In this article, you will learn a complete overview of the bulk modulus or bulk modulus of elasticity such as its definition, formula, unit, derivation, relation, calculation, and many more.
The bulk modulus of elasticity or bulk modulus is one of the types of elastic constant.
Elastic constants are those constants that determine the deformation produced by a given stress system acting on any material.
The elastic constant measures the elasticity of the material.
It is used to derive the relationship between stress and strain.
For a homogeneous and isotropic material, there are four types of elastic constants:
- Modulus of Elasticity or Young’s modulus
- Modulus of rigidity or Shear modulus
- Bulk modulus
- Poisson’s Ratio
Here we only discussed the bulk modulus or bulk modulus of elasticity.
Modulus of elasticity, Poisson's ratio, and modulus of rigidity are already discussed in our previous article.
So without wasting time let's start.
Bulk Modulus
When a uniform element is subjected to equal stresses in three mutually perpendicular directions then, the ratio of direct stress to volumetric strain is called Bulk modulus.
It is also called a bulk modulus of elasticity.
Generally, the bulk modulus is denoted by K or B.
Mathematically,
K = σ/εᵥ
Where,
σ = Direct Stress
εᵥ = Volumetric Strain
As we know,
εᵥ = (ΔV/V)
So,
K = σ/(ΔV/V)
It can also be written in the form of applied pressure or force then,
K = - ΔP/(ΔV/V)
Where,
K = Bulk modulus
ΔP = Change in pressure or force applied per unit area on the material
V = Initial volume of the material
ΔV = Change in the volume of the material
Units of Bulk Modulus
SI Unit
As we know the unit of stress in the SI system is N/m² and the unit of volumetric strain is unit less.
So,
Bulk Modulus
= Direct stress/Volumetric Strain
= N/m²
Hence in the SI system, the unit of the bulk modulus will be N/m² or Pascal.
FPS Unit
As we know the unit of stress in the FPS system is lb/ft² and the unit of volumetric strain is unit less.
So,
Bulk Modulus
= Direct stress/Volumetric Strain
= lb/ft²
Hence in the FPS system, the unit of the bulk modulus will be lb/ft².
Bulk Modulus Dimensional Formula
As we know,
K = σ/εᵥ
Since,
Stress = Force/Area
As we know,
Force = mass (m) × acceleration (a)
So,
Stress = {mass (m) × acceleration (a)}/A
As we know the unit of mass is kg, the unit of acceleration is m/s² and the unit of area is m².
So,
σ = kg × m s ⁻²/m²
σ = kg × s ⁻²/m
σ = ML⁻¹T⁻²
Since the volumetric strain is unit less quantity so the bulk modulus or bulk modulus of elasticity dimensional formula will be:
K = ML⁻¹T⁻²
Relation Between Bulk Modulus and Compressibility
Compressibility is the reciprocal of the Bulk modulus which is defined as the ratio of compressive stress to volumetric strain.
As we know,
Bulk Modulus,
K = - ΔP/(ΔV/V)
So, Compressibility will be
β = 1/K
β = 1/- ΔP/(ΔV/V)
β = - (ΔV/V)/ΔP
So, if the bulk modulus of a material is high, the compressibility of that material will be low.
For example, if the bulk modulus of steel is 160 GPA and the bulk modulus of water is 2 GPA then water will be more compressible than steel.
Relation Between Bulk Modulus and Modulus of Elasticity
Lets,
σ = Stress on the faces
I = length of the cube
E = Young's modulus for the Material
μ = Poisson Ratios
As we know,
Bulk Modulus, K = σ/εᵥ
Young's Modulus, E = σ/ε
Volume of cube = l³
So,
Change in Volume,
ΔV = 3l².δl
Both sides dividing by V
ΔV/V = (3l².δl)/V
ΔV/V = (3l².δl)/l³
ΔV/V = 3 × δl/l
ΔV/V = 3 × ε
As we know,
Linear strain,
ε = σ/E(1 - 2/m)
Now, putting these values then,
ΔV/V = 3 × σ/E(1 - 2/m)
Now, bulk modulus
K = σ/(ΔV/V)
K = σ/(3 × σ/E(1 - 2/m)
K = E/3(1 - 2/m)
E = 3K(1 - 2/m)
As we know,
Poisson's Ratio, μ = 1/m
So,
E = 3K(1 - 2μ)
Relation Between Bulk Modulus, Modulus of Elasticity, and Shear Modulus
As we know from the relation between the modulus of elasticity and shear modulus,
E = 2G(1 + μ)
So,
μ = (E/2G) - 1
Now, we know
E = 3K(1 − 2μ)
After putting Poisson's Ratio value then,
E = 3K{(1 − 2(E/2G) - 1)}
After calculating these values we will get,
E = 9KG/(3K+G)
Calculation of Bulk Modulus
Question
For certain materials, the modulus of elasticity is 200 N / mm². If Poisson's ratio is 0.35, Calculate Bulk modulus.
Solution
Given Data,
E = 200 N / mm²
μ = 0.35
As we know,
E = 3K(1 − 2μ)
After putting values
200 = 3K(1 - 2 × 0.35)
200 = 0.9K
K = 200/0.9
K = 222.22 N / mm²
FAQ Related to Bulk Modulus
What is meant by bulk modulus?
Bulk modulus is a measure of the compressibility of a substance. It is defined as the ratio of the infinitesimal pressure increase to the resulting relative decrease in volume. It is a measure of how difficult it is to compress a substance.
A substance with a high bulk modulus is more difficult to compress and is considered more rigid, while a substance with a low bulk modulus is more easily compressed and is considered less rigid.
What is bulk modulus vs Young's modulus?
Bulk modulus and Young's modulus are both measures of the mechanical properties of a substance, but they describe different aspects of the material's behavior.
Bulk modulus is a measure of the compressibility of a substance. Young's modulus, on the other hand, is a measure of a substance's elasticity or stiffness.
What is the formula for bulk modulus of elasticity?
The formula for the bulk modulus of elasticity, also known as the bulk modulus, is:
Bulk modulus = -V(ΔP/(ΔV)
Where V is the volume of the substance and
ΔP/ΔV is the change in pressure with respect to the change in volume.
Alternatively, it can also be defined as
Bulk modulus = -1/V.(ΔV/(ΔP)
The negative sign is included in the formula to indicate that the bulk modulus is a measure of resistance to compression.
What is the unit of bulk modulus?
In the SI system, the unit of the bulk modulus is N/m² or Pascal and in the FPS system, the unit of the bulk modulus is lb/ft².
Why bulk modulus is highest in solids?
Bulk modulus is a measure of how difficult it is to compress a substance. In general, solids have the highest bulk moduli because their atoms or molecules are closely packed together and are not able to move around easily when a force is applied. This makes it difficult to compress the material and results in a high bulk modulus.
So here you have to know all aspects related to the bulk modulus of elasticity or bulk modulus. If you have any doubts then you are free to ask me by mail or on the contact us page.
Thank You.
0 Comments