INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, BOMBAY

ME 201 – S2 – SOLID MECHANICS

Tutorial Sheet # 2

Q1. A jib crane is shown in figure 1 below. Rod AB has a cross-sectional area of 300 𝑚𝑚2 and the tube
BC, 320 𝑚𝑚2 . (a) Find the vertical stiffness of the crane at point B. (b) Determine the vertical deflection
caused by the application of force P = 16 kN. The elastic modulus of the material is 200 GPa.

Q2. The bar shown in figure 2 has a constant cross-sectional area, A, and is made of a non-linear elastic
material whose constitutive relation is given by 𝜎 = 𝐶𝜀 𝑛 , where C and n are given material constants.
Find the elongation of the bar in terms of the applied force, P, and the geometry.

Q3. A steel cable hangs under its own weight as shown in figure 3. The diameter of the cable is not constant
but varies in a manner that makes the tensile stress at all points along the cable the same. Derive the
differential equation that describes the variation of cable diameter with position along the cable. Solve the
equation and find the expression for 𝑑1 in terms of 𝑑2 , 𝐿 and 𝜎0 and 𝛾 (the weight per unit volume of cable).

Q4. Consider a bar of uniform cross-section held between two rigid supports spun in a centrifuge such that
an uniformly distributed axial force p0 N/m develops in the bar, as shown in figure 4. Determine (a) the
reactions at the ends of the bar, (b) reactions if one of the bar is free (see figure 1(b), (c) the displacements
u(x) along the length of the bar.

Q5. For the weightless bar shown in figure 5 below, find the deformation, δ(x), along the length of the
beam. The bar length is, L, cross-section area, A, and elastic modulus, E. The springs on either side are
linear. The point force, P, is applied at x = a.

Figure 1 Figure 2

Figure 3 Figure 4

Figure 5