Solutions of Tutorial-6

ME-101, (Engineering Mechanics, Semester-II)

Date: 03/03/2025 and Time: 7.55 to 8.50 AM
Q1. Figure 1 shows the cross-sectional area of a beam.
(i) Locate the centroid of the beam’s cross-sectional area. [2 marks]
(ii) Determine the moments of inertia and product of inertia of this section with respect to the x and
y axes. [2.5 marks]
(iii) Use Mohr’s circle method to find the centre and radius of the Mohr’s circle. [2 marks]
(iv) Draw the Mohr’s circle and determine the moments of inertia and the product of inertia of this
area with respect to the u and v axes. [4 marks]

Figure 1

Solution of Q1:
0.75 y
C1 mm 0.75
5 mm 5 mm C1 mm 1
0.5 mm

4 1 2 2 4 2
mm 2
mm C2 C2 1.75 mm
C2 C2 x
0.5 mm 2.75 mm
12 mm 10 12.25
C3 mm mm y = 8.25 C3
1 mm 6
mm
mm
3

Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2

Step1: Centroid:

As the section is symmetric about the y axis, so 𝑥‾ = 0 mm [0.5 mark]

The perpendicular distances measured from the centroid of each subdivided segment to the bottom of the beam's
cross - sectional area are indicated in Figure 1.1. Thus,
 Σ𝑦𝐴 12.25(10)(0.5)+2[10(4)(0.5)]+6(12)(1)
𝑦‾ = Σ𝐴
= 10(0.5)+2(4)(0.5)+12(1)
= 8.25 mm. [1 mark]

Step 2: Moments of inertia and product of inertia with respect to the 𝒙 and 𝒚 axes:

The perpendicular distances measured from the centroid of each segment to the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes are indicated in
Fig. 1.2. Using the parallel - axis theorem,
1 1 1
𝐼𝑥 = [12 (10)(0.53 ) + 10(0.5)(4)2 ] + 2 [12 (0.5)(43 ) + 0.5(4)(1.75)2 ] + [12 (1)(123 ) + 1(12)(2.25)2 ]
= 302.44 mm4
1 1 1
𝐼𝑦 = 12 (0.5)(103 ) + 2 [12 (4)(0.53 ) + 4(0.5)(0.75)2 ] + 12 (12)(13 )
= 45 mm4

[2 marks]

Since the cross-section is symmetrical about the 𝑦 axis, 𝐼𝑥𝑦 = 0. [0.5 mark]

Step 3: The centre and radius of the Mohr’s circle

Construction of Mohr's Circle: The center 𝐶 of the circle lies on the u axis at a distance
𝐼𝑥 +𝐼𝑦 302.44+45
𝐼avg = 2
= 2
= 173.72 mm4 [1 mark]

The coordinates of the reference point 𝐴 are (302.44,0) in 4 . The circle can be constructed as shown in Fig. 𝟏. 𝟑.
The radius of the circle is

𝑅 = 𝐶𝐴 = (302.44 − 173.72) = 128.72 mm4 [1 mark]

Step 4: Moment and Product of Inertia with respect to the 𝒖 and 𝒗 Axes:

By referring to the geometry of the circle,

𝐼𝑢 = 173.72 − 128.72cos 60∘ = 109 mm4

𝐼𝑣 = 173.72 + 128.72cos 60∘ = 238 mm4 [3 marks]
𝐼𝑢𝑣 = 128.72 sin 60∘ = 111 mm4

Ixy (mm 4)

173.72
Iu
P 302.44

Iuv
120° A
C Ix (mm 4)
60°
60°
Q
Iv

302.44

Figure 1.3 [1 mark]

Q2. The x and y axes have their origin at the centroid C, as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2

(i) Locate the centroid 𝑦‾ of the beam’s cross-section. [2 marks]

(ii) Determine the moment and the product of inertia with respect to the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes [3 marks]
(iii) Determine the moment and the product of inertia with respect to the 𝑢 and 𝑣 axes [5 marks]

Solution of Q2:

Step 1: Locate the centroid 𝒚‾ of the beam’s cross-sectional area

Figure 2.1

Centroid: The perpendicular distances measured from the centroid of each subdivided segment to the
bottom of the beam's cross-sectional area are indicated in Fig. 2.1. Thus,
Σ𝑦𝑐 𝐴
𝑦‾ =
Σ𝐴
2[100(200)(25)] + 12.5(2.5)(100)
𝑦‾ =
2(200)(25) + 25(100)
𝑦‾ = 82.5 mm [2 marks]
 Figure 2.2

Step 2: Determine the moment and product of inertia with respect to the 𝒙 and 𝒚 axes

Moment and Product of Inertia with respect to the 𝒙 and 𝒚 axes:

The perpendicular distances measured from the centroid of each segment to the 𝑥 and 𝑦 axes are
indicated in Fig. 2.2.
Using the parallel-axis theorem,
1 1
𝐼𝑥 = 2 [ (25)(2003 ) + 25(200)(17.5)2 ] + [ (100)(253 ) + 100(25)(70)2 ]
12 12

= 48.78(106 ) mm4

1 1
𝐼𝑦 = 2 [ (200)(253 ) + 200(25)(62.5)2 ] + (25)(1003 )
12 12

= 41.67(106 ) mm4

Since the cross-sectional area is symmetrical about the 𝑦 axis, 𝐼𝑥𝑦 = 0. [3 marks]

Step 3: Determine the moment and product of inertia with respect to the 𝒖 and 𝒗 axes (5 marks)
Moment and Product of Inertia with Respect to the 𝒖 and 𝒗 Axes: With 𝜃 = −60∘ ,
𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝑦 𝐼𝑥 − 𝐼𝑦
𝐼𝑢 = + cos 2𝜃 − 𝐼𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2

