The University of Calgary

ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

Excel
ASSIGNMENT 1
Name: ________________________________________________________
(Last Name) (First Name)

UCID: ___________________ Lab Section (circle one): B01 B02

ASSIGNMENT SCOPE:
• Excel Modules 1, 2 & 3
• End of Lab Activity 1 & 2

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
• Print the entire assignment package including this cover page
• Provide all your answers in the boxes / spaces that will provided on the questions
• If you are doing a calculation, make sure to indicate your final answer on your work
otherwise you will not get some marks
• There will be an Excel file associated to this worksheet and some of the responses you
are being asked will be needed to supply in the said Excel file
• The due dates of deliverables are as follows:
o This worksheet: November 6, 2019, ENF Dropbox 3rd Floor, 6:00 PM
o Excel file: November 6, 2019, D2L Dropbox, 6:00 PM
• In terms of Excel file naming convention please follow this:
ENCI337_[Last Name]_[First Name]_HW1_F19.xlsx
• For any other instructions, please refer to the individual problems that you will be solving
in this assignment

1 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

QUESTION 1 - Simply Supported Beams: Deflections & Rotations

A simply supported beam is a type of beam which is supported by a pin support on one end and a roller support
on the other. To a structural engineer, the simply supported beam is a very fundamental structural element in
many structural works such as high-rise buildings, your own home, a bridge and many more.

Like any other types, the simply supported beam undergoes stresses and deformations just like any structural
bodies depending on the loading (magnitude and orientation). To see how this works, a loaded beam is shown
below and for this exercise you will see how this type of beam deflects according to the given loading:

Figure adapted from Mechanics of Materials Beer, Problem 9.10

[1] Unknown, Deflected Form, 2018

The deflection and rotation of the beam above depends on some parameters such as elastic modulus (E),
moment of inertia (I), length of the beam (L) and the force applied on the beam (P). The length of the beam
above is 2000 mm and the force applied is 600 N (downward). The material for the beam used is an S200 x 34
Steel that has a moment of inertia equal to 26.9 × 106 𝑚𝑚 4 and a modulus of elasticity (E) of 200000 MPa
(MPa = N/mm2)

The equation for the deflection and rotation of the beam above will be:

𝑃𝑥 𝑃
𝑦(𝑥) = (3𝐿2 − 4𝑥 2 ) 𝜃(𝑥) = (𝐿2 − 4𝑥 2 )
48𝐸𝐼 16𝐸𝐼

Also, note that the rotation equation above measures the amount of slope the supports when a force is loaded,
and the deflection equation determines the amount of deformation in the y axis during the presence of a load.

Using the information above, answer the following questions:

2 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

(a) We provided you 2 equations above one for the deflection and one for the rotation. Check the deflection
formula (𝑦(𝑥)) if it is dimensionally homogeneous and prove that the rotation formula is dimensionless
(𝜃 (𝑥)). Show your work below.

(b) Open the Excel File for this assignment. Go to Question 1. As you can see, there is a table column for 𝑥,
𝑦(𝑥) and 𝜃(𝑥). Fill in the table for the x values in 100 mm increments that starts with zero (pin support).
Also fill in the required parameters from the information above. Remember that force P is downward.

(c) Fill in the 𝑦(𝑥) and 𝜃(𝑥) columns in the Excel file using the equation given and use Excel functions to
calculate the parameters needed.

(d) Provide two separate scatter plots for the deflection and rotation data. Do not forget to include a proper
title and appropriate axes labels to your graph.

(e) On your separate plots you created, include an appropriate trendline to both of your graphs. Also, for
both graphs, display the

(f) Fill out the table below using the information from your graphs:

Deflection [𝑦(𝑥)] Rotation [𝜃(𝑥)]

Trendline Type
Trendline Equation
R2 value

(g) Based from the observation you learned from the graphs, draw the deflected form of the beam when the
P value given is directed upward. Show your sketch below.

3 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

QUESTION 2 - Charts and Excel Functions

A surface chart is a plot that shows a three dimensional model that connects a set of data points. Just like a
topographic map, color schemes and patterns indicate areas in the same range of values. Surface charts has
variety of uses specially on the field of engineering.

