CE 2021: Properties & Mechanics of Materials

ME 2010: Mechanics of Solids I

Feb.-May, 2016

Tutorial #1
P

1. A linear elastic spring is said to have a stiffness of k when the spring

force F is related to the spring extension e by the linear relationship
F = ke. Fig. Q1 shows two springs in parallel connected to two rigid
end plates. The spring stiffnesses are k1 and k2. A force P acts on this
assembly. Show that:
(a) The combined action of the two springs is the same as that of a
single spring with an equivalent stiffness ke given by ke = k1+k2.
(b) The load is shared between the two springs in proportion to their
respective stiffnesses.

k2

k1

Fig. Q1
2. Fig. Q2 shows two hollow, concentric cylinders of the same
length L connected to two rigid endplates. The cross sections
of the cylinders are uniform and the materials are linear
elastic. Cross-section area, Youngs modulus, and Poissons
ratio of cylinder #1 are A1, E1, and 1 respectively while those
of cylinder #2 are A2, E2, and 2. A compressive force P acts
on this assembly. Determine the following:
(a) Force carried by each cylinder.
(b) Axial strain and stress in each cylinder.

P
Endplate
Cylinder #1

Cylinder #2

Could you have derived the answers to (a) and (b) by using
the results of Q2 above?

Fig. Q2

3. Table Q3 gives the dimensions of a stepped circular column. The Youngs modulus of the column
material is 10.0 kN/mm2. An axial compressive load of 600 kN is applied on this column.
Determine the axial shortening of the column under this axial load.
Table Q3
Height (m)
Diametre (mm)

0-2
400

2-4
300

4. A stepped metal column PQR is shown in Fig. Q4. The two

segments PQ and QR are made of the same material having a
Youngs modulus E. The height and cross sectional area of
segment PQ are h1 and A1 respectively while those of segment
QR are h2 and A2. Both ends of the column may be assumed
to be rigidly fixed. An axial force F is applied on this
column at the junction Q. Determine:
(a) The axial displacement at the junction Q.
(b) The axial force that will be induced in each segment of
the column.
(c) The stress and strain in each segment.

4-5
200

P
area A1

h1
Q

area A2

h2

F
R

NS
Feb. 1, 2016

Fig. Q4