Important Questions

Chapter 6
Strength of Materials

Syllabus

Mechanics of Materials: Stress and strain, elastic constants, Poisson's ratio; Mohr’s circle for plane stress and
plane strain; thin cylinders; shear force and bending moment diagrams; bending and shear stresses; deflection
of beams; torsion of circular shafts; Euler’s theory of columns; energy methods; thermal stresses; strain gauges
and rosettes; testing of materials with universal testing machine; testing of hardness and impact strength.

GATE
Mechanical Engineering
D P Sharma

Prentice Hall India

© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

 Strength of Materials

Q.1 A rod is subjected to a uniaxial load within linear is________.

elastic limit. When the change in the stress is 200 MPa,
10 kN/m 20 kN

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

the change in the strain is 0.001. If the Poisson's ratio of
the rod is 0.3 the modulus of rigidity (in GPa) is_____. B C
A
GATE 2015
Q.2 A cantilever OP is connected to another beam PQ 4m 2m
with a pin joint as shown in figure. A load of 10 kN is GATE 2015
applied at the mid-point of PQ. The magnitude of
bending movement (in kNm) at fixed end O is Q.7 Consider a stepped shaft subjected to a twisting
moment applied at B as shown in the figure. Assume
10 kN shear modulus G = 77GPa. The angle of twist at C (in
O P degrees) is____.
Q 100 Nm

2m 1m A
f 20 mm B f 10 mm C

(A) 2.5 (B)5 (C)10 (D) 25 500 mm 500 mm

GATE 2015 GATE 2015
Q.3 A cantilever beam with square cross-section of 6 Q.8 Consider a steel (Young's modulus E = 200GPa)
mm side is subjected to a load of 2 kN normal to the top column hinged on both sides. Its height is 1.0 m and
surface as shown in figure. The Young's modulus of cross-section is 10 mm ´ 20 mm. The lowest Euler critical
elasticity of the material of the beam is 210 GPa. The buckling load (in N) is _______.
magnitude of slope (in radian) at Q (20 mm from the
fixed end) is____. GATE 2015

2 kN
Q.9 A cantilever beam with flexural rigidity of 200 Nm 2
is loaded as shown in the figure. The deflection (in mm)
Q at the tip of the beam is _______.
P
500 N
20 mm
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100 mm
50 mm
GATE 2015 100 mm

Q.4 In a plane stress condition, the components of stress GATE 2015

at a point are s x = 20 MPa, s y = 80 MPa and Q.10 The figure below shows a steel rod of 25 mm 2
t xy = 40 MPa. The maximum shear stress ( in MPa) at the cross-sectional area. It is loaded at four points, K, L, M,
point is and N . Assume E steel = 200GPa. The total change in
(A) 20 (B) 25 (C) 50 (D) 100 length of the rod due to loading is

GATE 2015 100 N 250 N 200 N 50 N

K L M N
Q.5 A cylindrical tank with closed ends is filled with
500 mm 400 mm
compressed air at a pressure of 500 kPa, the inner radius
1700 mm
of the tank is 2 m, and it has wall thickness of 10 mm. The
magnitude of maximum in-plane shear stress (in MPa) (A) 1.0 mm (B) -10.0 mm (C) 16.0 mm (D) -20.0 mm
is_____. GATE 2004
3
GATE 2015 Q.11 A 200 ´ 100 ´ 50 mm steel block is subjected to a
Q.6 For the overhanging beam shown in figure, the hydrostatic pressure of 15 MPa.
magnitude of maximum bending moment (in kNm) The Young's modulus and poisson's ratio of the material
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 2

are 200GPa and 0.3 respectively. The change in the given below. The wind load acting perpendicular to the
volume of the block in mm 3 is plane of the figure is F =100 N. We wish to limit the
deflection, due to bending, at point A of the hollow
(A) 85 (B) 90 (C) 100 (D) 110 cylindrical pole of outer diameter 150 mm to 5 mm. Find
GATE 2007 the wall thickness for the pole. Assume 2.0 ´ 10 11 N/m 2 .
1m
Q.12 In a simply-supported beam loaded as shown

