How to calculate total strain energy
- 1). Determine the prior size of the object's length before force was applied. Note this value as "l."
- 2). Determine the area of the side of the object. Note this value as "A."
- 3). Determine the force applied to the object if not already known.
- 4). Square the value of the force. Multiply the squared force value by the length "l" found in Step 1. Save this value.
- 5). Divide the value found in Step 4 by 2.
- 6). Divide the value found in Step 5 by the area "A".
- 7). Divide the value from Step 6 by Young's modulus of the material. This result is the total strain energy.