COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

PUTRAJAYA CAMPUS
FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER 3 2011 / 2012

PROGRAMME

: BME/BEPE/BEEE (Honours)

SUBJECT CODE

: MEMB123 / MEMB214

SUBJECT

: Mechanics I: Statics

DATE

: May. 2012

TIME

: 2.5 hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:
1.

This paper contains SIX (6) questions in SIX (6) pages.

2.

Answer ALL questions.

3.

Write ALL answers in the answer booklet provided.

4.

Write answer to each question on a new page.

THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF (6) PRINTED PAGES INCLUDING

THIS COVER PAGE.
Page 1 of 6

MEMB123, Semester 3 2011/2012

QUESTION 1 [16 MARKS]

Three cables AB, AC and AD are used for lifting the loaded platform which is moving
at constant velocity as shown in Figure 1. Given that the loaded platform weighs
0.25MN and the systems movement satisfies Newtons First Law of Motion,
a) Briefly explain Newtons First Law of Motion
[2 marks]
b) Determine the tension in each cable
[11 marks]
c) If the cable AB is replaced with a spring having stiffness of kAB = 150 kN/m,
determine the original length of the spring when the system is at equilibrium
such that the platform is coplanar to the XY plane. (Assume that the tension
experienced by the spring is the same as in the original cable).

Figure 1

Page 2 of 6

[3 marks]

MEMB123, Semester 3 2011/2012

QUESTION 2 [18 MARKS]

A boom is supported by a ball-and-socket joint at O and two cables AC and BC
respectively, as shown in Figure 2. The magnitude of the tension in cable BC is
known to be 405 N while y1 = 5.25 m.
a)

Express the tension in cable AC and BC in the Cartesian vector form,

respectively.
b) Calculate the magnitude of the tension in cable AC.
c) Determine ALL components of the reactions at point O.

[6 marks]
[3 marks]
[9 marks]

Figure 2
QUESTION 3 [14 MARKS]
a)

Determine the coordinates ( x ,

) of the centroid of the shaded area as

shown in Figure 3.
[7 marks]
b) Determine the moment of inertia Ix for the shaded area about the x axis
[7 marks]

Figure 3
QUESTION 4 [16 MARKS]
Page 3 of 6

MEMB123, Semester 3 2011/2012

Figure 4 shows a truss supported by a pin at point B and a roller at point J.

a) Determine the support reactions at B and J.
[6 marks]
b) Determine the force in the slender members EF and GI. Indicate whether the
members are in tension or compression.

[10 marks]

Figure 4
QUESTION 5 [18 MARKS]
A test rig consists of a 15 m long elastic beam rests on a pin support at A and a roller
at C. The beam is subjected to concentrated loads of 1000 N and 400 N respectively at
point B and D as shown Figure 5. Neglect the weight of the beam.
a) Determine the support reaction at A and C.
[4 marks]
b) Establish the shear and moment function for each segment of the beam.
[8 marks]
c) Sketch the shear force and bending moment diagrams.
[4 marks]
d) What is the maximum absolute value of the shear and bending moment?
[2 marks]

Figure 5
QUESTION 6 [18 MARKS]

Page 4 of 6

MEMB123, Semester 3 2011/2012

Two blocks are connected by a cable that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in
Figure 6. A pulling force, P is applied on block A. Block A weighs 20 kg and block B
weighs 50 kg, respectively. Take = 60 and = 30.
a) Assume the sufficient force, P = 500N is required to produce impeding motion
of block A down the ramp, identify the coefficient of static between the blocks
and the ramps, S.
[14 marks]
b) Assume the sufficient force, P = 350N is applied to block A to start the sliding
of the block, identify the coefficient of kinetic friction between the blocks and
the ramps K required to keep the blocks moving at a constant speed.
[4 marks]

Figure 6

--- END OF QUESTION PAPER---

Appendix
Page 5 of 6

MEMB123, Semester 3 2011/2012

Table of Moment of Inertia

Page 6 of 6