Stiffness in Physics

What is Stiffness

Stiffness, denoted by the letter (k), is a measure of the resistance of an object to deformation in response to an applied load. In other words, stiffness is the ability of a material or a structure to resist bending, twisting, or stretching. The stiffness of a material is mainly determined by its elastic modulus, which measures the material’s ability to return to its original shape after being deformed by a load. The higher the elastic modulus, the stiffer the material.

Stiffness is an important concept in engineering and mechanics as it influences how structures and systems behave when subjected to different types of loads. For example, structures with low stiffness will bend or deflect more when under a given load than structures with high stiffness. Moreover, stiffness is a critical factor in the design of machines, vehicles, and other systems, as it can affect their performance, stability, and safety.

Flexibility is the opposite of stiffness. The more flexible an object is, the less stiff it is.

Stiffness vs Strength

While stiffness and strength are related, they are not the same thing. A material can be stiff but not necessarily strong, or strong but not necessarily stiff. For instance, a piece of glass is stiff but not very strong, while a piece of rubber is not very stiff but can be quite strong.

• Stiffness, as explained earlier, refers to the ability of a material to resist deformation when subjected to an external load. It determines how much a material or structure will bend, twist, or stretch under an applied load. A stiffer material will deflect less under a given load than a less stiff one.
• Strength refers to the ability of a material to withstand the applied load without failure or damage. Strength determines how much load a material can handle before it breaks or deforms permanently. A stronger material will be able to withstand a higher load before it fails than a weaker one.

Formula & Units

For an elastic object with a single degree of freedom, stiffness can be found as:

Where:

• ${\displaystyle k}$ is the stiffness
• ${\displaystyle F}$ is the applied force
• ${\displaystyle 𝛿}$ is the displacement (i.e. extension or deflection)

The SI unit of stiffness is newtons per meter (N/m).

The US customary unit of stiffness is pounds per inch (lb/in).

Types of Stiffness

When designing and analyzing structures and systems in engineering applications, it is essential to consider the appropriate type of stiffness. Depending on the applied load and the type of deformation, stiffness can be classified into different types.

1) Axial Stiffness

Axial stiffness is a measure of an object’s resistance to tensile or compressive deformation. This type of stiffness is significant in applications where objects are subjected to tension or stretching forces, such as cables, ropes, and other tension members. For example, a suspension bridge uses cables with high axial stiffness to support the weight of the bridge deck and resist the tension forces from the suspended roadway.

2) Bending Stiffness

Bending stiffness is a measure of an object’s resistance to bending deformation. This type of stiffness is significant in applications where objects are subjected to bending or flexural loads, such as beams, columns, and frames. For example, a beam in a building’s roof system requires high bending stiffness to support the weight of the roof and resist the bending forces from wind or snow loads.

3) Torsional Stiffness

Torsional stiffness is a measure of an object’s resistance to torsional deformation or twisting. This type of stiffness is significant in applications where objects are subjected to torsion or twisting forces, such as shafts, propellers, and helicopter blades. For example, a helicopter rotor blade requires high torsional stiffness to maintain its shape and resist the twisting forces generated by the rotor’s rotation.

4) Shear Stiffness

Shear stiffness is a measure of an object’s resistance to shear deformation. This type of stiffness is significant in applications where objects are subjected to shear loads, such as bolts, rivets, and other fasteners. For example, a bolted connection between two metal plates requires high shear stiffness to resist the shear forces generated by the loading of the plates.

Factors Affecting Stiffness

The stiffness of an object or member can be affected by several factors, including:

• Material properties: The elastic modulus of a material is a key factor in determining its stiffness. Materials with higher elastic moduli, such as steel, are stiffer than those with lower elastic moduli, such as rubber.
• Cross-sectional shape: The shape and dimensions of a material’s cross-section can affect its stiffness. Materials with a larger cross-sectional area tend to be stiffer than those with a smaller cross-sectional area. Additionally, certain shapes, such as I-beams and box sections, are more resistant to bending and torsion than others.
• Length: The length of a material or structure is another important factor affecting its stiffness. Longer materials generally experience greater deflection under a given load compared to shorter materials with the same cross-sectional area and material properties.
• Temperature: Changes in temperature can affect a material’s stiffness, especially for materials with a low melting point or glass transition temperature. As temperature increases, the material’s stiffness may decrease due to thermal expansion or changes in material properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is stiffness measured?

Stiffness is typically measured using a tensile or compression test, where a force is applied to the material and the resulting deformation is measured. The stiffness is then calculated by dividing the applied force by the resulting deformation.

What is the difference between stiffness and strength?

Stiffness measures a material’s resistance to deformation under load, while strength measures its ability to withstand stress without breaking or deforming.

Is stiffness related to elastic modulus?

Yes, different elastic moduli measure the stiffness of a material when a certain type of force / load is applied to it. For example, young’s modulus measures the stiffness of a material when a tensile or compressive force is acting on it.

Does temperature affect stiffness?

Yes, stiffness is inversely proportional to temperature, meaning if we increase the temperature of a material, its stiffness will decrease, and vice versa.