MEC211 June 20, 2016

TUTORIAL 2
CHAPTER 2: AXIAL LOAD
2.1 Elastic Deformation of an Axially Loaded Members and Structure

2.1.1 Two gage marks are placed exactly 250 mm apart on a 12-mm diameter aluminum rod.
Knowing that, with an axial load of 6000 N acting on the rod, the distance between the gage
marks is 250.18 mm, determine the modulus of elasticity of the aluminum used in the rod.
(Ans = 73.7 GPa)

2.1.2 An 9-m-long steel wire of 6-mm diameter is to be used in the manufacture of a pre-stressed
concrete beam. It is observed that the wire stretches 11 mm when a tensile force P is
applied. Knowing that E = 200 GPa, determine
(a) the magnitude of the force P, (Ans = 6.91 kN)
(b) the corresponding normal stress in the wire. (Ans = 244.4 MPa)

2.1.3 A block of 250 mm length and 50 x 40 mm cross section is to support a centric compressive
load P. The material to be used is a bronze for which E = 95 GPa. Determine the largest
load which can be applied, knowing that the normal stress must not exceed 80 MPa and
that the decrease in length of the block should be at most 0.12% of its original length. (Ans
= 160 kN)

2.1.4 A square aluminum bar must not stretch more than 1.4 mm when it is subjected to a tensile
load. Knowing that E = 70 GPa and that the allowable tensile strength is 120 MPa,
determine
(a) the maximum allowable length of the bar, (Ans = 817 mm)
(b) the required dimensions of the cross section if the tensile load is 28 kN. (Ans = 15.28
mm)

2.2 Statically Determinate and Indeterminate Axially Loaded Members and Structure

2.2.1 Two solid cylindrical rods are joined at B and loaded as shown in Figure A. Rod AB is
made of steel (E = 200 GPa) and rod BC of brass (E = 105 GPa). Determine
(a) the total deformation of the composite rod ABC, (Ans = -0.1549 mm)
(b) the deflection of point B. (Ans = 0.1019 mm)

2.2.2 For the composite rod of Problem 2.2.1, determine

2.2.3 Both portions of the rod ABC are made of an aluminum for which E = 70 GPa is shown in
Figure B. Knowing that the magnitude of P is 4 kN, determine
(a) the value of Q so that the deflection at A is zero, (Ans = 32.8 kN)
(b) the corresponding deflection of B. (Ans = 0.0728 mm)

2.2.4 The rod ABC is made of an aluminum for which E = 70 GPa is shown in Figure B. Knowing
that P = 6 kN and Q = 42 kN, determine the deflection of
(a) point A (Ans = 0.01819 mm)
(b) point B (Ans = 0.0919 mm)

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Figure A Figure B

2.2.5 Link BD is made of brass (E = 105 GPa) and has a cross-sectional area of 240 mm2. Link
CE is made of aluminum (E = 72 GPa) and has a cross-sectional area of 300 mm2.
Knowing that they support rigid member ABC as shown in Figure C, determine the
maximum force P that can be applied vertically at point A if the deflection of A is not to
exceed 0.35 mm. (Ans = 15.79 kN)

Figure C

2.2.6 Each of the four vertical links connecting the two rigid horizontal members is made of
aluminum (E = 70 GPa) and has a uniform rectangular cross section of 10 x 40 mm as
shown in Figure D. For the loading shown, determine the deflection of
(a) point E, (Ans = 80.4 µm)
(b) point F, (Ans = 209 µm)
(c) point G. (Ans = 390 µm)

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Figure D

2.2.7 The 1.5-m concrete post is reinforced with six steel bars, each with a 28-mm diameter as
shown in Figure E. Knowing that Es = 200 GPa and Ec = 25 GPa, determine the normal
stresses in the steel and in the concrete when a 1550-kN axial centric force P is applied to
the post. (Ans = 67.1 MPa, 8.38 MPa)

