Exercises

(Solutions are available in the Problem Analysis session from TAs.)

Chapter 1

Question 1.1 (Reference Book 1.6)

A maintenance cradle in a factory is supported by the pulley system in Figure 1.1. A fitter weighing
82 kg can be raised by (1) by pulling on the rope at R himself or (2) by someone else pulling on
the rope. Calculate the pull force needed on the rope in each case. Friction and the weight of the
cradle and pulleys are ignored.

(1) 160.9 N
(2) 201.1 N

Figure 1.1

Question 1.2 (Reference Book 1.7)

Figure 1.2 shows a typical design for a vehicle weighbridge. Each of the levers A, B and C have
a:b in the ratio of 1:10. If a balance load of 12 N is required on the lever A, Calculate the weight
of the vehicle.

14.52 kN

1
 Figure 1.2

Question 1.3 (Reference Book 1.8)

A certain design of brake is as shown in Figure 1.3. If the drum rotates anticlockwise and generates
a torque of 210 Nm, calculate the force needed in the cylinder C in order to stop the drum. The
coefficient of friction between the drum and shoe is 0.35.

809 N

Figure 1.3

Question 1.4 (Reference Book 1.9)

A wooden beam with the density of 0.6 ton/m3 has a 15  15 cm cross section and is 4 m long. It
is hinged at A, as shown in Figure 1.4. Calculate the angle  at which the beam will float in the
water.

23.6

2
 Figure 1.4

Question 1.5 (Reference Book 1.12)

A special type of bicycle calliper brake is shown in Figure 1.5(a). If it is pin-jointed at A, B, C and
D, and the cyclist applies a force of 300 N at A when the bicycle stands on a slope of 1:7, see
Figure 1.5(b), calculate whether or not the bicycle would move down the slope. The combined
weight of the bicycle and cyclist is 102 kg and the coefficient of friction between the wheel and
the brake block is 0.7. The outside diameter of the tyre is 690 mm and the diameter of the line of
action of the brake block is 640 mm.

An angle of 7.5 represents a slope of 1:7.6. Hence, the bicycle would move down the slope of
1:7.

(a)

3
 α W

(b)

Figure 1.5

Question 1.6 (Reference Book 1.13)

A cylinder weighing 800 N and with a radius of 0.6 m is supported between two rigid rods as
shown in Figure 1.6. Determine the tension in the cable AB and the reactions at D and E.

FAB = 505 N, N D = 400 N, N E = N D

Figure 1.6

4
Question 1.7 (Reference Book 1.14)

A motor cycle is standing on horizontal ground with its front wheel in contact with the kerb as
shown in Figure 1.7. When the rider slowly engages gear, the motor cycle starts to rise over the
kerb when the rear wheel torque reaches 0.3 kNm. For the instant when the front wheel just starts
to leave the road calculate

(1) the value of the friction coefficient between the rear type and the road to avoid wheel slip,
(2) the magnitude and direction of the force on the front wheel. The wheel diameters are both 600
mm and the combined weight of the rider and the motor cycle is 285 kg acting through a point
midway between the wheels.

(1) 0.62
(2) 1.55 kN (point to the center of the wheel)

Figure 1.7

Question 1.8 (Reference Book 1.15)

At the moment of start-up, a power hacksaw is in the configuration shown in Figure 1.8. If the
torque input at the pulley drive is 150 Nm, calculate the magnitude and direction of the force on
the workpiece. The weight of the blade saddle is 45.9 kg and the weight of the support arm may
be ignored. Friction between the blade saddle and the support arm may also be ignored.

Rx = 1299 N, R y = 2479 N, R = R x2 + R y2 = 2800 N,  = 27.7

5
 Figure 1.8

Question 1.9

In Figure 1.9 a force P = 10 kN is applied to the brake pedal. Assume that the line of action of the
force P is parallel to the piston rod and the other dimensions shown in the figure (20 mm and 90
mm) are measured perpendicular to the line of action of the force P. Calculate internal force of the
piston rod.

