Question

The tree branch is 4 feet long. For every inch of ice in the sleet storm 0.4 lb/ ft is added to the weight of the branch. The branch will snap when the moment about A exceeds 10 lb ft. What is the maximum thickness of evenly distributed ice that can accumulate before the branch breaks? The branch weighs3 lb as shown on the diagram. 4 ft 1.5 ft 3 lb

Answer 1

Mfailure = 10 lb fe Let maximum thickness of ice = �x� inches uniform Weight added = 0.4 times �x� lb/fe-w Therefore 10 = 3 times 1.5 + (0.4 x) times 4 times 42/2 10 - 4.5 = 3.2 x Therefore x = 5.5/3.2 = 1.72 inches So, maximum thickness of ice that can accumulate before branch breaks = 1.72 inches