What is the Mohr-Coulomb theory?
The Mohr-Coulomb theory is a mathematical model that describes how brittle materials, soils, and rocks respond to shear and normal stress. It combines Coulomb's friction hypothesis with Mohr's circle to determine failure loads, fracture angles, and shear strength in engineering applications. Most classical engineering materials follow this rule for at least a portion of their failure envelope, especially when their compressive strength greatly exceeds their tensile strength.
What we know
- The Mohr-Coulomb theory is a mathematical model describing the response of brittle materials like concrete or rubble piles to shear stress and normal stress. [3]
- In geotechnical engineering, the theory is used to define the shear strength of soils and rocks at different effective stresses, while relying on broader principles of soil and rock mechanics. [2, 3]
- In structural engineering, the theory helps determine failure loads and the angle of fracture in materials like concrete. [3]
- Coulomb's friction hypothesis is used to determine stress combinations causing fracture, while Mohr's circle identifies the principal stresses and the plane angle of occurrence. [3]
Where to go next
- the bigger pictureHow does geotechnical engineering use soil mechanics?
- how it workedWhat is Mohr's circle in stress analysis?
- what followedHow is lateral earth pressure calculated?
- whoWho was Charles-Augustin de Coulomb?
- compared withHow does Rankine's theory compare to Coulomb's?
- an unexpected connectionHow does an electrostatics pioneer relate to soil mechanics?Charles-Augustin de Coulomb is best known for discovering electrostatic attraction laws, yet his early work on friction and earth pressure also established foundational principles for soil mechanics.
Sources
- [1]geotechnical engineering (Wikidata Q1349130) · CC0 1.0
- [2]Geotechnical engineering · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [3]Mohr–Coulomb theory · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [4]Charles-Augustin de Coulomb · CC BY-SA 4.0
- [5]Lateral earth pressure · CC BY-SA 4.0