55 kN

Figure 1.9

6
Question 1.10

Determine the horizontal force P required to cause slippage to occur for the system in Figure 1.10.
If friction coefficients for the three pairs of mating surfaces are indicated in the figure. The top
block is free to move vertically.

Case 1: Middle block moves, but bottom one does not move, P = 1177 N
Case 2: Bottom block moves with middle block, P = 1089 N

Figure 1.10

Question 1.11

The uniform 200 kg cylinder shown in Figure 1.11 is supported by the roller which turns with
negligible friction. If the friction coefficient between the cylinder and the vertical surface is 0.6,
calculate the torque M required to turn the cylinder. Also find the reaction on the bearing of the
roller as the torque M is applied. The radius of the cylinder is 0.6 m.

303 Nm and 1683 N

Cylinder

Roller

Figure 1.11

7
Question 1.12

A small roller on end B of the uniform 60 kg bar, shown in Figure 1.12, is constrained to move in
the smooth vertical guides. The friction coefficient between end A and the horizontal supporting
surface is 0.8. Determine the horizontal force P required to initiate slipping at A.

602 N

Figure 1.12

Question 1.13

A force of 1 kN is developed in the hydraulic cylinder C to activate the block brake shown in
Figure 1.13, If the friction coefficient between the blocks and the rim of the wheel is 0.6, determine
the maximum torque M which can be applied to the wheel without causing rotation. The wheel is
mounted in a fixed bearing at its center. Assume that the forces between the blocks and the wheel
act at the centers of the contact faces of the blocks.

558 Nm

8
 Figure 1.13

Question 1.14

The assembly shown in Figure 1.14 has a mass of 100 kg with center of mass at G. It is supported
by two wires which pass around the fixed pegs and are kept under equal tensions by the equalizer
plate A and the adjustable spring S. Calculate the minimum tension T in the spring which will
ensure that the assembly remains suspended as shown. The friction coefficient between the wires
and the pegs is 0.3.

555 N

Figure 1.14

9
Question 1.15

Determine the minimum force P necessary for wheel A shown in Figure 1.15 to have impending
clockwise motion due to an applied torque of 24 Nm clockwise. The friction coefficient between
the belt and the wheel is 0.3. The diameter of the wheel is 150 mm.

212 N

Figure 1.15

Question 1.16

Lever ABC and a belt work together to brake a wheel that is turning clockwise, as illustrated in
Figure 1.16. The friction coefficient of all surfaces is 0.3. What is the normal force between the
lever ABC and the wheel if the belt is pulled with a force of 60 N?

71.1 N

Figure 1.16

10
Question 1.17

The front wheels of an experimental rear-drive vehicle have a radius of 300 mm and are equipped
with disc-type brakes consisting of a ring A with outside and inside radii of 150 mm and 75 mm,
respectively, see Figure 1.17. The ring, which does not turn with the wheel, is forced against the
wheel disc with a force P. If the pressure between the ring and the disc wheel is uniform over the
mating surfaces, determine the friction force F between each front tyre and the horizontal road for
an axial force P = 1 kN when the vehicle is powered at constant speed with the wheels turning.
The coefficient of friction between the disc and the ring is 0.35.

136.1 N

Figure 1.17

Question 1.18

A friction clutch consists of a single steel disc fixed to the driving shaft; against this are pressed to
coaxial rings, one on each face, sliding in splines attached to the driven shaft and faced with friction
material of outer diameter 300 mm and inner diameter 125 mm, as shown in Figure 1.18. On each
ring there is a spring load of 2 kN pressing it against the steel disc. Calculate the maximum power
which can be transmitted at 1200 rev/min, assuming (1) that the pressure between the friction
surfaces is uniform, and (2) that the surfaces wear uniformly. Take the coefficient of friction as
0.35.

(1) 19.7 kW
(2) 18.7 kW

11
 F F

Figure 1.18

Question 1.19

Block A weighing 20 kg is supported by block B weighing 40 kg, as shown in Figure 1.19. The
friction coefficient between the two blocks is 0.5. A force P is applied to pull the block A through
a pulley, as shown in the figure. The friction coefficient between the cable and the wheel is 0.3.
Determine the minimum load P which can move the block A from block B and the minimum
friction coefficient between block B and the base to keep block B static.

