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Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

University of Pretoria

First Semester Test in the Module

Structural Mechanics MSY310

March 2017

Time: 1 21 hours Full Marks: 50

Examiner: Dr HM Inglis

Instructions

1. Write your surname, initials and student number on the front of each exam booklet
used.
2. The test is closed book.
3. Pocket calculators may be used, but you must erase the whole memory before start-
ing with the test. Failure to do so may be construed as academic dishonesty and
may expose you to disciplinary action.
4. Cross out all scratch work before handing in the paper. If scratch work is not crossed
out and found to be in contradiction with an answer, you may forfeit marks.
5. Answer questions in pen only. Anything written in pencil will not be taken into
account during evaluation of answers.
6. You may separate the formula sheet from the rest of the paper.
7. All symbols in this paper have the meaning as used in the text book or the presen-
tation of the module.
8. The test consists of 5 questions, each worth 10 marks.
9. This paper consists of 8 pages, which are each numbered. Make sure that your copy
includes each of these pages.
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Question 1 [10 marks]

(a) What sets of equations do we need to solve general problems in solid mechanics?
[3 marks]

(b) Explain what a Wheatstone bridge is and how it is used. [3 marks]

(c) What are the conditions under which we can use the principle of linear superposi-
tion? [2 marks]

(d) If you can solve for the stresses in a structure without knowing what material it
is made of, is the problem statically determinate or indeterminate? Explain your
answer. [2 marks]

Question 2 [10 marks]

Note: This question will also be graded using a rubric to assess the student’s ability to
solve problems.

A two-material system consists of two bars, each of length L/2, perfectly bonded together
and held between rigid supports. Bar 1 has area 2A, Young’s modulus 3E and coefficient
of thermal expansion α, while Bar 2 has area A, Young’s modulus E and coefficient of
thermal expansion 2α.

At room temperature there is no stress in the system.

Calculate the stress in each bar if the temperature of the system is increased by an amount
∆T .

Hint: Begin by considering the deflection of the bar if there is no constraint on the right
end.
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Question 3 [10 marks]

x A

A cylindrical pressure vessel with semi-spherical end caps has a diameter of 600 mm and a
wall thickness of 20 mm, and is subjected to an internal pressure of 30 MPa. The pressure
vessel is made of aluminium, with E = 70 GPa and ν = 0.3.

(a) Is this a thin-walled pressure vessel? Explain. [1 marks]

(b) Calculate all the components of stress at point A, halfway along the cylindrical part
of the tank, and sketch them on a stress element. [4 marks]

(c) A strain gauge is bonded to the surface of the pressure vessel at this point, at an
angle of 45◦ to the longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel. What is the value of
strain that will be measured by this strain gauge? [5 marks]

Question 4 [10 marks]

The stresses at a point in a body are given by

 
30 −10 0
σ = −10 50 0 MPa.
0 0 0
e

(a) Show the stresses on a 2D stress element. [1 marks]

(b) Calculate the principal stresses at this location. [3 marks]

(c) Calculate the stresses if the stress element is rotated counter-clockwise through an
angle of 30◦ . [4 marks]

(d) Sketch the 3D Mohr’s circle for this stress state. What is the maximum shear stress?
[2 marks]
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Question 5 [10 marks]

Note: This question will also be graded using a rubric to assess the student’s ability to
solve problems.

B C

(a) (b)

Figure (a) A lug wrench used to loosen the nut on a wheel (Source: Gere and Goodno,
8th edition). Figure (b): top view of the lug wrench. Force is applied at B and C,
wrench is applied to wheel nut at E.

While attempting to remove a wheel to change a tyre, a driver applies forces P = 100 N
at the ends of two of the arms of a lug wrench (the force is applied down at B and up at
C). The nut remains stationary and the system is in static equilibrium.

The wrench is made of steel. Each arm of the wrench is 225 mm long, and has a solid
circular cross section of diameter d = 12 mm.

(a) Draw a free body diagram of shaft BC and hence sketch the distributions of shear
force and bending moment in shaft BC. [2 marks]

(b) Draw a free body diagram of shaft DE and hence sketch the distribution of torsion
in arm DE. [2 marks]

(c) Estimate the shear modulus G for steel based on your knowledge of material prop-
erties. Show all your assumptions and working. [2 marks]

(d) Calculate the maximum shear stress in shaft DE. [2 marks]

(e) Calculate the maximum angle of twist in shaft DE. [2 marks]

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Formula Sheet

This formula sheet is issued as a memory aid to MSY310 students. Students should take
responsibility to check the accuracy of the formulae.

