Practical problems. Strain energy.

Problem 1. A curved beam is subjected to a load of 500 N at A as shown in the figure.

If the product of Young’s modulus and second moment of area for the beam sections is
given by EI = 26 kNm2 , calculate the vertical and horizontal deflections at A.
Answer: δv = 0.412 mm, δh = 0.23 mm

P = 500 N

A
150 [mm]

B C
250

Problem 2. A structure consists of a quadrant of a circular ring OA, to which a is

rigidly attached a bar BA which in turn is welded to bar CB. These bars all lie in the
horizontal plane x − z, as shown in the figure, and all have bending rigidity EI and a
torsional rigidity GJp . Determine the vertical deflection of point C due to the load P
applied vertically here.
P R3 π 4 P R3 1
  
Answer: ∆C = + + π−
4EI 2 3 4GJp 2

11
00
00
11
0
1
00
11
0
1
O
0
1
0
1
0
1 X

R/2 B
Z A

C R/2

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Problem 3. What will be a horizontal displacement of the curved steel bar shown in
the figure (ignore the effect of axial forces)? The bar has a constant stiffness EI along
its entire length. Also explain how to determine the direction of the displacement (left
P R3
or right) without calculations. (Answer: )
2EI

Problem 4. A steel rod, 10 mm diameter, is bent into the shape shown below in the
figure, one end being rigidly clamped, the other end being constrained to move in a
horizontal slide. Determine the horizontal deflection of the slider when acted upon by a
force of 100 N. Take E = 200 GPa. Answer: 19 mm

R = 0.2 m

100 N

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Problem 5. A thin circular ring of radius R and uniform flexural stiffness carries two
radial loads W applied along a diameter. Determine (a) the increase in diameter in the
direction of W , (b) the decrease in diameter perpendicular to the direction W .
W R3 W R3
Answer: δv = 0.1484 , δh = 0.137
EI EI

Problem 6. A steel bar of circular cross-section of radius 3cm is curved in the form
of a semicircle rigidly fixed at the end B to the wall and loaded at the free end A with
a concentrated load P = 1 kN (see the figure below). Using the modified Castigliano
theorem calculate the vertical displacement of the free end A. Take E = 200 GPa and
ν = 0.25.
Answer: 0.469 mm

Z P=1kN
X

Y C
B A X

X
B θ A
R=
20

diam = 6cm
cm

Y
C

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Problem 7. The split ring shown in the figure is made of flat steel strip 20 × 3 mm and
is shaped in the form of a circle of mean diameter 0.2 mm. The ends at B are cut square
and not joined. A pull P is applied along the diameter CD which is at right angles to
the diameter AB. If the maximum tensile stress due to P is 125 MPa, find the increase
in the opening at B due to P . Take E = 200 GPa.
Answer: 14.9 mm

P
C

A B
m
0m
20

D
P

Problem 8. Calculate the vertical displacement of point A in the bent cantilever shown
in the figure below, which is of uniform breadth b. Use the following dimensions: a =
50 mm, t = 6 mm, b = 25 mm, and the bar is of steel having the elasticity modulus
E = 200 GN/m2 .
Answer: 0.0567 mm

2.5a
C
D
t
2a

2t

t
A
B
a
W=20N

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Problem 9. Consider a cranked steel bar shown below. What will be a horizontal
displacement of its free end A in the direction of applied load P (i.e. ∆y at the free
end A)? The bar has a round cross section of diameter 3cm. The load P is 400N , the
modulus of elasticity E = 2.0 × 105 MPa, the shear modulus G = 8.0 × 104 M P a.
Answer: 1.008 cm

0000
1111
0
1
0
1D 11
00
00
11
011
1 00
11
000
1 00
11
00
11
cm
50

3cm
B
C

30cm
40cm

x
A

P=400N

y z

Problem 10. A flat ring made of steel 25 mm wide by 6 mm thick, loaded with a central
load of 600 N. Calculate (a) the maximum bending moment in the ring. Sketch (b)
the bending moment diagram and find the position of the points of inflexion. Taking
E = 200 GPa (c), find the vertical deflection produced by the load of 600 N.
Answer: Mmax = 38.7 Nm; 129 mm from load point; 8.9 mm

600 N
Mean radius: R = 75 mm

R 150 mm 150 mm R

6 mm
600 N

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Problem 11. A thin ring shown in the figure below is in the form of one quadrant of
a circle. One end is fixed, the other is free, and the system is loaded by a moment at
the midpoint. Determine the vertical component of the displacement of point A. EI−
constant.
M0 R2
Answer: √
2 EI

M0

45◦
B

Problem 12. The round bar AB is formed into a quarter-circular arc of radius R that
lies in the vertical plane. The bar is built in at B and carries the horizontal force P
at end A. Using the modified Castigliano theorem find the horizontal deflection at A.
Assume that both geometrical and physical properties of the bar are constant.
πP R3 P R3 3π
 
Answer: + −2
4EI GJ 4

R z

A x

y
P

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Problem 13. A thin semicircular ring is hinged at each end and loaded by a central
concentrated force P , as shown below. Determine the horizontal reaction at each hinge.
Answer: P/π

A B

Problem 14. A thin circular ring in the form of one quadrant OA of a circle and a bar
BA lie in the X − Z plane. Both the ring and the bar have bending rigidity EI and
torsional rigidity GJ. The unsupported end B is loaded by a twisting moment represented
by the vector T directed parallel to the X−axis as shown in the figure. Determine the
Y −component ofdisplacement of point B.
TB R2 1 1

Answer: +
4 EI GJ

T B
Z A
R/2

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