157 N and 0.167

Figure 1.19

Question 1.20

A cylinder (weight neglected) is supported by a roller and is turning by a torque of 100 N.m, as
shown in Figure 1.20. The radius of the cylinder is 0.5 m. A pin-joint rod (weight neglected) is
used to stop turning of the cylinder. The friction coefficient between the cylinder and the rod is
0.5. The free end of the rod is jointed with a cable, which is pulled by a block through a wheel, see

12
the figure. The friction coefficient between the cable and the wheel is 0.3. However, the friction
between the cylinder and the roller, and the friction between the cylinder and the vertical surface
of the base, are all neglected. Calculate the value of the block weight W required to stop turning of
the cylinder.

316.1 N or 32.25 kg

Rod
1m

30
1m

30 M
45

Roller Cylinder
Base

Figure 1.20

Question 1.21

A car weighing 50 kg is supported by a steel cable through a wheel on an inclined track, as shown
in Figure 1.21. The friction coefficient between the car and the track is 0.4 and the friction
coefficient between the cable and the wheel is 0.2. The cable is fixed on a rigid 2 m-long rod, see
the figure. Calculate the value of the force P, applied at the free end of the rod, required to raise
the car.

122.92 N

13
 Wheel

Car
Cable

30

60o

0.5 m
Rigid rod

Figure 1.21

14
Chapter 2

Question 2.1 (Reference Book 2.1 and Reference Book 3.1)

A steel rod of varying cross section is load as shown in Figure 2.1. Determine where the maximum
stress occurs. Also determine the overall change in length of the rod. The length of the upper
section is 300 mm and the two lower sections are each 400 mm long. The Young’s modulus of
steel is 200 GPa.

Top section, 7.64 MPa (tensile), 0.014 mm

300 mm

400 mm

400 mm

Figure 2.1

Question 2.2 (Reference Book 3.2)

State whether the components illustrated in Figure 2.2, are in a state of plane stress or plane strain.

(a) A grinding wheel rotating at high speed.

(b) A plate of steel being cold-rolled.
(c) A long thick-walled cylinder containing a fluid pressurized by two end pistons.

(a) Plane stress in x-y plane

(b) Plane strain in x-y plane
(c) Plane stress in cross-section plane (x-y plane)

15
 (a) (b) (c)

Figure 2.2

Question 2.3 (Reference Book 3.5)

A copper band 20 mm wide and 2 mm thick is a snug fit on a 100 mm diameter steel bar which
may be assumed to be rigid, as shown in Figure 2.3. Determine the stress in the copper if its
temperature is lowered by 50C. The coefficient of thermal expansion and Young’s modulus of
copper are α = 18  10 −6 /C and E = 105 GPa (or GN/m2), respectively.

94.5 MPa. Since the thickness of copper band is small compared with the diameter of steel bar,
the radial stress is neglected; only hoop stress is concerned. The band can deform freely in
longitudinal direction so that the longitudinal stress is zero.

20 mm

2 mm

100 mm

Steel bar

Copper band

Figure 2.3

16
Question 2.4 (Reference Book 3.7)

Express the stresses x. y. z in terms of the three co-ordinate strains and elastic constants, using
the three-dimensional stress ~ strain relations. Obtain similar expressions for the cases of plane
stress z = 0 and plane strain z = 0.
𝐸
𝜎𝑥 = (1+𝜈)(1−2𝜈) [(1 − 𝜈)𝜀𝑥 + 𝜈𝜀𝑦 + 𝜈𝜀𝑧 ]
𝐸
𝜎𝑦 = (1+𝜈)(1−2𝜈) [(1 − 𝜈)𝜀𝑦 + 𝜈𝜀𝑧 + 𝜈𝜀𝑥 ]
𝐸
𝜎𝑧 = (1+𝜈)(1−2𝜈) [(1 − 𝜈)𝜀𝑧 + 𝜈𝜀𝑦 + 𝜈𝜀𝑥 ]

