Cork Institute of Technology
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Civil Engineering – Award
(NFQ Level 6)
Summer 2007
Structural Engineering
(Time: 3 Hours)
Instructions:
Five questions to be answered.
Answer two (i.e. both) questions from Section A.
Answer one question from Section B.
Answer two questions from Section C.
Examiners: Mr B. O’Rourke
Mr J.A. Kindregan
Mr J. Lapthorne
SECTION A: Compulsory
Q1. Determine the forces in each of the members of the pin-jointed framework
shown in Figure Q1. Indicate whether the forces are tensile or compressive.
20 marks
Q2 (a)
Q2 (b)
Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for the beam shown in
Figure Q2 (a) noting all significant values. Omit determination of the
location of points of contra-flexure.
If the cross-section of the beam is as shown in Figure Q2 (b), Determine the
maximum tensile and compressive stresses in the beam.
8 marks
12 marks
SECTION B: Answer one question
Q3(a) Determine the plastic section modulus, Sx of the steel beam section shown in
Fig. Q4 (a). If p y = 325 N/mm2 calculate the moment capacity, Mc of the
section.
10 marks
Q3 (b) Determine the reactions and hence draw the bending moment diagram for the
rigid jointed framework shown in Fig Q3 (a).
10 marks
Q4(a) Determine the load capacity of the connection shown in Fig. Q4 (b). Assume
that the shear planes pass through the shank (i.e. non-threaded) area of the
bolts.
p y = 275 N/mm2 p s = 160 N/mm2 p
b = 435 N/mm2
10 marks
Q4(b) A tension tie consists of a square timber core of cross-section 90mm x 90mm
with two additional 90mm x 10mm steel plates securely bolted to opposite
sides and along its full length. Calculate the safe axial load for the member if
the permissible stresses in the timber and the steel are: 6.5 N/mm2 and
145 N/mm2 respectively.
Young’s modulus for timber, E timber = 8 kN/mm2
Young’s modulus for steel, E steel = 200 kN/mm2
10 marks