Some utilize this tool to create model in order to get a hold of information not physically present. For example,
civil engineers and geologists use this tool to examine an unknown terrain and interpret the plot for further
information.

A geologist needed to examine an unknown terrain somewhere in a new territory. The only information he had
is that, when the surveyors did their work, they come up with a simplified mathematical equation to describe
the land form. The equation is as follows:

𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑦 ∙ sin(𝑥) − 𝑥 ∙ cos(𝑦)

(a) Prepare a table of values for the equation above on the interval: −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4 −3 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 4

(b) Provide a 3D surface plot for the terrain’s equation on the interval: −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4 − 3 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 4

For parts (c) to (f), circle the best answer

(c) The geologist is now ready to analyze some portions of the plot and find himself in trouble with comparing
the by-hand solution and the Excel calculation of an extracted function. Shown below are the comparison
of two calculations. What is he possibly doing wrong?

By-Hand Solution
𝜃 = 45° 𝑚 = 5
𝑦 = 𝑚2 cos(𝜃)
𝑦 = 5 ∗ 5 ∗ cos(45°)
𝑦 = 17.67766 ….
[2] I. Roman, Screenshot, Calgary, 2019

a. Didn’t do a proper cell referencing

b. Not adding the function =RADIAN ( ) on cell B3
c. The angle measure on Cell B2 needs to be converted to radians measure
d. Cell B2 needs to be multiplied by 2*PI( )/180
e. None of the above

(d) With the generated surface plot, the geologist now understands a bit of the ecosystem of the terrain and
wants to plot a data on previous years of the ecosystem’s vegetation, wildlife population and amount of
rainfall which emphasizes amount of change over time and he wants to see a trend from this variation.
What type of chart would be suitable?
a. Line chart
b. Area chart
c. 3D surface plot
d. Bar chart

4 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

(e) The geologist now wants to examine the terrain on an isolated equation: 𝐹 (𝑥, 𝑦) = 2𝑥 + 𝑦 2 with a different
interval: −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2 − 1 ≤ 𝑦 ≤ 2. He then created a new table of values in order to plot a new surface
chart. The Excel sheet is shown below. Which of the following Excel equation should be in cell B2 in order
to autofill Column B?

[3] I. Roman, Screenshot, Calgary, 2019

a. =2*B1 + A2^2
b. =2*$B$1 + $A$1^2
c. =2*$B1 + A$2^2
d. =2*B$1 + $A2^2
e. All of the above

(f) What would be the result on cell B12 when the equation below will be implemented?

[4] I. Roman, Screenshot, Calgary, 2019

a. #NAME?
b. 60.1487
c. #N/A
d. 180.446
e. None of the above

5 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

QUESTION 3 - Friction and Static Equilibrium

Nathan tries to push a big Christmas present on an inclined plane and the direction of the force he applies is
shown below. You are tasked to determine the minimum force he needed to exert in order for the present to
move. Refer to the Excel file when answering.

[5] I. Roman, Screenshot, Calgary, 2019

Figure adapted from Statics, Meriam, Sample Problem 6.3

(a) On the Excel file, go to the “Parameters needed” section. Fill out the necessary data not supplied.
Convert the angle given to radians unit

(b) On the spaces below, draw the free-body diagram (FBD) and kinetic diagram (KD) of the present.

Free Body Diagram Kinetic Diagram

(c) Using your FBD and KD from part (b), resolve the forces (x- and y-directions) acting on the box. Keep
the unknown variables as is. Show your work on the space below.

6 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

(d) Using the equation/s you obtain from part (c), fill in the table in green color on the Excel file. Start
with a P value of 250 N and decrementing 5 N onwards. On the column “Behavior”, state whether the
block will move or will remain stationary using conditional statements. (Hint: 𝐹𝑓 ≤ 𝐹𝑓𝑀𝐴𝑋 → no
motion, 𝐹𝑓 > 𝐹𝑓𝑀𝐴𝑋 → there is motion)

(e) Manually solve for the exact force applied in order for Nathan to push the box. Show your work below.

(f) Based from your table, state the interval on which the block will start motion.

