ES 11 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Fourth Departmental Examination

March 25, 2013 (4:00-6:00 PM)

Second Semester 2012-2013

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY PLEDGE: On my honor, I will not give or receive inappropriate aid in this examination.
NAME & Signature:

SECTION:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Turn all mobile phones OFF during the entire examination period. Any form of cheating will be strictly penalized.
2. Use only a blue or black ink pen.
3. Other than your name, signatures, and section, do not write anything on this questionnaire.
4. Make sure to write your name and section on every answer sheet; number the sheets consecutively.
5. Start the solution to each Problem on a new sheet; do not write at the back; and put a box on your final
answer/s.
6. Show clearly all pertinent solutions and state the assumptions made, if any.
7. Submit this questionnaire together with your answer sheets; keep all sheets stapled together; otherwise your
paper will NOT be graded.

PART II (20%)
Liezl wanted to design the connection of a stepladder shown in Figure 1a. She idealized it by representing
it with the frame shown on Figure 1b, assuming that the weight of a person (600 N) will be shared equally
by the two frames making up the stepladder. By intuition the critical pin would be at either A, B, or C, so
she started with pin B. Assuming that the floor is frictionless, help Liezl by determining the resultant force
acting on pin B USING ONLY ONE EQUILIBRIUM EQUATION WITH ONE UNKNOWN.

Figure 1b

Figure 1a

PART III (20%)

The truss shown in Figure 2 is supported by a roller at A and a pin support at F. Without solving for the
support reactions, determine the bar forces in members CD and CI using only two (2) equations of
equilibrium. Each equation must have only one unknown.

Figure 2

PART IV (20%)
The beam is fixed at point E and loaded as shown.
a. Draw the shear diagram. Clearly indicate the degree of the curves and label all critical points. (40
points)
b. Locate the point where zero shear occurs. How far is it from point A? (20 points)
c. Draw the bending moment diagram. Clearly indicate the degree of the curves and label all
critical points. (40 points)

Figure 3

ES 11 Statics of Rigid Bodies

Fourth Departmental Examination

March 25, 2013 (4:00-6:00 PM)

Second Semester 2012-2013

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY PLEDGE: On my honor, I will not give or receive inappropriate aid in this examination.
NAME & Signature:

SECTION:

PART I [20%]. MULTIPLE CHOICE. Encircle the letter of the best answer. This Part will be collected after the first 30
minutes of the exam period.
1. Which of the following is FALSE for frames?
a. All members can be multi-force bodies.
b. It cannot contain two-force bodies.
c. Loads can be applied at the joints.
d. Members are not necessarily straight.
2. The equation m + 3 = 2n for a simple truss, where m is the number of members and n is the number of
joints, can be interpreted as number of unknown forces equals the number of available equations. Where
does the factor 2 come from?
a. Because there are two equilibrium equations per joint.
b. Because there are two unknown reactions in the supports of the truss.
c. Because there are two directions for forces in the members of a truss.
d. Because one must draw FBD of joints with only two unknowns.
3. Which of the following is TRUE about the Method of Joints?
a. There must only be three unknowns per FBD of the joints .
b. One must always start the solution by solving first for the unknown reactions.
c. The total number of joints equals the number of FBDs to solve for all the member forces.
d. The method of joints cannot be used for trusses that are pin-supported on both supports.
4. Which of the following is TRUE about the Method of Sections?
a. More than three unknown forces can be determined per FBD.
b. More than three members can be cut in one section.
c. After cutting at a section, the resulting force system can be a parallel force system.
d. The reactions at the supports need to be solved first before cutting at another section.
5. Given the loading and shear diagrams of a beam in Figure 1, determine the
location of the maximum moment measured from the left end.
a.

c.

b.

d.

Figure 1

6. Which of the following is FALSE about internal forces and moments on members?
a. The internal forces can be represented by a single force and a bending moment.
b. An axial force and a bending moment is a possible combination of internal forces at a section.
c. An axial force and shear force can be a possible combination of internal forces at a section.
d. The shear, axial, and bending moments are always present at a section of a member

7. Which among the following is FALSE about bending moment diagrams?

a.
b.
c.
d.

The slope of the bending moment diagram is equal to the shear at the section.
The change in the bending moment is equal to the area under the shear diagram.
Concentrated moments on the beam causes gradual changes in the moment diagram.
The section that has zero shear may have the maximum bending moment on the beam.

