TUTORIAL 4

QUESTION 1

A simply supported beam of 4 m long has the cross section as shown in Figure 1. The
maximum shearing stress in the beam is to be limited to 1.2 MPa.

i) Determine the magnitude of the maximum uniformly distributed loading, w which

can be applied over the entire length of the beam.
(12 marks)

ii) Evaluate the changes in the shear stress distribution along the length of the beam
if the uniformly distributed load is to be changed to an equivalent point load at the
mid length of the beam, calculation is not needed.
(3 marks)

100 mm

150 mm 200 mm

150 mm
Figure 1
QUESTION 2

A uniform distributed load of intensity of 50 kN/m and a concentrated load of 30 kN are applied
on the beam having a length of 9 m. The arrangement of the loads and the cross-sectional
dimensions are shown in Figure 2. Determine;

i) The support reactions at B and C,

ii) The maximum shear force and bending moment in the beam,
iii) The shear stress in the cross-section at point J, at the section of maximum
shear force,
iv) The maximum shear stress in the cross-section, and
v) The magnitude of maximum bending stress in the beam.

30 kN
10 mm
50 kN/m
10 mm

C 400 mm
A B
120 mm
J
2m
10 mm
3m 6m
250 mm

Figure 2
QUESTION 3

The rigid bar DEF is welded at point D to the steel beam AB as shown in Figure 3. The elastic
modulus, E for steel is 200 GPa.

i) Sketch the free body diagram of the beam and determine the support reactions
at A and B.

ii) Determine the deflection at point C of the beam.

(12 marks)

750 N/m 25 mm

C D 75 mm
B
A
F E

2.4 m 0.9 m 1.5 m

700N

Figure 3
QUESTION 4

a) A torsional loading of T and an axial loading of P are applied at both ends of a long
slender steel circular shaft having a radius r, as shown in Figure 4(a).

i) Draw the element representing the state of stress at a point located on the
surface of the shaft.

ii) Express the normal and shearing stresses in terms of T, P and r.

(5 marks)
P

T
T

Figure 4(a)

b) The two elements in Figure 4(b) are equivalent states of stress at a point on an elastic
body. Using the Mohr’s circle method, determine;

i) the shearing stress, τxy,

ii) the angle of rotation, α,
iii) the maximum shearing stress, and
iv) the maximum and minimum principal stresses. (15 marks)

50 MPa 15 MPa

45 MPa
α
110 MPa =
122 MPa
τxy

Figure 4(b)
QUESTION 5

a) The state of strain at a point has components of εx = 0, εy = 0, γxy = 3000 μ.

i) Visualize the state of strain using Mohr’s Circle.

ii) Identify the principal strains.
(4 marks)

b) Explain the term plane strain. Provide an example of an application where the body is
subjected to plane strain.
(4 marks)

c) An element has a minimum principal strain of -409 x 10-6 and average strain of -100 x
10-6, using Mohr’s circle determine;

i) the maximum principal strain.

ii) the maximum in-plane shear strain.
iii) εx and εy components if γxy= 200 x 10-6.
(10 marks)