Text: [MECHANICAL] or ALTERNATE STRESSES Are those by which structures, or the members of structures are placed alternately in tension and compression, as for example in counter-braced structures, subject to alternate moving loads. The conclusions deduced from the experiments of Wohler in this direction show that when a bar is subject to these oscillations in stresses, the total stress on the bar is equal to their sum, that is, supposing a tensile stress of two tons, and a compression stress of two tons, alternately applied, the equivalent is a total stress of four tons.

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