Concept:
Normal stress at a plane with an ∠θ from plane under the action of σx,
\({τ _{xx}} = \left( {\frac{{{σ _x} + {σ _y}}}{2}} \right) + \left( {\frac{{{σ _x} - {σ _y}}}{2}} \right)\cos 2θ + {σ _{xy}}\sin 2θ {{;;;;;}} \ldots \left( 1 \right)\)
The shear stress at a plane with an ∠θ from plane under the action of σx,
\({τ _{xy}} = - \left( {\frac{{{σ _x} - {σ _y}}}{2}} \right)\sin 2θ + {σ _{xy}}\cos 2θ {{;;;;;}} \ldots \left( 2 \right)\)
(θ = - 45° as the plane under +P is rotated by 45° anti-clockwise to get the plane under +τxx)
Also,
τxx + τyy = σx + σy ...(3)
Calculation:
Given:
Since the given plane is the principal plane ⇒ σxy = 0**,** σx = P, σy = - P
By using above equation (1),
\({τ _{xx}} = \left( {\frac{{P - P}}{2}} \right) + \left( {\frac{{P - \left( { - P} \right)}}{2}} \right)\cos( -90^\circ) + 0 = 0\)
By using above equation (2),
\({τ _{xy}} = - \left[ {\frac{{P - \left( { - P} \right)}}{2}} \right]\sin \left( {-90^\circ } \right) - 0 = P\)
By using equation (3),
⇒ τyy = (σx + σy) - τxx = 0
∴ τxx = τyy = 0, τxy = P
Alternate method:
The given plane is the principal plane because σxy = 0
At 45° from the principal plane, the plane of maximum shear occurs on the plane of maximum shear.
\({τ _{xx}} = {τ _{yy}} = \frac{{{σ _1} + {σ _2}}}{2} = \frac{{P - P}}{2} = 0\)
\({τ _{xy}} = \frac{{{σ _1} - {σ _2}}}{2} = \frac{{P - \left( { - P} \right)}}{2} = P\)