Figure E

2.2.8 Links BC and DE are both made of steel (E = 200 GPa) and are 12 mm wide and 6 mm
thick shown in Figure F. Determine
(a) the force in each link when a 2.4 kN force P is applied to the rigid member AF shown,
(Ans = 4 kN, -1.6 kN)
(b) the corresponding deflection of point A. (Ans = 0.056 mm)

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Figure F

2.2.9 Two cylindrical rods, one of steel and the other of brass, are joined at C and restrained by
rigid supports at A and E shown in Figure G. For the loading shown and knowing that Es =
200 GPa and Eb = 105 GPa, determine
(a) the reactions at A and E, (Ans = 62.8 kN, 37.2 kN)
(b) the deflection of point C. (Ans = 46.3 µm)

2.2.10 Solve Problem 2.2.9, assuming that rod AC is made of brass and rod CE is made of steel.
(Ans = 45.5 kN, 54.5 kN, 48.8 µm)

Figure G

2.3 Thermal Stress & Thermal Strain Statically Determinate and Indeterminate Structure

2.3.1 The aluminum shell is fully bonded to the brass core and the assembly is unstressed at a
temperature of 15OC is shown in Figure H. Considering only axial deformations, determine
the stress in the aluminum when the temperature reaches 1958C. (Ans = -8.15 MPa)

2.3.2 The concrete post (Ec = 25 GPa and αc = 9.9 x 10-6/OC) is reinforced with six steel bars,
each of 22 mm diameter (Es = 200 GPa and as αc = 11.7 x 10-6/OC) as shown in Figure I.
Determine the normal stresses induced in the steel and in the concrete by a temperature
rise of 35OC. (Ans = 0.391 MPa, -9.47 MPa)

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Figure H

Figure I

2.3.3 A rod consisting of two cylindrical portions AB and BC is restrained at both ends as shown
in Figure J. Portion AB is made of steel (Es = 200 GPa, as αs = 11.7 x 10-6/OC) and portion
BC is made of brass (Eb = 105 GPa, αb = 20.9 x 10-6/OC). Knowing that the rod is initially
unstressed, determine the compressive force induced in ABC when there is a temperature
rise of 508C. (Ans = 142.6 kN)

Figure K

Figure J

2.3.4 Knowing that a 0.5 mm gap exists when the temperature is 24OC is shown in Figure K,
determine
(a) the temperature at which the normal stress in the aluminum bar will be equal to -75
MPa, (Ans = 94.10 OC)
(b) the corresponding exact length of the aluminum bar. (Ans = 0.45027 m)

2.3.5 Determine, (a) the compressive force in the bars shown in Figure K after a temperature
rise of 82OC, (Ans = 172.8 kN)
(b) the corresponding change in length of the bronze bar. (Ans = 0.236 mm)

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2.3.6 At room temperature (20OC) a 0.5-mm gap exists between the ends of the rods shown in
Figure L. At a later time when the temperature has reached 140OC, determine
(a) the normal stress in the aluminum rod, (Ans = -116.2 MPa)
(b) the change in length of the aluminum rod. (Ans = 0.363 mm)

Figure L

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COLLECTIONS OF RELATED QUESTIONS FROM PAST FINAL EXAM

a) Define thermal strain, thermal expansion and thermal stress terms by including appropriate
formula of each term. Use the aids of diagram or illustration to clarify your answer.(8 marks)

b) The concrete post shown in Figure Q2(b) is constructed using six A-36 steel reinforcing
rods. If it is subjected to an axial force of 900 kN with a diameter of 20 mm. By using Est =
200 GPa and Ec = 25 Gpa, determine:
i) the normal stress in the concrete due to the applied loads
ii) the normal stress in the steel due to the applied loads (12 marks)

Figure Q2(b)

September 2015
Question 2

a) A control rod made of yellow brass must not stretch more than 5 mm when the tension in
the wire is 6 kN. Knowing that E = 105 GPa and the maximum allowable normal stress is
220 MPa, determine:
i) the smallest diameter that can be selected for the rod
ii) the corresponding maximum length of the rod (5 marks)

b) Three steel rods (E = 200 GPa) support a 36 kN load P as shown in the Figure Q2(b).
Each of the rods AB and CD has a 200 mm2 cross-sectional area and rod EF has a 625
mm2 cross sectional area. Determine:
i) the change in the length of rod EF
ii) the stress in each rod (15 marks)

