Figure 1.

9, angle R is equal to:

(a) 41.41º (b) 48.59º

(c) 36.87º (d) 53.13º

Figure 1.9

8. In the triangle ABC shown in Figure 1.10,

side ‘a’ is equal to:

(a) 61.27 mm

(b) 86.58 mm

(c) 96.41 mm

(d) 54.58 mm

Figure 1.10

9. In the triangle ABC shown in Figure 1.10,

angle B is equal to:

(a) 0.386º (b) 22.69º

(c) 74.71º (d) 23.58º

10. Removing the brackets from the expression:

a[b + 2c – d{(e – f) – g(m – n)}] gives:

(a) ab + 2ac – ade – adf + adgm – adgn

(b) ab + 2ac – ade – adf – adgm – adgn

(c) ab + 2ac – ade + adf + adgm – adgn

(d) ab + 2ac – ade – adf + adgm + adgn

11. 5 1 2

6 + 5 − 3 is equal to:

(a) 1

2 (b) 11

30

(c) 1

− 2 (d) 1 7 10

12. 11 1 2 2 2 1 3 + 3 ÷ 3 − 3 is equal to:

(a) 172 (b) 19

24

(c) 2 211 (d) 185

13. 34 ÷ 1 34 is equal to:

(a) 3

7 (b) 1196

(c) 1156 (d) 2 12

14.â•…_11 mm expressed as a percentage of

41 mm is:

(a) 2.68, correct to 3 significant figures

(b) 2.6, correct to 2 significant figures

(c) 26.83, correct to 2 decimal places

(d) 0.2682, correct to 4 decimal places

15. The value of

21

− − is equal to:

(a) 1 (b) 2

(c) – 1

2 (d) 1

16. In an engineering equation

4 3 19

3r = . The

value of r is:

(a) –6 (b) 2
(c) 6 (d) – 2

17. 16

34

− is equal to:

(a) 8 (b) – 3

(c) 4 (d) 18

18. The engineering expression

(16 4)

(8 2)

is

equal to:

(a) 4 (b) 2−4

(c) 2

(d) 1

19. (16

− 4 – 27

23

− ) is equal to:

(a) 7

18 (b) – 7
(c) 189

(d) – 8 1

Revisionary mathematicsâ•… 17

Part One

20. The solution of the simultaneous equations:

3a – 2b = 13 and 2a + 5b = – 4

is:

(a) a = –2, b = 3

(b) a = 1, b = – 5

(c) a = 3, b = – 2

(d) a = – 7, b = 2

References

There are many aspects of mathematics needed in engineering

studies; a few have been covered in this chapter. For

further engineering mathematics, see the following

references:

[1] BIRD J O Basic Engineering Mathematics 5th Edition,

Taylor & Francis, 2010

[2] BIRD J O Engineering Mathematics 6th Edition, Taylor &

Francis, 2010

Part One

Revision Test 1â•… Revisionary mathematics

This Revision Test covers the material contained in Chapter 1. The marks
for each question are shown in brackets

at the end of each question.

1. Convert, correct to 2 decimal places:

(a) 76.8° to radians

(b) 1.724 radians to degrees (4)

2. In triangle JKL in Figure RT1.1, find

(a) length KJ correct to 3 significant figures

(b) sin L and tan K, each correct to 3 decimal places

Figure RT1.1

(4)

3. In triangle PQR in Figure RT1.2, find angle P in

decimal form, correct to 2 decimal places

Figure RT1.2

(2)

4. In triangle ABC in Figure RT1.3, find lengths AB

and AC, correct to 2 decimal places

Figure RT1.3

(4)

5. A triangular plot of land ABC is shown in

Figure RT1.4. Solve the triangle and determine its

area

Figure RT1.4

(9)

6. Figure RT1.5 shows a roof truss PQR with rafter

PQ = 3 m. Calculate the length of (a) the roof rise

PP′ (b) rafter PR, and (c) the roof span QR. Find

also (d) the cross-sectional area of the roof truss

Figure RT1.5

(10)

7. Solve triangle ABC given b = 10 cm, c = 15 cm

and ∠A = 60°. (7)

8. Remove the brackets and simplify

2(3x – 2y) – (4y – 3x) (3)

9. Remove the brackets and simplify

10a – [3(2a – b) – 4(b –a) + 5b] (4)

10. Determine, correct to 2 decimal places, 57% of

17.64 g (2)

11. Express 54.7 mm as a percentage of 1.15 m,

correct to 3 significant figures. (3)

12. Simplify:

(a) 3 7

4 − 15 (b) 15 2 1 3 5 8 − 3 + 6 (8)

Revisionary mathematicsâ•… 19

Part One

13. Use a calculator to evaluate:

(a)

733

19 × 8 × 3 5

(b)

6 2 11 3 ÷ 3

(c) 1 1 2

13 × 2 5 ÷ 5 (10)

14. Evaluate:

(a) 3 × 23 × 22

(b)

492 (4)

15. Evaluate:

(a)

2
(b)

45

62

10 10 10

10 10

××

(4)

