CE 801 - Advanced Structural Mechanics

MS Structural Engineering 2013

Dr. Wasim Khaliq
NICE (SCEE) NUST

Home Assignment 1

Problem 1

The cantilever beam shown is loaded by a constant load that acts at the tip of the beam. The
concrete beam has a rectangular cross-section with b = 12 in.
a) Find the principal stresses at points A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
b) Draw the maximum (tension) and minimum (compression) principal stress contours
based on the results from part (a)

P = 10 Kips

A F
c /2
B c = 12″
c /2 C x
c /2 c = 12″
D
c /2 E G
L = 10′

Problem 2

Normal stresses σx and σy are distributed on the boundary of the 3 m by 3 m plate as shown. The
shear stress τxy at every point in the plate is τxy = 3x2+7y2+2x+2.5
a) Find the principal stresses at the origin.
b) Find the function f(x) and g(x) required for equilibrium.

σy = f(x)

σx = g(y)
3m
σx (linear)
3m
x
5 MPa 5 MPa
σy (linear)

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 CE 801 - Advanced Structural Mechanics
MS Structural Engineering 2013
Dr. Wasim Khaliq
NICE (SCEE) NUST

Problem 3
Imagine that stresses in the xy plane are reported to be σx = ̶ 6a1x2, σy = 12a1x2, and τxy = 12a1y2,
where a1 is a constant.

a) Consider the square region 0 ≤ x ≤ b, 0 ≤ y ≤ b. Write the expressions for tractions Φx and
Φy on each side of this square, in terms of x, y, b, and a.
b) If body forces are zero, is this state of stress in fact possible? Explain.

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