Theoretical analysis for transversely isotropic cylinders under the axial point load strength test

An analytical solution for the stress concentrations within a finite transversely isotropic cylinder under the axial Point Load Strength Test (PLST) is obtained. The method of solution uses stress function approach. Two kinds of solutions corresponding to real and complex characteristic roots of the governing equations of the stress functions are derived. The solution by Wei et al. (1999) for isotropic cylinders under the axial PLST is recovered as a special case by considering the limit. Numerical results show that anisotropy of the cylinder changes the magnitude of the stress distribution along the axis of loading, but has little influence on its pattern of the stress distribution. More specifically, the local tensile stress concentrations are always induced near the two point loads, and the maximum tensile stress changes with the anisotropy in Young's modulus, in the Poisson's ratio and in the shear modulus.