Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras

08/02/2021 AM1100 - Engineering Mechanics Dr.V.D. Narasimhamurthy

Deadline - 14/02/2021 Assignment - 1 [25 marks]

Instructions:

• Each question carries five marks.

• Follow the procedure discussed in class: Isolate the system; draw the free-body diagram
with all the support reactions and external forces; mention the sign conventions while
+
writing the static equilibrium equations (e.g., −
→).

• Self-weight of the components are negligible, if not given in the problem.

1. A 700N axial force is required to remove the pulley from its shaft. What force F must be
exerted on the handle of each of the two prybars? Friction at the contact points B and E
is sufficient to prevent slipping; friction at the pulley contact points C and F is negligible.
(Refer figure 1)

Figure 1

Figure 2
2. A block placed under the head of the claw hammer as shown greatly facilitates the ex-
traction of the nail. If a 50 lb pull on the handle is required to pull the nail, calculate the
tension T in the nail and the magnitude A of the force exerted by the hammer head on
the block. The contacting surfaces at A are sufficiently rough to prevent slipping. (Refer
figure 2)

1
3. Calculate the magnitude of the force supported by the pin at C under the action of the
900N load applied to the bracket. Neglect friction in the slot. (Refer figure 3)

Figure 3

4. The angular bracket is subjected to a system of forces and moment M = 54 lb.in. (Refer
figure 4)
(a) Find the resultant of this system of forces.
(b) Locate the points where the line of action of the resultant intersects line AB and line
BC

Figure 4

Figure 5
5. The rocker arm BD of an automobile engine is supported by a non-rotating shaft at C.
If the design value of the force exerted by the pushrod AB on the rocker arm is 80 lb,
determine the force which the valve stem D must exert at D in order for the combined
moment about point C to be zero. Compute the resultant of these two forces exerted on
the rocker arm. Note that the points B, C, and D lie on a horizontal line and that both
the pushrod and valve stem exert forces along their axes. (Refer figure 5)