Example 1.

The truss shown is part of a system that is used to support a container. Complete the
FBDs of the truss and truss section shown below.

A B C

D
W

E
A B C

D
W
B C
E

D
W
Example 1.4

Find the internal resultants (axial force, shear force, and bending moment) on the beam
cross section at B.

w0 ( load / length @ x = 2L / 3)

L/3 L/3 L/3

A B C D

Additional lecturebook examples 2 ME 323

Example 1.7

The bolt shank is subjected to a tension of 80 lb. Determine the resultant internal loadings
acting on the cross section at point C.
C

6 in

A B

MC
C
y
FC

VC

x
FAB = 80 lb

Additional lecturebook examples 3 ME 323

Example 1.9
Frame member BCD is loaded with a line load p0 (force/length) over section CD. Ends
B and D are connected to ground by roller and pin connections, respectively, as shown in
the figure.
a) Determine the external reactions on member BCD at ends B and D.
b) Determine the internal shear force, axial force and bending moment acting on the
left face of a cut through the member at E, where E is midway between C and D.
Write your answers as vectors.

2.5 L

p0
C

E D

H
2L
y

x
B

1.5 L

Additional lecturebook examples 4 ME 323

Example 2.1

A solid brass rod AB and a solid aluminum rod BC are connected through a coupler at B.
Determine the axial stresses in rod AB and rod BC.

(1) d1 d2
(2) 3F F

A B C

Additional lecturebook examples 5 ME 323

Example 2.3

A tension specimen having a diameter of d0 = 13mm and length L0 = 50mm was used to
obtain the load-elongation data. Engineering stresses and strains were calculated from
this data and plotted in the following figure.
a) Determine the modulus of elasticity of the material.
b) Determine the ultimate stress of the material.

8
x 10
2.5

2
engineering stress, Pa

1.5

0.5

0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08
engineering strain, mm/mm

Additional lecturebook examples 6 ME 323

Example 2.5

A 175-lb woman stands on a vinyl floor wearing stiletto high-heel shoes. If the heel has
the dimensions shown, determine the average normal stress she exerts on the floor and
compare it with the average normal stress developed when a man having the same weight
is wearing flat-heeled shoes. Assume the load is applied slowly, so that dynamic effects
can be ignored. Also, assume the entire weight is supported only by the heel of one shoe.

W W

Additional lecturebook examples 7 ME 323

Example 2.8

Observe the following stress-strain curves for two materials A and B.

B
A

Which material is stronger?

Which material is stiffer?

Which material is more ductile?

Additional lecturebook examples 8 ME 323

Example 2.8
In the truss shown below, all members have circular cross sections, with BC and BD
having cross-sectional areas of A, and CD and DH having cross-sectional areas of 2A.
All members are made up of a material having a Young’s modulus of E and a Poisson’s
ratio of ν . A vertical force P is applied to joint C of the truss. As a result of this applied
load:
Problem 1.3 (10 Points)
a) Determine the stress in each of the four members. State whether each member is
In the truss shown below, members BC and BD have a cross-section
in tension or compression.
members CD and DH have a cross-sectional area of 2A. A vertical load P
b) Determine the elongation of member DH.
the truss. Determine the stresses in members BC, BD, CD and DH. State
c) Determine
isthe
in change
tensionin or
the compression.
cross-sectional area of member DH.

D 2L H D FDH

FCD FBD
L L

FCD FBD

L B
C B C FCB FCB

P B
P

SOLUTION
From FBD of pin C:
2
∑ Fy = FCD sin60° − P = 0 ⇒ FCD =
3
P (TENSION)

1
∑ Fx = FCB + FCD cos60° = 0 ⇒ FCB = − FCD cos60° = −
3
P (CO

From FBD of pin D:

2
∑ Fy = − FCD cos30° − FBD cos30° = 0 ⇒ FBD = − FCD = −
3
P (C

2
∑ Fx = − FCD sin30° + FBD sin30° + FDH = 0 ⇒ FDH = 3
P (TEN

Therefore:
FCD 1 P
σ CD = =
Additional lecturebook examples 2A 3A 9 ME 323

F 1 P
σ CB = CB = −
A 3A
Example 3.4

Determine the average shear stress in the pin.

