BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY
(SEMESTER 2, 2024/25 FINAL EXAMINATIONS)

School of Mechanical & Electrical

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT: Engineering/Department of Mechanical,
Energy, & Industrial Engineering.
MODULE CODE: MECE 221 TEST 2
MODULE TITLE: Strength of Materials
DATE: 22nd April 2025
18:10 to 20:00 hours (1 hour 40 minutes)
TIME:
plus 10 minutes reading time
VENUE(s):
Associate Professor E. O. Olakanmi
UNESCO Chair on Sustainable
Manufacturing & Innovation Technologies
(UCoSMIT)

EXAMINER(s):
MARKING KEY
Note:
• CM (Mark for concept map)
• M (Mark for work out)

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BOTSWANA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS:

Instructions to Candidates:

1. This question paper consists of 8 (eight) pages (including this page) with
TWO (2) questions only as well as fundamental equations of strength of
materials including the table of properties of materials.
2. Answer ALL the questions in this paper for a total of 80 Marks.
3. Do not forget the use of free-body diagram (FBD) in idealising various
concepts you have learnt.
4. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you demonstrate the application of various
conceptual knowledge in problem solving activities by using CONCEPT
MAP as credits will be awarded for this. Credits would be given to
students who explain precisely and clearly, via concept maps, their
approach of solving problems in this paper.
5. Show ALL WORKINGS clearly.
6. You are allowed to spend ten minutes to read through this booklet.
While reading, you are not allowed to write in your answer booklet.
7. All workings including rough work should be done in the answer
booklet(s) provided. Cross out any rough work and indicate it as such to
avoid it being marked.
8. Use only a Blue or Black pen for written answers and a pencil for all
sketches/ drawings.
9. Only non-programmable calculators are allowed in this examination
10. Possession of any other material not prescribed in these instructions
including mobile phones/smart watches is a punishable offence as per
the BIUST Misconduct Regulation.
DO NOT TURN OVER THE PAGE UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD
TO DO SO

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 Question 1

90

200

Figure Q1: A rigid bar undergoing deformation.

(a) The rigid bar shown in Figure Q1; and subjected to a uniform distributed load
of 90 kN/m; is fixed to the top of the three posts made of A- 36 steel and 2014-
T6 aluminum. The posts each has a length of 200 millimeter when no load is
applied to the bar, and the room temperature is T1 = 25°C with the
environmental temperature being raised to T2 = 65°C overtime. The force
supported by each of steel and aluminium posts is Fst and Fal respectively based
on the given operating conditions. [40 Marks]

• (i) Identify the types of deformation encountered by either of steel or

aluminium post based on the operating condition described above
[2 Marks]
Answer:
Thermal deformation [M1] Mechanical deformation [M1]

• (ii) With the aid of an illustration, Describe mathematically how the types
of deformation identified in (i) above relate to the total deformation for
each of steel and aluminium posts. [4 Marks]
Answer:
• 𝛿𝐴𝑙−𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = (𝛿𝐴𝑙 ) 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 + (𝛿𝐴𝑙 )𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 [M2]
• 𝛿𝑆𝑡−𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = (𝛿𝑆𝑡 ) 𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 + (𝛿𝑆𝑡 )𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 [M2]

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• Design Fst and Fal based on the operating environment described in (a)
above. Develop the concept map to design the Fst and Fal
[32 Marks]
Answer:
Describe the problem: Given the loading system in Figure Q1 under the
stated operating conditions [CM1]. Required to design loadings Fst and Fal
[CM1]

Concepts to solve this problem: Award CM1 for each concept up to a

maximum of CM3.
• Thermal deformation
• Mechanical deformation
• Free body diagram
• Deformation or displacement diagram
• Simultaneous equation

Draw the free body diagram (FBD) of the loading system shown in Figure Q1.
[CM1]

54 KN M2

M1 M1 M1

Derive the equation of equilibrium (E of E) using the FBD [CM1]

+↑ ∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 2𝐹𝑆𝑡 + 𝐹𝐴𝑙 – 54,000 = 0 (1) [M1]

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Draw the deformation diagram for the thermal (T) and mechanical (F)
deformation of the loading system shown in Figure Q1. [CM1]

M2

M2

Derive the deformation equation based on the thermal (T) and mechanical
(F) deformation using the DP [CM1]

( + )  st = − ( st )T + ( st )F [M1]

( + )  al = − ( al )T + ( al )F [M1]

− ( st )T + ( st )F = − ( st ) + ( al )F (2) [M1]

