Enter any stress state — get principal stresses, max shear, and animated element
Normal stress: positive = tension, negative =
compression.
Shear τxy: positive = on +x face, shear acts in
+y direction (counter-clockwise tendency on element).
Negative τxy = on +x face, shear acts in
−y direction (clockwise tendency on element).
• Calculate σ₁ and σ₂ using principal stress equations.
• Compute θₚ from the tan(2θₚ) relation.
• Verify orientation by substituting θₚ into the normal stress
transformation equation.
• Draw the principal element at θₚ: normal stresses only, no shear.
• Rotate 45° from θₚ to obtain the maximum shear orientation.
• Draw the max shear element: σ_avg on all faces, τ_max forming a
pinwheel pattern.