Additional lecturebook examples 10 ME 323

Example 3.7
The frame shown below is made up of links BK, CH and HK. Links BK and CH have
lengths of L, and member HK has a length of 0.6L. Member HK is made up of two pieces
that are spliced together as shown in the figure. The frame supports a drum of diameter D
and weight W, as shown. All pins in the frame have a diameter of d. Link HK has a cross-
sectional area of A. Consider the weight of the frame members to be small compared to
the weight of the drum, and that all surfaces are smooth.
a) Determine the axial stress in member HK of the frame.
b) Determine the normal (n) and tangential (t) components of stress along the splice
joint in member HK.
c) Determine the shear stress in pin J of the frame.

0.6 L

H K
D

cylinder g

J J

side view of joint J

B C

n
t
30°

H K

splice

Additional lecturebook examples 11 ME 323

Example 4.4

A compressor of weight W is suspended by long rods AB and CD of diameters d1 and

d2 , respectively, as shown in the figure. Using the data given below, determine the
allowable compressor weight Wallow . In doing so, neglect the weight of the platform
between A and C, and neglect the weight of the two rods. Also, assume that rod AB and
the pins at A and B are large enough that they do not need to be considered. All pin
connections in the structure are double-sided.
Rod CD : d2 = 100 mm, σ allow = 85MPa
Pins C and D : d p = 7 mm, τ allow = 100 MPa
a = 0.75 mm, b = 0.50 mm

D
L1 (1)
(2) L2

A C

a b

Additional lecturebook examples 12 ME 323

Example 4.6
The truss shown below is loaded with a force P at joint C. Member (1) of the truss is
made up of two components that are joined with a pin having a diameter of d with a yield
strength in shear of τ Y .

a) Determine the loads carried by the three members of the truss.

b) Determine the minimum diameter d of the pin joining the two components of
member AC such that the material of the pin does not yield with a factor of safety
of FS.

C P

( 3)
h
(1)

(2)
A
B

a b

Use the following parameter values in your analysis: a = 16 / 15 ft , b = 3 / 5 ft ,

h = 4 / 5 ft , P = 20 kips , FS = 2 and τ Y = 18 ksi .

Additional lecturebook examples 13 ME 323

Example 5.1

The normal stress σ x acts over the cross section of a rectangular bar with the distribution
below.
a) Determine the equivalent force/couple system at the middle of the cross section of
the bar due to this stress.
b) Determine the single-force equivalent resultant of this stress and its location on
the cross-section.

σ0

b
x
2σ 0

Additional lecturebook examples 14 ME 323

Example 5.2

On a particular cross section of a rectangular beam (with the beam having a depth of t
into the page), there is shear stress whose distribution has the form of

⎡ ⎛ y⎞2⎤
τ = τ max ⎢1− ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
⎢ ⎝ b⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

where y is measured from the centroid of the cross section. If the shear stress τ may not
exceed τ allow , what is the maximum shear force V that may be applied to the beam at this
cross section?
y y

V
b b
τ ( y)
x x

b b

Additional lecturebook examples 15 ME 323

Example 5.5

A short cylinder (d0 = 0.6 in., L0 = 1.0 in.) is compressed between two smooth rigid plates
by an axial force P = 5 kips. (a) If the measured shortening of the cylinder due to this
force is 0.00105 in., what is the modulus of elasticity, E, of the material? (b) If the
increase in diameter is 0.00021 in., what is the value of Poisson’s ratio, ν , for this
material?

