After performing this experiment, the learner will be able to:

• Understand the concept of principal stresses in a plane stress condition.
• Determine the principal stresses acting at a point using stress transformation equations.
• Identify the orientation of the principal planes.
• Compare the maximum shear stress criterion (Tresca) and distortion energy criterion (Von Mises).
• Evaluate whether a component is safe against yielding under combined loading.
• Appreciate the importance of principal stress analysis in mechanical and structural design.