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

below, the maximum bending moment in Nm is A
F
1000 mm
500 mm

5m
100 N

100 mm
(A) 25 (B) 30 (C) 35 (D) 60 GATE 1999
GATE 2007 Q.16 A triangular shaped cantilever beam of uniform
Q.13 A uniformly loaded propped cantilever beam and thickness is shown in the figure. The Young's modulus of
its free body diagram are shown below. The reactions the materials of the beam is E. A concentrated load P is
are: applied at the free end of the beam.
q P
t

l
l
q
M1 a
b a

x
R1 l R2

5 ql 3 ql ql 2 (a) The area moment of inertia about the neural axis of a

(A) R 1 = , R2 = , M1 = cross-section at a distance x measure from the free end is
8 8 8
bxt 3 bxt 3 bxt 3 xt 3
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3 ql 5 ql ql 2 (A) (B) (C) (D)

(B) R 1 = , R2 = , M1 = 6l 24 l 12 l 12
8 8 8
5 ql 3 ql (b) The maximum deflection of the beam is
(C) R 1 = , R2 = , M1 =0
8 8 24 P l 3 8 P l3 12 P l 3 6 P l3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 ql 5 ql E bt3 E bt3 E bt3 E bt3
(D) R 1 = , R2 = , M1 =0
8 8 GATE 2011
GATE 2007 Q.17 A massless beam has a loading pattern as shown in
Q.14 A simply supported beam of length L is subjected figure. The beam is of rectangular cross-section with a
æ 3px ö width of 30 mm and height of 100 mm.
to a varying distributed load sin ç ÷ N/m, where the 3000 N/m
è L ø
distance x is measured from the left support. The B
magnitude of the vertical reaction force in Newton at the A C
left support is
L L 2L 2000 mm 2000 mm
(A) Zero (B) (C) (D) (a) The maximum bending moment occurs at
3p p p
GATE 2013
(A) Location B

Q.15 Consider the signboard mounting shown in figure (B) 2675 mm to the right of A

For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 3

(C) 2500 mm to the right of A (A) 2 ´ 10 -5 (B) 6 ´ 10 -5

(D) 3225 mm to the right of A (C) 7 ´ 10 -5 (D) 1.2 ´ 10 -4
(b) The maximum magnitude of bending stress (in MPa) GATE 2008
is given by Q.20 A torque T is applied at the free end of a stepped

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

(A) 60.0 (B) 67.5 (C) 200.0 (D) 225.0 rod of circular cross-sections as shown in the figure. The
shear modulus of the material of the rod is G. The
GATE 2010
expression of d to produce an angular twist q at the free
Q.18 For the component loaded with a force F as shown end is
in the figure, the axial stress at the corner point P is
P T
2d d
L L–b F

L L/2
1 1

L æ 32TL ö 4 æ 16TL ö 4
(A) ç ÷ (B) ç ÷
2b è pqG ø è pqG ø
2b 1 1
æ 18TL ö 4 æ 2TL ö 4
(C) ç ÷ (D) ç ÷
F (3L - b) F (3L + b) è pqG ø è pqG ø
(A) (B)
4 b3 4 b3 GATE 2011
F (3L + 4b) F (3L - 2b) Q.21 A solid shaft of diameter, d and length, L is fixed at
(C) (D)
4 b3 4 b3 both the ends. A torque, T0 is applied at a distance L / 4
from the left end as shown in the figure given below.
GATE 2008
To
Q.19 A cylindrical container of radius R =1m, wall
thickness 1 mm is filled with water up to a depth of 2 m
and suspended along its upper rim. The density of water
is 1000 kg/m 3 and acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s 2 .
The self-weight of the cylinder is negligible. The formula
for hoop stress in a thin-walled cylinder can be used at all L/4 3L/4
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points along the height of the cylindrical container.

