Department of Mechanical and Marine Engineering

Engineering Mechanics 114 Statics (AMC 110S)

Examination 1 Date: 15 March 2016
Duration: 2 hours Total marks: 60
Examiner: Mr. A. Zulu
Moderator: Dr. V. Kamara

Important Notices
Write neatly and legibly, as illegible work will not be considered for marks.
Use free-body diagrams, illustrative diagrams and reference (Cartesian) axes where possible or applicable.
Pay attention to units and show the relevant unit in each calculated answer.
No marks will be awarded for answers only. Calculations must contain a minimum number of logically
sequenced steps followed by an answer. In cases where two or more different - and undeleted answers
are given for the same item, the right answer will not be considered for marks.
Do not write your name or sign anywhere on the answer scripts.
Cellular phones and programmable calculators are not permitted.
Use, where applicable, gravitational acceleration g = 9.81 m/s2 .
Answer all questions!

Question 1
Two vectors are represented as A = 2i 3j + 6k and B = 5i + 12k. Determine the following quantities:
(a) A B [1.5]
(b) A B [4]
(c) The angle between A and B [3]
(d) The magnitude of the projection of A on B [1.5].

Question 2
A force of 4.5 kN acts downwards on the piston as shown, which is transmitted to the connecting rod
AB and crank BC (Figure Q2).
(a) Determine the moment of the force in the connecting rod AB about C (Hint: it is not zero! Find
(resolve) the component of the 4.5 kN force in the AB direction first) [8]
(b) Under what condition will the moment of the force in AB about C be zero? Explain with reference
to Figure Q2 [2]
(c) Under what condition will the moment of the force in AB about C be maximum? Explain with
reference to Figure Q2 [2].

Figure Q2.

Question 3
Figure Q3 shows three forces acting on a body. Determine the resultant of the three forces both in
magnitude and direction if = 60 . Be sure to identify direction with respect to the a-a axis shown.
What would be the effect (if any) on the magnitude and direction of the resultant force if the incline
angle was reduced from 20 to 0 ? [10+2].

Figure Q3.

Question 4
Two traffic signals are suspended from a cable as shown in Figure Q4. If the signal at B weights 300
N, determine the weight of the signal at C for equilibrium [12].

Figure Q4.

Question 5
A vertical force F acts on the crankshaft as shown in Figure Q5. Determine the horizontal equilibrium
force P that must be applied to the handle and the x, y, z components of the force (where applicable)
at the smooth journal bearing A (no y component) and the thrust bearing B. The bearings are properly
aligned and exert the force reactions on the shaft [14].

Figure Q5 (F = 175N ; a = 250mm; b = c = 355mm; d = 200mm; e = 150mm; f = 100mm).

The End!