THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING: LEVEL 1 EXAMINATION

INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (ENGG1205)

Date: May 18, 2013 Time: 9:30a.m.- 11:30 a.m.

Attempt any FIVE questions. All questions carry equal marks.

Use answer books of different colours for Section A, Section Band Section C.

Electronic Calculators:

Only approved calculators as announced by the Examinations Secretary can be used in this
examination. It is candidates' responsibility to ensure that their calculator operates
satisfactorily, and candidates must record the name and type of the calculator used on the
front page of the examination script.
Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG 1205) Page2

SECTION A

Al. (a) In the structure shown in Figure Al(a), AB is a rigid beam, and CD is a thin tie-rod
with Young's modulus 200GPa, cross-sectional area 100 mm 2, and initial length
300mm. A force 40kN is applied at B, and the mass of AB is negligible. Calculate
the downward deflections of point D and B. (6 marks)

c
300mm

D B

600mm 400mm
40kN
Figure Al(a)

(b) Draw sketches of edge and screw dislocations to illustrate how they can produce
plastic deformation in a crystal. (6 marks)

(c) Figure Al(b) shows the Young modulus and strength of different types of
engineering materials.

(i) Explain why engineering alloys such as aluminium (AI) alloys can exhibit a
wide range of strengths with more than ten times' difference, while their
Young modulus does not vary significantly. (4 marks)

(ii) Within the group of Engineering Composites, what is GFRP, and why is this
material much stronger and stiffer than polymers? (4 marks)

[Qn. Al is cont'd on Page 3]

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG 1205) Page 3

[Qn. AI is cont'd]

100
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10 100 1000 10,000

Figure Al(b)

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG 1205) Page4

A2. (a) In the shock absorber shown in Figure A2, A and B are identical elastic blocks
measuring 50mm x 40mm x 80mm (the 80mm is the out-of-paper length), made of
an elastomeric material with Young's modulus 1OOMPa and shear modulus 30MPa.
Calculate the horizontal displacement of the central block C if a horizontal impact
force 15kN acts on it as shown. (5 marks)

15kN

Figure A2

(b) Prove the following Griffith's criterion for crack propagation:

Explain clearly the meanings of all the terms in the above equation. (10 marks)

(c) Explain why glass fibres can be used to strengthen soft materials such as polymers,
but bulk pieces of glass are brittle and fragile. Draw a stress-strain diagram to
illustrate the difference in tensile behaviour between fibre and bulk forms of glass.
(5 marks)

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG 1205) Page 5

SECTIONB

B I. The linkage shown in Figure B I has a revolute joint connected to a prismatic joint. a IS
a constant.

(a) Express the coordinates of the end-effector (x.,, y,) in terms of d, I and 8. (4 marks)

(b) By differentiating x, and y, with respect to time, work out the relationship between
the x- and y-components of the velocity of the end-effector with the joint velocities.
(6 marks)

(c) By working out the inverse of the Jacobian matrix or otherwise, express the joint
velocities in terms of the components of the end-effector velocity. (10 marks)

Fy

(xe,Ye)T
Fx

\,

,..

t
a

Figure Bl

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG1205) Page 6

B2. The linkage shown in Figure B2 has a prismatic joint mounted on a revolute joint.

(a) Express the coordinates of the end-effector (Xe, y,) in terms of d, and e. (4 marks)

(b) Determine the Jacobian matrix relating the end-effector velocity components with
the joint velocities. (6 marks)

(c) The end-effector has to exert a force with components Fx and Fy in the x- and y-
directions. Use the Principle of Virtual Work or otherwise, express the joint force
and joint torque in terms ofF, and Fy. (10 marks)

Figure B2

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG 1205) Page 7

SECTIONC

Take density of water= 1,000 kg/m3 , acceleration due to gravity= 9.81 m/s2 .

Cl. (a) How is fluid distinguished from solid? (2 marks)

(b) In simple words, or with some curves, distinguish between Newtonian and non-
Newtonian fluids. (2 marks)

(c) State how temperature affects the viscosity of a liquid, and of a gas. (2 marks)

(d) Draw diagrams to show the effect of surface tension when a glass capillary tube is
placed through the free surface in a pool of water, and of mercury. (3 marks)

(e) What happens to the boiling point of water when water is under a pressure higher
than the standard atmospheric pressure? (I mark)

(f) Name and define the number that determines the significance of compressibility in a
fluid flow. (2 marks)

(g) State the Archimedes principle (or the law of flotation). (2 marks)

(h) Is it always true that the hydrostatic pressure at one point is the same as that at
another point if the two points are at the same level? (I mark)

(i) Sketch the distribution of hydrostatic pressure acting on an inclined wall of a tank
containing oil and water, as shown in Figure Cl. Calculate the pressure at the
points A and B. (5 marks)

!m
Oil (relative density= 0.8)

!m Water
B

Figure Cl

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Introduction to Mechanical Engineering (ENGG 1205) Page 8

C2. Shown in Figure C2 is a rigid gate, GAB, which is hinged at 0 and rests against a rigid
support at B. For unit width of the gate, determine

(a) the resultant hydrostatic force (magnitude and location) acting on OA, (8 marks)

(b) the resultant hydrostatic force (magnitude and location) acting on AB, and (7 marks)

(c) the minimum horizontal force, P, that is required to hold the gate closed. (5 marks)

Neglect the weight of the gate and friction in the hinge. The back of the gate is exposed
to the atmosphere.

Open to atmosphere l

. ·- .. .
...·
~

4m

2m--l

Figure C2

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