Final answer:
The question requires an understanding of engineering principles related to the stress and deformation of composite cylindrical rods under applied forces, using Young's modulus and other material properties.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of the question involves the analysis of stresses in composite cylindrical rods that are made of different materials (aluminum and steel) and subjected to external forces. To approach this problem, we need to understand concepts of mechanical engineering, particularly the behavior of materials under tension and compression, and how forces and deformations are related.
In terms of calculations, we will be using Young's modulus (E) which is a measure of material stiffness provided for aluminum (EA = 10.4 × 106 psi) and steel (ES = 29 × 106 psi). The force applied (P) is 20 kips, and we need to analyze the effect of this force on the composite rods given their material properties and constraints by the rigid supports.
Essentially, we might need to calculate the stress and strain in each section of the rod and determine their contribution to the overall deformation, considering the rods' length, cross-sectional area, and the modulus of elasticity. Calculations may also involve converting given units (psi, kips) to SI units (Pa, N) for coherence and ease of understanding