TUTORIAL 7

MEC411

1. Find the total strain energy of a mild steel bar, 25 mm diameter and 2 m long when it is
subjected to a steady tensile load of 60 kN. E = 200 GN/m2.
U = 36.7 J
2. Two round bars have the same length L. One is diameter d for the length L/3 and
diameter 2d for the length 2L/3. The other is diameter 2d for a length 2L/3 and diameter
3d for a length L/3. Compare the amounts of energy stored in the bars when they are
subjected to equal tensile loads, assuming that they are of the same material.
3. Determine the strain energy in the rod assembly shown in Figure T7.3. Portion AB is
steel, BC is brass and CD is aluminium. Est = 200 GPa, Ebr = 101 GPa and Eal = 73.1
GPa.

Figure T7.3

4. Determine the torsional strain energy in the A-36 steel shaft shown in Figure T7.4. The
shaft has a radius of 30 mm.

Figure T7.4

5. Determine the bending strain energy in the beam due to the loading shown in Figure T7.5.
EI is constant.

Figure T7.
Reference

1. R. C. Hibbeler, Mechanics of Materials, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall, 1997.