The maximum shear stress in the shaft is
16 T0 12 T0 8 T0 4 T0
(A) 3
(B) 3
(C) 3
(D)
pd pd pd pd 3
GATE 2009
2m
Water Q.22 The strain energy stored in the beam with flexural
1m rigidity EI and loaded as shown in the figure is
P P

2R
(a) The axial and circumferential stress (s a ,s c ) L 2L L
experienced by the cylinder wall at mid-depth (1m as
shown) are P 2 L3 2 P 2 L3
(A) (B)
(A) (10,10) MPa (B) (5,10) MPa 3EI 3EI
(C) (10,5) MPa (D) (5,5) MPa 4 P 2 L3 8 P 2 L3
(C) (D)
(b) If the Young's modulus and poisson's ratio of the 3EI 3EI
container material are 100GPa and 0.3, respectively, the GATE 2008
axial strain in the cylinder wall at mid-depth is Q.23 The rod PQ of length L and with flexural rigidity
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 4

EI is hinged at both ends. For what minimum force F is it J2

respectively. The ratio is
expected to buckle? J1
P

r3
r1

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

r2 r4
45o Q F

(A) >1 (B) < 0. 5

2 2 2 2
p EI 2 p EI p EI p EI (C) =1 (D) Between 0.5 and 1
(A) (B) (C) (D)
L2 L2 2L 2
2 L2 GATE 2016
GATE 2008 Q.27 A cantilever beam having square cross-section of
Q.24 A solid steel cube constructed on all six faces is side a is subjected to an end load. If a is increased by
heated so that the temperature rises uniformly by DT. If 19%, the tip deflection decreases approximately by
the thermal coefficient of the material is a. Young's (A) 19% (B) 29% (C) 41% (D) 50%
modulus is E and the poissons's ratio is n, the thermal GATE 2016
stress developed in the cube due to heating is
Q.28 A horizontal bar with a constant cross-section is
a ( DT ) E 3a ( DT ) E subjected to loading as shown in the figure. The Young’s
(A) - (B) -
(1 - 2n) (1 - 2n) moduli for the sections AB and BC are 3E and E,
respectively. For the deflection at C to be zero, the ratio
2a ( DT ) E a ( DT ) E P/F is _________.
(C) - (D) -
(1 - 2n) 3(1 - 2n) A B C
P F
GATE 2012 3E E
Q.25 In the figure, the load P = 1 N, length L = 1 m,
Young's modulus E = 70 GPa, and the cross-section of L L
the links is a square with dimension 10 mm ´ 10 mm. All
joints are pin joints. The stress (in Pa) in the link AB is GATE 2016
_______. Q.29 The figure shows cross-section of a beam
C subjected to bending. The area moment of inertia (in
mm 4 ) of this cross-section about its base is _____.
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

L GATE 2016

B
10
450 r4 r4 All dimensions are in mm
P 8 + +
L
10
A
10
(Indicate compressive stress by a negative sign and
tensile stress by a positive sign.) Q.30 A simply-supported beam of length 3L is subjected
to the loading shown in the figure.
GATE 2016
Q.26 The cross-sections of two hollow bars made of the P P
same material are concentric circles as shown in the
A
figure. It is given that r3 > r1 and r4 > r2 , and that the areas
of the cross-sections are the same. J 1 and J 2 are the
torsional rigidities of the bars on the left and right, L L L

For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 5

It is given that P =1 N, L =1 m and Young’s modulus E = GATE 2016

200 GPa. The cross-section is a square with dimension P
10 mm ´ 10 mm. The bending stress (in Pa) at the point A
located at the top surface of the beam at a distance of 1.5
L from the left end is _________. L

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

(Indicate compressive stress by a negative sign and L
R
tensile stress by a positive sign.)
GATE 2016 P
L
Q.31 A shaft with a circular cross-section is subjected to A
pure twisting moment. The ratio of the maximum shear
stress to the largest principal stress is
Q.35 A simply supported beam of length 2L is subjected
(A) 2.0 (B) 1.0 (C) 0.5 (D) 0 to a moment M at the mid-point x = 0 as shown in the
GATE 2016 figure. The deflection in the domain 0 £ x £ L is given by
Q.32 A thin cylindrical pressure vessel with closed-ends - Mx
d= ( L - x )( x + c)
is subjected to internal pressure. The ratio of 12EIL
circumferential (hoop) stress to the longitudinal stress is
where E is the Young's modulus, I is the area moment of
(A) 0.25 (B) 0.50 (C) 1.0 (D) 2.0 inertia and c is a constant (to be determined).
GATE 2016 y

