SAB 1213 1

FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER I, SESSION 2010/2011
COURSE CODE

SAB 1213

COURSE

APPLIED MECHANICS

PROGRAMME

SAW

DURATION

2 HOURS 30 MINUTES

DATE

NOVEMBER 2010

INSTRUCTION TO CANDIDATES:
1. ANSWER FIVE (5) QUESTIONS, THREE (3) QUESTIONS FROM
SECTION A AND TWO (2) QUESTIONS FROM SECTION B.

WARNING!
Students caught copying/cheating during the examination will be liable for
disciplinary actions and the faculty may recommend the student to be expelled from
the study.
This examination question consists of (9) printed pages only.

SAB 1213 2

SECTION A ANSWER THREE (3) QUESTIONS ONLY

Q1.

Three forces act on a ball-and-socket joint as shown in Figure Q1.

(a)

Express the forces F1, F2 and F3 as a Cartesian vector. Force F1 acts

along the x-axis.
(9 marks)

(b)

Determine the magnitude and coordinate direction angles of the

resultant force acting on the ball-and-socket joint.
(8 marks)

(c)

Explain in brief, how to keep the ball-and-socket joint in equilibrium?

(3 marks)
(20 marks)

F1 = 9 kN

F3 = 5 kN

F2 = 12 kN
12m
5m
4m

30o
45o

FIGURE Q1

SAB 1213 3

Q2.

(a)

The compressive force in pole AO acts along the axis of the pole and
has the magnitude 900 N and is supported by three wires arranged as
shown in Figure Q2. Determine the tension force in each wires AB,
AC and AD.
(16 marks)

(b)

If one of the wire is removed, will the other two wires can support the
pole? Explain briefly your reason.
(4 marks)
(20 marks)

z
A
B
65

O
70

60
20

40

D
x

FIGURE Q2

SAB 1213 4

Q3.

The cranes arm has a pin support at A. The hydraulic cylinder BC exerts a
force on the arm at C in the direction parallel to BC. The cranes arm has a
mass of 200 kg, and its weight can be assumed to act at G, a point 2.0 m to the
right of A. The weight of the cranes body is 1000 kg which is passing
through point A. Support E and F are pin and roller respectively. If the mass
of the suspended box is 800 kg and the system is in equilibrium,
(a)

Draw free body diagram of the arm ACD.

(3 marks)

(b)

Calculate the magnitude of the force exerted by the hydraulic cylinder

on point C?
(5 marks)

(c)

Determine the magnitude of the force exerted on the cranes arm by the
pin support at A?
(5 marks)

(d)

Draw the free body diagram of the cranes body.

(2 marks)

(e)

Determine the reaction at the ground support E and F.

(5 marks)
(20 marks)
D

C
G

2.4 m
1m

1.8 m 1.2 m F
7m

1.5m

3.1m

FIGURE Q3

800 kg

SAB 1213 5

Q4.

(a)

Determine the maximum force P in the system as shown in Figure Q4

before sliding. The angle of slope, = 5o.
(10 marks)

(b)

If there is no external force P being applied, find the maximum angle

of slope before the blocks started to slide.
(10 marks)
(20 marks)

Mass:
Block A 50 kg
Block B 15 kg
Block C 30 kg

A
B

Coefficient of static Friction, s:

Surface A - B: s = 0.25
Surface B - C: s = 0.15
Surface C - floor: s = 0.30

FIQURE Q4

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Q5.

A beam is built up from two standard rolled-steel channels and a cover plate.
It has a cross-section as shown in Figure Q5.
(a)

Determine the centroid of the section.

(8 marks)

(b)

Calculate the moment of inertia with respect to horizontal axis through

the centroid.
(8 marks)

(c )

Calculate the radius of gyration with respect to horizontal axis through

the centroid.
(4 marks)
(20 marks)

y
100 mm

100 mm
yc
Centroid of channel

40 mm

127 mm
254 mm

xc

127 mm
x
Built up beam

15.3 mm
Details of channel section
A = 3780 mm 2
Ixc = 32.6 106 mm 4

FIGURE Q5

Iyc = 1.14 106 mm 4

SAB 1213 7

SECTION B ANSWER TWO (2) QUESTIONS ONLY

Q6.

The position of a particle moving along a straight line is given by

s = 3.2t 3 17.6t 2 + 15t , where t is time in seconds.

(a)

Determine the position, velocity and acceleration of the particle when t

= 7 seconds.
(8 marks)

(b)

Determine the period when the particle motion is in the negative

direction. Also state the starting and ending positions of the particle for
such a motion.
(4 marks)

(c)

Calculate the total distance travelled by the particle during the period
of 0 to 7 seconds.
(8 marks)
(20 marks)

SAB 1213 8

Q7.

A 1500 kg car enters a section of S-curved road in the horizontal plane as

shown in Figure Q7. The car slows down at a uniform rate from a speed of
100 km/hr at A to a speed of 50 km/hr as it passes C. The radius of curvature
R of the road at A is 400 m and at C is 160 m. Points B is the inflection point
where the curvature changes direction. The car speeds up to 100 km/hr within
30 sec from C to D. Distance from A to C is 200 m.
(a)

By using kinematic equation of motion, calculate the acceleration, at,

of the car from point A to point D, and the normal component of the
acceleration, an, at point A, B and C.
(10marks)

(b)

Calculate the total horizontal force exerted by the brake and the road
on the tyres at positions A, B, and C.
(5 marks)

(c)

Calculate the average driving force exerted on the car from C to D.

(5 marks)
(20 marks)

R = 400 m

200 m

A
t

n
R = 160 m

FIGURE Q7

t
D

SAB 1213 9

Q8.

Figure Q8 shows a 10 kg block being held in position above two

uncompressed springs. The stiffness of each spring is 4000 N/mm.
(a)

Determine the maximum shortening of the springs if the block is set

into motion by a sudden release of the block (free fall).
(6 marks)

(b)

Determine the maximum shortening of the springs if the block is

slowly lowered and allowed to compress the springs.
(6 marks)

(c)

If it is required that the shortening of the spring were to be 0.05 m by

dropping the block from a certain height, determine the velocity of the
block when it reaches the spring in order to produce the shortening.
Use the top of the uncompressed length of the spring as the datum.
(5 marks)

(d)

Explain the difference in the shortenings of the springs between parts

(a) and (b) by using the principle of conservation of energy.
(3 marks)
(20 marks)

100 kg block

FIGURE Q8

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