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Figure Q2(b)

March 2015
Question 2

a) A steel rod that is 1.6 mm long stretches 1 mm when a 8 kN tensile load is applied to it.
Knowing that E = 200 GPa, determine:
i) the smallest diameter of the rod that should be used
ii) the corresponding normal stress caused by the load (5 marks)

b) The composite bar consist of a 20 mm diameter steel segment AB and 50 mm diameter red
brass end segments DA and CB as shown in the Figure Q2(b). Determine the average
normal stress in each segment due to the applied loads. Given Esteel = 200 GPa and Ered
brass = 101 GPa. (15 marks)

Figure Q2(b)

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September 2014
Question 2

a) Knowing at temperature 27OC, a 0.5 mm gap exist between the ends of the steel rod is
shown in Figure Q2(a). Determine the temperature required to just close the gap. Given αst
= 12 x 10-6/OC. (5 marks)

Figure Q2(a)

b) A rigid bar as shown in Figure Q2(b) is pinned at A and supported by two aluminum rods
(E = 70 GPa), each having a diameter of 30 mm. Knowing the bar is initially vertical,
determine the displacement of the end B when a 15 kN force is applied at G. (15 marks)

Figure Q2(b)

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March 2014
Question 2

a) A steel railroad track with a modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa and linear coefficient of
thermal expansion of 12 x 10-6/OC was laid out at a temperature of 10OC. Determine the
normal stress in the rails when the temperature reaches 50OC, assuming that the rails are
welded to form a continuous 15 meters track. (10 marks)

b) The round bar shown in Figure Q2 has steel, brass and aluminum section is fixed at end D.
Axial loads are applied at cross sections A, B and C. If the allowable normal stresses are
120MPa in the steel, 75 MPa in the brass and 90 MPa in the aluminum, determine the
diameters required for each of the sections. Assume that the allowable stresses ate the
same for tension and compression. (10 marks)

Figure Q2

September 2013
Question 2

a) The horizontal rigid bad ABCD is supported by two links BE and CF and loaded at points A
and D as shown in Figure Q2(a). Links BE and CF are made from steel (Esteel = 200 GPa)
and aluminum (Ealuminum = 70 GPa) respectively. Knowing that, the cross sectional areas for
links BE and CF are 100 mm2 and 125 mm2 respectively. Determine:
i) the axial force in link BE and CF
ii) the displacement at point A and D (15 marks)

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Figure Q2(a)

b) A thermos gate consists of an aluminum plate AB that have a width of 18 mm as shown in

Figure Q2(b)

October 2012
Question 1

a) A 2.5 m long steel rod is fixed between two rigid walls. The cross sectional area of the rod
is 1200 mm2, the coefficient of linear thermal expansion is 11.7 µm/OC and Young’s
Modulus is 200 GPa. If the rod is initially unstressed at 20OC, determine the stress in the
rod when the temperature drops to -20OC. (4 marks)

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b) A horizontal rigid bar AC are connected by two links at A and C as shown in Figure Q1(b).
The links have length L, modulus of elasticity E and cross sectional areas 2A and A
respectively. Determine:
i) the forces in links in terms of P
ii) the elongation of links at A and C in tems of P, L, A and E
11PL
iii) prove that deformation at point B is  b  (16 marks)
32 EA

Figure Q1(b)

March 2012
Question 1

b) A steel rod with a cross sectional area of 16 cm2 and two brass rods with a cross sectional
area of 10 cm2 each supports a load shown in Figure Q1(b). The Modulus of Elasticity for
steel and brass are 200 GPa and 100 GPa respectively. If the elongations of the rods are
the same, determine:
i) the stress in the rods
ii) decrease in length of rods (14 marks)

Figure Q1(b)

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