MZB126 Semester 2 2016

Portfolio Submission 3

Portfolio - Truss Analysis

The following truss is to be analysed by applying method of joints.

When method of joints is applied, the truss can be described as below.

cos()
1
0
1 0
sin()
0
0
0 1

cos() 0
cos() 0 0

sin() 0 sin() 0 0

0
1 cos() 0 0
0
0
sin() 0 0

0
FAB
0

0
FAC 0

0 FBC P2

0
Ax P1
0 Ay 0
1

Cy

P
1. Draw
a
FBD
of
the
joint
A
(where
A
and
A
are
acting).
Apply
Fx = 0 and
x
y
P
Fy = 0 to show that the first two rows of the matrix equation are correct.
2. Solve the matrix equation in MATLAB, given P1 = 10kN, P2 = 0, = 60o
(must submit the code used).
3. Verify the solution by hand, using a method of your choosing.
4. Using MATLAB, modify the angle in the truss. What effect does the angle
have on the maximum forces in the truss? What effect does it have on the
reaction forces (Ax , Ay , Cy )?
5. The forces in the structure cannot exceed 10kN , otherwise it will break. If P1
remains at 10kN , and remains at 60o , what is the maximum allowable value
for P2 ?
Portfolio Submission 3

MZB126 Semester 2 2016

Portfolio Submission 3

Portfolio - Pendulum Part 2

As we have shown in earlier lectures and tutorials, a pendulum is modelled as a
nonlinear ODE shown below.
Actual ODE:

d2
dt2

c d
mL2 dt

+ Lg sin() = 0

We have not been able to analytically solve this ODE, so we have linearised sin()
about = 0 in order to get an analytical solution. The linearised ODE is shown
below.
Linearised ODE:

d2
dt2

c d
mL2 dt

+ Lg = 0

Now that we have a method to solve the non-linear ODE, we will experiment how
accurate the solution to the linearised ODE is. Obviously, we would think that once
our linearisation becomes inaccurate, the solution to the ODE would also become
inaccurate.
Given c = 0.01N.m.s, m = 0.5kg, L = 1m, g = 9.81m/s2 ,
1. Describe the actual ODE and the linearised ODE as a system of first order
ODEs.
2. Using ode45, numerically solve both ODEs when the pendulum is released
from rest from 30o . Plot the pendulum angles over time in MATLAB. For full
marks, the plot should only contain the pendulum angle, and not the angular
velocity.
3. Using ode45, numerically solve both ODEs when the pendulum is released
from rest from 150o . Plot the pendulum angles over time in MATLAB.
4. Comment on the accuracy of the solution to the linearised ODE in each case.
Make sure you comment on both the amplitude and frequency of the solution.

Portfolio Submission 3

MZB126 Semester 2 2016

Portfolio Submission 3

Portfolio - Stress-Strain Curve

A common method for obtaining mechanical properties of materials is by doing a tensile test. In this process, a tensile force is applied to a specimen
which increases over time until the specimen breaks. During this process,
the stress and strain of the specimen are recorded.
Data from a tensile test is located on Blackboard, as well as a script which
loads and plots the data. You will want to add commands and control structures to the script in order to determine some material properties.
(a) Using at least one control structure, write a code that can determine the
largest value in any vector, and use this to determine the largest stress
on the curve. This point is known as the ultimate tensile stress (UTS).
Also, determine the corresponding strain for this stress.
(b) Using at least one control structure, write a code that will find the first
local maximum in a vector, and use this to determine the height of the
initial spike on the curve. This is known as the yield stress. Also, determine the corresponding strain for this stress.
(c) Plot the stress-strain curve with the Yield Stress and Ultimate Tensile
Stress marked on the plot. Does it look as though the code has calculated the correct values?
(d) Using at least one control structure, approximate the area under the
stress-strain curve using the trapezoid rule. This is known as the toughness of the material.

Additional Notes
The code you write should work for any stress-strain curve of a similar
shape. To check whether your code does this, there is some alternate
test data on Blackboard. Your code should work for this alternate data
without the need for adjustment.
If you cant get your code (or parts of it) to work, part marks will be
awarded for a correct algorithm/psuedocode.
The in-built function max cannot be used to solve Q1, although you may
use it to check your answer. The in-built function trapz cannot be used
to solve Q4, although you may use it to check your answer.

Portfolio Submission 3