ME 144 Exam

1. Determine the equivalent k of the system shown assuming that weight W only oscillates along
the vertical.

2. German tanks of World War 2 utilized torsion bars as springs as shown below. Determine the
equivalent spring constant k of a single torsion bar (encircled in red) as shown in the picture
below. Assume that the end rods have radii r and lengths Lrod while the bar has length Lbar and
rectangular cross section ab.

3. For the crane in item #1, determine the equation of motion and natural frequency of weight W
as it oscillates vertically. Neglect damping effects of the cable and boom.