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Disclaimer
This problem solving guide will not make a student pass the exam. Without practice and understanding of the
underlying concepts, a student will not attain his goal of passing or even getting a 1.0.
To better understand the steps shown in this guide, practice solving different problems (from Hibbeler, Beer, or
other authors). Use this guide to solve them until you don’t need this guide anymore.
Understand the theory and logic behind all the steps in the methods shown in this guide. This way, even if you
forget some steps, you can easily remember them by relating the basic concepts to the current problem you are
solving.
This problem solving guide may still be incomplete and may be inapplicable to difficult problems I have never
encountered before. I recommend practicing different type of problems and please tell me if there are any part
of this guide that didn’t work with a specific type of problem.
𝒅 = |𝜹| + 𝒈𝒂𝒑/𝒚𝒊𝒆𝒍𝒅/𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
After Steps 1 and 1a, your number of equations SHOULD NOW BE equal to the number of
unknown forces.
Step 2. Calculate allowable forces
Compute for the allowable forces for each component of the system using.
𝐹𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 × 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
Step 4. Computing for 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
Mode 5 (equation mode) method
MM1. Rearrange your equations such that all the unknown forces are on the left hand side of the equation and ONLY
𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 is on the right hand side. NOTE: You cannot use this method if one of your equations have a constant on
the right hand side of the equation other than 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 . One example of this case is when you have gaps or clearances
in your systems.
MM2. Input the coefficients of your unknown forces on your calculators after going to Mode 5. Let 𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 be equal to
1. Press enter.
MM3. You have now expressed your unknown forces in terms of 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 .
𝐹1 = _____𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐹2 = _____𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐹3 = _____𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥
MM4. Plug in the allowable forces for each component that you calculated from Step 2 to 𝐹1 , 𝐹2 , and 𝐹3 in the equations
in MM3. You should get a corresponding 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 for each unknown forces (we will have 3 values in this example).
MM5. Your final answer should be the SMALLEST 𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 that you computed from MM4.
Table Method
TM1. Construct a table that looks like this:
𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 𝑭𝟑
Allowable Forces
Let 𝐹1 = 𝐹1,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
Let 𝐹2 = 𝐹2,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
Let 𝐹1 = 𝐹1,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
TM2. Fill the first row with the values of the allowable forces you calculated from Step 2.
TM3. For the next row, let the first force reach its allowable force (or stress for that matter). Using that 𝐹1,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 , compute
for the corresponding values of 𝐹2 , and 𝐹3 using the equations you wrote from Step 1 and Step 1a. (Of course,
you can’t use the equation that contains 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 ).
TM4. You want the forces NOT TO EXCEED their allowable values, so put a check on those values lower than the
values from the first row, and put a cross mark otherwise.
TM5. For the remaining rows, just do what you did in TM3 and TM4, only this time, copy the values for 𝐹2 , and 𝐹3
respectively, and compute for the corresponding values of the other forces.
TM6. After completing the table, it should look something like this,
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
𝑭𝟏 𝑭𝟐 𝑭𝟑
Allowable Forces F1,allow F2,allow F3,allow
Let 𝐹1 = 𝐹1,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 F1,allow 𝐹2 from 1 𝐹3 from 1
Let 𝐹2 = 𝐹2,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝐹1 from 2 F2,allow 𝐹3 from 2
Let 𝐹1 = 𝐹1,𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝐹1 from 3 𝐹2 from 3 F3,allow
TM7. Now let’s say the third row have checks in all columns as shown above, then it should be the governing case. It
means that even if 𝐹2 reaches its allowable value, the other components of the system are still safe.
TM8. Plug in now the values of these three forces to your equation from statics that contains 𝑃𝑚𝑎𝑥 . Solve for 𝑷𝒎𝒂𝒙 and
that will be the final answer.
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
Step 2. Deformations
Solve for the deformation of the member using
𝑷𝒊 𝑳𝒊
𝜹𝑨/𝑩 = 𝜮𝑩 𝑩
𝑨 (𝜹𝑻𝑶𝑻𝑨𝑳 ) = 𝜮𝑨 ( + 𝜶𝒊 𝑳𝒊 𝜟𝑻𝒊 )
𝑨𝒊 𝑬𝒊
Remember that this equation can be used to determine the deformation of one point with respect to another point. Just
sum the 𝛿𝑇𝑂𝑇𝐴𝐿 of the segments BETWEEN those two points. So, if the question is the total deformation, then the
summation should be from one end to the other end.
The values of 𝑃 for a segment that will be substituted into the equation will come from the Force Diagram you drew
from Step 1.
𝑷𝑳
𝜹 = 𝜶𝑳𝜟𝑻 +
𝑨𝑬
Take note that you should be consistent with the signs. If temperature is increased, 𝛼𝐿Δ𝑇 should be positive, and it
should be negative otherwise. If the force you calculated from Step 1 is compressive, 𝑃𝐿/𝐴𝐸 should be negative, and it
should be positive otherwise.