L0

d0

Additional lecturebook examples 16 ME 323

Example 5.7

The flat-bar plastic test specimen shown in the figure has a reduced-area rectangular
cross-section test section that measures 0.5 in. × 1.0 in. Within the test section a strain
in
gage oriented in the axial direction measures ε x = 0.002 , while a strain gage
in
in
mounted in the transverse direction measures ε y = −0.0008 , when the load on the
in
specimen is P = 300 lb. Determine the values of the modulus of elasticity, E, and
Poisson’s ratio, v.

y y

P P
1 in 1 in
x z
0.5 in
ε x gage ε y gage
test specimen
cross sec,on

Additional lecturebook examples 17 ME 323

Example 5.10
Consider the 3D, parallelepiped body shown below that has experienced σ x , σ y and σ z
components of stress. The body originally had dimensions of Lx , Ly and Lz , and after
the application of the loads, the body has dimensions of L*x , L*y and L*z . The “volumetric
strain” as a result of such loading is defined as the change in volume divided by the
original volume:
ΔV
εV =
V
Suppose that the material making up the body is linearly elastic with a Young’s modulus
of E and a Poisson’s ratio of ν .
a) Show that for small strains1, the volumetric strain can be written as:
εV = ε x + ε y + ε z

b) Consider a state of stress with the following known information: σ x = 20 ksi ,

σ z = 25 ksi and ε y = −0.001 in / in , and with the remaining components of stress
and strain being unknown. The material has a Young’s modulus of
E = 30 × 106 psi and ν = 0.3 . Determine the volumetric strain for this state of
stress.

y y

L*y
Ly
x x
Lz L*z
Lx L*x
z z

BEFORE loading AFTER loading

1
Consider strains small enough that products of strains are negligible as compared to the
strains themselves; e.g., ε x ε y << ε z .

Additional lecturebook examples 18 ME 323

Example 6.2

Example shown below is made up of two members extending the full length of the
composite element. The two members below experience identical strains ε1 = ε 2 = ε due
to end connections to rigid plates. Determine the stresses in each member and determine
the distance d locating the point of application of the load P needed for equal strains in
the two members.

h 1 E1,A1
P P b1 σ 1 A1 P

b2 σ 2 A2 d
2 E2,A2

Additional lecturebook examples 19 ME 323

 L

Example 6.5

A rod having a cross sectional area A is acted upon by a linearly-varying force/length

p(x), as shown below, where p(0) = 0 and p(L) = p0 . The material of the rod has a
Young’s modulus of E that is constant throughout the rod. Determine the total axial
elongation of the road as a result of the axial loading p(x).

p(x)
p0

d
x

Additional lecturebook examples 20 ME 323

Example 6.9

Recall that we discussed earlier that the determination of the load carried by the four tires
of an automobile is a statically indeterminate problem. What factors determine the load
carried by the tires? Suppose that we model the automobile as a rigid body with center of
mass at G supported by four springs representing the stiffness of the four tires. With this
model, determine the load carried by each of the four tires.

d d

b
G
x
a
k2 k1 (1)

( 3) (2) (4)

k3 k4

Additional lecturebook examples 21 ME 323

Example 6.13
A rod is made up of elements (1), (2) and (3), with the elements being made up of
materials with Young’s moduli of E1 = E , E2 = 2E and E3 = 2E , respectively.
Elements (1) and (3) are solid, each with an outer diameter of d, whereas (2) is a tube
with inner and outer diameters of d and 2d, respectively. An axial load F acts at connector
D. The goal of this problem is to determine the stresses in each element, leaving your
answers in terms of, at most, d and F. To this end, please show the following four-steps:
1. Equilibrium equations: FBD and equilibrium equation of each connector.
2. Load/deformation equations: Write down the force/elongation equation for each
element.
3. Compatibility equations: Write down the compatibility equations relating the
elongations and displacements.
4. Solve: First checking to see if you have enough equations, solve for element
loads, from which you find the stresses.

2L L

2d
d d
(2)
F
(1) (3)

B C D

Additional lecturebook examples 22 ME 323

Example 6.14
PART A
A three-segment rod is constructed as shown below. Segments (1) and (2) have a length
of L, whereas segment (3) has a length of 2L. Segments (1) and (2) have solid, circular
cross sections with diameters of 2d and d, respectively, whereas segment (3) is a tube
with outer and inner diameters of 3d and 2d, respectively. Segments (1) and (2) are joined
by a rigid connecter at C, and segments (2) and (3) are joined by a rigid connector at D.
Ends B and H of the rod are fixed to rigid walls. All three segments are made of the same
material, with E being the Young’s modulus of the material. A force P acts on connector
D.
a) Determine the stresses in each of the three segments of the rod.
b) Determine the displacements of connectors C and D.