For plane stress z = 0

𝐸
𝜎𝑥 = (𝜀 + 𝜈𝜀𝑦 )
1 − 𝜈2 𝑥
𝐸
𝜎𝑦 = (𝜀 + 𝜈𝜀𝑥 )
1 − 𝜈2 𝑦

For plane strain z = 0

𝐸
𝜎𝑥 = (1+𝜈)(1−2𝜈) [(1 − 𝜈)𝜀𝑥 + 𝜈𝜀𝑦 ]
𝐸
𝜎𝑦 = (1+𝜈)(1−2𝜈) [(1 − 𝜈)𝜀𝑦 + 𝜈𝜀𝑥 ]

Question 2.5

The member BC in Figure 2.5 has the cross sectional area of 20 mm2 and is made of aluminum
alloy with the Young’s modulus E = 80 GPa. Determine the stress and strain as well as deformation
in member BC.

10.94 MPa (compression), 1.37  10 −4 , 0.034 mm

Figure 2.5

17
Question 2.6

A hollow box beam ABC of length L = 5 m is supported at end A by a 10 mm diameter pin that
passes through the beam and its supporting pedestals, as shown in Figure 2.6. The roller support
at B is located at distance L/3 from end A. A concentrated load P = 2 kN is applied at end C and a
uniformly distributed load w = 1 kN/m is applied over the half of the beam length from the center
to end C. Determine the force of support B and the average shear stress of the pin A.

11.63 kN and 45.41 MPa

Figure 2.6

Question 2.7

For the structure in Figure 2.7, determine the resultant internal loads acting on the cross section of
the frame at points F and G. Also determine the contact force at E, assuming the contact at E is
smooth. If the diameter of the pin at D is 4 mm, compute the shear stress of the pin. The
cross-sectional area of member AC is 20 mm2, what is the value of the stress in the member? Is it
tensile or compressive? The member AC is made of steel with the Young’s modulus of 210 GPa;
calculate the deformation of the member. The external load of 400 N is applied perpendicularly to
member DEF.

RF = 400 N, M F = 240 Nm, f E = 720 N

f Gx = 83.54 N, f Gy = −360 N, M G = 162 N.m
RD = 320 N and  = 25.46 MPa
 AC = 45 MPa (compression) and l AC = 0.32 mm

18
 Figure 2.7

Question 2.8

A solid brass bar has a square cross section by 4  4 mm and a length of 200 mm. It is placed into
a hole through a wall with a lateral clearance of 0.01 mm on every side of the square, as shown in
Figure 2.8. A uniform pressure load p is applied on the square surfaces of the bar ends at room
temperature (20C), see the figure. The material properties of brass E = 100 GPa,  = 0.3,
 = 21 10 −6 /C.

(1) Determine the value of the pressure load p required to just close the clearance.
(2) Compute the lateral stresses in the bar and the axial deformation of the bar when the
temperature is increased to 100C while the pressure load is acting.

(1) 1.67  10 3 MPa

(2) 954.3 MPa (compressive) and 1.86 mm (reduction in length)

0.01 mm
4 mm

p p
4 mm

0.01 mm

Figure 2.8

19
Question 2.9 (Reference Book 2.2)

It is required to make a large concrete foundation block which, when supporting a compressive
load together with its self-weight, see Figure 2.9, will have the same compressive stress at all cross
sections. Determine a suitable profile.

(Hint: Consider force equilibrium of a differential element BCDE.)


F y
A= e 


y
H
B C
dy E D

Figure 2.9

20
Chapter 3

Question 3.1 (Reference Book 2.7)

A chemical process is carried out in a thin-walled steel cylinder of inner diameter 400 mm with
closed ends rotating about a longitudinal axis at a speed of 5000 rev/min. While it is rotating, it is
subjected to an internal pressure of 4 MPa. If the maximum allowable tensile stress in any direction
of the material is 175 MN/m2, calculate a suitable shell thickness. Density of steel is 7.83 Mg/m3.

