Assignment # 1 – CE402 Strength of Materials

1) Axial loads are applied to the compound rod that is composed of an aluminum segment rigidly
connected between steel and bronze segments. Find the largest safe value of P if the working stresses
are 140 MPa for steel, 65 MPa for aluminum, and 105 MPa for bronze.

2) Determine the smallest safe cross-sectional areas of members CD, GD, and GF for the truss shown.
The working stresses are 150 MPa in tension and 90 MPa in compression. (The working stress in
compression is smaller to reduce the danger of buckling.)

3) The rectangular piece of wood, 50 mm by 150 mm, is used as a compression block. The grain of the
wood makes a 30degree angle with the horizontal, as shown in the figure. Determine the largest axial
force P that can be applied safely if the allowable stresses on the plane of the grain are 20 MPa for
compression and 5 MPa for shear.
4) A 12-inches square steel bearing plate lies between an 8-inches diameter wooden post and a concrete
footing as shown in Fig. P-110. Determine the maximum value of the load P if the stress in wood is
limited to 1800 psi and that in concrete to 650 psi.

5) The bell crank, which is in equilibrium under the forces shown in the figure, is supported by a 20-mm-
diameter pin at D that is in double shear. Determine (a) the required diameter of the connecting rod
AB, given that its tensile working stress is 120 MPa; and (b) the shear stress in the pin.

6) Referring to Fig. below, compute the maximum force P that can be applied by the machine operator,
if the shearing stress in the pin at B and the axial stress in the control rod at C are limited to 3500 psi
and 4800 psi, respectively. The diameters are 0.25 inch for the pin, and 0.5 inch for the control rod.
Assume single shear for the pin at B.
7) A joint is made by gluing two plywood gussets of thickness t to wood boards. The tensile working
stresses are 1100 psi for the plywood and 650 psi for the boards. The working shear stress for the
glue is 45 psi. Determine the dimensions b and t so that the joint is as strong as the boards.

8) The members of the structure below weigh 210 lb/ft. Determine the smallest diameter pin that can
be used at A if the shearing stress is limited to 5500 psi. Assume single shear.