Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

Solutions to Mechanical Principles

Assignment 1
Options for Criteria P1
Calculate the magnitude, direction and position of the line of action of the
resultant and equilibrant of a non-concurrent, coplanar force system
containing a minimum of four forces acting in different directions.

a
A cantilever beam has forces acting on it, as shown below:

Find:
a) the magnitude of the resultant force
b) the direction and sense of the resultant force
c) by taking moments about the built in end of the cantilever, X, the position
along the beam the resultant force would act if it replaced all the other forces.

Take forces to the left and down as positive and clockwise moments as positive.
Work to three decimal places of accuracy.

Solution

Vertical component of force = 40sin30o – 30sin45o + 10sin60o + 5 = 12.447kN

Horizontal component of force = 40scos30o + 30cos45o – 10cos60o + 0 = 50.854 kN

If the resultant force is R -

R= √ 12. 447 2+50 .854 2 = 52.355kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

12.447
θ = tan-1 52.355 = 13.753o to the horizontal

For the position along the beam

Total moment about X = 40sin30o ¿ 4 – 30sin45o ¿ 5 + 10sin60o ¿ 6+5 ¿ 8

= 65.896 kNm

This will be equal to the resultant multiplied by the perpendicular distance of the point
of application from the resultant, x.

52.355 ¿ x = 65.896
x = 1.256m

x 1. 256
o o
distance along beam = sin 13. 753 = sin 13. 753 = 5.283m

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

b
Frame is loaded as shown below. Determine the magnitude, direction and
perpendicular distance form A of the resultant force.

Solution
For the resultant force
Horizontal component of force = 0 – 8cos30o + 4cos45o + 3 = –1.0998 kN

Vertical component of force = 5 + 8sin30o + 4sin45o + 0 = 11.8284kN

If the resultant force is R -

R= √ 1. 09982+11. 8284 2 = 11.8794 kN
11.8284
θ = tan -1 −1 .0998 = –84.69o or 95.31o to the horizontal

For the distance form A

Taking moments about A
If clockwise moments are positive and anticlockwise moments are negative:

Moment about A = –8cos30o ¿ 1 – 8sin30o ¿ 0.5 – 4cos45o ¿ 1.5 – 3 ¿ 0.5 = –

14.6708 kNm

If x is the perpendicular distance the resultant acts from A, then –

Resultant force ¿ x = 14.6708
14 . 6708
x=
11. 8794 = 1.2350m

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

Options for Criteria P2

Calculate the support reactions of a simply supported beam carrying at
least two concentrated loads and a uniformly distributed load.

a
Find the reactions at the supports, in positions A and D.

Solution
taking moments about A –
clockwise moments = anti-clockwise moments
(1 ¿ 4 ¿ 2) + (5 ¿ 4) + (3 ¿ 8) = RD ¿ 10
52 = 10RD
RD = 5.2 kN

Resolving forces vertically –

upward forces = downward forces
RA + RD = (1 ¿ 4) +5 +3
RA + 5.2 = 12
RA = 6.8 kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

b
Find the reactions at the supports, in positions A and D.

Solution
taking moments about A –
clockwise moments = anti-clockwise moments
(50 ¿ 3) + [2 ¿ 5 ¿ (11 + 2.5)] + (10 ¿ 13) + = RD ¿ 12
415 = 12RD
RD = 34.583 kN

Resolving forces vertically –

upward forces = downward forces
RA + RD = 50 + (2 ¿ 5) +10
RA + 34.583 = 70
RA = 35.417 kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

c
The beam below has a uniformly distributed load of 1kN/m over its entire length
and the concentrated loads shown. Find the reactions of the supports B and D.

Solution
Taking moments about B

Clockwise moments = Anticlockwise moments

(10 ¿ 1) ¿ 3+8 ¿ 5=5 ¿ 2 + RD ¿ 8

70 = 10 + 8RD

60
RD = 8 = 7.5kN

Resolving vertically:

RB + RD = 5 + 10 + 8

RB + 7.5 = 23

RB = 15.5 kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

d
Find the reactions at the supports, in positions B and C.

Solution
taking moments about B –
clockwise moments = anti-clockwise moments
[5 ¿ 5 ¿ (1 + 2.5)] + (10 ¿ 12) = (20 ¿ 2) + RC ¿ 8
207.7 = 40 + 8RC
RC = 20.9375 kN

Resolving forces vertically –

upward forces = downward forces
RB + RC = 20 + (5 ¿ 5) +10
RB + 20.9375 = 55
RB = 34.0625kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

e
Find the reactions at the supports, in positions B and E.

Solution
taking moments about B –
clockwise moments = anti-clockwise moments
[11 ¿ 2 ¿ 4.5] + (10 ¿ 5) + (7 ¿ 7) = (5 ¿ 1) + RE ¿ 10
198 = 5 + 10RE
RE = 19.3 kN

Resolving forces vertically –

upward forces = downward forces
RB + RE = 5 + 10 + (11 ¿ 2) +7
RB + 19.3 = 44
RB = 24.7 kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

f
Find the reactions at the supports.

