Statics and Strength of

materials
Dr1T 34

Introduction
This Unit is designed to enable candidates to develop knowledge
and understanding of the principles and laws that relate to Statics
and Material Strength that underpin so much of more advanced
studies in Mechanical Engineering.
The Unit will also provide you with an opportunity to study the
ways in which a variety of methods such as nodal analysis, vector
analysis and method of section can lead to the same results and
that material properties are extremely important within design.
By the end of the Unit you will be expected to solve static and
strength of material problems using the concepts and theorems
you have learned. You will also be expected to sketch vector,
shear force and bending moment diagrams.
If you have studied Statics earlier in your education, the early
parts of this Unit will provide you with an opportunity to revise the
Statics concepts and theorems you have learnt in previous
courses.

Introduction
Knowledge, Understanding & Skills
This development of the knowledge, understanding and skills
during the delivery of the unit will take place in the in the form
of the following two main areas:
Solve problems relating to static equilibrium.
Solve problems relating to compressive, tensile and shear
loading on materials.
Assessment
The formal assessment for this Unit will consist of a single
assessment paper lasting no more than 1.5 hours. The
assessment will be conducted under closed book conditions in
which you will not be allowed to take notes, textbooks etc. into
the assessment. However, you will be allowed to use a scientific
calculator. You will sit this assessment paper at the end of the
Unit.
Candidates studying towards an HNC in Mechanical Engineering
will also have to answer questions on Statics as part of the final
graded unit examination.

Learning Outcomes
Outcome 1: Solve problems relating to static equilibrium
Knowledge and/or skills to be developed
external reactions
compressive and tensile forces in plane frames
instability and redundancy
compressive and tensile forces in practical engineering
applications
simply supported beams
cantilever beams
shear force diagrams
bending moment diagrams magnitude and position of maximum
bending stress (compressive and tensile)

Learning Outcomes
Outcome 2: Solve problems relating to compressive, tensile
and shear loading on materials.
Knowledge and/or skills to be developed
Stress
Strain
Stress-Strain Relationship
Modulus of Elasticity
Direct Shear Stress
Torsional Shear Stress
Single/Multiple Shear Plane Conditions
Neutral Axis
Second Moment of Area
Parallel Axis Theorem
Polar Moments of Area
Bending Equation
Torque Equation
Beam Selection

Materials required
Please bring the following materials to all remaining
classes:
Calculator
Set squares, ruler and protractor
Pencil

Importance to industry
The principles of force analysis taught in this unit are
applicable to many industries such as:

Civil Engineering
Structural engineering
Architecture
Surveying
Medical
Dental
Areo
Nautical

Example of real engineering

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xpu8RVV51k

Examples of engineering failure

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bH4v6VnJVp8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz71eVreMDc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go3Nd6H3M1E

Why should we consider forces

when designing a product?
To see if a structure is going to fail i.e. break or deform
To select components
To find weaknesses

Metric Prefixes
Metric prefixes are pretty easy to understand and very handy for
metric conversions. You don't have to know the nature of a unit to
convert, for example, from kilo-unit to mega-unit. All metric prefixes
are powers of 10. The most commonly used prefixes are highlighted in
the table.
Most people even in the countries where metric system is used only
know the most important metric prefixes like 'kilo' and 'milli'. They are
very handy for understanding metric conversions.
Prexis

Symbol

Factor

tera

1012 = 1,000,000,000,000

giga

109 = 1,000,000,000

mega

106 = 1,000,000

kilo

103 = 1,000

hecto

102 = 100

deka

da

101 = 10

deci

10-1 = 0.1

centi

10-2 = 0.01

milli

10-3 = 0.001

micro

10-6 = 0.000,001

nano

10-9 = 0.000,000,001

Force analysis
To represent forces (vectors) we use arrows:

The length represents the magnitude

The angle represents the direction
Adding vectors cannot be done using the size only.

54
30

50 N

20 N

45

=
48 N

Force analysis
The sum of two vectors can be obtained using the
graphical parallelogram rule:
Place the ends of two vectors together
Complete the parallelogram
Diagonal represents the sum of vectors
Remember to use a suitable scale for the vectors
a+b

Force analysis
For two forces to be in equilibrium they have to:
Be equal in size
Have lines of action that pass through the same point (be
concurrent)
Act in exactly opposite directions

In equilibrium

Not in equilibrium

Force analysis
For three forces to be in equilibrium they have to:
All be in the same plane (coplanar)
Have lines of action that pass through the same point (be
concurrent)
Give no resultant force in any direction

Force analysis
Equilibrium for three forces can be obtained
using the graphical triangle rule:
Draw an arrow to represent one of the forces
Take the forces in the sequence they occur (e.g.
clockwise).
Draw the next arrow from the head of the
previous.
Complete the triangle.

