Chapter 2

Course No. CE F 211

Mechanics of Solid
Q 1. A bar of length 1000 mm and diameter 30 mm is centrally bored for 400 mm, the
bore diameter being 10 mm as shown in Fig. Under a load of 30 kN, if the extension of the
bar is 0.222 mm, what is the modulus of elasticity of the bar?

Q 2. The 4-mm-diameter cable BC is made of a steel with E = 200 GPa. Knowing that
the maximum stress in the cable must not exceed 190 MPa and that the elongation of the
cable must not exceed 6 mm, find the maximum load P that can be applied as shown.

Solution:
Q 3. The aluminum rod ABC (E = 10.1 × 106 psi), which consists of two cylindrical
portions AB and BC, is to be replaced with a cylindrical steel rod DE (E = 29 × 106 psi) of
the same overall length. Determine the minimum required diameter d of the steel rod if its
vertical deformation is not to exceed the deformation of the aluminum rod under the same
load and if the allowable stress in the steel rod is not to exceed 24 ksi.
Solution:

Q 4. Each of the links AB and CD is made of aluminum (E = 10.9 × 106 psi) and has a
cross-sectional area of 0.2 in2. Knowing that they support the rigid member BC, determine
the deflection of point E.
Solution:

Q 5. A stepped bar as shown in figure in which load is applied at point ‘B’ and ‘D’,
calculate the ground reaction developed.
Solution:
 Q 6. A block (weight = W) is suspended by means of a spring whose spring constant =
k2 from the end of a rigid weightless beam, which is of length l and hinged to a wall by a
frictionless connection at its left. It is held in a horizontal position by a spring whose spring
constant = k1 attached to it at a distance b from the hinge end to the ceiling as shown in
Fig. below. Determine the natural frequency of vibration of the system in Hz.

[Hint: Natural frequency of vibration of the system = ]

Solution:
Fig. shows OA the cantilever beam in the horizontal position with springs of constant k1 and k2
and weight W attached at A. A little consideration will show, that if the weight W is removed, the
cantilever will spring upwards and A will occupy a new position A' as shown in the figure.

Q 7. The specimen shown has been cut from a 5-mm thick sheet of vinyl (E = 3.10 GPa)
and is subjected to a 1.5 kN tensile load. Determine (a) the total deformation of the
specimen (b) the deformation of its central portion BC.
Solution:

Q 8. Both portions of the rod ABC are made of an aluminum for which E = 70 GPa.
Knowing that the magnitude of P is 4 kN, determine (a) the value of Q so that the deflection
at A is zero, (b) the corresponding deflection of B.
Solution:
 Q 9.
1 7
(a) Members AB and CD are 1 8 inch diameter steel rods, and members BC and AD are 8
inch diameter steel rods. When the turnbuckle is tightened, the diagonal member AC is put
in tension. Knowing that E = 29 × 106 psi and h = 4 ft, determine the largest allowable
tension in AC so that the deformations in members AB and CD do not exceed 0.04 inch.
(b) Determine (i) the distance h so that the deformations in members AB, BC, CD, and AD
are equal (ii) the corresponding tension in member AC

Solution: (a)
(b) i:
ii:

Q 10. Three steel rods (E = 200 GPa) support a 36 kN load P. Each of the rods AB and
CD has a 200 mm2 cross sectional area and rod EF has a 625 mm2 cross sectional area.
Determine the change in length of rod EF.

Solution: