Showing 21–30 of 111 questions
The shear force at the point of application of a concentrated load in a beam diagram shows a:
A
Smooth curve
B
Continuous line
C
Vertical discontinuity (jump)
D
Horizontal tangent
Correct Answer:
C. Vertical discontinuity (jump)
EXPLANATION
Shear force diagram shows a vertical jump equal to the magnitude of the concentrated load at its point of application.
In plastic hinge analysis of a continuous beam, the number of plastic hinges formed before collapse for an n-span beam is:
EXPLANATION
For an n-span continuous beam, (n+1) plastic hinges are required to convert it into a mechanism and cause collapse.
For buckling analysis of a column, the eigenvalue obtained from the stability equation represents:
A
Critical buckling load factor
B
Maximum deflection
C
Stress concentration factor
D
Safety factor
Correct Answer:
A. Critical buckling load factor
EXPLANATION
Eigenvalues in buckling analysis represent the critical load multipliers at which the column becomes unstable and buckles.
In finite element analysis of a 2D structure, the global stiffness matrix is assembled using the principle of:
A
Conservation of energy
B
Superposition
C
Equilibrium and compatibility
D
Minimum potential energy
Correct Answer:
D. Minimum potential energy
EXPLANATION
FEA uses the principle of minimum potential energy (variational principle) to assemble global stiffness matrix from element stiffness matrices.
For a continuous beam analyzed using the unit load method for deflection, the fictitious load pattern applied is:
A
Distributed along entire span
B
Concentrated at point of interest
C
Same as actual load pattern
D
Opposite to actual load pattern
Correct Answer:
B. Concentrated at point of interest
EXPLANATION
Unit load method (virtual work) requires applying a unit load (or moment for slope) at the point where deflection (or slope) is required.
In plastic analysis, the load factor for a structure is the ratio of:
A
Yield stress to working stress
B
Collapse load to service load
C
Ultimate moment to service moment
D
Elastic limit to plastic limit
Correct Answer:
B. Collapse load to service load
EXPLANATION
Load factor (collapse multiplier) = Collapse load/Service load. It measures how much the load can be increased before collapse.
A symmetric three-hinged parabolic arch carrying uniformly distributed load has maximum bending moment at:
A
The supports
B
The crown (center hinge)
C
Between support and crown
D
Zero throughout
Correct Answer:
D. Zero throughout
EXPLANATION
For a parabolic arch with UDL and three hinges optimally placed, bending moment can be zero throughout if h = wL²/8.
For a continuous beam with different moments of inertia in different spans, the relative stiffness method uses:
A
Absolute I values
B
Relative stiffness (I/L ratios)
C
Average I value
D
Maximum I value
Correct Answer:
B. Relative stiffness (I/L ratios)
EXPLANATION
Relative stiffness (I/L) is used in distribution factor calculations when moments of inertia vary across spans.
In moment distribution method, the distribution factor for a member is proportional to:
A
Length of member
B
Stiffness of member
C
Load on member
D
Area of member
Correct Answer:
B. Stiffness of member
EXPLANATION
Distribution factor = (stiffness of member)/(sum of stiffness of all members at joint). DF ∝ stiffness (4EI/L).
The carry-over factor in slope-deflection method for a member with far end fixed is:
A
0.25
B
0.5
C
0.75
D
1.0
EXPLANATION
Carry-over factor = 0.5 for both fixed and pinned end conditions in slope-deflection method.