For question (g) & (h), circle the best answer

(g) When the block overcomes the maximum force (𝐹𝑓𝑀𝐴𝑋 ) due to changing the force applied, which of
the following equation is appropriate for calculating the frictional force?
a. 𝐹𝑓 = 𝑃 cos(𝜃)
b. 𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝑆 𝑁
c. 𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝐾 𝑁
d. 𝐹𝑓 = 𝑃 + 𝜇𝑆 𝑁

(h) When we adjust to a much smaller increments, we will still get the same P value that satisfies the
conditions above but in terms of accuracy, there will be no significant change.
a. True
b. False
c. Don’t Know

7 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

QUESTION 4 - Material Properties: Stress-Strain Diagram

A Stress-Strain diagram is a characteristic of the particular material being tested in a Tensile test and conveys
important information about the mechanical properties and type of behavior. This tool is typically used to
examine a material’s mode of failure. For instance, there are two types of material; it is either brittle or ductile.
Shown below are the stress-strain diagram for both a brittle and a ductile material.

Figures adapted from Mechanics of Materials, Steif, Section 2.7

A civil engineer conducted a tensile test on an unknown, unlabeled metal. After conducting the test, he came
up with the load vs. deformation and transform it to a data below easier to visualize in a graph. The strain (x
𝛿
axis) comes up from the equation that relates deformation (𝛿) per specimen’s length (L) (𝜀 = ). On the other
𝐿
𝑃
hand, the stress (y axis) originates from the axial forces that body experiences per unit area (𝜎 = 𝐴). A material
property that is very important is the modulus of elasticity (E) which is the ratio between the stress and strain
(also known as Hooke’s Law) and in the diagram usually signifies as the slope of the elastic (linear) region.

The civil engineer’s data only covers the elastic region (See the image below) of the diagram.

Tensile Test Data

Stress (𝜎) Strain (𝜀)
(MPa) (mm/mm)
0 0
168 0.0015
336 0.0030
504 0.0045
672 0.0060

Table of Material Properties

Modulus of
Material Elasticity
(GPa)
Magnesium alloy 45
Aluminum alloy 70
Silver 71 Figure adapted from Mechanics of Materials, Gere Fig. 1.10
Titanium alloy 110
Platinum 170
Stainless steel 200

8 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

Refer to the Excel file to answer the following questions

(a) Refer to the Tensile Test Data and fill in the table on the Excel File given.

(b) Prepare a scatter plot for the table filled in from part (a). Make sure you include proper graph title and
axis labels.

(c) Include an appropriate trendline for the scatter plot produced from part (b). Also, display the trendline
equation and the R2 value on the chart area.

(d) Fill out the boxes below using the chart that you produced:

Trendline Type: R2 value:

Trendline Equation:

For question (e) to (g), circle the best answer. Parts (f) & (g) needs a simple calculation to solve therefore
work needed to be shown in the space near the question.

(e) Using the information from your chart, what is the identity of the metal tested? (Hint: the value of
your slope)
a. Magnesium alloy
b. Aluminum alloy
c. Titanium alloy
d. Silver
e. Stainless steel

(f) Using the trendline equation you have from part (d), estimate the amount of stress when you have a
strain value of 0.0025 mm/mm.
a. 280 MPa
b. 290 MPa
c. 300 MPa
d. 310 MPa

(g) Refer to the trendline equation. First, estimate the strain value when the stress is at 605 MPa. Calculate
the length of the specimen when the deformation is equal to 0.054 mm.
a. 7 mm
b. 8 mm
c. 9 mm
d. 10 mm
e. 11 mm

9 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

QUESTION 5 - Pressure-Volume Warning System

Refer to the Excel file for this assignment and click the sheet named “Question 5”

(a) Calculate the mass of the substance, using Excel functions in cell C5

(b) Convert all the temperature measurements in cell B8:B12 to Kelvin. Put it in their respective columns.
(Hint: use the =CONVERT( ) function)

(c) Convert all the volume measurements in cell D8:D12 to Liters. Put it in their respective columns.
(Hint: use the =CONVERT( ) function)

(d) On the column where it says “Pressure (P) [Pa]”, calculate the pressure given the temperature and
volume in the spreadsheet. Use the ideal gas equation to solve for the pressure.