8. Which among the following is FALSE about shear and bending moment diagrams?
a.
b.
c.
d.

The degree of the curve increases by 1 starting from the load, shear, and bending moment diagrams.
Concentrated moments on the load diagram do not affect the shear diagram.
It is possible to draw the load diagram given the moment diagram.
One important use of shear and bending moment diagrams is that it provides a quick way of
determining the maximum values of the internal forces for design.

9. Which is not a zero force member on the truss given in Figure 2?

a.
b.
c.
d.

DI
AI
CK
GK
Figure 2

10. For the frame shown in Figure 3, which member is a three-force

member?
a.
b.
c.
d.

AB
BFH
FG
BF

Figure 3

4th LONG EXAM SOLUTION

PART I
1. Which of the following is FALSE for frames?
a. All members can be multi-force bodies.
b. It cannot contain two-force bodies.
c. Loads can be applied at the joints.
d. Members are not necessarily straight.
1. ANSWER:

A frame has at least one multi-force member and can even have all members as multi-force.

2. The equation m + r = 2n for a simple truss, where m is the number of members and n is the number of
joints, can be interpreted as number of unknown forces equals the number of available equations. Where
does the factor 2 come from?
a. Because there are two equilibrium equations per joint.
b. Because there are two unknown reactions in the supports of the truss.
c. Because there are two directions for forces in the members of a truss.
d. Because one must draw FBD of joints with only two unknowns.

2. ANSWER: A
In the analysis of truss in two-dimensions, the number of unknowns is m+r and the number of
equations is 2n or 2 equations per joint.

3. Which of the following is TRUE about the Method of Joints?

a. There must only be three unknowns per FBD of the joints .
b. One must always start the solution by solving first for the unknown reactions.
c. The total number of joints equals the number of FBDs to solve for all the member forces.
d. The method of joints cannot be used for trusses that are pin-supported on both supports.

3. ANSWER: C
A is false if we are analysing a truss in 2 dimensions, wherein there can be only 2 unknowns per joint if
they are to be determined.
B is false. We can actually solve for all the member forces without solving for the support reactions.
The equation of equilibrium of the whole system can be obtained by manipulating the equations of the
joints.
D is false. The method of joints can be used to solve any statically determinate truss. NOTE: A truss that
is pin supported at two points is not necessarily statically indeterminate as long as it satisfies m+r = 2j.

4. Which of the following is TRUE about the Method of Sections?

a. More than three unknown forces can be determined per FBD.
b. More than three members can be cut in one section.
c. After cutting at a section, the resulting force system can be a parallel force system.
d. The reactions at the supports need to be solved first before cutting at another section.

4. ANSWER: B
A is false. Only three unknowns can be solved per FBD in 2-dimensions.
B is true. We may cut a section at 4 members as long as one of the member forces is already known.
C is false. For a stable truss, at least one force is not parallel in one section, otherwise, the truss may
collapse at that section.
D is not necessarily true. We can use the FBD that does not involve support reactions.

5. Given the loading and shear diagrams of a beam in Figure 1, determine the
location of the maximum moment measured from the left end.
a.

c.

b.

d.

Figure 1

5. ANSWER: D
Using the property of curves,

Distance from the right x (because the vertex is at the right)

2
6
=

+
3
6
= 2 /3
Distance from the left,
=
2 /3

6. Which of the following is FALSE about internal forces and moments on members?
a. The internal forces can be represented by a single force and a bending moment.
b. An axial force and a bending moment is a possible combination of internal forces at a section.
c. An axial force and shear force can be a possible combination of internal forces at a section.
d. The shear, axial, and bending moments are always present at a section of a member

6. ANSWER: D
A is true. The shear and axial force can be represented by a single resultant.
B is true. At points of zero shear, the axial and bending can be nonzero.
C is true. As an example, consider the ends of a simply supported beam with any vertical load and an
additional horizontal load that will cause axial force. Shear and axial are nonzero.
D is false. Consider a truss member. The only internal force is axial.

7. Which among the following is FALSE about bending moment diagrams?

a.
b.
c.
d.

The slope of the bending moment diagram is equal to the shear at the section.
The change in the bending moment is equal to the area under the shear diagram.
Concentrated moments on the beam causes gradual changes in the moment diagram.
The section that has zero shear may have the maximum bending moment on the beam.

