The geometry of the circle can be used to facilitate the calculation of various properties. For example, the values of the maximum and minimum normal stresses can be found from the points where the circle crosses the horizontal axis.

In the following scenes, you will learn the basics of Mohr's circle of stress. A set of stress values for a stress element will be given in the upper right corner of the scene. Using these values, you will learn how to:

• plot Mohr's circle for specified normal and shear stresses
• calculate the center of Mohr's circle
• calculate the radius of Mohr's circle
• determine the maximum and minimum normal stresses
• determine the angle from the x axis to the maximum principal axis in Mohr's circle
• translate the angle found in Mohr's circle to the x-y spatial coordinate system for the stress element