B.

Tech Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS
Unit-1: Stresses and Strains
Practice Question Bank with Step-wise Solutions

Programme [Link] – Mechanical Engineering

Semester 4th Semester

Subject Mechanics of Materials / Strength of Materials

Textbook Rattan, S.S. – Strength of Materials (McGraw-Hill India)

Bloom's Taxonomy Applying (Revised Bloom's Taxonomy)

Difficulty Level Level 2 | Targeted at Underperforming Students

Total Questions 5 Descriptive Questions with Step-wise Solutions

Instructions to Students
1. Attempt all questions independently before referring to the solutions.
2. Solutions are appended at the end strictly for self-evaluation.
3. Show all working steps clearly. Partial marks are awarded for correct approach.
4. Use standard SI units throughout. State assumptions where applicable.

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 1 of 7
[Link] Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

SECTION A — PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Question 1 — Statically Indeterminate Systems & Temperature Stresses

A steel rod of diameter 20 mm and length 500 mm is rigidly fixed between two walls. When the
temperature of the rod is raised by 40°C, the rod is prevented from expanding freely.
Given: E = 200 GPa, α = 12 × 10⁻⁶ /°C

(a) Draw a neat diagram of the system and identify why this is a statically indeterminate
problem.
(b) Write the compatibility condition applicable to this problem.
(c) Calculate the thermal stress developed in the rod.

Question 2 — Temperature Stresses with Initial Gap

A brass rod (E = 100 GPa, α = 18 × 10⁻⁶ /°C) of length 800 mm is fixed at both ends. A gap of
0.3 mm exists between the rod and one of the rigid supports at room temperature. The
temperature is then raised by 50°C.

(a) Determine whether the gap will close or not. Show your calculation.
(b) If the gap closes, calculate the thermal stress induced in the rod after the gap closes.
(c) State the nature of the stress (tensile or compressive) and justify your answer.

Question 3 — Poisson's Ratio and Volumetric Strain

A rectangular steel block of dimensions 300 mm × 200 mm × 150 mm is subjected to a tensile
stress of 120 MPa along its length (300 mm direction).
Given: E = 200 GPa, ν = 0.3

(a) Calculate the linear strain along the direction of the applied stress.
(b) Calculate the lateral strains in the other two directions.
(c) Determine the volumetric strain of the block and comment on whether the volume
increases or decreases.

Question 4 — Relationship Among Elastic Constants

For a material with Modulus of Elasticity E = 210 GPa and Modulus of Rigidity G = 84 GPa:

(a) Using the relation between E, G, and Poisson's ratio (ν), calculate the value of ν for this
material.
(b) Using the value of ν obtained, calculate the Bulk Modulus K using the relation between
E, K, and ν.
(c) Verify that all three constants (E, G, K) are consistent with ν, and state what this implies
about the material.

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 2 of 7
[Link] Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

Question 5 — Stepped Bar & Principle of Superposition

A stepped bar is fixed at one end and subjected to axial loads as described below:

Segment Length (mm) Diameter (mm) Material (E) Axial Load

AB 400 30 Steel (E = 200 GPa) 60 kN (Tensile)
BC 300 20 Brass (E = 100 GPa) 40 kN (Tensile)

(a) Calculate the elongation of each segment separately.

(b) Applying the principle of superposition, determine the total elongation of the bar.
(c) State in your own words why the principle of superposition is valid here and what
conditions must be satisfied for it to apply.

