© The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Programme: BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering (Full-time) (31069)

BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering (Part-time) (31072)

Subject: Structural Analysis II

Subject Code: CSE418

Session: 2010/2011

Date: 12 May 2011

Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm

Time Allowed: THREE Hours

This question paper has Eight pages.

Instructions to Candidates: This paper contains SIX questions

Section A is compulsory.
Answer any Two out of three questions in Section B.
Questions carry marks as indicated.

DO NOT TURN OVER THE PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD TO DO SO

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Section A (Compulsory)

Question 1

(i) To determine the dynamic characteristics of a concrete unit, a free vibration test is
conducted. A typical strain gauge trace of the free vibration oscillation is presented in Figure
Q1-1. The vibration amplitudes are found to be 4010-6 after 7 cycles and 2010-6 after 16
cycles. The time interval for four cycles of oscillation is found to be 0.005 sec. If the concrete
unit weighs approximately 980 N, determine (i) the damped natural period of vibration, (ii)
the damped natural frequency (Hz) of vibration, and (iii) the damping ratio. The gravity
acceleration g = 9.8 m/sec2.
(5 marks)

Figure Q1-1.

(ii) As shown in Figure Q1-2, a one-storey shear frame is fixed at the base and has a rigid top.
It is a single-degree-of-freedom system with a lumped mass at the top. By conducting lateral
vibration experiments on the structure before and after adding an additional mass weighing
440 N at the top, the undamped natural frequency of the structure is measured to be 12 Hz
and 10 Hz before and after adding the mass, respectively. Identify the weight and lateral
stiffness of the frame (g = 9.8 m/sec2).
(8 marks)

Figure Q1-2.

(iii) The shear-frame building shown in Figure Q1-3(a) is located in an area where the
maximum ground acceleration is 0.15g. The structure is built with reinforced concrete with a
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30,000 MPa elastic modulus and a damping ratio of  = 0.02. Each column has a 300mm 
300mm cross section. The total mass of the structure is 18103 kg and is lumped at the top
level. Using the design spectrum given in Figure Q1-3(b), which is normalized to 0.2g
maximum ground acceleration, determine the spectral relative displacement, relative velocity,
and absolute acceleration responses; the total maximum seismic shear force; and the total
seismic overturning moment at the base ( g = 9.8 m/sec2). 1 MPa = 106 N/m2 and I = bh3/12
for a rectangular cross-section.
(12 marks)

Figure Q1-3(a).

Figure Q1-3(b).

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Question 2

The fixed-ended beam shown in Figure Q2 is subjected to a uniformly distributed load q for
segment ABC and a uniformly distributed load 2q for segment CDE. The plastic moment of
resistance is Mp for segment ABC and 1.5Mp for segment CDE. By considering the collapse
mechanism with plastic hinges at A, C, and D,

(i) determine the ultimate (collapse) load qc using the equilibrium method;
(6 marks)

(ii) determine the ultimate (collapse) load qc using the energy method; and
(6 marks)

(iii) carry out moment check at B and E (recalculation is not required in case the moment
condition is violated).
(8 marks)

2q
q

Mp B C D 1.5Mp
A E
L/2 L/2 L/2 L/2

Figure Q2.

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Question 3

Using the equilibrium method, determine the critical load Ncr for the column shown in Figure
Q3. The column has a length of l and a flexural rigidity of EI. The lower end of the column is
fixed.
(15 marks)

Figure Q3.

Formulae provided:
(a) For the homogenous differential equation
d2y
2
2y  0
dx
its solution is y  A sin x  B cosx .

(b) The smallest positive solution to the equation

tan l  l
is l  1.43 .

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Section B (Answer any two questions)

Question 4

(i) Determine the natural frequency (Hz) and period of vertical vibration for the system
shown in Figure Q4-1. It is known that for a cantilever beam of length L subjected to a
vertical concentrated force P at the free end, the displacement response at the same point is
PL3 6 EI 5 EI
d . The two springs have the stiffness k1  3 and k 2  3 .
3EI L L
(10 marks)
EI

EI

Figure Q4-1.

(ii) Consider a beam-column structure with varying cross-section as shown in Figure Q4-2. It
is fixed at the lower end and is transversely supported by a spring with stiffness k at the upper
end. It is subjected to a concentrated axial load P at the upper end. The flexural rigidity along
x
the length is given by EI ( x)  EI 0 (2  ) . Determine the buckling load Pcr by assuming the
L
bending response function w( x)  ax . 2

(10 marks)

Figure Q4-2.

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Question 5

(i) Consider a portal frame with fixed feet as shown in Figure 5-1(a). The frame has the span
of 20 m and the height of 10 m. It is subjected to a concentrated horizontal force P = 20 kN at
joint B and a uniformly distributed vertical force q = 1.0 kN/m on beam BD. The collapse
mechanism of this frame is shown in Figure 5-1(b) on the assumption that all members have
the same plastic moment. Determine the location z of the internal plastic hinge and the plastic
moment Mp.
(12 marks)
Formula provided:

(u / v)  (u v  uv) / v 2

q = 1.0 kN/m
P = 20 kN

10 m

20 m

Figure Q5-1(a). Figure Q5-2(b).

(ii) Consider a two-degree-of-freedom system as shown in Figure Q5-2, where k1=k, k2=2k,
and m1=m2=m. It is subjected to a support motion (displacement) ug(t) = asint at the two
ends. By taking the relative displacements x1(t)=u1(t)ug(t) and x2(t)=u2(t)ug(t) as response
variables, derive the equations of motion of the system in matrix form and determine the
corresponding undamped natural frequencies and modal shapes.
(8 marks)

ug(t) u (t)
1 u (t)
2 ug(t)
0.5c 2 0.5c2
k2
k1 k1
m m
c 1
c 2
c 1

Figure Q5-2.

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Question 6

(i) A rectangular concrete slab is of length 10 m and width 5 m, and is isotropically reinforced
with top and bottom reinforcements such that the yield moment of resistance is m per metre
width of slab, both for positive and for negative bending about any axis. The slab is simply
supported along three edges and fully fixed along the fourth edge. It is subjected to a
uniformly distributed load of q per square metre (perpendicular to the slab plane). By
considering a collapse pattern as shown in Figure Q6-1, express the collapse load qc in terms
of x and y, and indicate how to obtain x and y (it is not required to determine the values of x
and y). (12 marks)

Figure Q6-1.

(ii) Figure Q6-2 illustrates a system which consists of three rigid bars ab, bc, and cd. It is
transversely supported by two elastic springs with stiffness k each at b and c. Determine the
buckling load Ncr.
(8 marks)
N

EI = ∞ l

EI = ∞ l

EI = ∞ l

Figure Q6-2.

--End--
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