CRN: 29492

School of Computing, Science & Engineering

TRIMESTER TWO EXAMINATION

PROGRAMMES:

BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

BEng (Hons) Civil & Architectural Engineering
MEng Civil Engineering
MEng Civil & Architectural Engineering
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering (Part Time)

BLOCK CODES:

E/CI/F3 ME/CI/F3 E/CAE/F3 ME/CAE/S4

STRUCTURES E3

xxth May 2020 10:00–12:30

Instructions to Candidates

There are SIX questions. Candidates are required to answer FOUR questions:

The exam paper is split into two parts; Section A and Section B.

Candidates MUST answer ALL questions in Section A

Candidates may answer ANY TWO questions in Section B

All questions carry equal marks

This examination paper carries a total of 100 marks.

Students must not remove this exam paper from the venue.

1
 SECTION A

1.

The two-bay rigid jointed portal frame is shown in Figure 1. Note that the support at A is fixed
whilst that at B and C are pinned. The relative plastic moments of resistance of the beams and
columns are as indicated in Figure 1. The structure is subject to two vertical point loads of
120kN and 100kN at the mid-span of each bay, and a horizontal load of 50kN at the top of the
frame, as shown in Figure 1.

a) By working through the possible collapse mechanisms, use the virtual work method to
determine the plastic moment of resistance that will just prevent collapse of the
structure. Note: you must show all your calculations.
(17 marks)

b) Draw the bending moment diagram for the structure at the onset of collapse,
(8 marks)

120kN 100kN
50kN
2.5MP 3MP
5m

MP 2MP 2MP

A B C
2.5m 2.5m 3m 3m

Figure 1
Total 25 Marks

2
 2.
a) i)
A RC slab is illustrated in Figure 2a. For the given slab, and with consideration
of the relative dimensions and the support conditions shown, draw a sketch to
postulate the viable yield line pattern which would induce the critical failure
mechanism. Indicate on your sketch where the axes of rotation are located and
would intersect the yield lines drawn. Use conventional ‘Yield line theory’
notation in your answer.
(4 Marks)

ii) Using your answer from 2a)i) provide a 2-D sketch of the deflected form at
failure which identifies the location of the maximum deflection and any points
of rotation.

(2 Marks)

L
A
Conventional ‘Yield line theory’ notation

Sagging Simply
yield line supported edge

Hogging Fixed
yield line support edge
L
Axis of Column
rotation support

A
x
Figure 2a.

3
b)

A trapezoidal RC slab has the dimensions and support conditions shown in the Figure 2b, The
yield lines cross the boundary of the free-edge at location ‘x’ as shown.

It is also subjected to a UDL, n = 15 kN/m2

The amount of steel reinforcement at the top of the section is the same as the amount of steel at
the bottom of the section. However the amount of steel in the two orthogonal directions is
different and given in the Figure 2b (as M, and 0.75M).

i) By equating internal and external work, calculate the state of the relationship between
the plastic moment of resistance, M, and the position where the yield line cuts the
free edge (i.e. in terms of x).

(13 Marks)

ii) Then, using trial values for x (between x = 2.5m and 3.5m) determine the design
moment of resistance, M and the corresponding value of x.

(6 marks)

x x

0.75M
2.5m
M

2m 4m 2m

Figure 2b.

Total 25 Marks

4
 Section B

3.

The plane frame, as shown in Figure 3, has pinned supports at joint 1 and joint 4, Joint 2 and 3
are rigid joints. The flexural rigidity of each member is as shown in Figure 3

a) Use the moment distribution method to determine the bending moment at each joint.

(21 marks)
b) Draw the bending moment diagram.

(4 marks)

10kN
2 B (EI) 3

4m
A (2EI) C (2EI)

1 4
3m 5m 3m

Figure 3

Total 25 Marks

5
4.
a) Discuss the assumptions applied when using the ‘Portal Method’ for initial sizing of
moment frames under wind loading, and comment on the accuracy of the method.
(4 marks)

b) Figure 4 shows a single internal frame of a building, subject to a horizontal wind

loading of 2kN/m2. The frames are spaced at 5m centres. Work out the approximate
bending moments using the Portal Method and draw the bending moment diagram for
this frame under the effects of wind loading only.

