RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

TROY, NY

EXAM NO. 2 INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS

(ENGR-1100)
March 8, 2006
8:00 – 9:30 AM

NAME: ______________________________ SECTION:

_________

RIN: _______________________________

INSTRUCTOR: _______________________________

Problem Points Score

1 25
2 25
3 25
4 25
Total 100

1 – of - 7
Problem 1 (25 points)
A plate is acted upon by four forces and a couple as shown below.

60 N 2m 5m
50 N

45o 140 Nm

2m
80 N
2m
40 N O 30o
x

(a) (20 points) Determine the resultant of the system as a force passing through the point O and
a couple. To receive full credit, express both the force and the couple in Cartesian coordinate
form.
(b) (5 points) Draw a neat diagram showing the resultant force-couple system that you have
computed in part (a). In the figure clearly indicate the force and couple with proper units as
well as directions. Also indicate the angle which the line of action of the resultant force makes
with the positive x-axis.

Answer

(a)
Fx = 40 + 80 cos 30 − 60 cos 45 = 66.86 N
Fy = 50 + 80sin 30 + 60sin 45 = 132.43 N
M = 140 − (50)(5) − (60sin 45)(7) + (60 cos 45)(4) = −237.28 Nm

In Cartesian coordinate form (if not expressed in this form, deduct 5 points)
F = Fx i + Fy j = 66.86 i +132.43 j N
M = -237.28 k Nm

(b) next page

2 – of - 7
 y

148.35 N
237.28 Nm

O 63.21o
x

3 – of - 7
Problem 2: (25 points)
Given the following three vectors
A = (1,3, −5); B = (0, 4, 2); C = (−1, 4,3)
Compute the following:
(a) The unit vector perpendicular to both B and C
(b) B × ( A × A )
(c) A × ( C × A )
(d) A • C × A
(e) ( A • B )
−1

Answer: 5 points each

(a) B × C = (4, −2, 4) hence unit vector perpendicular to both B and C is

B×C 1
= (4, −2, 4) = (0.67 − 0.33 0.67)
B×C 6
(b) B × ( A × A ) = (0, 0, 0)
(c) A × C × A = (−31,152,85)
(d) A • C × A = 0
(e) ( A • B ) = 0.5
−1

4 – of - 7
Problem 3. (25 points) A tension T of magnitude 10 kN is applied to the cable attached
to the top A of a rigid mast and secured to the ground at B as shown in the figure.

Mast

15 m T=10 kN

y
O

9m
B
12 m

(a) (10 points) Compute the moment of this tension about the point O (Mo). Express the
moment in Cartesian vector form.
(b) (5 points) Compute the angles that the moment vector makes with the positive x, y
and z- axes and show these angles on a diagram.
(c) (10 points) Compute the component of this moment (Mo) about the line OB.

5 – of - 7
Answer:
(a)

T = 10e AB
JJJG
AB (9,12, −15)
e AB = JJJG = = (0.4243, 0.5657, − 0.7071)
AB 92 + 122 + 152
⇒ T = 10e AB = (4.2426, 5.6569, -7.0711) kN
rOA = (0, 0,15) m
Hence M o = rOA × T = (-84.8528, 63.6396, 0) kNm

(b)
M 0x
cos θ x = ⇒ θ x = 143.13o
M
M0y
cos θ y = ⇒ θ y = 53.13o
M
M
cos θ z = 0 z ⇒ θ z = 90o
M

(c) Since the line of action of the force T intersects the line OB, the moment of the force
about this line is 0. Partial credit allowed.

6 – of - 7
Problem 4: (25 points) A block placed under the head of the claw hammer as shown
greatly facilitates the extraction of the nail. If the 200N force applied on the handle is
required to pull the nail out, then

(a) (10 points) draw a neat free body diagram of the hammer
(b) (5 points) calculate the tension in the nail
(c) (10 points) calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the hammerhead on the
block.
Assume that there is sufficient friction at the contacting surfaces (at A) to prevent
slipping.

T Ax

Ay

Answer:
(a) If coordinate system is missing, deduct 2 points
(b) Take moment about A
M A = (T ) *(50) − (200) *(200) = 0
⇒ T = 800N
(c) Force equilibrium in the x and y directions
∑ Fx = − Ax + 200*cos 20 = 0 ⇒ Ax = 187.94N
∑ Fy = Ay − T + 200*sin 20 = 0 ⇒ Ay = 731.596 N
Hence A = Ax 2 + Ay 2 = 755.35 N

7 – of - 7