Q.33 A machine element XY , fixed at end X , is M

subjected to an axial load P, transverse load F , and a
twisting moment T at its free end Y . The most critical x
point from the strength point of view is a L L

The slope at the center x = 0 is

F
ML ML ML ML
(A) (B) (C) (D)
T 2EI 3EI 6EI 12EI
GATE 2016
P
X Y Q.36 A circular metallic rod of length 250 mm is placed
between two rigid immovable walls as shown in the
figure. The rod is in perfect contact with the wall on the
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

left side and there is a gap of 0.2 mm between the rod and
the wall on the right side. If the temperature of the rod is
increased by 200 o C, the axial stress developed in the rod
is ______ MPa.
(A) Point on the circumference at location Y
(B) Point at the center at location Y
(C) Point on the circumference at location X
(D) Point at the center at location X
GATE 2016
250 mm 0.2 mm
Q.34 A rigid horizontal rod of length 2L is fixed to a
circular cylinder of radius R as shown in the figure.
Vertical forces of magnitude P are applied at the two Young's modulus of the material of the rod is 200 GPa
ends as shown in the figure. The shear modulus for the and the coefficient of thermal expansion is 10 -5 per o C.
cylinder is G and the Young's modulus is E. GATE 2016
The vertical deflection at point A is Q.37 The cross-sections of two solid bars made of the
PL3 PL3 2PL3 4PL3 same material are shown in the figure. The square
(A) (B) (C) (D) cross-section has flexural (bending) rigidity I 1 , while the
pR 4G pR 4 E pR 4 E pR 4G circular cross-section has flexural rigidity I 2 . Both
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 6

sections have the same cross-sectional area. The ratio I 1 / Q.41 For the beam shown, which of the following are
I 2 is discontinuous at the mid span?
F
h
A B

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

C
L L
1 2 p p
(A) (B) (C) (D)
p p 3 6
(A) Bending moment only
GATE 2016
(B) Axial force and bending moment only
Q.38 A square plate of dimension L × L is subjected to a
uniform pressure load p = 250 MPa on its edges as shown (C) Bending moment and shear force only
in the figure. Assume plane stress conditions. The
(D) Axial force, bending moment and shear force
Young’s modulus E = 200 GPa.
p Q.42 A beam is fixed at the left end and supported by a
spring at the other end. The length of the beam is L and its
3EI
p flexural rigidity is EI. The spring constant is k = 3 . A
p d L L
vertical downward load P is applied at the right end. The
deflection of the point under the load P is

p P
EI
The deformed shape is a square of dimension L - 2d. If
L = 2 m and d = 0.001 m, the Poisson’s ratio of the plate
material is_______. L
GATE 2016 k
Q.39 Two circular shafts made of same material, one
solid (S) and one hollow (H), have the same length and
polar moment of inertia. Both are subjected to same
torque. Here, q S is the twist and t S is the maximum shear
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stress in the solid shaft, whereas q H is the twist and t H is PL3 PL3 2PL3 5PL3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
the maximum shear stress in the hollow shaft. Which one 9EI 6EI 9EI 9EI
of the following is TRUE?
Q.43 The diameter of a shaft is increased from 30 mm to
(A) q S = q H and t S = t H (B) q S > q H and t S > t H 60 mm, all other conditions remaining unchanged. How
(C) q S < q H and t S < t H (D) q S = q H and t S < t H many times is its torque carrying capacity increased?
GATE 2016 (A) 2 times (B) 4 times (C) 8 times (D) 16 times
Q.40 A beam of length L is carrying a uniformly Q.44 When a steel tyre of internal diameter of ' d ' is
distributed load w per unit length. The flexural rigidity of shrinked over a wheel of external diameter of ' D ' and if E
the beam is EI. The reaction at the simple support at the be the Young's modulus of steel, then hoop stress in tyre
right end is
is
w
E (D - d ) D
(A) (B) E
d d
2
L æD-dö
(C) E ç ÷ (D) 0
è D ø
wL 3 wL wL wL
(A) (B) (C) (D) Q.45 A simply supported beam is subjected to a
2 8 4 8
distributed loading as shown in the diagram given below.
GATE 2016
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Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 7