Solution
taking moments about left-hand support –
clockwise moments = anti-clockwise moments
(6 ¿ 2.5) + (10 ¿ 4.5) + [1 ¿ 2 ¿ 8] = [2.5 ¿ 3 ¿ (1.25 – 0.5)] + (8 ¿
1.5) + RB ¿ 7.5
76 = 17.625 + 10RB
RB = 7.7833 kN

Resolving forces vertically –

upward forces = downward forces
RA + RB = 8 + 6 + 10 + (2.5 ¿ 3) + (2 ¿ 1)
RB + 7.7833 = 33.5
RB = 25.71167 kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

g
For the beam below calculate the reactions at the supports:

Solution
Taking moments about the left-hand support:

Clockwise moments = anticlockwise moments

15 ¿ 9 = (8 ¿ 1) + ((3 ¿ 3) ¿ 0.5) + RB ¿ 12

RB =10.208 kN

Resolving vertically:

Upward forces = Downward forces

RA + R B = 3 ¿ 3 + 8 + 15

RA + 10.208 = 32

RA = 21.792 kN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

Criteria 3
Calculate the induced stress, strain and dimensional change in a
component subjected to direct uniaxial loading and shear stress and strain
in a component subjected to shear loading.

Options for Direct Stress Question

a
A rod, 5m long and diameter 4cm, is made of steel with a Young’s Modulus of
200GPa. A tensile load of 100kN place on the rod. Find the (a) stress, (b) strain and
(c) extension of the rod.

Solution
F 3
Force d2 4F 4×100×10
σ= π 2
(a) Area = 4 = πd 2 = π ( 4×10−2 ) = 79577471.55N/m2 = 79.577
MN/m2
σ
E=
(b) ε

σ 79 .577×106
ε= 9
E = 200×10 = 0.000398
extension
strain=
(c) original length

Extension = original length ¿ ε =5 ¿ 0.000398 = 0.00199m = 1.99mm

b
A bar of material, 10m long, a diameter 50mm and with a Young’s Modulus of
150GPa, is subjected to a compressive load of 70kN. What is Find the (a) stress, (b)
strain and (c) compression of the bar?

F 3
Force d2 4F 4×70×10
σ= π 2
(a) Area = 4 = πd 2 = π ( 50×10−3 ) = 35650707.25N/m2 = 35.651
MN/m2
σ
E=
(b) ε

σ 35 .651×106
ε= 9
E = 150×10 = 0.000238
extension
strain=
(c) original length
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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

Extension = original length ¿ ε = 10 ¿ 0.000238 = 0.00238m =

2.38mm

c
A circular concrete column with a diameter of 1.5m and height 4m, is to support a
mass of 10 tonnes (10000kg). What will be the stress, stain and by how much will the
column compress when the load is applied. Young’s modulus for concrete is 17 GPa.

Hint: mass is NOT a force.

Solution
F
Force d2 4F 4×10000×9. 81
σ= π
Stress, Area = 4 = πd 2 = π 1. 52 = 55,513.24 N/m2 =
55.5 kN/m2

stress σ
E= =
strain ε

σ 55 .51324×103
ε=
E = 17×10 9 = 0.000003265

change in length
ε=
Strain, original length

Change in length = ε ¿ original length = 0.000003265 ¿ 4 = 0.000013062m =

0.01362mm

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

d
Samples of beams used in construction are tested by applying a tensile test. The beam,
whose cross-section is shown below, has a 1MN tensile load applied, the cross-
sectional area shown is therefore the area resisting the force. If the Young’s Modulus
of the material is known to be 200 GPa what will be the stress, strain and how much
will the material extend, if the gauge length of the test piece is 0.75m long?

The beam is symmetric about the x and y axes, through the centre of the beam.

Solution
Area = 30 ¿ 5 + 2(20 ¿ 5) =350 cm2

Force 1000000
σ=
Stress, Area = 350×10
−4
= 28571428.57 N/m2 = 28.571 MN/m2

σ
E=
ε
Transposing:
σ 28 .571×106
ε=
E = 200×10 9 = 1.429 ¿ 10–4

extension
ε=
strain, original length
Transposing:
extension=ε×original length = 1.429 ¿ 10–4 ¿ 0.7 = 1 ¿ 10–4m =
0.1mm

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

e
Five rubber shock absorbers are mounted on a piece of equipment and are subjected to
compressive loads. The five shock absorbers have a diameter of 4cm diameter, a
length of 2cm and a Young’s Modulus of 0.05 GPa. If the largest compressive load is
calculated to be 50kN, what will be the stress, stain and compression of the shock
absorbers?

