ME
C85/CE
C30
Midterm
1
Introduction
to
Solid
Mechanics
ME
C85/CE
C30
Midterm
Exam
1
Fall,
2013
1. Do
not
open
the
exam
until
you
are
told
to
begin.
2. Put
your
name
and
SID
on
every
page
of
your
answer
book.
3. You
may
not
use
a
calculator,
but
you
may
use
a
straightedge
to
help
you
draw
fig-‐
ures.
4. You
may
use
one
8-‐1/2
x
11
sheet
of
notes,
but
not
your
book
or
any
other
notes.
5. Store
everything
else
out
of
sight.
6. Turn
off
cell
phones.
7. There
will
be
no
questions
during
the
exam.
Write
your
concerns
or
alternative
in-‐
terpretations
in
exam
margins.
8. Write
all
answers
in
the
answer
book
provided
with
this
exam.
9. Be
concise
and
write
clearly.
Identify
your
answer
to
a
question
by
putting
a
box
around
it.
10. Use
only
the
front
sides
of
the
answer
sheets
for
your
answers.
You
may
use
the
backs
of
pages
for
“scratch”
paper,
but
if
there
is
work
that
we
should
see,
be
sure
to
point
that
out
in
the
main
body
of
the
exam.
11. Time
will
be
strictly
enforced.
At
9:00,
you
must
put
down
your
pencil
or
pen
and
immediately
turn
in
your
exam.
Failure
to
do
so
may
result
in
loss
of
points.
Fall,
2013
ME
C85/CE
C30
Midterm
1
Problem 1. (10 Points) Identify all zero force members in the truss shown below. This truss is
supported by a pin at joint A and a roller at joint G.
Problem 2. (25 points) The principle of transmissibility states that two forces acting on a rigid
body are statically equivalent if they have the same magnitude and direction, and are col-
linear (i.e., they act on the body along the same line of action). You will consider the im-
plications of this principle in the context of forces acting on a truss. Shown below is a
truss loaded by a vertical force that acts at either joint B or joint E. While not explicitly
shown, all members are assumed to be connected by ideal pins at the joints.
(a) In the context of determining the reaction forces at points A and C, are the two loads stat-
ically equivalent? Justify your answer.
(b) Determine the force in member BE for each loading case, and from this conclude that the
two cases are not necessarily statically equivalent in the context of the forces in the
members of the truss.
(c) Now consider the forces in members AB, BD and DE, which could be determined using
the method of sections. Draw an appropriate free body diagram for each loading case,
and use them to argue that these member forces (𝐹!" , 𝐹!" and 𝐹!" ) must be the same for
the two loading cases. You should not attempt to solve for these forces, but it may be
useful to show which equations would be used if the details of the geometry had been
given.
P
D E F D F
E
A B C A B C
Fall,
2013
ME
C85/CE
C30
Midterm
1
Problem 3. (25 Points) Shown below are a photograph of a bolt cutter and a simplified dia-
gram of this machine showing the five rigid members (ABC, DCE, BG, FGH and IHE) which
are joined with (ideal) pins at points B, C, E, G and H. These pins can support forces in the hor-
izontal and vertical directions, but offer no resistance to rotation. The cutter works by placing a
bolt between points A and F, and exerting vertical forces of magnitude P on the handles at points
D and I.
Determine the magnitude of the forces acting on the bolt at A and F in terms of the applied force
P and the specified lengths a, b, c, d and e. For full credit, you must draw free body diagrams for
relevant members (you need not draw a FBD for every member) and clearly show which equilib-
rium equations are used for which member.
c
P
a
b
d
A
B
C
D
E
e
F
G
H
I
P
Problem 4. (20 Points) The structure shown is P
loaded by a force P at the midpoint E of member D F
DF. Because the loading is not at a joint, this
structure cannot be treated as a truss. E
(a) Explain why use of the truss analysis is not
appropriate for member DF, but that all A B C
other members can be treated as if they
were part of a truss.
(b) Show that the forces in members BD and BF are of equal magnitude, but opposite signs
(so that one is in tension and one is in compression).
(c) Draw free body diagrams for member DF and for joint D.
Fall,
2013
ME
C85/CE
C30
Midterm
1
Problem 5. (20 Points) A block of weight W, width a and height b rests a
on an inclined flat surface. The coefficient of static friction between the
block and the surface is 𝜇! . It is found that as the inclination angle 𝜃 in- b
creases, the block tips over before it slips.
(a) Show that for this “tip before slip” to occur, 𝜇! > 𝑎/𝑏.
𝜃
(b) Now suppose that the surface is returned to horizontal and
that the coefficient of friction is 𝜇! = 𝑎/𝑏. Let the block 𝑃!
𝑃!
be acted upon by two horizontal forces as shown. At what
magnitude of force 𝑃! will the block be subject to impending b/2
motion? At this point, is the block about to slip or about to
tip? Express your answer in terms of a, b and W.
(c) Finally, let the block be acted upon by a single horizontal 𝑃!
force 𝑃! . Assuming that the coefficient of friction is the same
as in part (b) of this problem, determine the magnitude of b/2
force 𝑃! that will cause the block be subject to impending
motion? At this point, is the block about to slip or about to
tip?
Fall,
2013