Engineering Questions and Solutions
Question: Under axial loading, a material will fail in shear if the ratio of
shear strength to tensile strength is less than
For a material subjected to axial tensile loading:
τmax = σt / 2
For shear failure before tensile failure:
τs < σt / 2
Therefore:
τs / σt < 1/2
Answer: 1/2
Question: Summit curve length problem
Given:
Upgrade = +3%
Downgrade = -5%
Stopping sight distance S = 128 m
Algebraic difference:
N = |3 - (-5)| = 8%
Formula:
L = NS² / [4.4(√h1 + √h2)²]
Substituting values:
L ≈ 136 m
Answer: 136 m
Question: Rotary roadway capacity
Given:
w = 7.5 m
p = 0.3
L = 25 m
Entry width = 3 m
Exit width = 4 m
Average entry width:
e = (3 + 4)/2 = 3.5 m
Formula:
Q = [280w(1 + e/w)(1 - p/3)] / (1 + w/L)
Substituting values:
Q ≈ 2132 vehicles/hour
Answer: 2132 vehicles/hour
Question: Time mean speed and space mean speed
Speeds:
40, 50, 45, 60, 65 kmph
Time mean speed:
Vt = (40 + 50 + 45 + 60 + 65)/5
Vt = 52 kmph
Space mean speed:
Vs = n / Σ(1/V)
Vs ≈ 50.4 kmph
Answers:
Time mean speed = 52 kmph
Space mean speed = 50.4 kmph
Question: Parabolic camber
Given:
Camber = 1 in 36
Road width = 3.75 m
Formula:
h = w / 2n
h = 3.75 / 72
h = 0.052 m = 5.2 cm
Answer: 5.2 cm
Question: Intermediate sight distance
SSD = 70 m
Formula:
ISD = 2 × SSD
ISD = 140 m
Answer: 140 m
Question: Beam of uniform strength
For constant width:
Z = bd²/6
For uniform strength:
M∝Z
M∝x
Therefore:
d² ∝ x
d ∝ √x
Answer: √x
Question: Vertical curve length
Downgrade = -3%
Upgrade = +2%
Algebraic difference:
N = 5%
Rate of change:
0.1% per 20 m
For 1%:
20/0.1 = 200 m
For 5%:
L = 5 × 200 = 1000 m
Answer: 1000 m
Question: Moving observer method
Given:
L = 2 km
Vw = 40 kmph
Va = 50 kmph
Overtook = 20
Overtaken by = 50
Encountered = 200
Net vehicles:
Nw = 50 - 20 = 30
Formula:
q = (VwNa + VaNw)/(2L)
q = (40×200 + 50×30)/4
q = 2375 vehicles/hour
Answer: 2375 vehicles/hour
Question: Stopping sight distance
Given:
V = 55 kmph
f = 0.37
t = 2.7 s
Formula:
SSD = 0.278Vt + V²/254f
Lag distance = 41.283 m
Braking distance = 32.19 m
SSD = 73.47 m
Answer: 74 m
Question: Group index
Formula:
GI = 0.2a + 0.005ac + 0.01bd
Given:
a = 20
b = 30
c = 20
d = 10
GI = 4 + 2 + 3
GI = 9
Answer: 9
Question: Transition curve radial acceleration
Given:
R = 300 m
L = 65 m
V = 80 kmph
v = 22.22 m/s
Formula:
C = v³ / RL
C ≈ 0.56 m/s³
Answer: 0.56 m/s³
Question: Extra widening
Given:
n=4
l=6m
R = 400 m
V = 500 kmph
Formula:
We = nl²/2R + V/9.5√R
Mechanical widening = 0.18 m
Psychological widening = 2.63 m
We = 2.81 m
Answer: 2.81 m
Question: Superelevation
Given:
V = 75 kmph
R = 1000 m
Formula:
e = V² / 225R
e = 0.025 = 2.5%
Answer: 2.5%
Question: Modulus of subgrade reaction
Given:
p = 1.25 × 10^5 N/m²
δ = 0.5 cm = 0.005 m
Formula:
K = p/δ
K = 2.5 × 10^7 N/m³
Answer: 2.5 × 10^7 N/m³
Question: Compensated gradient
Given:
R = 60 m
Ruling gradient = 6%
Grade compensation = 75/R
= 75/60
= 1.25%
Compensated gradient:
6 - 1.25 = 4.75%
Answer: 4.75%
Question: Bending stress factor
For UDL:
Mmax = wL²/8
Stress ∝ L²
If one beam length is twice:
Stress ratio = 2² = 4
Answer: 4
Question: Volumetric strain in boiler
Circumferential strain = ε1
Longitudinal strain = ε2
Volumetric strain:
ΔV/V = 2ε1 + ε2
Answer:
2ε1 + ε2
Question: Compound cylinder
Method of reducing hoop stress by shrinking one cylinder over another:
Answer:
Compound cylinder
Question: T-shaped arm spring extension
Correct answer:
δ = 4W/3K
Centroid calculation:
Horizontal member:
Length = 2L
Centroid from hinge = L
Vertical member:
Length = L
Centroid from hinge = 2L
Total length = 3L
x̄ = [(2L)(L) + (L)(2L)] / 3L
x̄ = 4L/3
Moment equilibrium:
Kδ·L = W·(4L/3)
Kδ = 4W/3
δ = 4W/3K
Answer:
δ = 4W/3K