ARCH 150

Midterm 2020 Questions + Solutions

Questions

1) Which of the following statements about forces on structures are true? Check the two that apply.
(2 pts)
● Dead loads act vertically downward, are relatively fixed, and have values that can be
determined to a high degree of accuracy
● Wind loads generate horizontal loads only on the surfaces exposed to the windward
direction
● Live loads include static and dynamic loads and may not be present in structures at all points
in time
● Earthquake loads are generated when ground faults release shockwaves with alternating
waves of positive and negative pressure.

2) Which of the following primary structural systems are used to resist lateral loads? Check the four
that apply. (2 pts)
● Shear walls
● Braced frames
● Hinged frames
● Moment-resisting frames
● Horizontal diaphragms
● Precast systems

3) Which of the following are criteria for base isolation systems? Check the three that apply. (2 pts)
● The system must allow lateral movement.
● The system must control the movement between ground and structure.
● Energy must be dissipated in the isolators.
● The system must amplify ground accelerations.
● The system must maintain a rigid connection for pedestrian exit discharge.
● Energy must be concentrated to a point above the original grade.
4) A building form that is ideal for resistance to earthquake forces would be characterized by which
of the following? Check the two that apply. (2 pts)
● Symmetrical about a reentrant corner
● Symmetrical in plan
● Heavier at the base than at the top
● Asymmetrical in plan
● Long linear plan
● Asymmetrical in elevation

5) The tributary area is: (2 pts)

● a great place for sacrificial offerings
● found in both Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games
● a loaded area that contributes to the forces felt by supporting members
● not actually a thing

6) In Load and Resistance Factor Design, safety factors are primarily applied to the applied loads that
are used to determine design forces in members. (2 pts)
● True
● False

7) When considering a free body diagram, the sum of the moments for a body in static equilibrium
will be greater above fixed supports than above roller supports. (2 pts)

● True
● False
8) - 10) A person is climbing on the trellis pictured below. As they move around, the axial force felt by
the 4 columns changes in response to their location. From the points labelled a-h in the plan view
below, choose the following (only choose one location if there are multiple):

A point where the axial load in one of the columns is greater than the applied load. (2 pts) _____

A point where the axial load in all columns in equal. (2 pts) _____

A point where the axial load in three columns is zero. (2 pts) _____

11) In the diagram below, a load W is applied on Joist B. Select all members that support force from
the applied load W. Don’t consider the weight of the structure. (1 pt for each correct answer in list of
members - 7 total)
● Joist A
● Joist B
● Joist C
● Beam D
● Beam E
● Beam F
● Beam G
● Column H
● Column I
● Column J
● Column K
12) - 14) Four idealized lateral force resisting systems are shown below. Use these images to answer
the questions 12-14. Consider equal horizontal forces. Circle all that apply.

Which of these frames would you expect to deflect the most? (2 pts)
● Frame A
● Frame B
● Frame C
● Frame D
● All the same

Which of these frames would you expect to deflect the least? (2 pts)
● Frame A
● Frame B
● Frame C
● Frame D
● All the same

Which of these frames would have the greatest uplift force at the bottom left corner? (2 pts)
● Frame A
● Frame B
● Frame C
● Frame D
● All the same
15) – 18) For each of the four frames loaded as shown below, select the deflected shape that best
represents the deformed frame. (2 pts each – 8 total)
19) – 22) For each of the beams loaded as shown below, select the pair of shear and moment
diagrams that best represents the internal forces in each configuration. Note that in each pair of
diagrams, the shear diagram is shown above, and the moment diagram is shown below. (2 pts each
– 8 total)

23) Use the shear distribution for the free-body diagram below to determine the magnitude of the
missing applied forces (A1, A2, A3, A4) and reactive forces (R1, R2). (1.5 pt for each value – 9 total)
24) The cross section shown indicates an interior column. The tributary area for loading on the
column equals 20 feet by 24 feet. Which of the following is the design live load for the footing?
(Assume no live load reductions.) (4 pts – partial credit)
● 43,200 lb
● 57,600 lb
● 72,000 lb
● 96,000 lb
25) The one-story building shown below has a design wind pressure on the vertical projected area of
20 psf. For wind acting in the north-south direction, what is the total wind force to be transferred
from the roof diaphragm to the east or west shear wall? (hint: some of the wind load will be
transferred directly to the ground) (4 pts – partial credit)
● 3 kips
● 6 kips
● 12 kips
● 24 kips
26) What is the absolute maximum moment in the beam shown? (6 pts – partial credit)

● 11,250 ft-lb
● 1,235 ft-lb
● 25,000 ft-lb
● 50,000 ft-lb
27) Consider the following problem in 2D: A baby is standing on the table as shown in the diagram
below. The table is resting on the ground, but is not attached to it by any restraints. The weight of
the table is idealized as 40 lb acting in the center of the table. How far can the baby walk from the
left edge of the table before it begins to tip? (6 pts – partial credit)
● 6’
● 7’
● 8’
● 9’
● None of the above
Hint: Where would the table rotate around as it begins to tip over?
28) A rock climber falls from a cliff. He has 100 feet of nylon rope as measured from his belt to the
grappling hook, which is securely wedged into the cliff. The climber's weight and the dynamic load
applied to the rope are exactly equivalent to a static load of 1600 lbs. Given the rope's property
below:
Cross-sectional area A = 0.2 in2
Elastic modulus E = 100,000 psi
Will the climber hit the rock below or will he be saved? (6 pts – partial credit)
● The climber will hit the rock below.
● The climber will be saved.
29) Is the system shown in static equilibrium? (6 pts – partial credit)
● Yes
● No