Tutorial Questions (Mechanics of Material)

1) Determine the strain energy in the cantilever beam shown. The flexural stiffness (EI) is 200 kNm 2.
(34.13 Joules)

2) Calculate the strain energy in the beam shown and determine the deflection under the load. The
flexural stiffness is 25 MNm2. (28.125 Joules, 1.5 mm)
3) The diagram shows a torsion bar held rigidly at one end and with a lever arm on the other end.
Solve the strain energy in the system and determine the deflection at the end of the lever arm. The
force of 5 kN applied vertically. The following are the relevant stiffnesses.
Lever EI = 5 Nm2
Bar EI = 60 kNm2
Bar GJ = 50 kNm2

(15.125 Joules, 6.05 mm)

4) Solve the deflection of the curved structure shown. The radius is 0.2 m and the force is 30 N. Take
EI = 500 Nm2. (0.16 mm)
5) The diagram shows a simple frame with two loads. Determine the deflection at both loads by
Castigliano’s Theorem. The flexural stiffness of both sections is 2 MNm 2.
(7.8x10-6 m at F1, 7x10-6 m at F2)
6) Find the horizontal displacement of Point B using the Castigliano’s theorem. (0.905 mm )
Solution
7) Determine the expression for the deflection at the point where the load P is applied by using
Castigliano’s theorem.
 Solution

8) Consider an elastic cantilever beam loaded at its tip. Determine the deflection at the tip using
Castigliano’s theorem.

Solution
9) Compute the horizontal displacement at joint B in the truss shown below using the Principle of
Virtual Work method. Assume E = 30,000 kip/in 2, the area of the bars AD and BC = 5 in 2 and the area
of all other bars = 4 in2. (0.41 in)

Solution