Tutorial 3

Question 1
Using the Rayleigh-Ritz method (essentially Virtual Work), determine the
deection of the cantilever shown below.
Use the deection shape:
y =
n

j=1
a
j

1 cos
jx
2L

If we just take the rst term then

y = a
1

1 cos
x
2L

.
Using this shape, determine the maximum deection and comment on its
accuracy.
Answer: a
1
= 32PL
3
/EI
4
,
m
ax = PL
3
/3.044EI.
Question 2
Using Castiglianos theorem, determine the maximum deection and rota-
tion (angle) of point C for the beam shown below
Recall that
U
P
C
=
C
,
U
M
C
=
C
.
Answer: Coming!
Question 3
Use the Rayleigh-Ritz method to determine the deection shape of the beam
show below.
1
Show that a deection shape of
y = Asin
2x
L
satises the boundary conditions. (Question for thought: how useful is this
analysis if the loads were repositioned slightly?).
Answer:
PL
3
4
4
EI
sin
2x
L
Question 4
The cantilever beam below has a rectangular cross section and is subjected
to equal loads P at the free end and at the center.
(a) Determine the deection of the free end of the beam. The strain energy
caused by the shear force cannot be neglected.
(b) What is the error in neglecting the strain energy resulting from shear
if the beam length L is ve times the beam height h? Assume the beam is
made of steel (E = 200 GPa and G = 77.5 GPa).
Question 4
The cantilever beam below has a rectangular cross section and is subjected to equal
loads P at the free end and at the center.
(a) Determine the deflection of the free end of the beam. The strain energy caused
by the shear force can NOT be neglected.
(b) What is the error in neglecting the strain energy resulting from shear if the
beam length L is five times the beam height h? Assume the beam is made of
steel (E = 200 GPa and G = 77.5 GPa).
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
L/2
L/2
P Q=P
C B A
z
z

Hint:
1. Use
2
0
1.2
2
L
V
U dx
GA
=
!
to calculate the strain energy caused by a shear force V,
where 1.2 is a correction factor for the given beam.
2. The total strain energy is equal to the sum of the energy stored in segment AB
and the energy stored in segment BC.

Ans:
(a)
3
1.8 7
16
PL PL
GA EI
+
(b) The error in neglecting shear term is 3.42%

Solution:
Answer:
(a)
9PL
5GA
+
7PL
3
16EI
(b) The error in neglecting shear term is 3.42%.
Question 5
Consider the steam pipe below. These pipes are often equipped with expan-
sion loops to allow for thermal expansion as shown. Determine the loads
and moments on the supports if the temperature of the pipe rises by T.
Only consider strain energy due to bending of the pipe in your calculation.
2
Answer:
M
A
=
4FR(l + 2R)
L + 4R
; F
A
=
EILT(L + 4R)
2R
2
[8(2R +l)
2
+ (11R + 8l)(L + 4R)]
Question 6
Determine the curvature produced in a freely supported steel beam, with
rectangular cross section due to non-uniform heating over the depth of the
cross section, h. The temperature, T, is a function of distance y from the
neutral plane of the beam:
T =
T
0
+T
1
2
+
(T
1
T
0
)y
h
where T
0
and T
1
with the temperature at the bottom and top surfaces,
respectively, and T
1
T
0
= 70

C. What stresses will be produced if the ends

of the beam are clamped?
Question 7
Two concentric rings have a sliding t when at equilibrium and temperature
40

. The outer ring is made from Aluminium and the inner ring is made
from steel. Find the approximate stress in the rings when the temperature
drops to 0

.
Dimensions: d
i
= 200mm, t
1
= 2mm, t
2
= 1mm.
3