Ekiti State University Ado-Ekiti Nigeria

Department of Mechanical Engineering

2019/2020 Session First Semester
Course Code: ENG233 Title: Engineering Mechanics I – Statics Units: 2

Worked Examples II
Q1 a. Using diagrams, briefly explain the Principle of Transmissibility as applicable to rigid bodies.
[4 marks]
b. The fixed crane shown in Figure Q5 has a mass of 1000kg and is used to lift a 2400 kg crate. It is held
in place by a pin at A and a rocker at B. The center of gravity of the crane is located at G.
Determine the components of the reactions at A and B. [16 marks]

Figure Q1

Solution to Q1
a. Transmissibility
The principle of transmissibility states that the conditions of equilibrium or motion of a rigid
body will remain unchanged if a force F acting at a given point of the rigid body is replaced by a
force F’ of the same magnitude and same direction [1].
Although the forces act at a different point, the two forces have the same line of action (Fig. 3.3,
P. 75). The two forces F and F’ have the same effect on the rigid body and are said to be
equivalent. This principle, which states that the action of a force may be transmitted along its line
of action, is based on experimental evidence.

Points with labeled diagrams. 4 marks

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b. Solution

Figure 1. Solution to Q1b

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Q2. a. Write out the three equilibrium equations for a two-dimensional (2D) structure.
Define all terms and explain the conditions and sign conventions. [5 marks]
b. The frame shown in Figure 1 supports part of the roof of a small building. If the tension
in the cable is 150 kN then, determine the reaction at the fixed end E. [15 marks]

Figure 2: Diagram for Q1b

Solution to Q2a
The three equations might be:
∑Fx = 0 ∑Fy = 0 ∑MO = 0
However, there are usually several sets of equations that you can write, such as:
∑Fx = 0 ∑MA = 0 ∑MB = 0
Where point B is chosen in such a way that the line AB is not parallel to the y axis, or
∑MA = 0 ∑MB = 0 ∑MC = 0
Where the points A, B, and C do not lie in a straight line.

Any three (3) equilibrium equations [3 mks]

Definition of terms, explanation of conditions and sign conventions. [2 mks] [3+2 = 5]

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Solution to Q2b

Figure 3: Solution to Q2b

FBD
Point E – 2 forces and 1 moment. Point F – 1 force [4 marks]
Solutions
Ex and Ey [3 x 2 = 6 mks]
ME [5 mks] Total = 15 mks

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Q3 A. Differentiate between these conditions of engineering systems:
i. Dry friction and fluid friction
ii. Limiting friction and kinetic friction
iii. Rolling friction and sliding friction [6 marks]
B. State the five (5) laws governing dry friction [5 marks]
C. The movable bracket (Figure Q3) may be placed at any height on the 3 m – diameter pipe. If the
Coeff. of Static Friction between the pipe and bracket is 0.25, Determine the minimum distance x
at which the load W can be supported. Neglect the weight of the bracket. [9 mks]

Figure Q3

Solution to Q3
(a)
i. Limiting friction is the maximum friction force at the time of impending motion i.e. when
the motion is about to begin
Kinetic friction is the opposing force that acts between moving surfaces
ii. Dry friction (Coloumb friction) manifests when the contact surfaces are dry and there is
tendency for relative motion.
Fluid friction manifests when a lubricant is introduced between the contact surfaces of the two
bodies. It develops between layers of fluid moving at different velocities
iii. Sliding friction refers to the resistance created by two objects sliding against each other
Rolling friction or rolling drag is the force resisting the motion when a body (such as a ball, tire,
or wheel) rolls on a surface 6marks

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 (b)
Laws of friction
1. Friction acts tangentially to the surfaces in contact and is in a direction opposite to that in
which motion is to take place.
2. Friction force is maximum at the instant of impending motion
3. The magnitude of limiting friction bears a constant ratio to the normal reaction between
the mating surfaces. The ratio drops to a slightly lower value when motion starts
4. Limiting friction is independent of the area and shape of contact surfaces
5. Limiting friction depends upon the nature (smoothness or roughness) of the surfaces in
contact
6. At low velocities between sliding surfaces, the friction force is practically independent of
the velocity. However, slight reduction in friction occurs when the speeds are high.
5 marks

(c)
Free-Body Diagram.
We draw the free-body diagram of the bracket.
When W is placed at the minimum distance x from the axis of the pipe, the bracket is just about
to slip, and the forces of friction at A and B have reached their maximum values