(21 marks)

3m
3.5m
4m
3.5m 5m 3.5m

Figure 4

Total 25 Marks

6
5.
The three-hinged parabolic arch shown in Figure 5 has a span of 8m and central rise of 4m.
The arch carries a uniform distributed load of 10kN/m over the half-span CB. The equation of
the centreline of the arch is given as:

where L is the span and a is the rise of the arch

c) Determine the location for the maximum hogging bending moment and calculate the
values of the corresponding bending moment, axial force and shear force at that
location
(13 Marks)

d) If the central hinge (i.e. the hinge at C) is removed the arch then becomes two-hinged.
Recalculate those forces in a) for the two pinned arch, i.e. maximum hogging bending
moment and the corresponding axial force and shear force. Also calculate the values of
bending moment, axial force and shear force at the crown (i.e. point C).

You may assume that the second moment of area of the arch at any section I varies
round the profile of the arch such that where is the second moment of
area at the crown and is the angle which the tangent at the section makes with the
horizontal.
(12 Marks)
10kN/m

y α
a = 4m
A x B

L= 8m

Figure 5

7
6.

A three-pin arch (hinges at A, B and D) is shown in Figure 6. It is to be subjected to a

uniformly distributed transient load (Train UDL) also given in Figure 6.

Figure 6

(a) Draw the influence line diagram for the vertical reaction at A, VA . Show all
important values.

(4 marks)

(b) Draw the influence line diagram for the vertical reaction at B, VB. Show all
important values.

(4 marks)

(c) Draw the influence line diagram for the horizontal reaction, H. Show all
important values.

(4 marks)

(d) Draw the influence line diagram for the bending moment at point C. Show all
important values.

(8 marks)

(a) Use the Influence line diagram calculated in (c) to determine the maximum
horizontal reaction caused by the train UDL

(5 marks)

Total 25 Marks

8
 Structures E3 and S3 Data Sheet

Fixed End Moments

9
Two pinned parabolic arch and its influence line for horizontal thrust at the central rise position
(i.e. Point C)

1
xL C

y
rc
A B
x

where
0.20
0.18
0.16
0.14
Horizontal thrust

0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

10
Solutions and marking scheme

11
Q1 Solution

1) Left-hand beam
120kN
MP 2.5MP

2.5MP

2.5m 2.5m

(2 Marks)
2) Right-hand beam
100kN
3MP 2MP

3MP

3m 3m

(2 Marks)
3) Sway mechanism
50kN

2MP 2MP
5m

MP

2.5m 2.5m 3m 3m

(2 Marks)
4) Joint rotation: MP indeterminate

5) Left-hand beam + Sway

120kN 2.5MP 50kN

2.5MP
5m

2MP 2MP
MP

2.5m 2.5m 3m 3m

(3 Marks)

6) Right-hand beam + Sway + Joint rotation

12
 1000kN
2.5MP 50kN

3MP
2MP

5m
2MP
MP

2.5m 2.5m 3m 3m

(4 Marks)

7) Left-hand beam + 6)
120kN 100kN
2.5MP 50kN

2.5MP 3MP 2MP

5m

MP
2.5m 2.5m 3m 3m

(3 Marks)

Mechanism 5) gives the highest Mp. Therefore, mechanism 5) is the collapse mode and
the associated Mp at collapse is

(1 Marks)
Bending moment diagram

=110-88=22
110

30 22 88
50kN
88
95
110

44 14.8kN 17.6kN 17.6kN

(kNm)

(8 Marks)

13
 Q2 Solution

2 a) i)
(4 marks)
L
A

δ = 1.0
L

0.5 L

A
x
(1 mark)
0.5 L
2 a) ii)
δ = 1.0
(1 mark)

14
Subjected to a UDL, n = 15 kN/m2

The amount of steel reinforcement at the top of the section is the same as the amount of steel at the
bottom of the section.

However the amount of steel in the two orthogonal directions is different and given in the figure below

By equating internal and external work, calculate the state of the relationship between the plastic
moment of resistance, M, and the position where the yield line cuts the free edge (i.e. in terms of x).

Then, using trial values for x (between x = 1.5m and 2.5m) determine the design moment of resistance,
M and the corresponding value of x.

