SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, KIIT UNIVERSITY

ASSIGNMENT 1
Subject: Engineering Mechanics DUE ON :

Q1. On the string ACEDB are hung three equal

weights Q symmetrically placed with respect to
the vertical line through the mid-point E as shown
in figure. Determine the value of the angles β if
the other angles are shown in the figure.

Q2. Three smooth right circular cylinders, each of

radius r and weight P, are arranged on smooth
inclined surfaces. Determine the least value of
angle α that will prevent the arrangement from
slipping.

Q3. A ball rest in a trough as shown in figure.

Determine the angle of tilt θ with the horizontal
so that the reactive force at B will be one-third at
A if all surfaces are perfectly smooth.

Q4. A 750 N man stands on the middle rung of a 250

N ladder, as shown in figure . Assuming the end
B rest on the corner of a wall and a stop at A to
prevent slipping, determine the reaction at A and
B.

Q5. Determine the forces exerted on the cylinder at B

and C by the spanner wrench shown in figure
due to a vertical force of 100 N applied to the
handle as shown. Neglect friction at B.
Q6. Two beams AB and DE are arranged and
supported as shown in figure. Determine the
reaction at the support E due to the force P =
200N applied at B.

Q7. A smooth right circular cylinder of radius r rests

on a horizontal plane and is kept from rolling by
an inclined string AC of length 2r. A prismatic
bar AB of length 3r and weight Q is hinged at
point A and leans against the roller as shown in
figure. Find the tension S that will be induced in
the string AC.

Q8. A block of weight W1 = 890N rests on a

horizontal surface and supports on top of it
another block of weight W2 = 222.5N as shown in
figure. The block W2 is attached to a vertical wall
by the inclined string AB. Find the magnitude of
the horizontal force P, applied to the lower block
as shown that will be necessary to cause slipping
to impend. The coefficient of static friction for all
contiguous surfaces is μ = 0.3.

Q9. As shown in figure , the coefficients of friction

are as follows: 0.25 at the floor, 0.30 at the wall,
and 0.20 between blocks. Find the minimum
value of a horizontal force P applied to the lower
block that will hold the system in equilibrium.

10 A smooth circular cylinder of weight Q and radius

r is supported by two semicircular cylinders each
of the same radius r and weight Q/2 as shown in
figure 3. If the co-efficient of friction between the
flat faces of the semicircular cylinders and
horizontal plane is µ=0.5. Determine the
maximum distance b between the centers B and C
for which equilibrium will be possible without the
middle cylinder touching the horizontal plane.
11 As shown in figure , determine the least value of
P to cause motion to impend rightwards. Assume
the pulley frictionless and coefficient of friction
of all contiguous surfaces is 0.2.

12 Two blocks A and B have masses 400 kg and 200

kg, respectively and rest on 300 incline. Blocks
are attached to a post by cords and the post is held
fixed by action of force F as shown in figure .
Assuming all contact surfaces are smooth and
cords parallel to incline, determine the value of F.

13 In the frame shown in figure , determine the

reaction forces at support A and B.

14 The blocks A as shown in figure weighs 2000 N.

The cord attached to A passes over a frictionless
pulley and supports a weight B equal to 800 N.
The value of coefficient of friction between A and
the horizontal plane is 0.35. Solve for horizontal
force P if (i) motion is impending towards the
left, and (ii) the motion is impending towards the
right.
15 Two blocks connected by a horizontal link AB
are supported on two rough planes as shown in
figure. The coefficient of friction for block A on
the horizontal plane is µ= 0.4. The angle of
friction for block B on the inclined plane Φ=150
.What is the smallest weight W of block A for
which equilibrium of the system can exist?