What is the maximum shear force in the beam? Q.49 The two-dimensional state of stress at a point is
given by the corresponding Mohr’s circle is a
w N/m
10 MPa

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

s-axis
10 MPa 10 MPa
L
10 MPa

wL wL wL wL (A) Circle of radius 10 MPa with center at 10 MPa on the

(A) (B) (C) (D) s-axis.
4 2 3 6 (B) Circle of radius 10 MPa with center at -10 MPa on the
Q.46 A beam AB is pinned at A and supported by spring s-axis.
of stiffness k at the other end. The flexural rigidity of the (C) Point on the positive s-axis.
beam is EI. The deflection at the center of beam is (D) Point on the negative s-axis.
P Q.50 Five rods of area of cross-section A, length L and
Young's modulus E, are pinned jointed together as
C shown in figure. The vertical deflection of pin D is
A B
A
L/2 L/2 k
L L
L
B C
3
P PL P
(A) (B) +
2k 48EI 4k L L
3 3
PL P PL P
(C) + (D) + D
48EI 2k 3EI 2k
P
Q.47 A cantilever beam is constructed by two beams
(with flexural rigidity EI and 2EI) as shown in figure. 7 PL PL 5 PL
(A) (B) 3 (C) (D) None of these
The deflection under the load P is 2 EA EA 3 EA
Q.51 A frame of two arms of equal length L is shown in
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P the following figure. The flexural rigidity of each arm of

2EI EI the frame is EI. The vertical deflection at the point of
application of load P is

L L A

3 PL3 3 PL3 L
( A) ( B)
2 EI 7 EI P
PL3 B
(C) 1. 33 ( D) None of these C
EI L
Q.48 Circumferential and longitudinal strain of a
cylinder boiler under steam pressure are e q and e l
PL3 2PL3 PL3 4PL3
respectively. The change in volume of boiler cylinder per (A) (B) (C) (D)
unit volume will be 3EI 3EI EI 3EI
( A) e q + 2e l ( B) e q + e l (C) 2e q + e l ( D) Q.52 A simply supported beam of span L is subjected to
2e qe l a concentrated load P at mid-span. The cross-section of

For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 8

1 Q.58 A cube is subjected to three mutually

the beam is rectangular. The ratio of the shear stress at
4 perpendicular tensile stress s, the volumetric strain of
th the depth of the beam to the shear stress at the center of cube will be
the cross-section is 3s s
(A) (1 - 2n) (B) (1 - 2n)
3 1 3 E E
(A) (B) (C) (D) 2

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

8 2 4 3s
(C) (2 - n) (D) None of these
Q.53 Figure shows the shear force diagram (SFD) of the E
beam. The maximum bending moment (by magnitude) in Q.59 Thin cylindrical shell of diameter d, thickness t and
the beam is Poisson's ratio n is subjected to internal pressure P. The
P hoop strain (circumferential strain) is

a l Pd æ n ö Pd
(A) ç1 - ÷
2tE è 2 ø
(B)
2tE
(1 - 2n)
a
Pd
–P (C)
2tE
(0 .5 - n) (D) None of these
Shear force diagram
Q.60 The strain energy stored in a simply supported
beam as shown in figure, is

æ lö
( A) Pa ( B) P ç a + ÷ (C) Pl ( D) 0
è 2ø W
EI 2EI
Q.54 If a fixed beam of length l is subjected to a load W
at the mid span, then the bending moment under the load A B
will be equal to
a a
Wl Wl Wl
( A) ( B) (C) ( D) None of these
2 4 8
Q.55 Consider the following statements: W 2a 3 W 2a 3 W 2a 3
( A) ( B) (C) ( D) 0
A simply supported beam is subjected to a couple some 96EI 24EI 16EI
where in the span. It would produce Q.61 The PQ of length 5 m with flexural rigidity
1. A rectangular shear force diagram 2 ´ 10 5 N is hinged at both ends. For what minimum force
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F (in N) is it expected to buckle? _______.

