UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE

B.Sc. (Engineering) Honours - Level II

STRENGTH OF MATERIALS

JULY 2008 Engin. CE 205

Answer any FOUR Questions Time allowed: 3 hours

All Questions Carry Equal Marks
This examination paper consists of 6 pages.

QUESTION 1

A 30kN weight is supported by means of a pulley as shown in Figure Q1. The pulley is
supported by the frame ABC. Find the required cross-sectional areas of members AC and
BC if the allowable stress in tension is 140 000 kN/m2, and in compression is
96 000kN/m2.
Member forces: [15 Marks]
Bar sizes: [10 Marks]

2.4m

1.8m
25 25
mmmm
diam
diam C

30kN
2.40m

FIGURE Q1

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QUESTION 2

Two bars, as shown in Figure Q2, are to be cut from a 25mm thick metal plate so that
both bars have a constant thickness of 25mm. Bar A is to have a constant width of 50mm
throughout its entire length. Bar B is to be 75mm wide at the top and 25mm at the
bottom. Each bar is to be subjected to the same load P. Determine the ratio LA/LB so that
both bars will stretch the same amount. Neglect the weight of the bars.

Displacement of bars: [20 Marks]

Bar sizes: [5 Marks]

50 mm 75 mm

LB
LA

25 mm
P P

FIGURE Q2

QUESTION 3

a) Two shafts, one a hollow steel shaft with an outside diameter of 90mm and an
inside diameter of 30mm, the other a solid shaft with a diameter of 90mm, are to
transmit 50kW each. Compare the shearing stresses in the two shafts if both
operate at 3Hz.

b) For the cross-sectional area with the dimensions shown in Figure Q3, determine
its moment of inertia with respect to the horizontal neutral axis.

Part (a): [12 Marks]

Part (b): [13 Marks]

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 25 50 25

25
50

125

FIGURE Q3 [12 Marks]

QUESTION 4
A box section having the dimensions shown in Figure Q4 is used for a beam on simple
supports. In a certain region along the beam there is a constant, linear change in
moment of 4000 N.m/m along the axis of the beam. What is the maximum shearing
stress at a section in this region?
Moment of inertia: [12 Marks]
Maximum shearing strength: [13 Marks]

25mm

300mm

25mm

25mm 25mm
200 mm

FIGURE Q4

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QUESTION 5

The state of stress in a loaded continuum is as follows:

 x   15MN / m 2 ,  y   35MN / m 2 ,    60MN / m 2

Show the data on an infinitesimal element. Then using Mohr’s circle construction and
geometry:

(a) Find the principal stresses and show their sense on a properly oriented element;
and

(b) Find the maximum (principal) shearing stresses with the associated normal
stresses and show the results on a properly oriented element.

Display of stresses: [5 Marks]

Part (a) [10 Marks]
Part (b): [10 Marks]

QUESTION 6

A W360 x 476 core section has two 600 mm by 75mm cover plates as shown in Figure
Q6. If this member is 6m long and is assumed to be pin-ended, what axial compressive
force may be applied according to the AISC Code*? Assume that A242 steel ( E = 200
GPa, yp  290MPa ) will be used.

5 3( Le / r ) ( Le / r ) 3
*AISC Code: C c  2 2 E / yp ; F .S .    3
3 8c c 8c c

1  ( Le / r ) 2  yp
 all   2 
 2C c  F .S .

Properties of W360 x 476

A = 60710 (mm)2; Ixx = 1720 x 106 (mm); Iyy = 683 x 106 (mm)2

Slenderness ratio: [12 Marks]

Allowable load: [13 Marks]

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FIGURE Q6

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 FORMULAE

PL Tc d 4
 P
A ;   ;  ; Ip 
AE Ip 32

bd 3 VQ VQ
I rect  ; I zz  I o  Ad 2 ; q  ; 
12 I It

x  y  x  y 
 1 or  2        xy 2
2 2 
 

 xy
tan 21 
   y / 2
;  max/ min    x   y    xy 2
2

  x   y  / 2 x  y
tan 2 2  ; ' 
 xy 2

I  Ar 2 ; slenderness ratio  L r

END OF THIS EXAMINATION

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