UPSC Civil Service Exam Questions - Engineering

Q1:

A timber beam of 100 mm width and 200 mm depth is reinforced with two steel plates of 100 mm width and 5 mm thickness as shown in figures.

Which one of the following statements is correct for the same value of bending stress in the timber ?

A Moment of resistance in figure I will be more than that in figure II

B Moment of resistance in figure II will be more than that in figure I

C Moment of resistance in figure I will be equal to that in figure II

D No logical comparison can be made

ANS:A - Moment of resistance in figure I will be more than that in figure II

The moment of resistance is proportional to the lever arm hence, in figure 1 steel plates are far away from the centre so the lever arm will be more.