Step 3. Geometry
1. “Unlock” the pin.
2. Let ALL the bars elongate or contract depending on the value of 𝛿 you calculated from Step 2. Skip this step
for those members that are rigid since they won’t deform.
3. Draw perpendicular lines at the final locations of the ends of the bars after they deformed in Step 3-2. We do
this because we assume RIGID BODY ROTATION – right triangles instead of circular sectors.
4. The intersection of THOSE PERPENDICULAR LINES is the final location of your pin.
5. Using geometry, solve for the vertical (upward or downward) and the horizontal (to the left or to the right)
displacement of the pin. DON’T FORGET TO WRITE THE DIRECTION.
System of deformable members
System of deformable and rigid members
Note: For systems of deformable and rigid members, since rigid members won’t deform, they are the ones that will
dictate the final location of the pin. Let’s say the rigid member is horizontal, then the pin will only be located along
the vertical axis passing through the initial location of the pin.
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
Try answering the following problems using what you learned from Sections 2 and 3:
Step 2. Deformations
Write the expression for the total deformation of each bar using
𝑷𝑳
𝜹 = 𝜶𝑳𝜟𝑻 +
𝑨𝑬
Take note that you should be consistent with the signs. If you assumed a force to be compressive, 𝑷𝑳/𝑨𝑬 should be
negative, and it should be positive otherwise.
Step 3-4. Geometry of Deformations & Compatibility Equations
VERY BLOODY IMPORTANT: The values of 𝛿 here should be consistent with your assumption of
the forces from Step 1. (i.e., PL/AE should be positive if P is assumed tensile and v.v.)
CASE 1. Axial Members in Series
𝛿1 + 𝛿2 = 0 𝛿1 + 𝛿2 − 𝑔𝑎𝑝 = 0
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
NOTE: If there is a GAP in one of the members, just subtract the gap to the side of the equation corresponding to
that member.
Use similar triangles to relate DEFLECTIONS
Step 4. Solve
The number of equations should now be equal to the number of unknown forces. If your answer turned out to be
negative, it means that your assumption regarding the direction of the force is wrong. JUST REMEMBER that when
finding the final deformations using the equations you wrote from Step 3, plug in the forces you solved AS IS
without changing its sign. Indicate the corrected assumed directions ONLY at the end of your solution to avoid
confusion.
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
Step 1. Statics
You may assume any direction for the forces. JUST BE CONSISTENT IN WRITING THE EQUILIBRIUM
EQUATIONS.
Step 2. Deformations
Write the expression for the total deformation of each bar using
𝑷𝑳
𝜹 = 𝜶𝑳𝜟𝑻 +
𝑨𝑬
Take note that you should be consistent with the signs. If you assumed a force to be compressive, 𝑷𝑳/𝑨𝑬 should be
negative, and it should be positive otherwise.
Step 3. Geometry of Deformations and Compatibility Equations
You may assume ANY ROTATION OR MOVEMENT on the rigid members. Just remember that RIGID BODIES
DON’T DEFORM NOR BREAK. For example, for the figure above, you can assume that rigid bar ABCD will rotate
clockwise or counterclockwise. BUT YOU CAN’T ASSUME THAT BOTH BARS (1) and (2) will elongate or
contract at the same time because it will cause deformation/breaking on bar ABCD.
For any bar, the relationship between the deformation and the displacement is:
𝒅 = +𝜹 (for members that ELONGATED in your assumption)
𝒅 = −𝜹 (for members that SHORTENED in your assumption)
You can also use these relationships with problems involving Axial Members in Parallel and/or Series.
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
After relating the deformations and displacements, write the relationship between all the displacements using
SIMILAR TRIANGLES. For the figure above,
𝑑𝐵 𝑑 𝐶 −𝛿1 𝛿2
= ↔ =
36 84 36 84
Express the 𝜹’s in terms of the unknown forces by plugging in equations from step 2 to equations from this step.
Step 4. Solve
If one or more of your resulting forces are negative, it only means that your assumed direction from Step 1 is
wrong.
If you are to find the correct displacements of the members, plug in the forces you solved AS IS without changing
the sign (if some answers are negative) to the relationship between the displacements and deformations from
Step 3. If the displacement turned out to be negative, it means that you assumed the opposite of the actual
movement of the system.
AGAIN, I’LL EMPHASIZE THAT WHEN WRITING YOUR FINAL ANSWERS, ALWAYS INDICATE:
o If a force or stress is COMPRESSIVE or TENSILE. (Remove the negative signs, if there are any,
since you are already putting the correct direction of the force or stress)
o The TRUE direction of the displacements, not the assumed. (Remove the negative signs also)
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
Example Problem 1
An aluminum alloy cylinder (2) is clamped between rigid heads by two steel
bolts (1), as shown. The steel [E = 200 GPa; 𝛼 = 11.7 × 10−6/°C] bolts have
a diameter of 16 mm. The aluminum alloy [E = 70 GPa; 𝛼 = 23.6 × 10−6/°C]
cylinder has an outside diameter of 150 mm and a wall thickness of 5 mm.