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 3 of 7
[Link] Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

SECTION B — STEP-WISE SOLUTIONS

(For Self-Evaluation Only — Attempt All Questions Before Referring to This Section)

Solution 1 — Statically Indeterminate Systems & Temperature Stresses

Given Data:
d = 20 mm → A = π/4 × 20² = 314.16 mm² | L = 500 mm | ΔT = 40°C
E = 200 GPa = 200 × 10³ N/mm² | α = 12 × 10 ⁻⁶ /°C

Part (a) — Diagram and Nature of Problem:

The rod is rigidly fixed between two walls. On heating, the rod tries to expand but is prevented
by the walls.
Diagram: [Fixed Wall] ——|——— Rod (L = 500 mm) ———|—— [Fixed Wall]
Why statically indeterminate:
• There are TWO unknown reactions (R_A at left wall, R_B at right wall).
• Only ONE equilibrium equation is available: ΣFx = 0 → R_A = R_B.
• Degree of static indeterminacy = 1.
• An additional compatibility equation based on deformation is required.

Part (b) — Compatibility Condition:

Since both ends are rigidly fixed, the net deformation (elongation) of the rod must be zero:
δ_thermal + δ_mechanical = 0
α · ΔT · L − P·L / (A·E) = 0
where P is the compressive reaction force induced by the thermal constraint.

Part (c) — Thermal Stress Calculation:

Step 1. Free thermal expansion:
δ_T = α · ΔT · L = 12×10⁻⁶ × 40 × 500 = 0.24 mm
Step 2. Compressive force from compatibility:
P = (δ_T × A × E) / L = (0.24 × 314.16 × 200×10³) / 500 =
30,159 N
Step 3. Thermal stress:
σ_T = P / A = 30,159 / 314.16 ≈ 96 MPa
RESULT: Thermal Stress = 96 MPa (Compressive)
The stress is compressive because the fixed walls resist the thermal expansion, developing a
push-back (compressive) force on the rod.

Solution 2 — Temperature Stresses with Initial Gap

Given Data:
E = 100 GPa = 100×10³ N/mm² | α = 18×10⁻⁶ /°C | L = 800 mm
Gap = 0.30 mm | ΔT = 50°C

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 4 of 7
[Link] Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

Part (a) — Check Whether Gap Closes:

Step 1. Free thermal expansion:
δ_T = α · ΔT · L = 18×10⁻⁶ × 50 × 800 = 0.72 mm
Step 2. Compare with gap:
δ_T = 0.72 mm > Gap = 0.30 mm
∴ The gap closes completely. Thermal stress will be induced in the rod.

Part (b) — Thermal Stress After Gap Closes:

The rod expands freely by 0.30 mm until the gap closes. The remaining restrained expansion is:
δ_restrained = 0.72 − 0.30 = 0.42 mm
Step 3. Thermal stress corresponding to restrained expansion:
σ = E × δ_restrained / L = 100×10³ × 0.42 / 800 = 52.5
N/mm²

Part (c) — Nature of Stress:

RESULT: Thermal Stress = 52.5 MPa (Compressive)
The stress is compressive because after the gap closes, the wall prevents further expansion.
The wall reaction acts as an inward compressive force on the rod.

Solution 3 — Poisson's Ratio and Volumetric Strain

Given Data:
Dimensions: 300 mm (x) × 200 mm (y) × 150 mm (z)
σ_x = 120 MPa (Tensile) | E = 200 GPa = 200×10³ N/mm² | ν = 0.3

Part (a) — Linear Strain in the Loading Direction (x):

ε_x = σ_x / E = 120 / (200×10³) = 6 × 10⁻⁴
RESULT: ε_x = 6 × 10⁻⁴ (Tensile — dimension increases in x-direction)

Part (b) — Lateral Strains (y and z directions):

By definition, lateral strain = −ν × longitudinal strain:
ε_y = ε_z = −ν × ε_x = −0.3 × 6×10⁻⁴ = −1.8 × 10⁻⁴
RESULT: ε_y = ε_z = −1.8 × 10⁻⁴ (Compressive — dimensions contract laterally)

Part (c) — Volumetric Strain:

Step 1. Apply the formula for volumetric strain:
e_v = ε_x + ε_y + ε_z
Step 2. Substitute:
e_v = 6×10⁻⁴ + (−1.8×10⁻⁴) + (−1.8×10⁻⁴) = 2.4 × 10⁻⁴
RESULT: Volumetric Strain e_v = +2.4 × 10⁻⁴ → Volume INCREASES

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 5 of 7
[Link] Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

Cross-check using: e_v = (σ/E)(1 − 2ν) = (120/200000)(1 − 0.6) = 2.4 × 10 ⁻⁴ ✓

Comment: The tensile stress stretches the block along x. Although the block contracts in y and z
due to Poisson's effect, the net volumetric change is positive (volume increases).

