{{Short description|Mathematical representation of stress in continuum dynamics}}
[[File:HaightWestergaard_en.svg|thumb|Visualisation of a Cauchy stress tensor σ in the Haight-Westergaard stress space]] In continuum mechanics, '''Haigh–Westergaard stress space''', or simply '''stress space''' is a 3-dimensional space in which the three spatial axes represent the three principal stresses of a body subject to stress. This space is named after Bernard Haigh and Harold M. Westergaard.
In mathematical terms, H-W space can also be interpreted (understood) as a set of numerical markers of stress tensors orbits (with respect to proper rotations group – special orthogonal group SO3); every point of H-W space represents one orbit.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ziółkowski |first1=Andrzej Grzegorz |title=Parametrization of Cauchy Stress Tensor Treated as Autonomous Object Using Isotropy Angle and Skewness Angle |journal=Engineering Transactions |date=9 August 2022 |volume=70 |issue=3 |pages=239–286 |doi=10.24423/EngTrans.2210.20220809 |url=https://et.ippt.gov.pl/index.php/et/article/view/2210 |issn=2450-8071}}</ref> Functions of the principal stresses, such as the yield function, can be represented by surfaces in '''stress space''. In particular, the surface represented by von Mises yield function is a right circular cylinder, equiaxial to each of the three stress axes.
In 2-dimensional models, '''stress space''' reduces to a plane and the von Mises yield surface reduces to an ellipse.
== See also == *Bigoni–Piccolroaz yield criterion
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stress Space}} Category:Continuum mechanics