15
16
17
Q3 Solution

Length of member A

1) Distribution factors
Joint 2 & 3

(2Marks)

2) Fixed end moments

No moment distribution for propped frame

(2 Marks)
3) Propped force

(2 Marks)

4) Arbitrary sway
Consider the frame swaying to the right

2  Sway
B (EI) 3 force

A (2EI)
4m

C (2EI)

1  4
3m 5m 3m

18
Choose arbitrary sway

(5 Marks)

Moment distribution with arbitrary sway

Member A A B B C C
Joint 1 2 2 3 3 4
Distribution
Factor 0.000 0.600 0.400 0.400 0.600 0.000
FEMS 0.000 -30.000 36.000 36.000 -30.000 0.000
RELAX -3.600 -2.400 -2.400 -3.600
CARRY-OVER 0.000 -1.200 -1.200 0.000
RELAX 0.720 0.480 0.480 0.720
CARRY-OVER 0.000 0.240 0.240 0.000
RELAX -0.144 -0.096 -0.096 -0.144
SUM 0.000 -33.024 33.024 33.024 -33.024 0.000

(5 Marks)

Sway force
33.024 33.024

2 3
V2 V3
5m

V2

33.024 2
4m

H1 1
3m
V1
Sway force Sway force Ws
2 3

H1
1 4
H4

(2 Marks)
Sway correction factor

(1 Marks)
19
5) Final bending moment and Bending moment diagram

Member A A B B C C
Joint 1 2 2 3 3 4
PROPPED 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
SWAY 0.000 -33.024 33.024 33.024 -33.024 0.000
SWAY-
CORRECTED 0.000 -9.091 9.091 9.091 -9.091 0.000
FINAL 0.000 -9.091 9.091 9.091 -9.091 0.000

(2 Marks)
9.09

10kN 2
3
9.09

4m
1 4
3m 5m 3m

(kNm)
(4 Marks)

20
Q4 Solution

1) Replace UDL by point loading

F1

3m
F2

3.5m
F3

4m
3.5m 5m 3.5m

(3 Marks)

Assuming contraflexure at the mid height/span of each column/beam

2) Top storey

15kN
3m

3.5m
(kNm)
(2 Marks)

3) Middle storey

21
 15kN

3m
47.5kN

32.5kN

3.5m
3.5m 5m 3.5m

Split loading in proportion of span of frame

3m
3.5m
3.5m 5m

Bending moment

3m
3.5m
3.5m 5m 3.5m

(kNm)

(6 Marks)

4) Bottom storey

22
 15kN

3m
85kN 32.5kN

3.5m
37.5kN

4m
3.5m 5m 3.5m
Split loading in proportion of span of frame

3m
3.5m
4m

3.5m 5m
Bending moment
3m
3.5m
4m

3.5m 5m 3.5m

(kNm)
(6 Marks)

23
5) Add the results to obtain the bending moments for the three-bay frame

3.5m 5m 3.5m
(kNm)

(4 Marks)

24
Q5 Solution

1) Reactions for three-hinged arch

10kN/m

y
a = 4m
B
HA A HB
x
L= 8m
VA VB

(3marks)
2) Maximum hogging moment occurs in the half-span AC
Q Bending moment at x
Mx T

D
Maximum hogging moment occurs when
y

HA
A

x
Therefore,
VA

(4marks)
3) Inclination angle at D
Q T When
Mx
α
D
y

HA
A
Therefore
x
VA

(2marks)
4) Internal forces at point D
Q T Bending moment at D
Mx
α
D
y Negative represents hogging moment.
Axial thrust at D
HA
A

x Shear force at D
VA

(4 marks)

5) Reactions for two-hinged arch

25
 where
0.20
0.18
0.16
0.14
Horizontal thrust

0.12
0.10
0.08
0.06
0.04
0.02
0.00
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
For
x

(6 marks)

6) Maximum hogging moment

As the reaction forces are exactly the same as those of three-pinned arch, the maximum
hogging moment for two pinned arch occurs at the same location as that in three-pinned
and have the same values.
Q T Bending moment at D
Mx
α
D
y Negative represents hogging moment.
HA
A
Axial thrust at D
x
VA Shear force at D

(3 marks)
I
7) Internal forces at point C (two-hinged arch)

Q Bending moment at C
MC
C
T
y
at C, therefore
Axial
B
thrust at point C
HA A HB
x
L/2 Shear force at point C
VA

(3 marks)

26
Q6 Solution

27