16-Civ-A1 Elementary Structural Analysis, December 2019: worked solutions

Paper: National Exams — December 2019, 16-Civ-A1 Elementary Structural Analysis (closed book, 3 h; approved Casio or Sharp calculator permitted). Six questions constitute a complete paper: answer Q1–Q5 and one of Q6/Q7/Q8. For completeness all eight questions are worked here.

Reference texts: R. C. Hibbeler, Structural Analysis (10th ed., Pearson) — determinacy and stability (Ch. 2), method of joints and sections (Ch. 3), shear and moment diagrams (Ch. 4), influence lines (Ch. 6), virtual-work deflections (Ch. 8–9), moment distribution (Ch. 11); A. Kassimali, Structural Analysis (6th ed., Cengage) — internal hinges, compound (Gerber) beams, three-hinged frames; J. C. McCormac, Structural Analysis: Using Classical and Matrix Methods (4th ed., Wiley) — Maxwell’s reciprocal theorem. Canadian practice for these actions is codified in CSA S16 and CSA S6, but this paper is pure analysis and invokes no code clauses.

Sign convention. Upward reactions positive; sagging bending moment positive (tension on the underside), hogging negative; member axial force tension positive (T), compression negative (C).

Check — figure reading. Support types are read from the printed symbols: rollers are a triangle over two wheels, pins a plain triangle, and internal hinges open circles.

16-Civ-A1 Elementary Structural Analysis: December 2019