CENG 3306: Mechanics of Materials

Department of Civil Engineering Dr. Michael Gangone

Homework Assignment #1
Due: Lesson 4

Problem 1:

A plane cut through a two force (centric axially loaded) member at an arbitrary angle Φ from the
longitudinal axis; show that:
 = [P/Atransverse] sin2   = [P/Atransverse] cos  sin 


P P

Using excel or matlab, plot the equations above for normal and shear stress. Let P/A = 1 and
vary the angle of the cut from 0 to 180 degrees. Plot both curves on the same graph. Just submit
the plots not the numerical data.

Problem 2:

The 1.9 kip load P is supported by two wooden members of uniform cross section that are joined
by the simple glued scarf splice shown. Determine the normal and shearing stresses in the glued
splice.
CENG 3306: Mechanics of Materials
Department of Civil Engineering Dr. Michael Gangone

Problem 3:
For the truss and loading shown, determine the normal stress in members BC, CE, DE and BE.
The transverse cross sectional area of each member is 100 mm2. Express each stress in terms of
MPa (mega-pascals).
 1.2

Shear
0.8

Normal
Normal Stress

0.6
Shear Stress

0.4

0.2

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

-0.2

-0.4

-0.6
Angle (degrees)