2. Parabolic bending moment diagram
P
3. Both +ve and -ve bending moment which are EA = 2X105 N
maximum at the point of application of the couple.
5m
Of these statements, which are correct
Q F
( A) 1, 2 and 3 are correct ( B) 1 and 2 are correct 45o
(C) 2 and 3 are correct ( D) 1 and 3 are correct
Q.56 Polar moment of inertia of a hollow tube of Q.62 At a point in a body subjected to plane stress, the
diameter ' d ' and wall thickness ' t ' is state of stress is shown in the figure. One of the principal
stresses is 180 MPa. The unknown shear stress t (in
pd 3 t pd 3 t pd 3 t pd 4 MPa) is___.
(A) (B) (C) (D)
32 16 4 16
Q.57 A fixed beam of length l carrying uniformly t
distributed load w , the location of zero bending moment
from fixed end is 160 MPa 160 MPa
l l l
(A) (B) (C) (D) None of these
2 4 8
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 9

Q.63 A stepped circular shaft made of steel is rigidly kNm) moment (by magnitude) in the beam is_________.
fixed at two supports A and C as shown in the figure. A 2 kN/m
torque of 680 Nm is applied on the shaft at point B. The
diameter of portion AB is twice that of portion BC. The
magnitudes of torque reactions at supports A is_____.

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

680 Nm 1m 1m 1m
Q.68 A double overhanging beam is shown in the
a
A B C following figure. The minimum value of to ensure a
L
pure negative moment all through the span is_________.
L L
P P P
Q.64 A propped cantilever beam of span 4 m is C D
subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 20 kN/m as A B
L/2
shown in the figure. The reaction at the roller support a a
L
is______.
Q.69 An axial core of 100 mm is bored throughout the
20 kN/m
length of 200 mm diameter solid circular shaft. For the
same maximum shear stress, the percentage torque
carrying capacity lost by this operation is _______.
4m Q.70 The given figure (all dimensions are in mm) shows
the I-section of the beam. The shear stress at point P
(very close to the web) is 12 MPa. The stress at point Q in
the web very close to the flange is _________.
Q.65 A beam subjected to pure bending due to a moment
M 0 has a radius of curvature R = 5000 cm as shown due 20
to this moment. The moment of inertia of the P
Q
cross-section is I = 50 cm 4 and the Young’s modulus of
N 80 A
the beam material is E = 200 GPa. The bending moment
M 0 (in kNm) is____. 20
20
Mo R
Mo 100
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Q.71 A frame ABC is shown in the figure. Members AB

and BC both have a length L, and Young’s modulus E.
Member AB and BC both have a square cross-section of
Q.66 A 100 mm thick steel rectangular plate of size 100 side 'a'. A load P is applied at point C as shown in the
mm ´ 200 mm is subjected to biaxial stresses of figure. The maximum bending stress in the frame is
s x =150 MPa, s y = 200 MPa, as shown below. The P
Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio are 200 GPa and
0 . 3 respectively. The change in the thickness of the plate B C
is___.
200 MPa
200 mm

150 MPa A
150 MPa
100 mm 3PL 6PL 9PL 12PL
(A) (B) (C) (D)
a3 a3 a3 a3
200 MPa Q.72 A cantilever beam with a square bend at the end as
shown is loaded with a force P. The cross-section of the
Q.67 A simply supported beam with an overhanging end beam is square with side a. The maximum flexural stress
is loaded as shown below. The maximum bending (in
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 10