Issued: 1 March 2017

Revised: 8 March 2017

M V M
N + N
V

σxy = τxy σyz = τyz σxz = τxz

γxy = 2εxy γyz = 2εyz γxz = 2εxz

Strain-displacement equations

∂u ∂v ∂w
εxx = εyy = εzz =
∂x ∂y ∂z
     
1 ∂u ∂v 1 ∂v ∂w 1 ∂w ∂u
εxy = + εyz = + εxz = +
2 ∂y ∂x 2 ∂z ∂y 2 ∂x ∂z

Constitutive Relationships in 3D

Strain in terms of stress Stress in terms of strain

σxx ν E
εxx = − (σyy + σzz ) σxx = [(1 − ν)εxx + ν(εyy + εzz )]
E E (1 + ν)(1 − 2ν)
σyy ν E
εyy = − (σxx + σzz ) σyy = [(1 − ν)εyy + ν(εxx + εzz )]
E E (1 + ν)(1 − 2ν)
σzz ν E
εzz = − (σxx + σyy ) σzz = [(1 − ν)εzz + ν(εxx + εyy )]
E E (1 + ν)(1 − 2ν)
σxy 1+ν E
εxy = = σxy σxy = 2Gεxy = εxy
2G E 1+ν
σyz 1+ν E
εyz = = σyz σyz = 2Gεyz = εyz
2G E 1+ν
σxz 1+ν E
εxz = = σxz σxz = 2Gεxz = εxz
2G E 1+ν
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Volumetric strain
∆V
e= = εxx + εyy + εzz
V

Thermal strain

εT = α∆T
ε = εE + εT

Relationship between elastic constants

E E
K= , G=
3(1 − 2ν) 2(1 + ν)

Constitutive Relationships in plane stress

σxx ν E
εxx = − σyy σxx = [εxx + νεyy ]
E E 1 − ν2
σyy ν E
εyy = − σxx σyy = [εyy + νεxx ]
E E 1 − ν2
1+ν E
εxy = σxy σxy = εxy
E 1+ν
ν −ν
εzz = − (σxx + σyy ) εzz = (εxx + εyy )
E 1−ν

Constitutive Relationships in plane strain

1 − ν2 ν(1 + ν) E
εxx = σxx − σyy σxx = [(1 − ν)εxx + νεyy ]
E E (1 + ν)(1 − 2ν)
1 − ν2 ν(1 + ν) E
εyy = σyy − σxx σyy = [(1 − ν)εyy + νεxx ]
E E (1 + ν)(1 − 2ν)
1+ν E
εxy = σxy σxy = εxy
E 1+ν
νE
σzz = ν (σxx + σyy ) σzz = [εxx + εyy ]
(1 + ν)(1 − 2ν)
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Stress transformation

Stress transformation in 3D
σ = QT σ Q
e new e e e

Stress transformation in 2D
σxx + σyy σxx − σyy
σx0 x0 = + cos 2θ + σxy sin 2θ
2 2
σxx − σyy
σ x0 y 0 =− sin 2θ + σxy cos 2θ
2
σy 0 y 0 = σx0 x0 |θ+90◦

Mohr’s circle in 2D
σxx + σyy
C=
s 2 2
σxx − σyy 2
R= + σxy
2

Thin-walled pressure vessel

Spherical Cylindrical with end caps

pr pr pr
σ= σhoop = σlong =
2t t 2t
Torsion of a uniform circular shaft

rφ Grφ Tr
γmax = τmax = τmax =
L L Ip
ρφ ρ Gρφ ρ TL
γ= = γmax τ= = τmax φ=
L r L r GIp

Polar moment of inertia

πr4
Z
Ip = ρ2 dA IPcircle =
A 2

Power

P = Tω
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Strain energy

Strain energy density

1
u= (σxx εxx + σyy εyy + σzz εzz + 2σxy εxy + 2σyz εyz + 2σxz εxz )
2

Stored strain energy due to different loadings

L
N2
Z
Axial force N: U= dx
0 2EA
L
M2
Z
Bending Moment M: U= dx
0 2EI
L
fs V 2
Z
Shear Force V: U= dx
0 2GA
L
T2
Z
Torsion T: U= dx
0 2GJ

Rubric for ECSA ELO2: Problem-Solving

# Category Weighting Weighting

Q2 Q5
1 Analyse and define the problem, identify the criteria 1 4
for an acceptable solution. *Applied loading *Boundary
conditions *FBD *Reaction forces *Internal forces.
2 Identify necessary information and applicable engineer- 1 1
ing and other knowledge and skills. *Material properties
*Knowns/unknowns *Assumptions
3 Generate and formulate possible approach(es) to solve 3 2
the problem. Identify and setup relevant criteria and
analyses e.g. max stress; max deflection; yield; buckling;
fracture.
4 Model and analyse possible solution(s). Calculate stress, 4 2
strain, deflection, etc; as relevant.
5 Evaluate possible solutions and select best solution. Jus- 0 0
tify and explain choice.
6 Formulate and present the solution in an appropriate 1 1
form. Correct symbols and units.
TOTAL 10 10