1.

0 PROBLEM STATEMENT

We are required to do an analysis on a can opener. This task is conducted to analyze the
can opener by using the fundamental principles that we have learnt in MEC411. The calculation
and assumptions have been made based on mechanics of materials requirements.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

i. To apply the principle learned in the MEC411 Mechanics of Materials course onto the analysis
of the concept of stress and strain, torque and axially loaded members.

ii. To relate the fundamental principles learned in class with real life occurrences.

iii. To do analysis and apply theories to real life problems and situations.

iv. To develop students ability to evaluate real life engineering structure.

3.0 INTRODUCTION

Strength of materials, also called mechanics of materials is defined as a subject which deals
with the behaviours of solid objects subject to stresses and strains. The theme for this semester’s
assignment is the “Structural Analysis of Kitchen Appliances”. So, we decided to use can opener as it
is a first class lever in which the fulcrum is located between the input effort and the output load. With
this exercise, we are required to observe and study the structure of a toaster structure the perspective
of MEC411 Mechanics of Materials course. We have decided to take can opener as our subject to
study on for this assignment as this item can portray the best fundamentals of its mechanics. Several
photos had been taken and showed to better represent what we are studying through this exercise.
Free body diagrams are also being drawn down for both our better understanding and the use for
calculation. Internal forces such as internal torque, shear stress and normal stress, strain and factor of
safety had been calculated.
 3.1 Theory and Principle of Force

Stress is the intensity of the force acting normal to be defined as the normal stress, . Since is
normal to the area, then
∆𝐹
𝜎 = lim
∆𝐴→0 ∆𝐴

or it can be state by a formula,

𝐹
𝜎=
𝐴
where F is internal resultant force and A is the cross sectional area.
Average shear stress is the stress component that acts in the plane of the sectioned area. It is
defined by
𝑉
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
𝐴
where V is the internal shear force on the section determined from the equations of equilibrium
and A is the area.
Hooke’s Law is a linear relationship between stress and strain within the elastic region.
𝜎 = 𝐸𝜀
where E is the Young’s modulus and is strain.

When a loading is applied at a point on a body, it tends to create a stress distribution within the
body that becomes more uniformly distributed at regions removed from the point of application
of the load. This is called Saint-Venant’s principle.
If series of concentrated external axial forces are applied to a member and AE is also constant
for the member, then

𝑃𝐿
𝛿=∑
𝐴𝐸
4.0 ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

4.1 Complexity of structure

There are some structures of the toaster that have been chosen for analysis in this report. The
group has decided to analyze the can opener handle and the surface of the can. The force that
acted on the can opener handle and the surface of the can will be calculated its moment,
stress, average shear stress and deformation of the member.

4.2 Assumption
For this analysis, we have made several assumptions. These assumptions are made so that our
analysis is easier to calculate.

Assumptions:
1. Can should only assist in pushing down the handle. So it is decided that required force would be
measured using an unloaded mechanism.
2. Friction may be neglected in calculations
3. Weight of a can is negligible.
4. The force that we use on the can opener holder are based on table below.
5.0 DISCUSSION

Based on the calculation that have been made, when maximum load of 100N is applied at the
handle of tin opener, the value of normal stress is 318KPa. Then, Factor of Safety is
calculated and is known that the value of F.S is 2 which is greater than 1, thus the load of
100N applied is very safe to apply. Since the value of F.S is big, the value of maximum load
can be increased (more than 100N)

6.0 CONCLUSION

From this assignment we learnt to apply our knowledge about mechanics of materials into real
life application. Hence, the objectives stated are achieved. It is known that factor of safety plays
an important role to ensure the appliance, so that it is safe to use with a specific load applied.
7.0 REFERENCES

1. Mechanics of Materials (Ninth Edition), R.C. Hibbeler, 2013, Pearson Education Center, 2012,
ISBN 13: 9789810694364

2. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/566468459354268646/

3. http://www.craftsmanspace.com/sites/default/files/free-plans-articles/Bottle_opener_drawing_1.gif

4. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1744-7976.1993.tb03748.x/abstract