Resultant

F1

F2

Force analysis
Equilibrium for more than three vectors can be
obtained using the graphical polygon rule:
Draw an arrow to represent one of the forces
Take the forces in the sequence they occur (e.g.
anticlockwise).
Draw the next arrow from the head of the previous.
Complete the polygon.
F4
F3

F3

Resultant

F2

F4
F1

F1

F2

Resolving forces
It is quite often useful to know what the horizontal and
vertical components of a force are:

Vertical component

If we know F and :

Fv F sin
F

Fh F cos

F F F
2

Horizontal component

2
v

2
h

Try vector tutorial

questions

Rules of Equilibrium
When analysing static problems we must first
assume static equilibrium.
This allows us to apply the rules that
The sum of all horizontal forces = 0
The sum of all vertical forces = 0
The sum of all moments = 0

These are known as The rules of equilibrium

Reactions
What happens when you place your hand against the wall
and push?
When external forces are applied to an object from the
outside, internal forces are induced in the object to
maintain equilibrium.
External
force

External
force

Internal forces

External
force

External
force

Internal forces

Reactions
Internal forces are produced in reaction to the application
of external forces and are called reactions.
When an object is at rest on the ground, the weight of the
object must be counter-balanced by an opposing force to
give equilibrium.
Reaction

What would happen if

the reaction wasnt there?
http://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz71eVre
MDc

Weight

Moments
For equilibrium a structure not only needs a resultant to
prevent motion but also to prevent rotation.
Moments of forces cause rotation about an axis:

r
Axis at
right angles

Moment F d

Moments
The moment of a force is defined as being the product of
the force F and its perpendicular distance r from the axis
to the line of action of the force.
The SI unit for the moment is the Newton metre (Nm).

r
Axis at
right angles

Moment F d

Moments
Moments have a direction:
Clockwise (positive)
Anticlockwise (negative)
It doesnt matter if you regard clockwise as positive or
negative as long as you stick with your convention.

F
d

Clockwise

d
F

Anticlockwise

free body diagram

The previous diagram is known as a free body diagram.
Imagine an element of the system to be isolated from the
rest of the system.
Draw a diagram of this element and show all of the forces
acting on it.
Draw all of the external loads as well as the reactive forces.
Use a polygon of forces to determine the equilibrium force.
Repeat for all of the elements in the system.

Determinate beams
In Statics we look at how weight or more
accurately force effects different structures of
different materials.
For this section we shall look at external and
Reaction Forces on simply supported beam
structures.

Beam theory
Reaction calculations (symmetrical loading)
200N

1m
100N

1m
100N

If a beam is loaded symmetrically we can simply

divide the total load by the number of supports.

Beam theory
How to Calculate reaction forces R1 & R2
350N

1m
R1

1m

200N

1
m

100N

2m
R2

 For the purpose of calculation change one of the

supports to a point of pivot.
If this were a point of pivot each force would be
creating a rotational force about this point of pivot. A
rotational force as we know from earlier is a moment.

350N

1m
R1

1m

200N

1
m

100N

2m

What we see here is the sum of the 3 anti-clockwise

moments are equalised by the one anti-clockwise, thus
in static equilibrium.

 At this point due to the beam being in equilibrium

we can apply our rules of equilibrium.
The sum of all horizontal forces = 0
The sum of all vertical forces = 0
The sum of all moments = 0

As a moment is defined as force x distance then by

analysing our beam:R1x5 = (100x2)+(200x3)+(350x4)
5R1 = (200)+(600)+(1400)
5R1 = 2200
R1 = 2200/5 = 440N

 At this point we can update our diagram.

350N

1m
440N

1m

200N

1
m

100N

2m
R2

Now we apply our rules of equilibrium again.

The sum of all horizontal forces = 0
The sum of all vertical forces = 0
The sum of all moments = 0

This time we would isolate the vertical forces.

