Key Steps for Solving Tutorial 1 Questions

Question 1:

Method 1:
T T
(a) Consider point B and draw its FBD
Δ
θ θ
∑F y = 0 ⇒ 2T sin θ = 9 ⇒ T sin θ = 4.5 (1)
B
∆ = 1.5 tan θ < 0.3 ⇒ tan θ ≤ 0.2 ⇒ 0 ≤ θ ≤ 11.31 (2)
0 0

T ≥ 22.9 kN 9 kN
The maximum tension in cable is 20 kN. This configuration cannot work.

(b) Consider alternative configuration and draw its FBD.

T 1.5 m T
∑F y = 0 ⇒ 2T sin θ = 9 ⇒ T sin θ = 4.5 (3)
Δ θ θ
Since the max. tension in cable is 20 kN, we have
x
4.5
T= ≤ 20 ⇒ θ =13.0030 (4)
sin θ
4.5 kN 4.5 kN

Taking into the cable and let Δ be the deflection of point B below line AC

∆ = (1.5 − 0.5 x ) tan θ ≤ 0.3 (5)

Solving (4) and (5), we obtain

0.3 0.3
1.5
= − 0.5 x ≤ =1.299 ⇒ x ≥ 0.402 m
tan θ tan13.0030

T T
Method 2:
Δ
(a) Consider point B and draw its FBD θ θ
B
∑F y 0 ⇒ 2T sin θ =
= 9 ⇒ T sin θ =
4.5 (1)

∆ = 1.5 tan θ < 0.3 ⇒ tan θ ≤ 0.2 ⇒ 00 ≤ θ ≤ 11.310 (2)

9 kN
 T ≥ 22.9 kN

The maximum tension in cable is 20 kN. This configuration cannot work.

(b) Consider alternative configuration and draw its FBD. 1.5 m T

T
∑F y = 0 ⇒ 2T sin θ = 9 ⇒ T sin θ = 4.5 (3) Δ θ θ
∆ = (1.5 − 0.5 x ) tan θ ≤ 0.3 (4) x

Solving (3) and (4), we have

4.5 kN 4.5 kN
x (m) θmax L (m) Tmin (kN) T meets requirement?
0 11.3 3.059 22.95 No
0.1 11.7 3.061 22.21 No
0.2 12.1 3.064 21.48 No
0.3 12.5 3.066 20.74 No
0.4 13.0 3.068 20.01 Just meet requirement
0.5 13.5 3.071 19.28 Yes
0.6 14.0 3.074 18.55 Yes
0.7 14.6 3.077 17.83 Yes
0.8 15.3 3.080 17.10 Yes
0.9 15.9 3.084 16.38 Yes
1 16.7 3.088 15.66 Yes
1.1 17.5 3.092 14.94 Yes
1.2 18.4 3.097 14.23 Yes
1.3 19.4 3.103 13.52 Yes
1.4 20.6 3.109 12.82 Yes
1.5 21.8 3.116 12.12 Yes

Based on the results, x must be at least 0.4 m for the specifications to be met.
Question 2:

Note that member AB is a 2-force member. The 3 unknowns in the FBD are N, FBA , θ

+ ∑M o = 0 ⇒ 30( 2 cos 450 ) − FBA cos θ ( 2) = 0

A
⇒ FBA cos θ = 30 cos 450 (1)
600
B

+ ∑F = 0 ⇒ FBA cos(60 0 − θ ) − 130 cos 30 0 = 0 C

⇒ FBA cos(60 − θ ) = 130 cos 30
0 0
(2)
300
450
30N O

Solving (1) and (2) simultaneously, we get 2m

300
30cos 450 cos(600 − θ ) =
130cos 300 cos θ 100N N
300
130cos 300
cos(600 − θ ) = cosθ
30cos450
13 6
cos600 cos θ + sin 600 sin θ = cos θ
6
 13 6 
 − cos 600 
6
=tan θ  0
=  ⇒ θ 79.80
sin 60

30 cos 450
FBA = = 119.8 N ( )
cos θ
Question 3: Draw FBD of a lever ABC
500 N 400 N
0.1 m 0.1 m 0.1 m
250 N
A B

500 N
0.4 m
500 N

C
5 250 N
4
3
250 N

FCD

3
+ ∑M A 0 ⇒
=
5
FCD (0.4) − 500(0.3) + 400(0.2) − 500(0.1) =
0

⇒ FCD = 500 N

At hinge support D,

3
∑F x =0 ⇒ − FCD − Dx =0 ⇒ Dx =−300 N or 300 N (→)
5

4
∑F y 0
=⇒ FCD
5
0 ⇒ Dy =
+ Dy = −400 N or 400 N (↓)

3
+ ∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ax + 250 + FCD = 0 ⇒ Ax = −550 N or 550 N (←)
→ 5

4
+ ↑ ∑ Fy =0 ⇒ Ay − 500 + 400 − 500 − FCD =0 ⇒ Ay =1000 N ( ↑ )
5
Question 4:

(i) From FBD of I-beam,

+ ∑M B′ = 0 ⇒ FD ( 4) − 4( 2) − 10(1) = 0 ⇒ FD = 4.5 kN

+ ↑ ∑ Fy = 0 ⇒ FB + FD − 10 − 4 = 0 ⇒ FB = 9.5 kN

(ii) From FBD of truss,

+ ∑M A = 0 ⇒ E y (8) − FD (6) − FB ( 2) − 2(6) − 4( 4) − 2( 2) = 0 ⇒ E y = 9.75 kN

(iii) By inspection of special joint K, −4 kN or 4 kN ( ↑ )

