B.Sc.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Mechanics of Materials-II
Problem Sheet No. 2

1. Obtain expressions for the maximum bending moment and deflection of a beam of length L and
flexural rigidity EI, fixed horizontally at both ends, carrying a load W (a) concentrated at mid-span,
(b) uniformly distributed over the whole beam.
 3 3 
 Ans : (a) WL , WL ; (b) WL , WL 
 8 192 EI 12 384 EI 

2. A beam of uniform section is built in at each end and has a span of 20 m. It carries a uniformly
distributed load of 8 kN/m on the left-hand half together with a 120 kN load at 15 m from the left-
hand end. Find the end reactions and fixing moments.
(Ans: 83.75 kN, 116.25 kN; –295.83 kNm, –420.83 kNm)
3. Find the reactions of a continuous beam which is supported at three points at the same level, but
free at its extremities. The spans are 12 m and 6 m; the 12 m span supports a load of 12 kN at a
distance of 6 m from a free end, and the 6 m span is loaded uniformly with 2 kN per meter run.
(Ans: 4.25 kN, 17.25 kN, 2.5 kN)
4. Find the maximum deflection of a propped beam of span length 0.25 m loaded with a concentrated
load of 100 N acting at a distance of 0.15 m from the fixed support. The beam’s constant flexure
rigidity EI = 60 Nm2. (Ans: 0.256 mm)
5. A beam of 8 m span is built in horizontally at the ends and carries a distributed load of 16 kN/m in
addition to a concentrated load of 60 kN at 3 m form one end. Find the reactions and fixing
moments and the position of points of contraflexure.
(Ans: 105 kN, 83 kN; –155.6 kNm, –127.6 kNm; 1.7 m, 6.12 m)
6. A beam, fixed at its ends, span 3 m, carries a load of 60 kN at 1 m form one end. Find the fixing
moments at the ends and the deflection of the load, EI = 16.4 MNm2.
(Ans: –26.67 kNm, –13.33 kNm; 0.362 mm)

7. A beam of length L and flexure stiffness EI is fixed at one end and simply supported at the other. A
uniformly distributed load w extends from the fixed end to mid-span. Determine all the reactions
and the deflection at mid span.
 2 4 
 Ans : 7 wL , 57 wL , 9 wL ; 13wL 
 128 128 128 6144 EI 


8. Plot the deflection curve of a bar of length L and flexure stiffness EI built in horizontally at each
end. A clockwise couple M is applied at mid span. Determine all the reactions, and the deflection
and slope at mid span. Also find maximum deflection and the points on which it occur.
  3 2 2 2 
 Ans : y  M  x  x  1  x  L  ;  3M , 3M , M ,  M ;0, M L ; M L , L , 2 L 
 EI  4 L 8 2  2   2 L 2 L 4 4 16 EI 216 EI 3 3 
 
9. A beam is fixed horizontally at the left end A, and is simply supported at the same level at B and C,
distant 4 m and 6 m from A. A uniformly-distributed load of 2.5 kN/m is carried between B and C.
Determine the fixing moment and reactions.
(Ans: 250 Nm; –187.5 N, 2937.5 N, 2250 N)
10. A horizontal cantilever ABC, 15 m long, is built in at A and supported at B, 12 m from A, by a
rigid prop so that AB is horizontal. If AB and BC carry uniformly-distributed loads of 0.5 kN/m
and 1.0 kN/m respectively, find the load taken by the prop. (Ans: 5.81 kN)