− 𝛼𝑠𝑡 𝑥 ∆𝑇𝑆𝑡 𝑥 𝐿𝑠𝑡 + 𝐴

𝐹𝑠𝑡 𝐿𝑠𝑡
= − 𝛼𝑎𝑙 𝑥 ∆𝑇𝑎𝑙 𝑥 𝐿𝑎𝑙 + 𝐴
𝐹𝑎𝑙 𝐿𝑎𝑙
(3) [M1]
𝑠𝑡 𝐸𝑠𝑡 𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑎𝑙

Substitute the materials parameters into equation (3) [CM1]

𝐹𝑆𝑡 𝑥 0.20
- 12 x 10-6 x [65 – 25] x (0.20] + 0.062
= - 35 x 10-6 x [65 – 25] x (0.20] +
𝜋( )𝑥 250 𝑥 109
4
𝐹𝐴𝑙 𝑥 0.20
0.042
[M1]
𝜋( )𝑥 60.5 𝑥 109
4

-0.000096 + 2.829𝐹𝑆𝑡 x 10-10 = - 0.00028 + 26.30𝐹𝐴𝑙 x 10-10 (4)

2.829𝐹𝑆𝑡 x 10-10 = 0.000096 - 0.00028 + 26.30𝐹𝐴𝑙 x 10-10

𝐹𝑆𝑡 = (-000184 + 26.30𝐹𝐴𝑙 x 10-10) / (2.829 x 10-10)

𝐹𝑆𝑡 = - 650,406.504 + 9.297 𝐹𝐴𝑙 (5) [M1]

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 Substitute equation (5) into equation (1) [CM1]

2 (- 650,406.504 + 9.297 𝐹𝐴𝑙 ) + 𝐹𝐴𝑙 – 54,000 = 0

-1,300,813.008 + 18.594 𝐹𝐴𝑙 + 𝐹𝐴𝑙 – 54,000 = 0

19.594𝐹𝐴𝑙 – 1,354,813.008 = 0

𝐹𝐴𝑙 = (1,354,813.008)/19.594 = 69,144.27 N

𝑭𝑨𝒍 = 69.144 kN [M2]

Substitute 𝐹𝐴𝑙 into equation (1) to determine 𝐹𝑆𝑡 [CM1]

2𝐹𝑆𝑡 + 𝐹𝐴𝑙 – 54,000 = 0

𝐹𝑆𝑡 = (54,000 - 𝐹𝐴𝑙 )/2 = (54,000 – 69,144.27)/2

𝐹𝑆𝑡 = -7,572.135 N = -7.572kN [M2]

• State any two assumptions which guided the design in (iii) above.
[2 Marks]
Answer:
• Geometry and material of the posts are symmetrical [M1]
• Top of aluminium and steel posts were deformed equally [M1]

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 Question 2

40

70
Figure Q2: A C86100 bronze tube with a rectangular cross section
subjected to two torques.

The tube fixed at E is shown in Figure Q2. It is made of C86100 bronze and has
a rectangular cross section. If it is subjected to counterclockwise torque 70 Nm
at the end C and clockwise torque 40 Nm at point D which is 0.5 m from end
C of the tube. Specify the average shear stress in the tube at points A and B as
well as the angle of twist of end C. Develop the concept map to solve this
problem. [40 Marks]

Answer:

Problem statement: Given a dimensioned C86100 bronze tube with a

rectangular cross section subjected to two torques [CM1]. Required to specify
the average shear stress in the tube at points A and B CM1] as well as the angle
of twist of end C [CM1].

Concepts to solve this problem: Award 1 Mark (CM1) for each concept up to
a maximum of 4 Marks (CM4).
• Free body diagram
• Average shear stress
• Angle of twist
• Sectioning
• Thin wall tubes having closed cross sections.

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 Free body diagram (FBD) of the tube sectioned at points A and B. (CM1)

70 30
M2 M2
40
M1

M1 M1
70 70
FBD of tube sectioned just before FBD of tube sectioned just after point
point D D

The mean area determined from the cross-section of the tube. (CM1)

M2

𝐿1 + 𝐿2 𝑊1 + 𝑊2 60+54 40+30
𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛 = ( )x( )=( )x( ) = (0.057m) x (0.035m) = 0.002m2 [M3]
2 2 2 2

At point A where t = 5 mm (0.005m), (CM1)

𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐴 = = (30)/ (2 x 0.005 x 0.002) = 1.50 x 106 N/m2 M3
2 𝑡𝐴 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛

At point B where t = 3 mm (0.003m), (CM1)

