CHEN20191

One hour + One hour technical time

THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

MATERIALS SCIENCE AND MECHANICAL DESIGN

26 January 2021

09:00 – 11:00

Answer BOTH questions in this exam paper

Total 50 marks

Calculators may be used in accordance with the University regulations.

State all assumptions made.

© The University of Manchester, 2021

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Formula page (formula for all questions)

σ M
▪ =
y I

▪ 𝐾Ic = 𝜎 √π𝑎

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Question 1 (Answer all parts) [25 marks in total]

1. A beam of negligible weight is loaded as shown below:

20 kN
Rectangular cross-section
40 kN m
y
ab 3
b Ix =
12
x ba 3
a Iy =
12

3m 6m 1m

a. Identify the degrees of freedom of the beam and the constraints it is

subject to.
[2 marks]

b. Calculate the reactions at the support.

[3 marks]

c. Sketch the shear force along the beam.

[5 marks]

d. Sketch the bending moment along the beam.

[6 marks]

e. The beam is made by steel (yield stress of 275 MPa, it is assumed that
this is the same in tension and compression) and has a double T cross-
section with the dimensions specified in Figure 1.1 and a second
moment of area with respect to the x-axis of 918 cm4. Check if the cross-
section of the beam ensures a safe design with respect to plastic
deformation.
[9 marks]

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Figure 1.1 Cross-section of the beam (all dimensions in cm)

Rectangular cross-section
y
ab 3
b Ix =
12
x ba 3
a Iy =
12

End of Question 1.

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Question 2 (Answer all parts) [25 marks in total]

2. A carbon steel alloy column of 2 m external diameter operates under vacuum

with an absolute internal pressure of 100 mbar.

a. Assuming a safety factor of 3, calculate the minimum thickness of the

column.
[5 marks]
b. Stiffening rings are available to improve the buckling resistance of the
column.

i. Calculate the critical distance between the stiffening rings.

[4 marks]

ii. Calculate the buckling pressure if stiffening rings with a spacing

of 1/10 of the critical spacing distance are mounted on the column
(use Figure 2.1).
[9 marks]

c. X-ray analysis of the column has shown that edge cracks of 1 mm

diameter are present in the vessel wall.

i. Calculate the critical stress of fracture.

[4 marks]

ii. Determine if the column is more likely to yield or to fail by fast

fracture.
[3 marks]

Useful data:
▪ Elastic module of carbon steel alloy equal to 123 GPa
▪ Fracture toughness of carbon steel alloy equal to 50 MPa m0.5
▪ 1 mbar = 100 Pa ⁓ 10-3 atm
▪ Yield stress of the carbon steel alloy equal to 800 MPa

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Figure 2.1

End of Question 2.

END OF EXAMINATION PAPER

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