FINAL EXAMINATION

SEMESTER I, SESSION 2012/2013

COURSE CODE

SKAA2223/SAB2223/ SAM2213

COURSE

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES

PROGRAMME

SAW

DURATION

2 HOURS 30 MINUTES

DATE

JANUARY 2013

INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES:
1. Answer all the questions in Section A.
2. Answer ONLY three (3) questions in Section B.

WARNING!
Students caught copying/cheating during the examination will be liable for
disciplinary actions and the faculty may recommend the student to be expelled from
the study.
This examination question consists of (9) printed pages only.

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 2

SECTION A
Q1.

An overhanging beam, ABCD as shown in Figure Q1 is used to support a

triangular load over span AB, a uniform distributed load over span BC, two
point loads between B and C and a moment acting at D. Construct the shear
force diagram (SFD) and bending moment diagram (BMD) for the beam and
indicate the important values in the diagrams.
(20 marks)
30 kN

10 kN
20 kN/m

15 kNm

B
2m

D
2m

2m

2m

1m

6m

FIGURE Q1

Q2.

Figure Q2 shows a plane truss supported by pin at A, and roller at D. The truss
is subjected to a horizontal load of 20 kN at B, and a vertical load of 20 kN at
C, respectively.

(a)

Show that the truss is stable and statically determinate;

(4 marks)

(b)

Determine the forces in all the members of the truss. Indicate whether
each member is in compression or tension;
(8 marks)

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 3

(c)

Predict whether the vertical displacement at point C of the truss

complies the displacement requirement of not exceeding 30 mm. The
cross-sectional area is 200 mm2 and 150 mm2 for the diagonal
members and other members, respectively. Take the modulus of
elasticity, E = 200 kN/mm2
(8 marks)
(20 marks)

20 kN

A
4m

D
C

20 kN
3m

1
1

3m

FIGURE Q2

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 4

SECTION B
Q3.

The bracket ABC in Figure Q3 is supported by cable BD and pin C. An

inclined point load of 15 kN is applied at A. By applying equilibrium
conditions of structure, determine

(a) the factor of safety with respect to cable failure if the breaking strength of
cable BD is 100 kN
(7 marks)

(b) the required pin diameter at C, if the ultimate shearing stress is 350 MPa
and the factor of safety of 3.5 is desired,
(7 marks)

(c) the required thickness of the bracket supports at C knowing that the
allowable bearing stress of the steel used is 300 MPa.
(6 marks)
(20 marks)

40o 15 kN

30o

Bracket supports
B
0.5 m
C

0.7 m

0.4 m

FIGURE Q3

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 5

Q4.

For the state of stress shown in Figure Q4, and by using Mohrs circle,
determine and sketch the shear and normal stresses by constructing a properly
oriented element for the following conditions

(a)

the vertical face is rotated until it is parallel to line a-a,

(6 marks)

(b)

the element is rotated to its principal plane

(6 marks)

(c)

the element is rotated for maximum shearing stress and the

corresponding normal stresses
(8 marks)
(20 marks)

70 MPa
40 MPa
a
a

60o

FIGURE Q4

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 6

Q5.

Two vertical forces are applied to a beam of the cross section shown in Figure
Q5.

(a)

Construct the shear stress distribution across the depth of the cross
section to show the absolute maximum shear stress and shear jump at
the juncture in the beam,
(15 marks)

(b)

determine the absolute maximum tensile and compressive stresses.

(5 marks)

(20 marks)

3 kN

8 mm

3 kN
B

8 mm

A
20 mm
200 mm

250 mm

40 mm
Cross section of the beam

FIGURE Q5

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 7

Q6.

The space truss shown in Figure Q6 consists of nine members and is supported
by a ball and socket at B, a short link at C, and two short links at D.

(a) Prove that the space truss is statically determinate.

(5 marks)

(b) Analyse all the reactions by using equilibrium equation;

(6 marks)

(c) Analyse all member forces in each member at joint A if P is 1200 N

(9 marks)
(20 marks)

y
P

0.6 m

E
3m

B
O
0.6 m

2.25 m

C
1.2 m

0.75 m

FIGURE Q6

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 8

Q7.

Figure Q7 shows a simply supported beam, which has a pin support at A and
roller support at B. The beam is subjected to a point loads of 8 kN at C and a
uniformly distributed loads of 15 kN/m between point A and B. The Young
Modulus, E and the second moment of area, I for the beam are 200 GPa and
100 106 mm4, respectively. By using the Macaulays method,

(a)

write the slope and displacement equations for the elastic curve for the
cantilevered beam shown in Figure Q7.
(12 marks)

(b)

calculate the rotation at B.

(4 marks)

(c)

calculate the maximum deflection at D. Then, evaluate whether the

beam complies with the deflection limit which is

where L is the

length of the beam.

(4 marks)
(20 marks)

8 kN
15 kN/m

C
2m

12 m

FIGURE Q7

5m

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 9

Q8.

(a)

A tubular column having a thickness of 12 mm and an inner diameter

of 500 mm is fixed at its bottom and free at its top as shown in Figure
Q8 (a). An axial load P is applied at the top of the column. If the
allowable compressive stress that can be applied is 125 MPa, analyse
to determine the maximum value of P that can be carried by the
column. Modulus of elasticity, E = 200 GPa.
(10 marks)

(b)

If a new column size is to be used, where the thickness and the inner
diameter is 20 mm and 600 mm,respectively, analyse to determine the
safe load of the column if the height is 4m and the safety factor is 2.0.
Assume that a slender column has a slenderness ratio, L / r > 100.
(10 marks)
(20 marks)

5m

600 mm

12mm 500mm 12mm

FIGURE Q8(a)

Cross - section

FIGURE Q8(b)

SAB 2223/ SAM 2213 10

EQUATIONS
The symbols indicate parameters usually used.
Relations Between , V, M
dV
dM
x ,
V
dx
dx
Elastic Curve

Axial Load
Normal Stress

Displacement
L

Px dx
Ax E

M
EI
d 4
EI 4 x
dx
d 3
EI 3 V x
dx
d 2
EI 2 M x
dx

PL
AE
T TL

Bending
Normal stress

My
I

Shear
Average direct shear stress

avg

V
A

Geometric Properties of Area

Elements y
1
A=bh
I bh 3
12
x
h

VQ

Transverse shear stress

It
VQ
Shear flow
q= t
I

b
A

Material property Relations

lat
long
E
G
21 v

1
bh
2

x 1

Poissons ratio

Ix

Radius gyration r I A
Effective length Le = KL
K = 1 for pinned ends
K = 2 for fixed and free ends
K = 0.5 for fixed ends
K = 0.7 for pinned and fixed ends

1 3
bh
36

Buckling

2 EI
Critical axial load Pcr
KL 2
2E
Critical stress cr
KL / r 2

1 3
hb
12

D 4
64

2
a
5

b
3
b
8

Exparabolic
2ab
A 2
A 3ab area
3
b
C
C

Semiparabolic
area

zero
slope

3
a
4

ab
3
3

10