 As we are only dealing with forces acting vertically

and the beam is in equilibrium, it then stands that:R1+R2 = 350 + 200 + 100
As we have just found R1 = 440N Then we know:440N + R2 = 350 + 200 +100
This then lets us find R2 by:R2 = (350+200+100) 440
R2 = 650 440
R2 = 210N

Free body diagram

We can now take this information and construct a
free body diagram:350N

440N

200N

100N

210N

There are no linear measurements of length in this

F.B.D. as it is drawn to scale e.g. 20mm:1m
If you wish to double check your answers you could
apply vector analysis to the forces and it should
total 0N

Shear force diagram

Any force acting perpendicular to the neutral axis
will induce a shearing tendency. As engineers we
have to be able to quantify this tendency as
shearing forces. These forces can be calculated at
any point among the beam however it is convention
for these forces to be displayed graphically on a
shear force diagram.
When plotted as past of a beam analysis the sfd
easily shows areas of concern with regard to
structural integrity.
When we plot a S. F.D. it is done so in direct
relationship with the free body diagram, i.e. it is
plotted directly below applying the same scale for
beam length.

Shear force diagram

Remember to
define basic sign
convention:
F

(+ve
)
F
F

contd

350N 200N

440N

100N

210
N

440N

(-ve)

S
F0

90N

0
-110N

210N

Cantilever beams
With cantilever beams there is only one support

We can analyse the force arrangement at the fixed

end.

Cantilever beams
Example.

HRa
Ma
Ra
As there are no horizontal loads Hra must be 0N
To find Ra, as the beam being in equilibrium we can apply our
rules of equilibrium.
The sum of all horizontal forces = 0
The sum of all vertical forces = 0
The sum of all moments = 0

As the beam is only supported at one end we can say that

Ra = 50 + 700
Ra = 750N
And to find Ma
The sum of all horizontal forces = 0
The sum of all vertical forces = 0
The sum of all moments = 0

So
Ma = (50 x 3) + (700 x 5)
Ma = 3650Nm

Free body and Shear force diagram

50N

750N

700N

Try the beam tutorial

questions.
(reaction calculations)

Uniformly distributed Loads (U.D.L.s)

Uniformly distributed loads are a load that is spread
across a region of the beam.
Best example of this is the weight of the beam itself
It is measured in N/m and is represented by many arrows
or a bumpy line.
When calculating moments with the UDL, treat it as a
point load in the middle of the region with the sum of
the entire load.
e.g. For a 10m long beam with a UDL of 5kN/m, it can
be counted as a 50kN point load 5m from the ends.
The shear force and bending moment diagrams, it looks
like the following:

Shear force
Diagram

Bending Moment
Diagram

U.D.L example
350N

1m
Ra

1m

200N

25N/
m

100N

1
m

2m
Re

As before we use rules of equilibrium.

The sum of all moments = 0
Rax5 = (100x2)+(200x3)+(350x4)+((25x5)x2.5)
5Ra = (200)+(600)+(1400)+(312.5)
5Ra = 2512.5
Ra = 2512.5/5 = 502.5N

 As we are only dealing with forces acting vertically

and the beam is in equilibrium, it then stands that:Ra+Re = 350 + 200 + 100 + (25x5)
As we have just found Ra = 502.5N Then we know:502.5N + Re = 350 + 200 +100 + (25x5)
This then lets us find Re by:Re = (350+200+100+125) 502.5
Re = 775 502.5
Re = 272.5N

Bending moment calculations

At this point we need to analyse the rotational forces at all
points of interest along the beam length.
We do this by working from one end of the beam to the other,
moving our datum point as we progress. i.e. analyse forces
with respect to point we analysing.
In this process we must apply sign convention to our forces.
In the case of working from the Right hand side to the left,
forces to the right of the point of analysis acting up are
positive and down are negative.
This is best illustrated by a diagram.

Bending moment calculations

-F

d
+F

o When working from R.H.S. we ignore any forces to the left

of our point of interest.

Worked Example
Beam analysis
A

350N

Ra

B
1m

200N

1m

25N/
m
E

100N
D

1
m

2m
Re

From before we know that Ra=502.5N & Re=272.5N

We label the beam from left to right
We can now identify and calculate the relevent bending
moments.

