Problem Set: Strain and Thermal Stresses

1. The piece of rubber is originally rectangular. Determine the average shear strain at A and the average
normal strain along the diagonal DB and side AD. (Source: Hibbeler, 2011).
2. The support consists of three rigid plates, which are connected together using two symetrically placed
rubber pads. If a vertical force of 5 N is applied to plate A, dtermine the approximate vertical
displacement of this plate due to shear strains in the rubber. Each pad has cross-sectional dimensions of
30 mm and 20 mm. Gr = 0.20 MPa. (Source: Hibbeler, 2008).
3. If the applied force P causes the rigid arm ABC to rotate clockwise about pin A through an angle of 0.02,
determine the normal strain developed in wires BD and CE (Source: Hibbeler, 2011).

4. A rectangular steel block is 3 in long along x, 2 in long along y and 4 in long along z. The block is
subjected to a triaxial loading of three uniformly distributed forces as follows: 48 kips in tension in the x
direction, 60 kips compression in the y direction, and 54 kips tension in the z direction. If = 0.30 and E =
29 x 106 psi, determine the single uniformly distributed load in the x direction that would produce the
same deformation in the y direction as the original loading. (Source: Pytel and Singer)
5. The 8-mm diameter bolt is made of an aluminum alloy. It fits through a magnesium sleeve that has an
inner diameter of 12 mm and an outer diameter of 20 mm. If the original lengths of the bolt and the
sleeve are 80 mm and 50 mm, respectivey, determine the strains in the sleeve and the bolt if the nut on
the bolt is tightened so that the tension in the bolt is 8 kN. Assume the material at A is rigid. Eal = 70 GPa,
Emg = 45 GPa (Source: Hibbeler, 2011).
6. The load is supported by the four 304 stainless steel wires (E=200 GPa) that are connected to the rigid
members AB and DC. Determine the vertical displacement of the 500-lb load if the members were
originally horizontal when the load was applied. Each wire has a cross-sectional area of 0.025 in2.

7. The rigid link is supported by a pin at A and two A-36 steel (E = 200 GPa) wires, each having an
unstretched length of 12 in. and cross-sectional area of 0.0125 in2. Determine the force developed in the
wires when the link supports the vertical load of 350 lb (Source: Hibbeler, 2011).

8. The rigid block of mass M is supported by the three symmetrically placed rods. The ends of the rods
were level before the block was attached. Determine the largest allowable value of M if the properties
of the rods are as listed (w is the working stress) (Source: Hibbeler, 2011).

9. The rigid, homogeneous slab weighing 600 kN is supported by three rods of identical material and cross
section. Before the slab was attached, the lower ends of the rods were at the same level. Compute the
axial force in each rod. (Source: Pytel and Kiusalaas, 2003)
10. The rigid bar BCD of negligible weight is supported by two steel cables of identical cross section.
Determine the force in each cable caused by the applied weight W. (Source: Pytel and Kiusalaas, 2003)
11. The bars AB, AC, and AD are pinned together as shown in the figure. Horizontal movement of the pin at
A is prevented by the rigid horizontal strut AE. Calculate the axial force in the strut caused by the 10-kip
load. For each steel bar, A = 0.3 in2 and E = 29 x 106 psi. For the aluminum bar, A = 0.6 in2 and E = 10 x
106 psi. (Source: Pytel and Kiusalaas, 2003)

12. The pin-connected structure occupies the position

shown under no load. When the loads D (= 16 kips)
and E (unknown) are applied, the rigid bar C
becomes horizontal. Bar A is made of an aluminum
alloy (E = 10,600 ksi) and bar B is made of red brass
(E 15,000 ksi). The cross-sectional areas are 0.75 sq.
in. for A and 2.25 sq. in. for B. Determine the weight
E and the maximum axial stress in the system. E =
11.030 kips, A = 18.75 ksi, B= 5.76 ksi

13. The rigid link is supported by a pin at E and two

A-36 steel (E = 29 x 103 ksi, = 0.32) wires, each having
an unstretched length of 12 in. and cross-sectional areas
of 0.0125 in2. Determine (a) the vertical load P that
causes a normal strain of 6.5 x 10-4 in./in. in wire AB,
and (b) the new diameter of wire CD when P is applied.
P = 400.56 lb, dnew = 0.126142 inch

14. The three circular specimens of plastic are

used to support the
block having a
center of gravity at point G. If the block and
the floor can be assumed rigid, determine the
force developed in each specimen and the
position x so that the block does not tilt. The
original length of each specimen, its
diameter, and E are given in the figure.
Assume the plastics do not yield.
x = 1.16m, P1 = 157.8 kN, P2= 227.6kN, P3 = 105.1
kN

15. The assembly consists of a steel bar A (Ast= 500 mm2, Est= 200 GPa, and AL=
12 x 10-6), a rigid block C, and a bronze bar B (ABR= 2000mm2, EBR= 100GPa, and BR=
18 x 10-6) securely fastened together to rigid supports at the ends as shown. Initially,
there is no stress in the members. The temperature drops 25C, and the load P of
200kN is applied. Determine the maximum normal stresses in A and B for this
condition. A = 117.76 MPa, tensile C = 70.56 MPa, compressive

16. Determine the horizontal movement of point A

due to a temperature increase of 75C. Assume
member AE has an insignificant coefficient of
thermal expansion. The coefficients of thermal
expansion are 11.9 m/mC for the steel and
22.5 m/mC for the aluminum alloy.
A = 2.117 mm
17. The assembly consists of aluminum bar A (AAL=
150mm2, EAL= 70GPa, and AL= 22.5 x 10-6) and a bronze
bar B (ABR= 450mm2, EBR= 100GPa, and BR= 19 x 10-6)
securely fastened to rigid supports at the ends as shown.
Initially, there is a gap of 1mm between the aluminum and
brass bar before the load of 30kN is applied at the rigid bar
C. Thereafter, the temperature on both materials
increases by 25C. Determine the maximum normal
stresses in A and B. Also, determine the displacement of
plate C after the load is applied and the temperature
changes.
A = 75.244 MPa, C = 41.585 MPa, C = 9.8227 x10-4m

18. The rigid beam rests in the horizontal position on

two aluminum cylinders having the unloaded lengths
shown. If each cylinder has a diameter of 30 mm,
determine the placement x of the applied 80-kN load so
that the beam remains horizontal. What is the new
diameter of cylinder A after the load is applied? al = 0.35.

19. As shown in the figure, there is a gap between the aluminum bar and the
rigid slab that is supported by two copper bars. At
.
Neglecting the mass of the slab, calculate the stress in each rod when the
temperature in the assembly is increased to
. For each copper bar,
. For the aluminum
bar,

20. A copper rod attached to a rigid bearing plate is inserted into a hollow
aluminum cylinder as shown in the figure. If the temperature increases
by
and a uniformly distributed load of
is applied on the
plate, determine the stresses that develop in each material.

22. An aluminum rod (E = 70 GPa, = 23.6 x 10-6/oC) and steel link (E =

200 GPa, = 11.7 x 10-6/oC) have the dimensions shown at a
temperature of 20oC. The steel link is heated until the aluminum rod
can be fitted freely into it. The temperature of the whole assembly is
then raised to 150oC. Determine (a) the final stress in the rod, (b) in
the link (Source: Beer , et al., 2006)