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 2 marks

Equilibrium Equations

1 mark

2 marks

2 marks

2 marks

TOTAL= 20 marks

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Q4. A 4.80 m long beam is subjected to the forces shown in Figure Q4. Reduce the given system of
forces to:
i. An equivalent force-couple system at A
ii. An equivalent force-couple system at B
iii. A single force or resultant. [20 marks]

Figure Q4

Solution to Q4

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Figure 4. Solution to Q4

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Q5 a. i. Define mechanics and its four (4) basic concepts. [5 marks]
ii. State the conditions for the equilibrium of a particle. [2 mks]
iii. State the Parallelogram Law for the addition of forces. [2 mks]

Solution to Q5 (a)
i. Mechanics can be defined as that science which describes and predicts the conditions of rest
or motion of bodies under the action of forces. It is divided into three parts: mechanics of
rigid bodies, mechanics of deformable bodies, and mechanics of fluids.
For short, Mechanics is the description and prediction of the condition of a body. 2 marks

Four basic concepts. Any Three (3) of the following points. 3 marks
a. Space – The notion of the position of a point
b. Time - An event occurs at a particular time
c. Mass - To characterize and compare bodies on the basis of fundamental mechanical
experiments
d. Force – The action of one body on the other. It’s a vector [P. 3].
A force is characterized by its point of application, magnitude, direction and sense.

ii. The Conditions for the Equilibrium of a Particle

A particle is said to be in equilibrium when the resultant of all the forces acting on it is zero
[Sec. 2.9]. The particle will then remain at rest (if originally at rest) or move with constant
speed in a straight line (if originally in motion) [Sec. 2.10]. Any two of these:

∑ 𝐹𝑥 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ∑ 𝐹𝑧 = 0 2 marks

iii. The Parallelogram Law for the addition of forces

This states that two forces acting on a particle may be replaced by a single force, called their
resultant, obtained by drawing the diagonal of the parallelogram which has sides equal to the
given forces (Sec. 2.2). [P. 3] 2 marks

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b. Figure Q5 shows a tower guy-wire anchored by a bolt at A. The tension in the wire AB is 2500 N.

Figure Q5
Determine: [11 marks]
i. The components Fx, Fy, Fz of the force acting on the bolt.
ii. The angles θx, θy, θz defining the direction of the force.

Solution to Q5 (b)

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Figure 5. Solution to Q5b

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Q6. A. Write short notes (definition and mathematical expression) on the following properties and/or
conditions of engineering systems:
i. Center of gravity and centroid. Differentiate between them.
Under what conditions would these two coincide? [3 marks]
ii. Moment of inertia of an area. Explain why it is called Second Moment of Area?
[2 marks]
iii. State the Parallel Axes Theorem. [3 marks]
iv. Write an expression for the radius of gyration in terms of its Mass Moment of Inertia.
[2 marks]

B. Determine the moment of inertia of the plane area shown in Figure Q6, about its centroidal axis.
[10 marks]

Figure Q6

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Solution to Q6
(a)

i. The center of gravity of a body is defined as the point through which the resultant of the
gravitational force (weight) acts for any orientation of the body.

The centroid is the point where the entire length area or volume is assumed to be
concentrated.

Center of gravity only applies to body with mass and weight

Centroid applies to plane figures which have areas but no mass.

Center of gravity and centroid of a body are coincident if the value of gravity is uniform for each
part and the solid is of uniform density throughout. 2 marks

ii. Moment of inertia of any lamina is defined as the second moment of all elemental areas
dA comprising the lamina.

Moment of inertia about x axis 𝐼𝑥𝑥 = ∑ 𝑦 2 𝑑𝐴

Moment of inertia about y axis 𝐼𝑦𝑦 = ∑ 𝑥 2 𝑑𝐴

The moment of a force about a point is the product of the force (F) and the perpendicular
distance.

Moment = Fx

If this moment is further multiplied by distance (x), then a quantity Fx2 is obtained which is
referred to moment of moment or the second moment of force. If the term force F is replaced by
area or mass of the body, the resulting parameter is called moment of inertia.

