BOSTON UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering

EK 301 Engineering Mechanics I

Exam 1: October 17 2016

Name:SOLUTIONS Section:

READ THIS BEFORE YOU START:

Be sure to read through and answer ALL the questions in both documents.

You have one hour and 50 minutes in which to complete the exam.

Read the problems carefully and take your time. Note that the points assigned to a problem does
not necessarily indicate difficulty.

Use whatever method you deem appropriate to solve the problems, but you MUST show all work
for full credit.

Box final answers. Give answers to 3 significant digits unless otherwise asked.

Include units, vector symbols and free-body diagrams (with axes and dimensions) where appropri-
ate.

Unless otherwise asked, state vectors in Cartesian format with unit vectors , , k.

Please use the pages provided to solve each problem. You may use the front and back sides for your
work. Extra work pages are included at the end in case you need the extra space. Be sure to mark
what problem is being solved on the page and do not solve more than one problem on a page.

Problem 1 2 3 4 5 Subtotal
Max points 20 20 20 20 20 100
Earned points

1
Problem 2.89 The straight line from the head of F to
y
point A is parallel to the y axis, and point A is contained
in the x-z plane. The x component of F is Fx = 100 N.
(a) What is the magnitude of F?.
(b) Determine the angles x , y , and z between F and
the positive coordinate axes. F

x
O 20
Solution: The triangle OpA is a right triangle, since OA lies in
the x-z plane, and Ap is parallel to the y-axis. Thus the magnitudes 60
are given by the sine law:
A
|rAp | |F| |rOA |
= = ,
sin 20 sin 90 sin 70
thus |rAp | = |F|(0.342) and |rOA | = |F|(0.9397). The compo- z
nents of the two vectors are from the geometry
rOA = |rOA |(i cos 30 + j cos 90 + k cos 60 )
(b) x = cos1 (0.8138) = 35.5 ,
= |rOA |(0.866i + 0j + 0.5k) and
rAp = |rAp |(i cos 90 + j cos 0 + k cos 90 ) = |rAp |(0i + 1j + 0k) y = cos1 (0.342) = 70 and z = cos1 (0.4699) = 62
Noting F = rOA + rAp , then from above
y
F = |F|(0.3420)(0i + 1j + 0k) + |F|(0.9397)(0.866i + 0j + 0.5k)
F = |F|(0.8138i + 0.342j + 0.4699k) P
F
The x-component is given to be 100 N. Thus, 20
O x
100
(a) |F| = = 122.9 N The angles are given by z 60
0.8138 q
A

Problem 2.90 The position of a point P on the sur-

face of the earth is specified by the longitude , measured y
from the point G on the equator directly south of Green- N
wich, England, and the latitude L measured from the
equator. Longitude is given as west (W) longitude or east
(E) longitude, indicating whether the angle is measured
west or east from point G. Latitude is given as north (N) P
latitude or south (S) latitude, indicating whether the an-
gle is measured north or south from the equator. Suppose L
z
that P is at longitude 30 W and latitude 45 N. Let RE O
be the radius of the earth. Using the coordinate system
shown, determine the components of the position vector G
of P relative to the center of the earth. (Your answer will Equator
be in terms of RE .) x

Solution: Drop a vertical line from point P to the equatorial plane.

Let the intercept be B (see figure). The vector position of P is the
sum of the two vectors: P = rOB + rBP . The vector rOB = y
|rOB |(i cos + 0j + k sin ). From geometry, the magnitude is
|rOB | = RE cos .
The vector rBP = |rBP |(0i + 1j + 0k). From geometry, the P
magnitude is |rBP | = RE sin P . Substitute: P = rOB +
rBP = RE (i cos cos + j sin + k sin cos ). Substitute z O
from the problem statement: = +30 , = 45 . Hence
B
P = RE (0.6124i + 0.707j + 0.3536k)

x
EK 301 Exam I Fall 2016

2. (20 pts) The following information applies to both scenarios below: The system of cables (BC, BD) and
linear spring AB is in static equilibrium. The spring has an undeformed length of 300 mm.

Scenario 1: Determine the tension in the cables if the distance n = 300 mm.

Scenario 2: Determine the tension in cable BD and distance n if the tension in cable BC is (now) 125 N.

C
FBD:

y
400 mm FBC

A B FAB
x
n
FBD
D

500 mm 400 mm

Solution:

1.
300
= tan 1 ( ) = 36.8
X 400
Fx : Fs + TBC cos(45) + TBD cos() = 0;
X
Fy : TBC sin(45) TBD sin() = 0;

Solving: TBC = 96.97 = 97.0 N; TBD = 114 N

2.
n
= tan 1 ( )
X 400
Fx : Fs + (125 N) cos(45) + TBD cos() = 0;
X
Fy : (125 N) sin(45) TBD sin() = 0;

Solving: TBD = 113.76 = 114 N; = 50.98 ; n = 494 mm

3
The tension in cable AB is 100lb. If you want the magnitude of the moment about the base O of the tree due to the
forces exerted on the tree by the two ropes to be 1500 ft-lb, what is the necessary tension in rope AC? Express the
result as a Cartesian vector.
!
!

!
!
! !
EK 301 Exam I Fall 2016

4. (20 pts) The hook from the gantry supports 3 cables at point A. These cables support a horizontal
platform that weighs 20,000 lb. Determine the tension in the cables AB, AC, and AD.

FBD:

A T y
A x
10 ft D
7 ft
FAD
14 ft
6 ft B C

4 ft 8 ft
FAB
FAC
W

Solution: You must analyze either the plate and its forces (weight down, rope tensile forces up) or the
hook connection and its forces (tension up, rope tensile forces down). It is incorrect to apply the weight
force at the hook and have all the tensions pointed down, as ropes can only have a tensile force applied
away from the point of connection to the structure in the FBD analysis. Analyzing the hook and every-
thing below it will show that the hook force is equal and opposite to the weight: T = 20 k kip.

6 10 k
4

eAB = = 0.324 0.487 0.811 k;
12.3
8 6 10 k

eAC = = 0.566 0.424 0.707 k;
14.1
1 + 8 10 k

eAD = = 0.0778 + 0.623 0.779 k;
X 12.84
Fx : FAD,x + FBD,x + FCD,x = 0;
X
Fy : FAD,y + FBD,y + FCD,y = 0;
X
Fz : FAD,z + FBD,z + FCD,z + T = 0;

Solving for the magnitude tensions:

FAB = 1027.4 = 1030 lb; FAC = 437.7 = 438 lb; FAD = 11010 = 11,000 lb = 11 kip (3 sig figs)

5
538.
The boom is intended to support two vertical loads, F1 and F2.
If the cable CB can sustain a maximum load of 1500 N before
it fails, determine the critical loads if F1 = 2F2. Also, what is
C
the magnitude of the maximum reaction at pin A?

5
3
4

SOLUTION
1m B
a + MA = 0; - 2F2(1.5 cos 30) - F2(2.5 cos 30)

4 3
+ (1500)(2.5 sin 30) + (1500)(2.5 cos 30) = 0 1.5 m D
5 5
F2
F2 = 724 N Ans.
30
F1 = 2F2 = 1448 N A F1

F1 = 1.45 kN Ans.

:
+ F = 0; 4
x Ax - (1500) = 0
5

Ax = 1200 N

3
+ c Fy = 0; Ay - 724 - 1448 + (1500) = 0
5

Ay = 1272 N

FA = 2(1200)2 + (1272)2 = 1749 N = 1.75 kN Ans.