Class Exercise #1 1.

050 Solid Mechanics Fall 2004

B ∆

A C

The two-bar linkage is pinned at its ends to linear springs of equal stiffness. The pins A and C are
constrained vertically but free to move horizontally. The pin B, where the load is applied, is free to move
vertically, even down below the horizontal. (The dashed lines show the unloaded, P=0, configuration.)
Sketch the shape of the load-deflection curve, P versus ∆, below.
P

ENGINEERING MECHANICS FOR STRUCTURES