are there

  • 2,206 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 551.4 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1,213 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 9
Axial elongation — solve for elongation (case 3) — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (9)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given axial load (P) = 80.0000 kip; length (L) = 135.0 in; area (A) = 5.8000 in²; modulus (E) = 20,000 ksi, determine the elongation (delta) in in.

Given

  • axialload(P)=80.0000kipaxial load (P) = 80.0000 kip
  • length(L)=135.0inlength (L) = 135.0 in
  • area(A)=5.8000in2area (A) = 5.8000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=20,000ksimodulus (E) = 20,000 ksi

Find

elongation (delta), in in

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except delta is given, so isolate delta symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that delta stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: axial load (P) = 80.0000 kip, length (L) = 135.0 in, area (A) = 5.8000 in², modulus (E) = 20,000 ksi.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    δ=0.0931 in\delta = 0.0931\ \text{in}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning delta = 0.0931 in to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
δ=0.0931 in\delta = 0.0931\ \text{in}

Why the other options are there

  • 0.1862 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.0466 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 0.1024 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

Example 10
Axial elongation — solve for axial load (case 3) — Uniaxial Loading and Deformation (10)

A mechanics of materials problem uses Axial elongation. Given length (L) = 114.0 in; area (A) = 3.3000 in²; modulus (E) = 17,000 ksi; elongation (delta) = 0.9345 in, determine the axial load (P) in kip.

Given

  • length(L)=114.0inlength (L) = 114.0 in
  • area(A)=3.3000in2area (A) = 3.3000 in^{2}
  • modulus(E)=17,000ksimodulus (E) = 17,000 ksi
  • elongation(delta)=0.9345inelongation (delta) = 0.9345 in

Find

axial load (P), in kip

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Axial elongation.
  • Everything except P is given, so isolate P symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mechanics of Materials items reward recognising the unknown before touching a calculator.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange the relation so that P stands alone on the left-hand side.

  3. Step 3 — List the givens: length (L) = 114.0 in, area (A) = 3.3000 in², modulus (E) = 17,000 ksi, elongation (delta) = 0.9345 in.

  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values into the rearranged relation.

  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    P=459.9 kipP = 459.9\ \text{kip}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning P = 459.9 kip to

    δ=PL/(AE)\delta = P L / (A E)

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
P=459.9 kipP = 459.9\ \text{kip}

Why the other options are there

  • 919.7 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 229.9 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 505.9 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Reference Handbook — Mechanics of Materials → Uniaxial Loading and Deformation

© 2026 Dr. Steve Efe. Civil Engineering Capstone Studio. All rights reserved.