FCK =

(iv) Consider imaginary cut at aa section, we have

+ ∑M C 0 ⇒ FJK (4) − 2(2) + E y (4) − FD (2) =⇒

= 0 −6.5 kN or 6.5 kN ( → )
FJK =

+ ∑M J = 0 ⇒ FBC ( 4) + 4( 2) + 2( 4) − E y (6) + FD ( 4) = 0
⇒ FBC = 6.125 kN
(v) Consider imaginary cut at bb section, we have
2
+ ∑ M F =0 ⇒ FBG (2) + 2(1) + 4(3) + 2(5) − E y (7) + FD (5) + FBC (2) =0
5
19
⇒ FBG = 5 = 5.31 kN (  )
8

2
1

Or consider joint B, due to symmetry FBG = FBF

2
1

9.5 kN

2 (9.5) 5
+ ↑ ∑ F=
y 0 ⇒ 2× FBG= 9.5 ⇒ FBG= = 5.31 kN
5 4
 Question 5:

Method 1:

(i) Draw FBD of entire wall crane system.

400 N 400 N

1m

800 N

800 N

+ ∑M A 0 ⇒ 800(2) + 400sin 600 (1) − FDB sin 450 (1) =

= 0
2752.6 N
⇒ FDB =

(ii) At hinge support D,

=Dx FDB cos450 =1946.4 N ( ← )

=D y FDBsin450 = 1946.4 N ( ↑ )

(iii)

+ ∑ Fx =0 ⇒ Ax − FDB cos 450 − 400cos 600 =0 ⇒ Ax =2146.4 N ( →)

→

+ ↑ ∑ Fy = 0 ⇒ Ay + FDB sin 450 − 400sin 600 − 800 = 0 ⇒ Ay = −800 N or 800 N ( ↓ )

Method 2:

(i) FBD of point E

400 N 400 N
(ii) DB is a 2-force member

800 N

(iii) FBD of pulley C

+ ∑ Fx =0 ⇒ C x =400 N ( →)
→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y 0 ⇒ C=
y 800 N ( ↑ )
400N C

(iv) FBD of pulley B 400N 400N

+ ∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ − 400cos 600 + Bx + 400= 0 ⇒ Bx = −200 N

→

400N
+ ↑ ∑ F= 0
0 ⇒ B y − 400sin 60= 0 ⇒ B= 346.6 N ( ↑ )
y y
B

400N
(v) FBD of member ABC

B
A C
 + ∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ax − Bx − FDB cos 450 − C x = 0 (1)
→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y 0 ⇒ Ay + FDB sin 450 − B y − C=
y 0 (2)

+ ∑M A =0 ⇒ FDB sin 450 (1) − B y (1) − C y (2) =0 ⇒ FDB =2752.6 N

(3)

From (1) ⇒
= Ax 2146.4 N ( → ) D
From (2) −800 N or 800 N ( ↓ )
⇒ Ay =

(vi) At hinge support D

+ ∑ Fx =0 ⇒ Dx + FDB cos 450 =0 ⇒ Dx =−1946.4 N or 1946.4 N ( ← )

→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y
0
0 ⇒ − D y − FDB sin 45= 0 ⇒ D=
y −1946.4 N or 1946.4 N ( ↑ )

Method 3:

(i) FBD of pulley C

400N C
+ ∑ Fx =0 ⇒ C x =400 N ( →)
→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y 0 ⇒ C=
y 800 N ( ↑ )

400N 400N
(ii) FBD of pulley B
400N

400N
400N
B
400N
(iii) FBD of member ABC

B 400N
A C

400N

+ ∑M A =0 ⇒ FDB sin 450 (1) − 400sin 600 (1) − 800 =0 ⇒ FDB =2752.6 N

+ ∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ax − 400cos 600 − FDB cos 450 + 400 − 400 = 0 ⇒ Ax = 2146.4 N ( → )

→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y 0 ⇒ Ay + FDB sin 450 − 400sin 600 − 800= 0 ⇒ A=
y −800 N or 800 N ( ↓ )

(iv) At hinge support D

D

+ ∑ Fx =0 ⇒ Dx + FDB cos 450 =0 ⇒ Dx =−1946.4 N or 1946.4 N ( ← )

→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y
0
0 ⇒ − D y − FDB sin 45= 0 ⇒ D=
y −1946.4 N or 1946.4 N ( ↑ )
Question 6:

(i) Consider hydraulic cylinder DE as a 2-force member.

(ii) Draw FBD of entire platform and consider two sides of the platform.

+ ∑M A 0
=⇒ 2 N B (3) − 833.85(0.8) − 588.6(2) =⇒
0 2NB =
614.76 N

+ ∑ Fx = 0 ⇒ Ax = 0
→

+ ↑ ∑ F=
y 0 ⇒ 2Ay + 614.76 − 833.85 − 588.6= 0 ⇒ 2 A=
y 807.69 N

85(9.81)=833.85N 60(9.81)=588.6N

A B
0.8m 1.2m 1m

(a)

(iii) Draw FBD of member ACD

+ ∑M D 0
=⇒ 807.69(3) − 2C y (1.5) − 2C x (1) =
0 (1)

1m
C

1m D

1.5m 1.5m

(b)
(iv) Draw FBD of member BCF,

+ ∑M F 0 ⇒ 2C x (1) − 2C y (1.5) − 614.76(3) =

= 0 (2)

1m
C

1m
F

1.5m 1.5m

(C)

Solving Eqs. (1) and (2) yields

C x = 1066.84 N, C y = 96.465 N

(v) From FBD (b)

+ ∑ Fx =0 ⇒ 2(1066.84) − 2 FDE =0 ⇒ 1066.84 N =

FDE = 1.07 kN ( ← )
→