Solution
Force 3
Force d2 4×50×10
σ= 5×π −2 2
Stress, Area = 4 = 5×π×( 4×10 ) = 7.9577 ¿ 106N/m2
= 7.96MN/m2

σ
E=
ε ; transposing:

σ 7 . 9577×106
ε=
E = 0. 05×109 = 0.15915

extension
ε=
strain, original length ; transposing:

compression =ε׿ ¿ original length = 0.15915 ¿ 2 = 0.318cm

Options for Shear Stress Question

a
The diagram below shows a section through an 8mm diameter rivet and the two plates
it joins.

The shear force the rivet is subjected to is 5kN. If the modulus of rigidity is 200 GPa,
what is the (a) shear stress and (b) strain?

Solution
F 3
F d2 4F 4×5×10
τ= π 2
(a) A = 4 = πd 2 = π ( 8×10−3 ) = 99471839.43N/m2 = 99.472
2
MN/m
τ
G=
(b) γ
τ 99 . 472×106
γ=
G = 200×10 9 = 0.000497

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

b
A light block is glued to wall. A force, of 10kN, acts on the face of the block, parallel
to the wall. What is the (a) shear stress and (b) strain if the Modulus of Rigidity is
200GPa?

Solution
F 10×10 3
τ=
(a) A = 0.02×0.1 = 5,000,000N/m2 = 5 MN/m2
τ 5×106
γ=
(b) G = 200×10 9 = 0.000025

c
A layer of rubber, 2m long, 1.2m wide and 20mm thick is used to damp vibration. The
maximum deflection of the top face of the rubber relative to the bottom face is 2mm,
as shown in the diagram below (not to scale). For this condition find the stress and
strain in the material. The Modulus of Rigidity of rubber is 0.0003 GPa.

Solution
x 2
γ=
Shear strain, y = 20 = 0.1

τ
G= γ

Shear stress, τ =Gγ = 0.0003 ¿ 109 ¿ 0.1= 30,000 N/m2 = 30 kN/m2

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

d
The block shown in the diagram below has its lower surface firmly fixed and a plate is
welded to its upper surface:

If a force of 100kN is applied to the end of the plate, what is the shear stress in the
block, the strain in the block and how much will the end of the bar move due to the
shear strain in the block. The Modulus of Rigidity of the block is 80GPa.

Solution

F 100×103
τ=
A = 10×10−2×5×10−2 = 2 ¿ 10–7 N/m2 = 20 MN/m2
τ
G=
γ
Transposing:

τ 20×10 6
γ=
G = 80×109 = 2.5 ¿ 10–4

Movement of plate = deflection= γ׿ ¿ y = 2.5 ¿ 10–4 ¿ 40 mm = 10 ¿ 10–

3
mm

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

e
A block, 20cm long, 4cm high and 5cm width, is attached to a wall. Under a load the
end of the block is found to deflect 0.15mm. If Modulus of Rigidity for the material is
70GPa, what is the value of the applied force?

Solution
0. 15×10−3
Strain = γ = 4×10−2 = 3.75 ¿ 10–3
τ
G=
γ
Transposing:

τ =Gγ
F=τA
Substituting for shear stress:
F=GγA = 70 ¿ 109 ¿ 3.75 ¿ 10–3(20 ¿ 10–2 ¿ 5 ¿ 10–2) = 2625000
N = 2.625 MN

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

f
Five rubber shock absorbers are mounted on a piece of equipment that is subjected to
vibration cause the shock absorbers to be placed in shear. The five shock absorbers
have a diameter of 4cm diameter, a length of 2cm and a Young’s Modulus of 0.05
GPa. If the greatest deflection of the shock absorbers is to be no larger than 0.2 cm,
what is the shear stress and shear strain?

Solution
x 0.2
γ=
Shear strain, y = 2 = 0.1

τ
G=
γ ; transposing:

τ =Gγ = 0.05 ¿ 109 ¿ 0.1 = 5 ¿ 106N/m2 = 5 MN/m2

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Solutions to Mechanical Principles Assignments 1

Criteria M1
Calculate the factor of safety in operation for a component subjected to a
combined direct and shear loading against given failure criteria.

A bar with a cross-section of 20mm ¿ 10mm acts as a cantilever has a force of 10kN
applied to it at an angle of 60o, as shown below in the diagram:

If the material has a maximum tensile stress of 200 MN/m2 and the maximum shear
stress is 150 MN/m2, find: the tensile stress, the shear stress and the factor of safety.

Solution
Tensile force = 10cos60o = 5.000 kN

Shear force = 10sin60o = 8.660 kN

Area of bar = 20 ¿ 10–3 ¿ 10 10–3 = 200 ¿ 10–6 m2

¿
force 5×103 1×109
= area = 40
−6
Direct stress, σ = 200×10 = N/m2 = 25 MN/m2

force 8. 660×103 8.660×109

= area = 200
−6
shear stress, τ = 200×10 = 43.3 MN/m2

200×10 6
6
Factor of safety for tensile force = 25×10 =8
150×10 6
6
Factor of safety for shear force = 43 . 3×10 ¿ 3.462
Factor of safety = 3.462

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