9 mm

Question 3.2 (Reference Book 2.8)

The pipeline reducer shown in Figure 3.2 has a uniform wall thickness of 3 mm. If the pipeline
carries a fluid at a pressure of 0.7 MPa, calculate the axial and hoop stresses in the reducer at a
point halfway along its length. Assuming that the coupling at the large end of the reducer takes all
the axial thrust calculate the stress in each of the six 10 mm diameter retaining bolts.

 l= 3.9 MPa,   = 14 MPa,  Bolt = 22.4 MPa

Figure 3.2

Question 3.3 (Reference Book 2.9)

A thin spherical steel vessel is made up of two hemispherical portions bolted together at flanges,
as shown in Figure 3.3. The inner diameter of the sphere is 300 mm and the wall thickness 6 mm.
Assuming that the vessel is a homogeneous sphere, what is the maximum working pressure for an
allowable tensile stress in the shell of 150 MN/m2? If twenty bolts of 16 mm diameter are used to
hold the flanges together, what is the tensile stress in the bolts when the sphere is under the
maximum pressure?

p = 12 MPa and  Bolt = 211 MPa

21
 Figure 3.3

Question 3.4 (Reference Book 2.13)

A solid circular rod of 10 mm diameter is coupled to a metal tube using a bonded rubber cylinder
as shown in Figure 3.4. If an axial pull of 10 kN is applied to the rod, calculate

(1) the shear stress between the rod and the rubber
(2) the shear stress between the rubber and the metal tube
(3) the axial stress in the tube.

(1) 8.84 MPa

(2) 3.4 MPa
(3) 61.2 MPa

Figure 3.4

22
Question 3.5 (Reference Book 4.1)

A composite shaft consists of a brass bar 50 mm in diameter and 200 mm long, to each end of
which are concentrically welded steel rods of 20 mm diameter and 100 mm length, as shown in
Figure 3.5. During a tensile test to check the welds on the composite bar, at a particular stage the
overall extension is measured as 0.15 mm. What are the axial stresses in the brass and steel? The
Young’s modulus values of brass and steel are 120 GPa and 208 GPa, respectively.

 s = 122.15 MPa and  b = 19.54 MPa

Steel

Brass

Steel

Figure 3.5

Question 3.6 (Reference Book 4.2)

A rigid bar AB is supported by two cables and subjected to a 10 kN force through another cable,
as shown in Figure 3.6. Calculate the vertical displacement at the point of force application. The
Young’s modulus of the cable material is 200 GPa.

0.86 mm

23
 Figure 3.6

Question 3.7 (Reference Book 4.3)

A spring-loaded buffer stop is illustrated in Figure 3.7. The spring has a stiffness of 6 kN/mm and
is located on the end of a steel tube of inner and outer diameters 21 mm and 29 mm respectively
and 150 mm length. Determine the total axial displacement of the system under a load of 30 kN.
The Young’s modulus of the tube material is 207 GPa.

5.069 mm

Figure 3.7

24
Question 3.8 (Reference Book 4.5)

The spring shown in Figure 3.8 has an unstretched length of 200 mm and a stiffness of 500 kN/m.
If it is compressed to 150 mm, placed over the aluminum bar AB and then released. Before the
spring is released there is a gap of 0.15 mm between the end B and the right hand wall. Calculate
the forces which will be exerted on each of the two side walls. The Young’s modulus of aluminum
is 70 GPa.