Assume a (length of aluminum cylinder) = 600 mm and b (length of steel
bolt) = 700 mm. If the temperature of this assembly changes by ΔT = 50°C,
determine:
(a) the normal stress in the aluminum cylinder.
(b) the normal strain in the aluminum cylinder.
(c) the normal strain in the steel bolts.
Solution:
Step 1. Statics
For this example, I will assume that all bars are in tension. Therefore, by
summing forces along x,
2𝐹1 + 𝐹2 = 0 (1)
Step 2. Deformations
Since I assumed that all forces are in tension, their respective PL/AE ‘s should be positive.
𝐹𝐿
𝛿1 = (𝛼𝐿Δ𝑇)1 + ( )
𝐴𝐸 1
7𝐹1
𝛿1 = 0.4095 +
128000𝜋
𝐹𝐿
𝛿2 = (𝛼𝐿Δ𝑇)2 + ( )
𝐴𝐸 2
3𝐹2
𝛿2 = 0.708 +
253750𝜋
Step 3. Compatibility Equations
Because there are two bars of the same material and dimensions on both sides,
𝛿1 = 𝛿2
7𝐹1 3𝐹2
0.4095 + = 0.708 + (2)
128000𝜋 253750𝜋
Step 4. Solve
Solving (1) and (2) simultaneously,
𝐹1 = +11971.5517 𝑁
𝐹2 = −23943.10341 𝑁
Since 𝐹2 is negative, this means that our assumption is wrong and 𝐹2 should be compressive.
Example Problem 2
A pin-connected structure is loaded and supported as
shown. Member BCDF is a rigid plate. Member (1) is a
steel [E = 200 GPa; 𝐴1 = 310 𝑚𝑚2 ; 𝛼 = 11.9 ×
10−6 /°𝐶] bar and member (2) is an aluminum [E = 70
GPa; 𝐴2 = 620 𝑚𝑚2 ; 𝛼 = 22.5 × 10−6 /°𝐶] bar. A
load of 6 kN is applied to the plate at F. If the
temperature increases by 20 oC, compute the normal
stresses and of members (1) and (2) and the
displacements of point B and D.
Solution
Step 1. Statics
For this example, I will assume that 𝐹1 is tensile and 𝐹2
is compressive. We can only use one equilibrium
equation, and that is the summation of moments about
C.
𝐹1 (100) + 𝐹2 (300) − 6000(350) = 0
𝐹1 + 3𝐹2 = 21000 (1)
Step 2. Deformations
Since I assumed that bar (1) is in tension and bar (2) is in compression,
𝐹𝐿
𝛿1 = (𝛼𝐿Δ𝑇)1 + ( )
𝐴𝐸 1
𝐹1
𝛿1 = 0.119 +
124000
𝐹𝐿
𝛿2 = (𝛼𝐿Δ𝑇)2 + ( )
𝐴𝐸 2
𝐹2
𝛿2 = 0.180 −
108500
Displacements of B and D
Plug in the values of 𝐹1 and 𝐹2 as is to the expressions for 𝑑𝐵 and 𝑑𝐷 in step 4.
−17328.85
𝑑𝐵 = 0.119 + = −0.0207 𝑚𝑚 → = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟎𝟕 𝒎𝒎 ←
124000
𝐹2
𝑑𝐷 = − (0.180 − ) = −0.0622 𝑚𝑚 ←= 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟐 𝒎𝒎 →
108500
As you notice, both 𝑑𝐵 and 𝑑𝐷 turned out to be negative. This means that our assumed movement of the system is
opposite of the actual movement which is COUNTERCLOCKWISE. This implies that the 6-kN force was not
enough to overcome the elongation caused by the increase in temperature.
Also, this means that even though your member is under compression (or tension), if the system underwent a change
in temperature, your member will not necessarily shorten (or elongate). Similarly, even if the system underwent a
temperature increase, it does not mean that your member will always elongate.
ES 13 – Mechanics of Materials
GUIDE FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS – 1st Long Exam
Answers:
(a) 𝑃𝐴 = 40.29 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶); 𝑃𝐵 = 30.22 𝑘𝑁 (𝐶)
(b) 𝛿𝐴 = +0.916 𝑚𝑚; 𝛿𝐵 = −1.221 𝑚𝑚
Answers:
(a) 𝜎𝐴 = 31.524 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑇); 𝜎𝐵 = 58.087 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑇)
(b) 𝑑𝐷 = 0.292 𝑚𝑚 ↑