𝑇
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐵 = = (30)/ (2 x 0.003 x 0.002) = 2.50 x 106 N/m2 M3
2 𝑡𝐵 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛

From the FBDs of the tubes sectioned just before and after point D, the internal
torques are + 70 Nm and + 30 Nm respectively [CM1]. Both internal torques
are positive since torques in the counter-clockwise direction are taken as
positive. [CM1].
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∅ = [∑(𝑻𝑳⁄ 𝟐 𝑮) ∮(𝒅𝒔⁄𝒕)] M3
𝟒𝑨𝒎

∅ = 70 (0.5)/ (4 x 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝒙 𝟓𝟔 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟗) [2(57/5) + 2 (35/3)] + 30 (1.5)/ (4 x

𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝒙 𝟓𝟔 𝒙 𝟏𝟎𝟗) [2(57/5) + 2 (35/3)] M3

∅ = 0.00180 + 0.00232

∅ = 0.00412 radian = 0.236o M3

PLEASE TURN OVER THE PAGE

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 Appendices
Appendix A: Fundamental equations in strength of materials
Axial Load:
Normal stress 𝜎 = 𝑃/𝐴
𝑃
Yield stress 𝜎𝑦 = 𝑦⁄𝐴
Shear stress 𝜏 = 𝑉/𝐴

Allowable stress design

𝐹𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙 𝜎 𝜏
𝐹. 𝑆 = ⁄𝐹 = 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙⁄𝜎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑙⁄𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝐴 = ⁄𝜎𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 = 𝑉⁄𝜏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝑃

Displacement:
𝛿 = ∫0 𝑃(𝑥)𝑑𝑥⁄𝐴(𝑋)𝑒
𝐿

𝛿 = ∑ 𝑃𝐿⁄𝐴𝐸
𝛿𝑇 = 𝛼∆𝑇𝐿

Stress Concentrations
𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐾= ⁄𝜎𝑎𝑣𝑔
Residual stress
𝐾 𝑃𝑦
𝜎𝑦 = ⁄
𝐴
Torsion:
𝑇𝑟 𝜋
𝜏= ; 𝐽 = (𝑐𝑜 4 − 𝑐𝑖 4 )
𝐽 2
𝑇 𝐺𝐽
𝑺𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒇𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 = ; 𝑊 = 2𝜋𝑛𝑇
𝜃 𝐿

Bending
𝑀𝑦⁄
Normal Stress 𝜎= 𝐼
−𝑀𝑧 𝑦 𝑀 𝑧
Unsymmetric bending 𝜎= ⁄𝐼 + 𝑦 ⁄𝐼 ;
𝑍 𝑦
𝐼
tan 𝛼 = ( 𝑧⁄𝐼 ) tan 𝜃
𝑦
Transverse shear
Average direct shear stress 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝑉⁄𝐴
𝑉𝑄⁄
Transverse shear stress 𝜏= 𝐼𝑡; 𝑄 = 𝐴𝑦̅
𝑉𝑄⁄
Shear flow 𝑞 = 𝜏𝑡 = 𝐼
−∈𝑙𝑎𝑡
Poisson’s ratio 𝜈= ⁄∈
𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔

10
 𝐺 = 𝐸⁄2(1 + 𝜈)
𝑑𝑉 𝑑𝑀
Relations between w, V and M = 𝑤(𝑥); =𝑉
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Moment of inertia for an area

1 1
𝐼𝑥 = 𝑏ℎ3 ; 𝐼𝑦 = ℎ𝑏 3
12 12

Parallel axis theorem for an area

𝐼𝑥 = 𝐼𝑥̅ ′ + 𝐴𝑑𝑦2
𝐼𝑦 = 𝐼𝑦̅ ′ + 𝐴𝑑𝑥2
∑ ∑ 𝑦̅ 𝐴
Centroid of an area 𝑥̅ = 𝑥̅ 𝐴⁄∑ 𝐴; 𝑦̅ = ⁄∑ 𝐴

Thin Wall Tubes Having Closed Sections

∅ = [∑(𝑻𝑳⁄ 𝟐 𝑮) ∮(𝒅𝒔⁄𝒕)]
𝟒𝑨𝒎

Page 11 of 13
Appendix B: Table of properties of materials:
𝝆 E (GPa) G (GPa) 𝜶 (10-6/oC)
3
(Mg/m )
C86100 bronze 8.83 150 56 14
A- 36 steel 7.85 250 85 12
2014-T6 aluminum 2.79 60.5 30 35

Appendix C

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 Appendix D

END OF EXAM

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