© Vocational Training Council

Hong Kong Institute

of
Vocational Education

香港專業教育學院

HD in Civil Engineering

(EG114101)

Notes :
Structural
1. The result of this examination will not be
counted if you do not meet the minimum
Mechanics
attendance requirement governed by the
General Academic Regulations of your
(CON4331)
programme unless approval from the
Campus Principal has been granted.
2. This paper consists of TEN (10) pages
including this cover page.
3. This question paper contains FIVE (5)
questions. AY 2016/17
4. Answer any FOUR (4) questions. Semester 2
5. ALL questions carry EQUAL marks. Examination
6. Start each question on a new page.
7. All calculation must be clearly shown step
by step. 12th May 2017
8. The use of calculators not included in the 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Approved List is prohibited.
9. All symbols have their usual meaning
unless otherwise defined.
10. The following materials will be provided
separately:
(a) Graph paper; and
(b) Supplementary sheet.

Structural Mechanics (CON4331) Page 1 of 10

AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Q.1 A simply supported beam ABCDEF shown in Figure Q1 is subjected to four

sets of loads, including three point loads at A, C and D respectively, and a
uniformly distributed load (UDL) on segment DEF.

(a) Find the reactions at supports B and E. (5 marks)

(b) Draw the shear force diagram for the beam. (8 marks)

(c) Draw the bending moment diagram for the beam. (8 marks)

(d) Sketch the deflected shape of the beam. (4 marks)

50 kN 30 kN 10 kN
5 kN/m

A B C D E F

2m 3m 3m 4m 4m

Figure Q1

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AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Q.2 (a) Figure Q2(a) shows the cross-section of a beam with centroidal axes at X-X
and Y-Y.

(i) Calculate the distance Yc measured from the top of the section. (3 marks)

(ii) Calculate the moment of inertia (Ixx) of the section about X-X axis.
(5 marks)

(iii) Calculate the moment of inertia (Iyy) of the section about Y-Y axis.
(5 marks)

Figure Q2(a)

(b) (i) A cantilevered beam is subjected to a uniformly distributed load (UDL)

as shown in Figure Q2(bi). Determine the deflection and the slope of the
beam at point C due to the applied load. Given that the flexural rigidity
(EI) of the beam is 200,000 kNm2. (8 marks)

(ii) A point load applied at point C as shown in the Figure Q2(bii).

Determine the magnitude of the concentrated force (P) to compensate the
deflection induced by the UDL in part (b)(i). (4 marks)
(Hint: The total deflection at point C will be zero)

12 kN/m 12 kN/m

A B C A B C
3m 1m 3m 1m

P
Figure Q2(bi) Figure Q2(bii)

Structural Mechanics (CON4331) Page 3 of 10

AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Q.3 A simply supported universal beam (UB) is subjected to a uniformly distributed

load (UDL) of w kN/m as shown in Figure Q3(a) and its cross section is shown
in Figure Q3(b) below.

(a) Determine the moment of inertia Ixx about the x-x axis. (5 marks)

(b) Draw the bending moment diagram and express the maximum bending
moment Mmax in terms of w kN/m. (3 marks)

(c) If the maximum permissible bending stress of this universal beam is 300
N/mm2, determine the uniformly distributed load of w kN/m that the
universal beam can carry. (7 marks)

(d) Sketch the shear stress distribution across the section of the beam at the
location with a shear force of 400 kN. (10 marks)

w kN/m

8m

Figure Q3(a)

500mm
100mm

x x
1000mm

100mm
100mm

Figure Q3(b)

Structural Mechanics (CON4331) Page 4 of 10

AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Q.4 A truss shown in Figure Q4 has a pinned support at A and a roller support at C,
and it is subjected to point loads of 60 kN and 120 kN at D and F respectively.

(a) Find the reactions at supports A and C. (5 marks)

(b) Determine the member force in each member by calculation and / or

inspection. Indicate whether the members are in tension or compression by
adopting the sign convention “+ve sign” for tensile and “-ve sign” for
compressive force. (20 marks)

Insert the member forces into the attached Answer Sheet on Page 10 of this
paper and submit it together with your answer book.

120 kN

D E F
60 kN

5m

A B
C

5m 5m 4m

Figure Q4

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AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Q.5 (a) A hollow steel shaft ACB of outside diameter 50 mm and inside diameter 40
mm is held against rotation at ends A and B as shown in the Figure Q5(a).
Horizontal forces P are applied at the ends of a vertical arm that is welded to
the shaft at point C.

(i) Determine the Polar Moment of Inertia J for the steel shaft; (3 marks)

(ii) Determine the allowable value of the forces P of the maximum

permissible shear stress in the shaft is 55 MPa. (14 marks)

Figure Q5(a)
(b) A steel bar ABCD, as shown in the Figure Q5(b), has a cross-sectional area
of 600 mm2 and is loaded by forces P1 = 2700 N, P2 = 1800 N and P3 =
1300 N.

(i) Assuming that the modulus of elasticity E = 200 x 103 MPa, calculate
the change in length of the bar. Does the bar elongate or shorten?
(5 marks)

(ii) In order to keep the end D of the bar in the original position, what
amount should the load P3 be increased? (3 marks)

P1 P2 P3
A B C D

60mm 24mm 36mm

Figure Q5(b)

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AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Structural Mechanics (CON4331) Page 7 of 10

AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Examination Data Sheet: Page 2

Reproduced from “Statics and Mechanics of Materials, SI Edition (2004)” by R.C.

Hibbeler, Prentice Hall.

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AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Examination Data Sheet: Page 3

Reproduced from “Statics and Mechanics of Materials, SI Edition (2004)” by R.C.

Hibbeler, Prentice Hall.

Structural Mechanics (CON4331) Page 9 of 10

AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT
© Vocational Training Council

Name : ______________________
Student Number : ______________________
Class : ______________________

Structural Mechanics (AY16-17 Examination)

Answer sheet of Q4

120 kN

D E F
60 kN

5m

A B
C

5m 5m 4m

Figure Q4

Member mark Member Force (kN) Member mark Member Force (kN)
( + : Tension ( + : Tension
– : Compression ) – : Compression )
AB CE
BC CF
AD DE
AE EF
BE

- END OF PAPER -

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AY 2016/2017 Semester 2 Examination [EG114101/1] FT