Bending moment calculations

(working from the right hand side)

Bm@E= (272.5x0)+((-25x0)x0)
=0Nm
Bm@D= (272.5x2)+((-25x2)x1)+(-100x0)
=495Nm
Bm@C= (272.5x3)+((-25x3)x1.5)+(-100x1)+(-200x0)
=605Nm
Bm@B= (272.5x4)+((-25x4)x2)+(-100x2)+(-200x1)+(350x0)
=490Nm
Bm@A= (272.5x4)+((-25x5)x2.5)+(-100x3)+(-200x2)+
(-350x2)+(502.5x0)
=00Nm

Beam Selection due to beam

stresses.
The further slides should be used after the completion
of
Stress and strain
Cross sectional analysis

Types of Stress
There are THREE basic types of stress:
Direct stress
Shear stress
Bending stress
Most components are subjected to one or a combination
of these stresses.

Direct (Uniaxial) Stress

May be tensile or
compressive.
Line of action of the
force is normal to the
cross section being
considered.
Stress is distributed
uniformly over the
cross section.

Cross
Section
al Area,
A

Shear stress
Line of action of the
load is parallel to the
cross section being
considered.
Max Shear Force FS
comes from shear force
diagram.

Fs

Cross
Section
al Area,
A

Bending stress
Bending stress
is the result of
bending
moments
within the
component.
Bending occurs
around the
neutral axis of
a components
cross section.

M
Neutral Axis of
Section

Bending stress
Bending stress
varies across a
cross section:
both
compressive and
tensile on any
cross section,
maximum at
points furthest
from the neutral
axis,
zero at the

Bottom surface
in compression

Top
surface in
tension

Zero stress
on neutral
plane

Engineers theory of bending

For a beam that has been bent into an arc the following
relationship exists.

Bending moment

Bending stress
Modulus of elasticity
y

M E

I
y R
Radius of neutral axis
Distance to neutral axis
Second moment of area

Engineers theory of bending

My
b
I

b = Bending Stress
M = Bending Moment
y = Distance from Neutral
Axis to outer surface

I = Second Moment of
Area of the cross section

Geometrical properties of sections

The 2nd Moment
of Area is the
distribution of
area about the
neutral axis, X-X.
Can be derived
through standard
formulae, from
tables, or from a
CAD system.

The most common

formulae for I:
b
X

X
d

I x x

bd 3

12

I x x

4
d
64

Section modulus
Since I and y are
constants
dependent on the
section geometry,
it is often
convenient to
express them in
terms of the
I
sectionZmodulus
Z

y
i.e:

The bending equation

can be rewritten
therefore as:

M
b
Z

Allowable stress
To design for strength
we need an allowable
stress based on the
material selection
and a factor of
safety.

y
a
F .O.S
a = Allowable Stress
y= Yield Stress of chosen
material

When selecting a section size, the designer

should aim for:

b a

Factor of Safety (F.o.S.)

It is not normal or safe to design a component with a
calculated stress level equal to the yield or ultimate stress
value for the material.
Factors of Safety are used to allow a margin of safety.
These factors are used to account for wear and tear in use,
assumptions in calculations etc.

Factor of Safety (F.o.S.)

In calculating factors of safety

For static loads and ductile

materials use yield stress (or
where appropriate 0.2% proof
stress).
For static loads and brittle
materials that have no well
defined yield point use the
ultimate stress.

Allowable stress
Occasionally, allowable stresses are precalculated with no need to use a F.O.S.

Standard Sections
Many materials come in a range of sizes of standard cross
section
These standard sections should be used whenever possible
as they tend to be:
Cheaper
Be more readily available
Data such as allowable stress, weight, I values are readily
available from catalogues and data books

Common standard sections

Square hollow
Rectangular hollow
Round tube
I/Universal beam, joist
Angle
Channel

Sample data table

Section Selection - Example

Determine the size of I beam for the
application shown below.

10kN

1000mm

Section Selection - Example

Determine value of
maximum bending
moment
1.Draw free body
diagram

10kN

M
1m

2.Draw shear force

diagram

Rv=10kN
S.F

3.Draw bending
moment diagram

B.M
M = 10 kNm

Section Selection - Example

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Determine maximum bending moment

From BM diagram, max. bending moment =10 KNm
Choose component material and grade
Structural steel Grade 43
Determine maximum allowable bending stress
150 MN/m2 (From data table)
Calculate required value of section modulus Z
Use the bending equationb = M/Z (remember b= a)
Z = M/ b = 10103/150106 = 6.6610-5 m3 = 66.67 cm3
Therefore required section modulus = 66.67 cm3
Select size of section
Select an I section with a Z value of 66.67 cm 3 or above
from the standard section tables.

Section Selection - Example

I 486.1
3
Z
95.67 cm
y 5.08