(s max ) in the beam is component s x at point P is zero, the distance a of the

L force F from the x-axis should be

L/3 P
x

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

P L/3
a
16Pl 10Pl 8Pl L/2 L/2
(A) 3 (B) 3 (C) 3 (D) None of these
a a a F
Q.73 A solid circular shaft of diameter d and of total
length 3L is held fixed at one end and load by a torque T1 b b b
at B and T2 at C as shown in figure. The angle of twist in (A) b (B) (C) (D)
the shaft at C is 2 3 6
T2 Q.77 A stepped shaft PQR is fixed at both ends as shown
A C
in the figure. A torque T is applied at point Q. The polar
B
moment of inertia of the shafts PQ and QR are J 1 and J 2
T1 respectively. Modulus of rigidity is G. The angle of twist
L 2L at point Q due to torque T, is given by (in radians)

T
32(3T2 + T1 ) L 32(3T2 - T1 ) L
(A) 4
(B) P J1 Q J2 R
pGd pGd 4
64(2T2 + T1 ) L 64(2T2 - T1 ) L
(C) 4
(D) 2L L
pGd pGd 4
Q.74 Two shafts of the same material and equal length 2 æ TL ö 1 æ TL ö
are subjected to the torque. The diameter of the first shaft (A) ç ÷ (B) ç ÷
J1 è G ø J2 è G ø
is twice that of the second. The ratio of the strain energy
of the first shaft to that of the second shaft is æ 2 1 öæ TL ö æ 2 öæ TL ö
(C) çç + ÷÷ç ÷ (D) çç ÷÷ç ÷
(A) 16 : 1 (B) 1 : 16 (C) 1 : 2 (D) 2 : 1 è J 1 J 2 øè G ø è J 1 + 2 J 2 øè G ø
Q.75 Two bars of length L are joined together to form a Q.78 Two bars of different Young’s modulus, E 1 and
structural system that is fixed at top and bottom as
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

E 2 , but with the same cross-sectional area, A and

shown. The bottom part BC of the structure has a coefficient of thermal expansion, a , are attached
cross-sectional area twice that of the top part AB. Both together at one end and fixed at the other as shown in the
bars are made of the same elastic material. What is the figure. The construction of this setup was carried out at
stress in the top part AB of this structural system if a load an ambient temperature of 25°C. The stress in the bars
P acts at B as shown in figure. Neglect the self weight of when the temperature is uniformly increased by 10°C is
the system

A E1 E2

a L
L L
B
(A) s = 10 a ( E 1 + E 2 ) (B) s = 20 a ( E 1 + E 2 )
P æ E E ö æ E E ö
2a L
(C) s = 20 a çç 1 2 ÷÷ (D) s = 10 a çç 1 2 ÷÷
C è E1 + E2 ø è E1 + E2 ø
Q.79 At a point in a body in plane stress, is subjected to
P P 2P P two different condition (a) an equibiaxial stress
(A) (B) (C) (D) s xx = s yy = s , and (b) a pure shear stress t xy = s . The
3a 2a a 4a
magnitude of the maximum- principal stress in each of
Q.76 A L-shaped bar of square cross-section with sides ' these cases, are
b ' is loaded as shown in figure. If the value of the stress
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 11

(A) s max = s , s max = s (B) s max = 0 , s max = s

(C) s max = s , s max = 0 (D) s max = 0 , s max = 0 P
Q.80 Consider the following statements with reference
to a continuous beam supported at A, C and E for which
the shear force diagram is shown in figure. l/2 l/2

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

5Pl 3 Pl 3 Pl 3 Pl 3
SF

( A) ( B) (C) ( D)
48EI 8EI 3EI 6EI
+ + Q.85 The maximum eccentricity e of compressive load
E x
A B _ C D _ acting on a short strut of diameter d without producing
tension at the base section is