7. ANSWER: C
A is true.
B is true.
C is false. Applied moments cause sudden change in the moment diagram.
D is true. It MAY have a maximum bending moment. However, also consider the ends and other points
in the beam.

8. Which among the following is FALSE about shear and bending moment diagrams?
a.
b.
c.
d.

The degree of the curve increases by 1 starting from the load, shear, and bending moment diagrams.
Concentrated moments on the load diagram do not affect the shear diagram.
It is possible to draw the load diagram given the moment diagram.
One important use of shear and bending moment diagrams is that it provides a quick way of
determining the maximum values of the internal forces for design.

8. ANSWER: B
A is true.
B is false. They actually change the shear diagram by changing the support reactions.
C is true. We can use the relationship among load, shear and bending to draw the load diagram from
the bending moment diagram.
D is true. That is actually the reason why we are using them.

9. Which is not a zero force member on the truss given in Figure 2?

a.
b.
c.
d.

DI
AI
CK
GK
Figure 2

9. ANSWER: C
FBD of joint E, IE is a zero-force member.
FBD of joint D, DI is a zero-force member.
FBD of joint I, AI is a zero-force member since DI and IE are already zero-force members.
FBD of joint F, FK is a zero-force member.
FBD of joint G, GK is a zero-force member.
FBD of joint K, CK is equal to Q.

10. For the frame shown in Figure 3, which member is a three-force member?
a.
b.
c.
d.

AB
BFH
FG
BF

Figure 3

10. ANSWER: B
Since the forces are applied at three points, BFH is a three force member.

PART II (20%)
Liezl wanted to design the connection of a stepladder shown in Figure 1a. She idealized it by representing
it with the frame shown on Figure 1b, assuming that the weight of a person (600 N) will be shared equally
by the two frames making up the stepladder. By intuition the critical pin would be at either A, B, or C, so
she started with pin B. Assuming that the floor is frictionless, help Liezl by determining the resultant force
acting on pin B USING ONLY ONE EQUILIBRIUM EQUATION WITH ONE UNKNOWN.

Figure 1b

Figure 1a

PART II
Using the free-body diagram of AB,
BC
Ay

300 N
4

Ax
3
7.5 cm

7.5 cm

Realizing that BC is a two-force member since the forces are applied at only two points:
4
= 0: 300 7.5 +
15 = 0
5
= 187.5
Thus, the force acting on pin B is 187.5 N, (36.87 from the horizontal).

PART III (20%)

The truss shown in Figure 2 is supported by a roller at A and a pin support at F. Without solving for the
support reactions, determine the bar forces in members CD and CI using only two (2) equations of
equilibrium. Each equation must have only one unknown.

Figure 2

PART II
Cutting the truss at CD, CI and JI, and using the left section:

FCD
20 N

B
FCI
A

1m

FJI
I

J
1m

1m

Summing moments about point J to remove FJI, FCI and A from the equation:
1
= 0: 20 2

2=0
2
= . .
All forces pass through point J, except FCI
= 0: =

PART IV (20%)
The beam is fixed at point E and loaded as shown.
a. Draw the shear diagram. Clearly indicate the degree of the curves and label all critical points. (40
points)
b. Locate the point where zero shear occurs. How far is it from point A? (20 points)
c. Draw the bending moment diagram. Clearly indicate the degree of the curves and label all
critical points. (40 points)

PART IV

PART IV (contd)
Solving for the support reactions:
= 0: 2 5 + 12
= 10

0.5 8 3 + = 0

= 0: 2 5 5 + 1

12 4 + 0.5 8 3 3

= 36

3
+ = 0
3

A) Drawing the shear diagram from left to right:

= 0
= 0 2 5 = 10
= 10 + 0 = 10
+ = 10 + 12 = 2

= 2 + 0 = 2
= 2 0.5 8 3 =
+ = 2 0.5 8 3 =

10
10 + 10 = 0

B) Solving for the point of zero shear using the property of curves:

2 kN

10
=
10 + 2

10 kN

= 2.73 4.26

Vertex
x

C) Drawing the bending moment diagram:

= 0
= 0 0.5 2 10 = 10
= 10
1 10 = 20
= 20 + 1 2 = 18
3 12
= 18 +
3
3
2
= 17.74
10 = 36
3
+ = 36 + 36 = 0

3m

10

10
3

17.74