48.78 + 41.67 48.78 − 41.67

=[ +( ) cos(−120∘ ) − 0sin(−120∘ )] (106 )
2 2

= 43.4(106 ) mm4

𝐼𝑥 + 𝐼𝑦 𝐼𝑥 − 𝐼𝑦
𝐼𝑣 = − cos 2𝜃 + 𝐼𝑥𝑦 sin 2𝜃
2 2
 48.78 + 41.67 48.78 − 41.67
=[ −( ) cos(−120∘ ) + 0sin(−120∘ )] (106 )
2 2

= 47.0(106 ) mm4

𝐼𝑥 − 𝐼𝑦
𝐼𝑢𝑣 = sin 2𝜃 + 𝐼𝑥𝑦 cos 2𝜃
2

48.78 − 41.67
=( ) sin(−120∘ ) + 0cos(−120∘ )
2

= −3.08(106 ) mm4 [5 marks]

Q3. The pendulum consists of a disk having a mass of 6 kg and slender rods AB and DC which have a
mass per unit length of 2 kg/m as shown in Figure 3.
(i) Determine the length L of DC so that the center of mass is at the bearing O. [5 marks]
(ii) What is the moment of inertia of the assembly about an axis perpendicular to the page and
passing through point O? [5 marks]

Figure 3

Solution of Q3:

Step 1: Determine the length L of DC so that the center of mass is at the bearing O
Location of Centroid:
This problem requires 𝑥‾ = 0.5 m.

Σ𝑥‾𝑚
𝑥‾ = ∑𝑚
1.5(6)+0.65[1.3(2)]+0[𝐿(2)] [5 marks]
0.5 =
6+1.3(2)+𝐿(2)
𝐿 = 6.39 m

Step 2: Moment of inertia of the assembly about an axis perpendicular to the page and passing
through point O:
Mass moment of inertia about an axis through point O:
The mass moment of inertia of each rod segment and disk about an axis passing through the center of
1 1
mass can be determine using (𝐼𝐺 )𝑖 = 12 𝑚𝑙 2 and (𝐼𝐺 )𝑖 = 2 𝑚𝑟 2.
 Figure 3.1

𝐼𝑂 = Σ(𝐼𝐺 )𝑖 + 𝑚𝑖 𝑑 2
1 1
= [1.3(2)](1.32 ) + [1.3(2)](0.152 ) + [6.39(2)](6.392 ) + [6.39(2)](0.52 )
12 12
1
+ (6)(0.22 ) + 6(12 )
2
2
= 53.2 kg ⋅ m [5 marks]

Q4. Two bars AB and AC are attached to a single spring of constant k that is unstretched when the bars
are vertical (Figure 4). Determine the range of values of P for which the equilibrium of the system
is stable in the position shown. [10 marks]

Figure 4

Solution of Q4:
Step 1: Find out the total potential energy

From the deformed shape shown in Fig. 4.1,

s = (l-a) sin
1
Potential energy of the spring = 2 𝑘𝑠 2
 Figure 4.1

Work done by load P is, 𝑃(2𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃)

1
Total potential energy V = 𝑃(2𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) + 2 𝑘𝑠 2
1
= 𝑃(2𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃) + 2 𝑘[(1 − 𝑎)𝑠𝑖𝑛𝛳]2 [5 marks]

Step 2: Stability criterion

𝑑𝑉 1
Now, 𝑑𝜃
= −2𝑃𝑙𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 + 2 𝑘 × 2(1 − 𝑎)2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

𝑑2 𝑉 1
2
= −2𝑃𝑙𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑘(1 − 𝑎)2 𝑐𝑜𝑠2𝜃 × 2
𝑑 𝜃 2
For the unstretched position, 𝜃 = 0,

𝑑2 𝑉
⇒ = −2𝑃𝑙 + 𝑘(1 − 𝑎)2
𝑑2 𝜃
𝑑2 𝑉
For stability, >0
𝑑2 𝜃

⇒ −2𝑃𝑙 + 𝑘(1 − 𝑎)2 > 0

⇒ −2𝑃𝑙 + 𝑘(1 − 𝑎)2 > 0

Hence ⇒ 𝑃 < 𝑘(1 − 𝑎)2 /2𝑙 [5 marks]

Q5. For the device shown in Fig. 5, the spring is unstretched for θ = 0°. The mass of the link is negligible
in comparison to the mass m at the end of the link. Take m = 5 kg and a = 0.5 m.

(i) Write the expression for potential energy of the system when the link rotate by an angle θ.
[5 marks]
(ii) Determine the stiffness K of the spring which will establish an equilibrium configuration in the
virtual plane for angle θ. [5 marks]

Figure 5

Solution of Q5:

Step 1: Find out the total potential energy

Figure 5.1

For an angular position θ of link shown in Fig. 5.1,

Compression in the spring,

x  2a  2a cos

Potential energy of spring,

1
Ve = 2 kx2
1
 2k (2a  2a cos )2 
 2ka2 (1 cos )2

Loss of potential energy for mass m,

Vg  2.5a sin  mg
 2.5mga sin
Total potential energy of the system,
V  Ve  Vg  2ka2 (1 cos2   2 cos)  2.5mga sin 
[5 marks]
Step 2: Find out the Stiffness.

For equilibrium configuration,

V
0

 2ka2[0  2cos (sin )  2(sin )]  2.5mga cos  0

Dividing throughout by sin we get,

4ka2 cos 4ka2  2.5mga cot  0 or, 1.6ka 1.6ka cos  mg cot
𝑚𝑔 cot 𝛳 cot 𝛳
k = 1.6𝑎 × (1−cos 𝛳) = 61.31 × (1−cos 𝛳) [5 marks]

(NB: For a given value of k, one can find the value of θ for equilibrium position)