Moment of inertia of a plane area = 𝐴𝑥 2

Mass moment of inertia of a body = 𝑚𝑥 2 2 marks

iii. The parallel axis theorem states that the moment of inertia of a plane lamina about any
axis is equal to the sum of its moment of inertia about a parallel axis through its centre of gravity
G and the product of its area (mass) and the square of distance between the two axes. 3 marks

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 Relationship between radius of gyration (k) and mass moment of Inertia (I)

𝐼 = 𝐴𝑘 2

𝐼
𝑘 = √𝐴 2 marks

(b)

1. Rectangle

𝑎1 = 8 × 12 = 96𝑐𝑚2

8
𝑥1 = 4 + 2 = 8𝑐𝑚

12
𝑦1 = = 6𝑐𝑚 1 mark
2

2. Triangle

1
𝑎2 = × 4 × 12 = 24𝑐𝑚2
2

2
𝑥2 = × 4 = 2.67𝑐𝑚
3
12
𝑦2 = = 4𝑐𝑚 1 mark
3

3. Semicircle

1 𝜋
𝑎3 = × × 42 = 6.28𝑐𝑚2
2 4
4
𝑥3 = 4 + 2 + 2 = 8 𝑐𝑚

12
𝑦1 = = 6 𝑐𝑚 1 mark
2

The coordinates of the centroid of the given plane area are

𝑎1 𝑥1 +𝑎2 𝑥2 −𝑎3 𝑥3
𝑥̅ = 1mark
𝑎1 +𝑎2 −𝑎3

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 96 × 8 + 24 × 2.67 − (6.28 × 8)
96 + 24 − 6.28

𝑥̅ = 6.87𝑐𝑚 1 mark

𝒂𝟏 𝒚𝟏 + 𝒂𝟐 𝒚𝟐 − 𝒂𝟑 𝒚𝟑
̅=
𝒚
𝒂𝟏 + 𝒂𝟐 − 𝒂𝟑
𝟗𝟔 × 𝟔 + 𝟐𝟒 × 𝟒 − (𝟔. 𝟐𝟖 × 𝟏𝟏. 𝟏𝟓)
𝟗𝟔 + 𝟐𝟒 − 𝟔. 𝟐𝟖
̅ = 𝟓. 𝟐𝟗𝒄𝒎
𝒚 1 mark

Moment of inertia about horizontal axis

𝐼𝑥𝑥 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 − 𝐼3

𝐼1 = 𝐼𝐺1 + 𝐴1 ℎ12 = 𝐼𝐺1 + 𝐴1 (𝑦̅ − 𝑦1 )2

8×123
+ (8 × 12)(5.29 − 6)2 = 1200.39𝑐𝑚4 1 mark
12

𝐼2 = 𝐼𝐺2 + 𝐴2 (𝑦̅ − 𝑦2 )2

4×123 1
= + (2 × 4 × 12) (5.29 − 4)2 = 231.94𝑐𝑚4 1 mark
36

𝐼3 = 𝐼𝐺3 + 𝐴3 (𝑦̅ − 𝑦3 )2

1
= 0.11 × 24 + 2 𝜋 × 22 (5.29 − 11.15)2 = 217.52𝑐𝑚4 1 mark

𝐼𝑥𝑥 = 1200.39 + 231.94 − 217.52 = 1214.81𝑐𝑚4 1 mark

Moment of Inertia about vertical centroidal axis

𝐼1 = 𝐼𝐺1 + 𝐴1 ℎ12 = 𝐼𝐺1 + 𝐴1 (𝑥̅ − 𝑥1 )2

12×83
+ (12 × 8)(6.87 − 8)2 = 634.58𝑐𝑚4 1 mark
12

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 𝐼2 = 𝐼𝐺2 + 𝐴2 (𝑦̅ − 𝑦2 )2

12×43 1
𝐼2 = + (2 × 12 × 4) (6.87 − 2.67)2 = 444.69𝑐𝑚4 1 mark
36

𝐼3 = 𝐼𝐺3 + 𝐴3 (𝑦̅ − 𝑦3 )2

𝜋×24 1
𝐼3 = + 2 𝜋 × 22 (6.87 − 8)2 = 14.3𝑐𝑚4 1 mark
8

𝐼𝑦𝑦 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 − 𝐼3

𝐼𝑦𝑦 = 634.58 + 444.69 − 14.3 = 1064.97𝑐𝑚4 1 mark

Reference

[1] Beer and Johnston, Statics and Dynamics, New York: McGraw-Hill, 2012.

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