About this previous year paper
This document contains the B.Tech Semester I (2024–25) theory examination for the subject Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering (BME101).
The paper is structured to test the student’s basic understanding of mechanics, thermodynamics, refrigeration & air-conditioning, hydraulic machines, electric vehicles, and mechatronics systems.
It consists of three sections (A, B, and C), arranged to evaluate conceptual clarity, analytical ability, and engineering problem-solving skills.
SECTION A – Short Answer Questions (Basic Concepts & Fundamentals)
This section includes 7 compulsory questions of 2 marks each, testing essential definitions and direct formulas.
Topics include:
1. Strength of Materials
Stress, yield stress, factor of safety
Comparison of applied stress vs material strength
2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)
Key components of HEV drivetrain such as motors, batteries, controllers
3. Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
Calculating Ton of Refrigeration from heat extraction rate
4. Fluid Mechanics
Variation of fluid pressure with depth
Difference between gauge pressure and absolute pressure
5. Measurement Systems
Proving ring and its use in force measurement
6. Mechatronics
Definition and role of an actuation system
This section evaluates K1-level knowledge: definitions, formulas, basic understanding.
SECTION B – Descriptive Questions (Conceptual & Applied Understanding)
Students must attempt any 3 questions, each carrying 7 marks.
These questions require explanation, comparison, and application of engineering principles.
Topics include:
1. Material Behaviour
Comparing ductile vs brittle stress–strain diagrams
Yielding, fracture, elongation
2. Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Use of power electronics like inverters and converters
3. Psychrometrics
Properties such as DBT (Dry Bulb Temperature), WBT (Wet Bulb Temperature), DPT (Dew Point Temperature), and humidity
4. Hydraulic Machines
Differences between Pelton Wheel and Francis Turbine
Efficiency, head, application area
5. Pneumatics
Pneumatic sequencing with real-life examples
This section checks K2-level understanding: explanation, comparison, and conceptual interpretation.
SECTION C – Long Answer Questions (Numerical, Derivation, and Diagram-Based Work)
Section C contains long-answer, analytical, and diagram-based questions, each carrying 7 marks.
Students must attempt one question from each main number (3, 4, 5, 6, and 7).
This section is designed to test higher-level understanding (K2–K3), including engineering drawing, derivations, numerical calculations, comparison of systems, and explanation of mechanical principles.
Below is the description of what the questions cover:
3 – Strength of Materials & Elasticity
This question evaluates the student's understanding of structural analysis and material mechanics.
3(a) Cantilever Beam Analysis
Drawing the Free Body Diagram (FBD) of a 4 m cantilever beam
Beam loaded with:
• UDL = 15 kN/m
• Point load = 20 kN at free end
Objective: Calculate support reactions (shear force & bending moment) at the fixed end
This tests the ability to analyze static loads on beams.
3(b) Relation Between Elastic Constants
Derivation of relationship between:
E (Young’s Modulus), G (Shear Modulus), K (Bulk Modulus), ν (Poisson’s Ratio)
Understanding of how elastic constants interrelate in isotropic materials
This tests conceptual understanding of material elasticity.
4 – EV Technology & IC Engines
This question covers electric vehicles and internal combustion engines.
4(a) EV Charging System
Description of EV charging components:
Charger, battery pack, controller, rectifier
Comparison:
Fast charging vs slow charging (speed, cost, battery impact, use cases)
4(b) Four-Stroke CI Engine
Construction details:
Cylinder, piston, crankshaft, valves, injector
Working principle of 4 strokes:
Suction → Compression → Power → Exhaust
Neat labeled diagram required
This tests understanding of both modern EV systems and conventional engines.
5 – Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
This question focuses on performance analysis and comparison.
5(a) Air Conditioning Performance
Factors:
Heat load, ambient temperature, insulation, airflow, humidity control
Optimization methods:
Proper refrigerant charge, efficient compressor, clean filters, duct design
5(b) Heat Pump vs Refrigerator
Comparison based on:
Working cycle, direction of heat transfer, COP (Coefficient of Performance), applications
This evaluates thermodynamic system understanding.
6 – Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machines
This question examines concepts of fluid flow and machine performance.
6(a) Bernoulli’s Principle
Explanation of pressure–velocity relationship in a fluid
How pressure decreases when velocity increases and vice versa
Application in pipes, nozzles, and venturi meters
6(b) Pump and Turbine Performance Factors
Factors:
Cavitation, flow rate, head, rotational speed, friction, design efficiency
Impact on output and performance
This tests applied understanding of fluid systems.
7 – Mechanisms & Machines
This question focuses on mechanical motion transmission mechanisms.
7(a) Ratchet Mechanism
Labeled diagram
Working: allowing motion in one direction, restricting in reverse
Applications:
Jack lifts, clocks, wrenches, indexing mechanisms
7(b) Cam Mechanism
Neat labeled diagram
Cam–follower motion
Stroke, dwell, return phases
Real-world uses in engines, automation systems
This tests visualization and understanding of machine components.
Summary of Topics Covered
The question paper examines understanding in the following major engineering domains:
Strength of materials & mechanics
Fluid mechanics & Bernoulli’s principle
Refrigeration, air-conditioning, and psychrometrics
Electric vehicles & power electronics
Hydraulic turbines & pumps
IC engines (four-stroke diesel)
Mechatronics, actuation, and measurement systems
Engineering mechanisms (cam, ratchet)
It is designed to test both conceptual clarity and analytical skills, ensuring students grasp the foundational principles of mechanical engineering.