INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY TIRUPATI

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering Mechanics

Tutorial & Home Work Problems: 3 Principle of Virtual Work 29 Jan 2019
Tutorial Problems: 1, 3, 7

1) The pin at C is attached to member BCD and cab slide along a slot
cut in the fixed plate shown. Neglecting the effect the effect of
friction, derive an expression for the magnitude of the couple M
required to maintain equilibrium when the force P that acts at D is
directed (a) as shown (b) vertically downward (c) horizontally to the
direct.

2) Rod AB is attached to a block at A that can slide freely in the vertical

slot shown. Neglecting the effect of friction and the weights of the
rods, determine the value of ϴ corresponding to equilibrium.

3) Two rods AC and CE are connected by a pin t C and by a

spring AE. The constant of the spring k and the spring is
unstretched when u = 300 . Knowing that l is 14 cm and
neglecting the weight of the rods, determine the value of u
corresponding to equilibrium when P is 500 N.

4) Knowing that the constant of spring CD is k and the spring is

unstretched when rod ABC is horizontal; determine the value
of u corresponding to equilibrium for the data indicated.
P = 300 N, l=400 mm, k= 5500 N/ m
5) A slender rod AB, of weight W, is attached to two
blocks A and B that can move freely in the guides
shown. Knowing that the spring is unstretched when
y =0 , determine the value of y corresponding to
equilibrium when w = 80 N; l=500 mm and k = 600
N/m.

6) The portable work platform is elevated by means of

the two hydraulic cylinders articulated at points C.
Each cylinder is under a hydraulic pressure p and has
a piston Area A. Determine pressure p required to
support the platform and show that it is
independent of ϴ. The platform, worker, and
supplies have a combined mass m, and the masses
of the links may be neglected.

7) An inventor devises a springboard playground toy

for children which consists of a tough, lightweight
plastic board attached to a heavy steel frame by
three springs. The free lengths of all three springs
are 300 mm and the spring constants are 𝑘𝑘1 =
𝑘𝑘3 = 17 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘; 𝑘𝑘2 = 21 𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘/𝑚𝑚. In order to test the
strength of the connections, the inventor, who
weighs 620 N, climbs onto the board and stands at
several places. As she stands at the location
shown, what forces are transmitted to the frame
connections? What is the central vertical deflection
of the board and the angle the board make with
the horizontal?
Hint: Consider two degrees of freedom- one is the displacement in vertical deflection of the centre
of the board and the second is the angle of rotation of the board it makes with the horizontal
1) A proposed parallelogram linkage for an
adjustable position lamp is shown. If the
unstretched length of the spring is b/2,
determine the necessary spring stiffness k for
equilibrium at a given angle ϴ with the
vertical. The mass of the lamp and triangular
fixture is m. Check the stability within the
working range from
1
𝛳𝛳 = 2 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠−1 = 290 ϴ = 1800 stable
4
within the specified range