FCE 331: STRENGTH OF MATERIALS IIA, CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT TEST

DATE: JANUARY 2022

INSTRUCTIONS
➢ Marks will be awarded for neat, stepwise and clear work.
➢ Attempt ALL the questions.

Q1. Carry out a Shear and bending moment resistance verification of 6,500 mm span,
fully laterally restrained beam along its length with a design bending moments and shear
forces of MEd = 539.5 kNm, VEd (at supports) = 269.5 kN and VEd (at mid-span) = 62.5 kN to 533 x
210 x 92 UB in S275.
(10 Marks)
Section properties;
Depth h 533.1 mm
Width b 209.3 mm
Web thickness tw 10.1 mm
Flange thickness tf 15.6 mm
Root radius r 12.7 mm
Depth between flange fillets d 476.5 mm
Second moment of area y-y axis Iy 44,200 cm4
Plastic modulus y-y axis Wpl,y 2,360 cm3
Area A 117 cm2
Modulus of elasticity E 210,000N/mm2

Q2.
(a) Briefly name and describe two main types of timber. (2 marks)
(b) For each of the types described in (a) above, list three characteristics. (3 marks)
(c) A simply supported timber beam with cross-section of 50 x 200 mm and a clear
span of 3,575 mm is made of timber of strength class C24 according to EN 338.
Using a design uniformly distributed load of 1.45 kN/m2 (medium-term) under
service class 1, verify the failure conditions for;
 i). Bending when beam is assumed to be laterally restrained throughout the length
of its compression edge. (1 Marks)
ii). Bending when beam is NOT assumed to be laterally restrained throughout the
length of its compression edge. (3 Marks)
iii). Shear. (1 Marks)

Q3.
(a) Define seasoning as a process used in timber production. (1 marks)
(b) Wood as a natural material is highly varied in its structure and has many natural
characteristics, describe any five natural characteristics of timber. (5 marks)
(c) Briefly describe structural timber classes used in design with specific
consideration to load duration classes and service classes. (4 marks)