1759 N and 23166 N

Figure 3.8

Question 3.9 (Reference Book 4.6)

The steel bolt shown in Figure 3.9 has a thread pitch of 1.6 mm. If the nut is initially tightened up
by hand so as to cause no stress in the copper spacer calculate the axial stresses in the copper and
the bolt if a spanner is then used to turn the nut through 90. The Young’s modulus values of
copper and steel are 100 GPa and 208 GPa, respectively. The diameter of the steel bolt is 10 mm.
The inner and outer diameters of the copper spacer are 12 mm and 18 mm, respectively.

 s = 386.1 MPa and  c = 214.5 MPa

Figure 3.9

25
Question 3.10 (Reference Book 4.8)

A hydraulic cylinder of 80 mm inside diameter and 4 mm wall thickness is welded to rigid end
plates, as shown in Figure 3.10. The end plates are tied together by four rods of 8 mm diameter
symmetrically arranged around the cylinder. Calculate the stresses in the rods and the cylinder at
the internal pressure 20 MPa in the cylinder. The cylinder and tie rods are made of steel with the
Young’s modulus 210 GPa and the Poisson’s ratio 0.3.

 r = 29.6 MPa and  c = 89.6 MPa

Four tie rods

Figure 3.10

Question 3.11 (Reference Book 4.9)

A rigid chute 2 m in length is supported horizontally, at a height of 0.33 m above a hopper, by a

spring of stiffness 30 kN/m at one end and a second spring of stiffness 20 kN/m at mid-length, as
shown in Figure 3.11. Determine the position on the chute which a component of weight 2.5 kN
reaches when the unsupported end of the chute just touches the edge of the hopper.

1.24 m from left-end spring

Figure 3.11

26
Question 3.12 (Reference Book 4.10)

An elastic packing piece is bolted between a rigid rectangular plate and a rigid foundation by two
bolts pitched 300 mm apart and symmetrically placed on the long centre-line of the plate, which
is 450 mm long, see Figure 3.12. The tension in each bolt is initially 120 kN, the extension of each
bolt is 0.015 mm and the compression of the packing piece is 0.6 mm. If one bolt is further
tightened to a tension of 150 kN, determine the tension in the other bolt.

(Hint: Due to rigid plate, the deformation of bolt is equal to the deformation of packing at the bolt,
but in the opposite sign.)

124.2 kN

450 mm
Rigid rectangular plate

Elastic packing piece

300 mm

Figure 3.12

Question 3.13 (Reference Book 4.11)

A bimetallic temperature-sensitive component consists of a short steel tube having outside

diameter 70 mm and inside diameter 60 mm, surrounding a solid copper rod of 50 mm diameter,
as shown in Figure 3.13. At 20C the rod and cylinder have exactly the same length. If a 100 kN
load is placed on top of the rod and cylinder, calculate the forces in the two materials if the whole
assembly is heated to 60C. Also calculate the temperature at which the copper would take all the
forces. The Young’s modulus and thermal expansion of steel are 208 GPa and 12 × 10-6/C,
respectively. Those of copper are 104 GPa and 18.5 × 10-6 /C, respectively.

f s = 23.9 kN, f c = 76.1 kN, 95.34°C

27
 70 mm

100 kN

Copper rod

Steel tube

50 mm

Figure 3.13

Question 3.14 (Reference Book 4.12)

A steel tube of 150 mm internal diameter and 8 mm wall thickness in a chemical plant is lined
internally with a well-fitting copper sleeve of 2 mm wall thickness, as shown in Figure 3.14. If the
composite tube is initially unstressed, calculate the circumferential stresses set up, assumed to be
uniform through the wall thickness, in a unit length of each part of the tube due to an increase in
temperature of 100C. Neglect any temperature effect in the axial direction. The Young’s modulus
and thermal expansion of steel are 208 GPa and 11 × 10-6/C, respectively. Those of copper are
104 GPa and 18 × 10-6 /C, respectively.

 s = 16.2 MPa and  c = 64.9 MPa

Steel tube

Copper sleeve

Figure 3.14

28
Question 3.15 (Reference Book 4.13)

For a hydraulic test a steel tube of 80 mm internal diameter, 2 mm wall thickness and 1.2 m in
length, is fitted with end plugs and filled with oil at a pressure of 2 MPa, as shown in Figure 3.15.
Determine the volume of oil leakage which would cause the pressure to decrease to 1.5 MPa. Bulk
modulus of the oil is 2.8 GPa. The Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio of steel are 208 GPa and
0.3, respectively.

1634 mm3

Steel tube

80 mm p

1.2 m

Figure 3.15

29