16. Evaluate:

(a)

32

222

××

(b) ( )

()

32

2 16

82

(c)

−
 

(7)

17. Evaluate:

(a) (27)

− 3 (b)

32

29

23

−   −  



 

(5)

18. Solve the simultaneous equations:

(a) 2x + y = 6

5x – y = 22

(b) 4x – 3y = 11

3x + 5y = 30 (10)

Statics and Strength

of Materials

Part Two

Chapter 2

The effects of forces

on materials

Mechanical Engineering Principles, Bird and Ross, ISBN 9780415517850

A good knowledge of some of the constants used in

the study of the properties of materials is vital in most

branches of engineering, especially in mechanical,

manufacturing, aeronautical and civil and structural

engineering. For example, most steels look the same,

but steels used for the pressure hull of a submarine

are about 5 times stronger than those used in the

construction of a small building, and it is very important

for the professional and chartered engineer to know

what steel to use for what construction; this is because

the cost of the high-tensile steel used to construct a

submarine pressure hull is considerably higher than

the cost of the mild steel, or similar material, used to

construct a small building. The engineer must not only

take into consideration the ability of the chosen material

of construction to do the job, but also its cost. Similar

arguments lie in manufacturing engineering, where the

engineer must be able to estimate the ability of his/her

machines to bend, cut or shape the artefact s/he is trying

to produce, and at a competitive price! This chapter

provides explanations of the different terms that are

used in determining the properties of various materials.

2.1â•… Introduction

A force exerted on a body can cause a change in either

the shape or the motion of the body. The unit of force

is the newton, N.

No solid body is perfectly rigid and when forces are

applied to it, changes in dimensions occur. Such changes

are not always perceptible to the human eye since they

are so small. For example, the span of a bridge will sag

At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

• define force and state its unit

• recognise a tensile force and state relevant practical

examples

• recognise a compressive force and state relevant

practical examples

• recognise a shear force and state relevant practical

examples

• define stress and state its unit

• calculate stress σ from σ = F

• define strain

• calculate strain ε from ε = xL

• define elasticity, plasticity, limit of proportionality

and elastic limit

• state Hooke’s law

• define Young’s modulus of elasticity E and stiffness

• appreciate typical values for E

• calculate E from E =

sε

• perform calculations using Hooke’s law

• plot a load/extension graph from given data

• define ductility, brittleness and malleability, with

examples of each

• define rigidity or shear modulus

• understand thermal stresses and strains

• calculates stresses in compound bars

24â•… Mechanical Engineering Principles

Part Two

under the weight of a vehicle and a spanner will bend

slightly when tightening a nut. It is important for engineers

and designers to appreciate the effects of forces

on materials, together with their mechanical properties.

The three main types of mechanical force that can act

on a body are:

(i) tensile (ii) compressive and (iii) shear

2.2â•… Tensile force

Tension is a force that tends to stretch a material, as

shown in Figure 2.1. For example,

(i) the rope or cable of a crane carrying a load is in

tension

Figure 2.1

(ii) rubber bands, when stretched, are in tension

(iii) when a nut is tightened, a bolt is under tension

A tensile force, i.e. one producing tension, increases

the length of the material on which it acts.

2.3â•… Compressive force

Compression is a force that tends to squeeze or crush a

material, as shown in Figure 2.2. For example,

Figure 2.2

(i) a pillar supporting a bridge is in compression

(ii) the sole of a shoe is in compression

(iii) the jib of a crane is in compression

A compressive force, i.e. one producing compression,

will decrease the length of the material on which it acts.

2.4â•… Shear force

Shear is a force that tends to slide one face of the

material over an adjacent face. For example,

(i) a rivet holding two plates together is in shear if

a tensile force is applied between the plates – as

shown in Figure 2.3

Figure 2.3

(ii) a guillotine cutting sheet metal, or garden shears,

each provide a shear force

(iii) a horizontal beam is subject to shear force

(iv) transmission joints on cars are subject to shear

forces

A shear force can cause a material to bend, slide or

twist.

Problem 1. Figure 2.4(a) represents a crane and

Figure 2.4(b) a transmission joint. State the types

of forces acting, labelled A to F.

Figure 2.4

(a) For the crane, A, a supporting member, is in compression,

B, a horizontal beam, is in shear, and

C, a rope, is in tension.

(b) For the transmission joint, parts D and F are in

tension, and E, the rivet or bolt, is in shear.

2.5â•… Stress

Forces acting on a material cause a change in dimensions

and the material is said to be in a state of stress. Stress

is the ratio of the applied force F to cross-sectional

area A of the material. The symbol used for tensile and

compressive stress is σ (Greek letter sigma). The unit

of stress is the Pascal, Pa, where 1 Pa = 1 N/m2. Hence

σ=F
A Pa

where F is the force in Newtons and A is the crosssectional

area in square metres. For tensile and compressive

forces, the cross-sectional area is that which is

at right angles to the direction of the force. For a shear

force the shear stress is equal to F

, where the crosssectional

area A is that which is parallel to the direction