THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING : LEVEL I EXAMINATION
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
STRUCTURAL MECHANICS - CIVSIOOl
December 29, 2000 2:30 pm- 5:30 pm (3 hours)
Answer 5 (five) Questions
All questions carry equal marks
Use separate answer book for each section.
Use ofElectronic Calculators:
Candidates taking examination that permits the use of calculators may use any calculator which
fulfils the following criteria:
(a) it should be self-contained, silent, battery-operated and pocket-sized;
(b) it should have numeral-display facilities only and should be used only for the purpose of
calculation;
(c) it should not have any printing device, alphanumeric keyboard, or graphic display; and
(d) it should not contain any recorded data or program.
It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that the calculator operates satisfactorily and the
candidate must record the name and type of the calculator on the front page of the examination
scripts. Lists of permitted/prohibited calculators will not be made available to candidates for
reference, and the onus will be on the candidate to ensure that the calculator used will not be in
violation of the criteria listed above.
SECTION A
1. (a) Consider a beam subjected to a uniformly distributed load w kN/m. With
reference to the equilibrium of a small length oxof the beam, derive the
relationship between w and the shear force Q(x). [4 marks]
(b) Draw the Shear Force Diagram for the beam loaded as shown in Fig.Ql(a).
[8 marks]
(c) Calculate the maximum shear stress in the beam, and identify its location. The
beam has the cross-section shown in Fig.Ql(b). [8 marks]
2. (a) An elastic steel structure is loaded in such a manner that a state of plane stress
exists. Define clearly what is meant by this state of stress. [4 marks]
(b) The following values of stress are known to be present in the steel structure:
[cont'd]
I
ox = +95 N/mm
2
oy = - 40 N/mm2 -rxy = - 57 N/mm2
where ox and oy represent direct stresses in the X and Y directions,
respectively (X and Y are two mutually perpendicular directions), and 'tXY
represents the shear stress in the XY plane. Find the direct (normal) strains
in the X and Y directions, and the shear strain in the XY plane.
[5 marks]
(c) Derive, from first principles, the strain transformation equations to determine
transformed normal strain ET and transformed shear strain YT/2.
[6 marks]
(d) Determine, using the derived strain transformation equations, the direct and
shear strains acting, with reference to a direction 20.1° clockwise from X.
What term is used to describe the direct strain, for this case? [5 marks]
2
Assume that the modulus of elasticity of steel = 205 kN/mm and that the Poisson' s
ratio of steel= 0.324.
3. The beam ABCD shown in Fig.Q3(a) is simply supported at Band C. It carries
vertical, uniformly distributed loads of 130 kN/m (B to C) and 50 kN/m (A to B and C
to D), as shown. The member ABCD is a steel universal beam (U.B.), with a nominal
BS designation 610 x 229 x 101, as shown in Fig.Q3(b). Over the length EF, the U.B.
is strengthened by the welding of 10 mm thick plates to the flanges, as in Fig.Q3(c).
(a) Determine the reaction forces at Band C and draw the shearing force and
bending moment diagrams, indicating key values and their locations.
[10 marks]
(b) Show that if the maximum bending stress is limited to ± 165 N/mm2 , the
U.B. alone is sufficient to carry the bending moment at Band C.
[3 marks]
(c) Determine the minimum length (EF) ofthe flange plates required over the
central part ofBC, and the minimum required width ofthe plates (b).
[7 marks]
4. (a) Explain why, in classical theory, the bending stress is linearly distributed across
a section, taken through a bending member. [4 marks]
(b) A column is connected to a beam in such a way that there is transmission of
moment from the beam to the column. The force resisted by the column is 100 kN
acting at a distance of 1.8 m from the centre-line of the column. Calculate:
(i) the maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the column, [7 marks]
and
(ii) the position of the neutral axis of the column. [3 marks]
[cont'd]
2
The section of the column is as shown in Fig. Q4, and the load from the beam
acts to bend the column about its minor axis.
(c) Compute the ratio of moments ofresistance ofthe beam, taken about the major
and minor axes of bending. Assume that the design (maximum) stress is equal
for bending about both directions, and ignore the stress due to axial loading.
[6 marks]
SECTIONB
5. (a) Ordinarily the Tresca and von Mises yield stresses are made to coincide in simple
tension. This gives rise to a discrepancy for pure shear. If, instead, the yield
condition is assumed to be the same in shear, what discrepancy will result for
(i) simple tension and (ii) for cr1 = cr2? [10 marks]
(b) Discuss and explain how imperfections in geometry affect the stability of columns.
[10 marks]
6. (a) A beam fixed at both ends supports a uniformly distributed downward load w0 ,
Fig. Q6. The El for the beam is constant.
(i) Find the expression for the elastic curve using the fourth-order governing
differential equation. [ 5 marks]
(ii) Verify the results found using the second order differential equation.
[5 marks]
(b) Discuss and explain the differences between the Tresca and von Mises yield criteria.
[10 marks]
3
I Fig.Ql(a) /30kN/m
B
90 kN-m
,.. ..,... ... I ·-1- --I
3m 3m 2m 3m 2m
I Fig.Ql(b)
Neutral mm
axis G 72
I Fig.Q3(a) 130 kN/m
50 kN/m
AI B c ID
- -.
2.0 m I 7.0 m
... I ... 2.0 m
-
610 X 229 X 101 U.B. Overall
I :: 75 700 cm 4 depth
602.2 mm
j Fig.Q3(b) IFig.Q3(c)
4
~I
I Fig.Q4
T
LINE OF
900 1800
---------------~ ACTION Of
100 kN LOAD
DIMENSIONS
-ts IN >lW.
~~~~~2~5~!~.----•~o~o----~•-rl2=5~l~--~
Fig.Q6
Hr--------L--------~
END OF PAPER
