POLYTECHNIC OF NAMIBIA

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SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
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Department of Mechanical Engineering

Applied Mechanics Statics (AMS 110S)
13th March 2009 Tutorial #1 Force Systems and Equilibrium Total marks: 30 Note: This Tutorial is to be completed during the tutorial session of two hours, and is to be submitted at the end of the tutorial session. IMPORTANT NOTICES: Write neatly and legibly, as illegible work will not be considered for marks. If you are of the opinion that insufficient information was provided to solve a specific problem, make realistic assumptions, motivate these and continue solving the problem based on your assumptions made. Use F.B.Ds and illustrative diagrams wherever possible. Clearly show the reference Cartesian axes system used for each question. Pay attention to units and show the relevant unit in each calculated answer. No marks will be awarded for answers only. Calculations must contain a minimum number of logically sequenced steps followed by an answer. In cases where two or more different - and undeleted answers are given for the same item, the right answer will not be considered for marks. Use gravitational acceleration g = 9.81m/s2. Answer all questions.

Question 1 [Force components and resultants]. (a) Replace the 2-kN tension in the cable by its equivalent of two forces at A, Ft parallel and Fn perpendicular to the beam. Determine Ft and Fn [4].

F2 45 x 60 F3 y
Figure Q1a. Figure Q1b.

75

F1

(b) Force F1 makes an angle of 75 with the vertical axis, whereas forces F2 and F3 make angles of 45 and 60 respectively with the horizontal axis as shown in Figure Q1b. (i) Express the force F3 as a vector [1] (ii) If the magnitudes of F2 and F3 are 4 kN and 5 kN respectively and the resultant of all the three forces is 4 kN in the positive x-axis direction, calculate the magnitude of force F1 [3]. Question 2 [Moments & couples]. A 50-N force acts at point A on the high-pressure water cock. Replace this force with (a) a force-couple system, the force of which acts at point B [3] (b) two horizontal forces, one acting at point B and the other at point C [3].

Figure Q2.

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Question 3 [Equilibrium]. The 20-kg homogeneous smooth sphere rests on the two inclines as shown. Determine the contact forces at A and B. The sphere is then pulled by a string acting on its centre of mass and parallel to the 30 inclined surface. Calculate the tension in the string at the point when the sphere lifts off and contact is lost at A [5+2].

Figure Q3. Question 4 [3-dimensional force systems]. The crane mounted on the flatbed truck is supporting a load of 3.2 kN (Figure Q4). Determine the moment of this load about an axis coincident with the rear axle (x) of the r r r n ] [9]. truck [Hint: use M x ' = rx ' F n

Figure Q4.

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