Strength of material, how to know it is compressio or tension?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining whether specific components of a structure, such as a boom and rod, are under tension or compression. Participants explore the principles of statics and material strength, particularly in relation to Young's Modulus, stress, and strain.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to determine if the boom and rod are in tension or compression, referencing images for context.
  • Another participant suggests that the answer can be inferred from the directions of the forces acting on the components.
  • A participant questions whether the inquiry about strength pertains to Young's Modulus, noting insufficient information to calculate stress or strain.
  • It is mentioned that the problem can be approached as a force balance problem in statics without needing to calculate stresses or strains.
  • A participant points out that the diameter of the rod is provided, which could allow for stress calculations if desired.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about determining tension or compression based solely on the initial question without additional context from the second image.
  • A later reply prompts consideration of the structural behavior if a specific component (CB) were to be cut, suggesting a method to analyze the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on how to determine tension or compression without additional context. There are multiple viewpoints regarding the sufficiency of the provided information and the methods to analyze the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the information available for calculating stress and strain, as well as the dependence on visual context from the images provided.

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Homework Statement


May i know how to know boom and rod, which is in tension and compression?
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/5728/16203309.gif
http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2595/57134603.gif

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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The answer is right in front of you. Look at the directions the forces are acting on each part.

Thanks
Matt
 
When you're asking for the strength do you mean the Young's Modulus because I don't see enough information to calculate stress and certainly not strain.
 
...Young's Modulus because I don't see enough information to calculate stress and certainly not strain.

This is just a force balance problem in statics. You arent required to calculate the stresses and/or strains.

You could easily calculate the stress in the rod if you wanted to because the diameter of the rod is given.

Thanks
Matt
 
CFDFEAGURU said:
The answer is right in front of you. Look at the directions the forces are acting on each part.

Thanks
Matt

i know, but the question is at first comes without the second picture i had uploaded rite?
then how can i know whether it is compression or tension with just the question(the 1st pic i uploaded)?
 
Imagine the behaviour of the structure if CB is cut. What happens to the distance CB?
 

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