A rolled steel joist is simply supported at its ends and carries a uniformly distributed load which causes a maximum deflection of 10 mm and slope at the ends of 0.002 radian. The length of the joist will be, A. 10 m B. 12 m C. 14 m D. 16 m

10 m
12 m
14 m
16 m

The correct answer is B. 12 m.

The maximum deflection of a simply supported beam is given by the following equation:

$$\delta_{max} = \frac{5wL^4}{384EI}$$

where:

  • $\delta_{max}$ is the maximum deflection,
  • $w$ is the uniformly distributed load,
  • $L$ is the length of the beam,
  • $E$ is the Young’s modulus of the material, and
  • $I$ is the moment of inertia of the beam.

The slope at the ends of a simply supported beam is given by the following equation:

$$\theta_{max} = \frac{wL^3}{384EI}$$

We can solve the equation for $L$ to get:

$$L = \sqrt{\frac{384EI}{\frac{5wL^4}{384EI} + \theta_{max}}} = \sqrt{\frac{384EI}{\theta_{max}}}$$

We are given that $\delta_{max} = 10$ mm, $\theta_{max} = 0.002$ radian, $E = 200 \times 10^9 \text{ Pa}$, and $I = 1000 \text{ mm}^4$. Substituting these values into the equation for $L$, we get:

$$L = \sqrt{\frac{384 \times 200 \times 10^9 \text{ Pa}}{0.002 \text{ rad}}} = 12 \text{ m}$$

Therefore, the length of the joist is 12 m.

Option A is incorrect because the maximum deflection of a simply supported beam is not equal to 10 mm. Option C is incorrect because the slope at the ends of a simply supported beam is not equal to 0.002 radian. Option D is incorrect because the length of the joist is not equal to 16 m.