How can I calculate the strain in a rod of a pnuematic cylinder when a side load is applied? The cylinder is mounted horizontally and the load vertical.

Question

The rod is stainless steel and is fully extended.

Answer 1

What we have here is shearing strain.  This is because the force is not applied to the cylinder's cross-section area, which would be a circular shape.

 

We can still apply the strain formula, but the strain will be at an angle because the rod will undergo an angle of twist, even though the load is applied vertically.

 

Strain = sin(45) [elongation / original length]

 

 

 

I hope this helps you out.