Faculty of Environment and

Technology
Academic Year: 12/13
Examination Period: Jan

Module Leader: Ghassan Nounu

Module No: UBGLV5-10-2
Title of Module: Structures A

Duration of Examination: 1 Hour

Instructions to Candidates:

Candidates must answer ANY TWO of the three questions provided.

Materials supplied to the student will be:

Number of Examination Booklets (+ any continuation booklets as required) per

1
Examination
Number of sheets of Graph Paper size G3 (Normal) 0

Additional Instruction to Invigilators:

Calculators May be used subject to University regulations Yes

Students allowed to keep Examination Question Paper Yes

Material supplied by student allowed please specify: Text book: Yes
Understanding Structures, by Derek Seward.
(must be collected with answer booklet) No
Additional Specialised Material : (Material which is NOT included in this exam paper
such as maps, text books, other reference material or equipment)

NONE

Treasury tags will be supplied as standard

UBGLV5-10-2 Page 1 of 4
 Question 1

The beam of figure Q1 is subjected to the loadings shown. Assume the

support at B is a pin and A is a roller.

(a) Calculate the reactions at A and B. (14 marks)

(b) Draw the shear force diagram of the beam showing the key values.
Establish the position of the point of zero shear. (18 marks)

(c) Draw the bending moment diagram of the beam showing the key
values, including the values of the maximum hogging moment, and
maximum sagging moment. (18 marks)

10 kN
15 kN

6 kN/m

A B

2m 3m 2m 2m

Figure Q1

Question 2

The floor structure shown in figure Q2 forms part of a proposed factory

workshop. The cast-in-situ concrete slab is supported on two steel
universal beams at grid line G and grid line H. The slab will give lateral
restraint to the compression flange of the beam.

(a) Determine the design loading for the beam Mark H. You may add
partitions load of 1.00kN/m2 to the variable load of the factory
workshop.
(25 marks)

(b) Determine the dimension of a suitable standard universal beam for

the beam Mark H against bending and shear. (25 marks)

UBGLV5-10-2 Page 2 of 4
 G H
A

Beam mark H
A

1.5m 5m 1.5m

TYPICAL SECTION

1 2

7m

Beam mark H Simple end

plate connection
305x305x97 UC
A - A elevation

Variable load of factory workshop

Finishes 0.2kN/m2
50 mm screed

250 mm reinforced concrete slab

Ceiling & services 0.5 kN/m2

DETAIL: Floor construction

Figure Q2

UBGLV5-10-2 Page 3 of 4
Question 3

(a) Figure Q3 shows a section of a reinforced concrete beam with the

rectangular parabolic stress distribution at ultimate limit state. Use
the simplified rectangular stress distribution of Eurocode 2 to
calculate the moment of resistance of this section based on the total
compressive force and the lever arm. Assume concrete grade 40 is
used.
(30 marks)

(b) A reinforced concrete column of circular cross section has a

diameter of 300mm. It supports a characteristic permanent load of
600kN and a characteristic variable load of 500kN. Use concrete
grade 50, and high yield reinforcing bars to determine the required
size of the main reinforcing bars in the column using a minimum of
six bars. Specify suitable links.
(20 marks)

100mm

Neutral
Axis
350mm

Figure Q 3
400mm

Rectangular
parabolic stress
200mm
distribution

END OF QUESTION PAPER

UBGLV5-10-2 Page 4 of 4