Civil Engineering/Force vectors

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/12/2006


Question
Hi Arshad:

How do you calculate the horizonal vector of force in a case where a conical object with weight 'w' is rested on a ring? the cone partially goes through the ring and stopped in the ring when the outside diameter of the conical object equals that of the inside diameter of the ring.


Regards,

Shahid

Answer
Hi Shahid,

From first principles, and ignoring friction, and assuming that the material of the cone is quite elastic compared with the stiffness of the ring, then the horizontal component on each finite element (triangular slice of the cone)would be w x tan y, where w is the weight of each element and y is the angle to the vertical axis. If you total up all the w, taht would give you the W, i.e. total weight of the cone.

These summations of w would actually be resisted as hoop tension in the ring, so there is no overall horizontal force.

And, if the cone is as stiff as the ring in horizontal circular hoop tension, then theoratically there would be no hoop tension imparted into the supporting ring- only vertical load.

Hope that makes sense!

Kind regards,

Arshad.

Civil Engineering

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.