(e) Using conditional functions, make a decision on the “Pressure Warning” column basing from what you
calculated from part (d). Here is the condition:
a. When the pressure is greater than or equal to 135,000 Pascals (Pa), the system should say “TOO
HIGH”
b. When the pressure is lesser than 135,000 Pascals (Pa), the system should say “OKAY”

(f) Using conditional functions, make a decision on the “Volume Warning” column basing from what you
calculated from part (c). Here is the condition:
a. When the volume is more than 10 gallons (18.9271 liters), the system should say “Bigger”
b. When the volume is less than 7 gallon (3.78541 liters), the system should say “Smaller”
c. When the volume is in between 7 and 10 gallons, the system should display the volume itself
in gallons.

Note:
• 1 gallons = 3.78541 liters
• For part (f), it is recommended for you to create a new column to convert the column “Volume (V)
[L]” into gallons unit.
• The ideal gas law equation is given by: 𝑃𝑉 = 𝑛𝑅𝑇

10 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

SCORING RUBRIC - Assignment 1 (For TA Use Only) - Refer to Answer Key

Question # Component Score

(a) Showed the cancellation of bracketed terms to prove a dimensionally
homogeneous equation (deflection); proved that the equation (rotation) is /4
dimensionless.
(b) Filled in the required parameters present in page 2 of the worksheet (emphasis
on the sign of the force P); filled in in 100 mm increments and started with /3
zero.
(c) Used and translated the equation (deflection & rotation) into Excel operators
and functions; Used cell referencing to copy down values; Cell values were /6
1
correct.
(d) Provided two SEPARATE scatter plots for both deflection and rotation data;
/6
on both plots, a relevant title and axis labels is present.
(e) Included the proper trendline for both graph (see solutions); R 2 value is
/4
correct based on the trendline applied. Both displayed and visible in the graph.
(f) The information from the graph was tabulated correctly on their respected
/3
boxes provided.
(g) The deflected form of the beam was correctly drawn. /2
(a) Provided a completed and organized table of values with reasonable
/6
incremental values; used cell referencing to fill out their own table of values
(b) Refer to the answer key and accept graphs that is common with the graph
/4
given
2
(c) Circled the right answer /1
(d) Circled the right answer /1
(e) Circled the right answer /1
(f) Circled the right answer /1
(a) Filled out the parameters section right; angle converted properly /3
(b) On both FBD and KD, the proper forces are drawn as shown in the answer
/5
key.
(c) Showed the equations of equilibrium right according to their assumed FBD
/4
and KD. Kept unknown variables as is
(d) Proper cell referencing and applying the equations from part (c) to fill the
3 /8
cells; the values are matching to the ones from answer key
(e) Showed the equation 𝐹𝑓 = 𝜇𝑆 𝑁 to come up with 2 equations 2 unknowns’
/5
system; solved for the value of P correctly
(f) Provided the correct limit close to the ones given from the answer key
(g) Circled the right answer /1
(h) Circled the right answer /1
(a) Copied the table exactly from the worksheet to Excel /1
(b) Provided a scatter plot; relevant title and axis labels were included /3
(c) A linear trendline is included; R2 and equation were both displayed on the
/4
chart area
4
(d) Filled out the correct information according to the answer key /3
(e) Circled the right answer /1
(f) Provided work to support the circled answer; the circled letter is correct /2
(g) Provided work to support the circled answer; the circled letter is correct /2

11 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor

 The University of Calgary
ENCI 337 - Tools for Civil Engineering Design

(a) Performed the calculation correctly and on the right cell /2

(b) Used the proper syntax and cell referencing to fill the entire column /2
(c) Used the proper syntax and cell referencing to fill the entire column /2
(d) Translate the ideal gas law equation into the cells and apply proper
/3
5 referencing to copy down the rest of the column
(e) Formulated the proper IF statement to carry out the decision in the column
/3
required
(f) Formulated the proper IF statement to carry out the decision in the column
/3
required

A deduction of 0.5 mark for the following:

• Not following the Excel file naming convention
• A missing part of the response based from the answer key and rubric
• Late submission (0.5 - Excel file, 0.5 - worksheet)

TOTAL SCORE: ________ / 100

12 Jacqueline Vera, Instructor