Solution 4 — Relationship Among Elastic Constants

Given Data:
E = 210 GPa | G = 84 GPa

Part (a) — Poisson's Ratio ν:

Step 1. Recall relation between E, G, and ν:
E = 2G (1 + ν)
Step 2. Solve for ν:
1 + ν = E / (2G) = 210 / (2 × 84) = 210 / 168 = 1.25
ν = 1.25 − 1 = 0.25
RESULT: ν = 0.25

Part (b) — Bulk Modulus K:

Step 3. Recall relation between E, K, and ν:
E = 3K (1 − 2ν)
Step 4. Solve for K:
K = E / [3(1 − 2ν)] = 210 / [3 × (1 − 0.5)] = 210 / 1.5 =
140 GPa
RESULT: K = 140 GPa

Part (c) — Verification and Implication:

Verify using the combined relation: E = 9KG / (3K + G)
E = 9 × 140 × 84 / (3×140 + 84) = 105840 / 504 = 210 GPa ✓
All three constants are fully consistent.
Implication: For an isotropic, linearly elastic material, only TWO independent elastic constants
are needed. Once any two are known (e.g., E and G), all others can be derived. This confirms
that the material is isotropic (properties are equal in all directions).

Solution 5 — Stepped Bar & Principle of Superposition

Given Data:
Segment AB: L₁ = 400 mm, d₁ = 30 mm, E₁ = 200 GPa = 200×10³ N/mm², P₁ = 60 kN =
60,000 N
Segment BC: L₂ = 300 mm, d₂ = 20 mm, E₂ = 100 GPa = 100×10³ N/mm², P₂ = 40 kN =
40,000 N

Part (a) — Elongation of Each Segment:

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 6 of 7
[Link] Mechanical Engineering | Semester 4 | Mechanics of Materials | Unit-1: Stresses and Strains

Step 1. Cross-sectional areas:

A₁ = π/4 × (30)² = 706.86 mm²
A₂ = π/4 × (20)² = 314.16 mm²
Step 2. Elongation formula: δ = P·L / (A·E)
δ_AB = (60000 × 400) / (706.86 × 200×10³)
δ_AB = 24,000,000 / 141,372,000 = 0.1698 mm
δ_BC = (40000 × 300) / (314.16 × 100×10³)
δ_BC = 12,000,000 / 31,416,000 = 0.3820 mm

Part (b) — Total Elongation by Superposition:

Step 3. Apply the Principle of Superposition:
δ_total = δ_AB + δ_BC = 0.1698 + 0.3820 = 0.5518 mm
RESULT: Total Elongation = 0.552 mm (Tensile — bar elongates)

Part (c) — Validity of Superposition Principle:

The Principle of Superposition states that the total deformation equals the algebraic sum of
individual deformations caused by each load acting alone.
This is valid here because:
1. Linear Elastic Behaviour: Both steel and brass follow Hooke's Law (σ ∝ ε). The
relationship between load and deformation is linear.
2. Small Deformations: Deformations are very small compared to the original dimensions, so
geometry changes are negligible.
3. Independent Segments: Each segment responds to its own load without affecting the
other.
Note: If the material entered the plastic (non-linear) zone, or if deformations were large
(geometric non-linearity), superposition would NOT be valid.

End of Practice Question Bank — Unit 1: Stresses and Strains

Reference: Rattan, S.S. — Strength of Materials, McGraw-Hill India

Practice Questions with Solutions | Bloom's Level: Applying | Difficulty: Level 2 | Page 7 of 7