L L 2L

2d 3d
2d
d
P
(2)
(1)
C D (3)

B H
PART B
Consider the two structures below, (i) and (ii). In each case, let F1 and F2 represent the
axial loads carried by members (1) and (2), with the sign conventions that Fi > 0 and
ei > 0 for the ith member being in tension. For each structure, write down the
compatibility equation relating the elongations e1 and e2 .

H H

(2) K (2)
L L

L /2 (1)

B C D C D

L /2 L /2 L /2 L /2 L /2
(1)
P P

Structure (i) Structure (ii)

Additional lecturebook examples 23 ME 323

Example 6.15
A truss is constructed using three identical members (each of length L, cross-sectional
area A and made up of a material having a Young’s modulus of E). A vertical load P acts
on joint D.
a) Determine the stresses in each of the three segments of the truss. Leave your
answers in terms of P and A.
b) Determine the x- and y-components of displacement of joint D. Leave your
answers in terms of, at most, P, L, E and A.

4
B
3 (2)
(3) 3

x
D (1) C

Additional lecturebook examples 24 ME 323

Example 7.4

Elements (1) and (2), each having a solid circular cross section, are made up of the same
material with the material having a Young’s modulus of E. Initially when the elements
are unstressed, a gap of δ exists between end C of element (1) and the rigid connector D
attached to element (2). The temperature of (1) is increased by an amount of ΔT while
the temperature of (2) is held constant. Assuming that the temperature increase of (1) is
sufficient to close the gap between C and D, what are the load in (1) and (2) that result
from the temperature increase of (1)?
δ ( exaggerated in drawing )

L 2L

2d
d
x

(1) (2)
B C D H

Additional lecturebook examples 25 ME 323

Example 7.7
A structure is made up of a rigid member CK and three rod elements (1), (2) and (3). The
cross-sectional area for each element is A. The material makeup of the three elements is
such that the Young’s moduli are related by E1 = E3 = E and E2 = 2E . The coefficient
of thermal expansion for each member is α . A load P is applied to member CK as
shown, with the temperature of elements (1) and (3) increased by ΔT . The temperature
of element (2) remains unchanged. The load P is given by P = 2αΔTEA .
a) Determine the stresses in each of the three elements of the structure. Leave your
answers in terms of the variables given here in the problem statement.
b) Indicate whether the stress in each member is compressive or tensile.
c) Indicate whether the strain in each member is compressive or tensile.

( 3) 2b

H
b b

(2) b
R
O K

b
B (1)
P
C

Additional lecturebook examples 26 ME 323

Example 8.2

The solid circular shaft of diameter d shown in (a) below has a maximum shear stress of
τ max = τ a under the action of an applied torque Ta . If the solid shaft is replaced by a
tubular shaft shown in (b) below with do / di = 1.2 but weighing the same as the solid
shaft of (a), by what percentage would the torque have to be increased in order to produce
the same maximum shear stress?

SHAFT (a) Ta Ta

do di

SHAFT (b) Tb Tb

Additional lecturebook examples 27 ME 323

Example 8.8
A shaft is made up of elements (1), (2) and (3). Elements (1) and (2) have solid cross
sections each with a diameter of d, and have lengths L and 2L, respectively. Element (3)
has a tubular cross section with inner and outer diameters of d and 2d, respectively.
Elements (1) and (2) are joined with a rigid connector at C, whereas elements (2) and (3)
are joined with a rigid connector at H. Elements (1) and (3) are rigidly connected to
ground at ends B and D, respectively. The material makeup of each element is the same,
having a shear modulus of G. Torques are applied at connectors C and H, as shown in the
figure.
a) Determine the torques carried by each element. Express your answers in terms of
T.
b) What is the maximum shear stress in the shaft? Express your answer in terms of T
and d. At what points on the shaft does this maximum shear stress exist?

B C D H
L

2d
2T d d
T

(1) (2) ( 3)

L 2L

Additional lecturebook examples 28 ME 323