Engineering Foundation Year

Semester 1 Mid-Semester Examinations - March 2015

Centre(s):

External - Curtin International College (CIC)

Internal - Bentley Campus, Miri Sarawak Campus

Unit(s):

MCEN1000 - Engineering Mechanics

Duration:

1 Hour

Total Marks:

60

Calculator:

Yes, as approved by the school

Prior to commencement of the examination there will be a

10-minute reading period. During this period notes may be
written in margins or reverse of the examination paper.
Commencement of the examination will be indicated by the
supervisor.

Supplied by the University:

1 x 16 page answer book
Formula sheet - attached to examination paper
Supplied by the Student:
Calculator - Only the HP10s or HP10s+ calculators are allowed
Drawing tools (protractor, compass, rule)

THIS IS A CLOSED BOOK EXAMINATION

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- The possession or use of:
Mobile phones or any other device capable of communicating information, are prohibited during examinations.
Electronic Organisers/PDAs (with the exception of calculators) or other similar devices capable of storing text or restricted
information are prohibited during examinations.
Calculators Only calculators approved specifically by the school/department may be used during this examination. Prior to the
commencement of the examination, calculators will be checked for compliance by the examiner.
Any breach of examination regulations will be considered cheating and appropriate action will be taken in accordance
with University policy.

Other Information:
Attempt ALL questions.
All answers must be written in your answer book.

Examination paper is to be released to student

Page 1 of 4

Engineering Mechanics (MCEN1000)

Page 2 of 4

Mid-Semester Test, Semester 1, 2015

Question 1

[25 marks]

The concurrent forces FA and FB act on a gusset plate as shown in Figure 1. The resultant
force acts along the positive u axis.
a) Using a graphical method (e.g. a scaled diagram) estimate the magnitude of the resultant
force and the angle .
[10 marks]
b) Using a numerical method (e.g. calculation) determine the magnitude of the resultant
force and the angle . Express your answers to three significant figures.
[15 marks]
[Note: This requires application of knowledge from the modules Fundamental Principles, Chapter 1 and
Equilibrium of a Particle, Chapter 3.]

Figure 1
Modified from (Hibbeler 2014, 28)

Engineering Mechanics (MCEN1000)

Page 3 of 4

Mid-Semester Test, Semester 1, 2015

Question 2

[15 marks]

Determine the moment of the 150 N force about point O. Neglect the thickness of the
member. Express your answer to two significant figures.
[Note: This requires application of knowledge from the module Force System Resultants, Chapter 4.]

Figure 2
Modified from (Hibbeler 2014, 131)

Question 3

[20 marks]

Determine the forces in members BC and AC of the structure shown in Figure 3. State if the
members are in tension or compression and indicate the forces on a diagram of the truss.
Clearly show a free body diagram of joint C used in your solution.
[Note: This requires application of knowledge from the module Structural Analysis, Chapter 6.]

Figure 3
Modified from (Hibbeler 2014)

Engineering Mechanics (MCEN1000)

Mid-Semester Test, Semester 1, 2015

Page 4 of 4

Standard Formulae

Equations of Equilibrium:
Sine rule:

a
b
c
=
=
;
sin A sin B sin C

= 0;

= 0;

M = 0;

Cosine rule: c 2 = a 2 + b 2 2ab cos C

Units and Multipliers

Units:

Force
Pressure or Stress
Mass
Mass flow rate
Density
Weight
Displacement
Angular displacement
Speed
Angular speed
Velocity
Acceleration
Angular acceleration

Newtons
Force per unit area
Quantity of matter
Mass per unit time
Mass per unit volume
Force = m g local
Length
Angle
Displacement per unit time
Rotation per unit time
Speed + Direction
Rate of change of speed
Rate of change of angular speed

N
N/m2 = Pa
kg
kg/s
kg/m3
N
m
(radians)*
m/s
1/s (radians/s)
m/s2
1/s2 (radians/s2)

All vector quantities require magnitude and direction to be specified.

* The radian has units of length/length and so is dimensionless.
Strictly speaking finite rotations are not vectors as do not obey the laws of vector
addition.
Multipliers:

nano
micro
milli
centi
kilo
Mega
Giga

m
c
k
M
G

10-9
10-6
10-3
10-2 (non-preferred in engineering)
103
106
109

END OF TEST
Hibbeler, R. C. (2010) Engineering Mechanics Statics, Prentice Hall Pearson Education South Asia Pty Ltd., Singapore.