Group No: Faculty of Engineering & Technology

Group member: Mechanical Engineering Department

……………………………………………………………………… Autumn 2014-15

……………………………………………………………………… ME 14.101 Applied Mechanics

……………………………………………………………………… Mody University QLM

Group Assignment 1
This assignment is designed to assess your critical thinking, problem solving, and communication
skills. You have to apply the knowledge of principles and laws of mechanic used in system of forces,
moments, couples and equilibrium of bodies to the following set of problems. Your answer will be
judged for its clarity, relevance, coherence, logic, depth, and fairness.

Students have to follow below problem-solving methodology which helps you to develop your
problem-solving skill.

Road map: provides some of the general objectives of the problem and develops a strategy for how
the solution will be developed.

Modeling: a real-life problem is idealized by a model i.e. the selection of the laws/ principles
needed to solve the problem
Equations: writing all the equations needed to solve the problem.
Computation: solve the equations.

Discussion: the solution is interrogated to ensure that it is meaningful and accurate.

Problem 1: The resultant FR of the two forces acting on the log is to be directed along the positive
x axis and have a magnitude of 10 kN, determine the angle of the cable, attached to B such that the
magnitude of force FB in this cable is a minimum. What is the magnitude of the force in each cable
for this situation?
Problem 2: An athlete is exercising while
wearing a 5-lb ankle weight at A as shown.
Determine (a) the moment of the weight about
the knee joint at B, (b) the magnitude of the
muscular force P which creates a moment of
equal magnitude about B, (c) the smallest force
F applied at C which creates the same moment
about B as the weight.

Problem 3: Replace the force and

couple moment system acting on the
beam by an equivalent resultant force
and find where its line of action
intersects the beam measured from
point O.

Problem 4: The jib crane is pin connected at A

and supported by a smooth collar at B.
Determine the roller placement x of the 5000 N
load so that it gives the maximum and minimum
reactions at the supports. Calculate these
reactions in each case. Neglect the weight of the
crane. Require 4 m≤ x ≥ 10 m.
1.

2.

3.
4.