d
There is a e
P
(1) Concentrated load acting at point B
(2) Concentrated load acting at point D d d d d
( A) e = ( B) e = (C) e = ( D) e =
(3) Uniformly distributed load acting on the portion CE 2 4 8 2
Of these statements Q.86 The compound shaft shown in figure is fixed at the
two ends. It is subjected to a twisting moment T at the
( A) 1, 2 and 3 are correct ( B) 1and 2 are correct middle. The ratio of reaction torque T1 / T2 is
(C) 2 and 3 are correct ( D) 1and 3 are correct T
Q.81 Maximum stress (s max ) induced in a bar of length L
and density r, rotating at an angular velocity w about its T1 d 2d T2
one end is given by
rw2 L2 rw2 L2
(A) rw2 L2 (B) (C) (D) None of these l l
2 8
Q.82 A uniform rod of length L cross-section area A and 1 1 3
( A) ( B) (C) ( D) None of these.
modulus of elasticity E is held rigidly by fixed supports 8 16 16
at the ends and an axial load P is applied at mid length of
Q.87 A rectangular section beam subjected to a bending
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

the rod. The strain energy stored is

moment M varying along its length is required to
P 2L P 2L P 2L develop same maximum bending stress at any
(A) (B) (C) (D) None of these
EA 4EA 8EA cross-section. If the depth of the section is constant, then
its width will very as
Q.83 Two beams AB and BC are jointed at B and loaded
as shown in figure. The bending moment at fixed support (A) M (B) M (C) M 2 (D) 1/M
A is
Q.88 A continuous frame ABCD built-in at A is loaded
as shown in figure. All members have same length L and
4 kN/m same flexural rigidity EI. Considering only bending
12 kN effect, the vertical deflection of point D is
B L
A C C
D
3m 1m 2m P
L

( A) 42 kNm ( B) 21kNm (C) 24 kNm ( D) 18 kNm

Q.84 Deflection of the free end of a cantilever beam B A
(See figure) is subjected to a concentrated load at the L
middle of its span is given by
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 12

PL3 4PL3 5PL3 2PL3 a simply supported beam. The distance (in m) from end
( A) ( B) (C) ( D) A, of the point where maximum bending moment occurs,
3EI 3EI 3EI 3EI
is___.
Q.89 A long rod of length L, cross-section area a,
density r and modulus of elasticity E hangs vertically 2 kN/m 4 kN
from a roof. The maximum longitudinal strain in the rod

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

is C D
A B
2 2 2
rgL rgL 2rgL
(A) (B) (C) (D) 0
E 2E E 4m 2m 2m
Q.90 A rectangular strain rosette, shown in figure, gives Q.95 A cantilever beam of flexural rigidity EI = 81 MN/
following readings in a strain measurement task m 2 is loaded as shown in figure. The deflection at the
e 1 = 1000 ´ 10 -6 , e 2 = 800 ´ 10 -6 and e 3 = 600 ´ 10 -6 . The free end is_________.
direction of the major principal strain with respect to
gauge 1 is 100 kN
900 kNm
e3 e2
9m
Q.96 A steel plate is subjected to stresses 400 MPa
(tension) and 200 MPa (compression) as shown in figure.
45o x The normal stress s n (in MPa) on the plane AC is_____.
e1 400 MPa

(A) 45 o (B) 30 o (C) 15 o (D) 0 o A

Q.91 The maximum bending moment (magnitude wise 200 MPa 200 MPa
in kNm) for the beam shown in figure, is_________. q = 60 o

20 kN 40 kN C B
400 MPa
Q.97 There are two cantilever beams with the same
flexural rigidity of EI and length of 2 m. First beam is
1m 2m 1m subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 6 N/m and
the second beam is subjected to concentrated point load
Q.92 At a point in an object subjected to a plane stress of 2 N at the free-end. The ratio of strain energies due to
conditions, the state of stress is as shown in the figure. bending of first beam to second beam is____.
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The normal stress on the plane AB (in MPa) is_______. Q.98 A uniformly distributed load w (in kN/m) is acting
40 MPa
B
40 MPa over the entire length of a 3 m long cantilever beam. If
40 MPa the shear force of the midpoint of cantilever is 6 kN, what
100 MPa is the value of w ?_________.
100 MPa
40 MPa 450 Q.99 A beam ABCD with simple supports at A, B and D
A and an internal hinge at C is subjected to loads as shown
40 MPa
40 MPa in the figure. The reaction at middle support B, is
_________.
Q.93 For the truss shown in the figure, both the
members have a cross-sectional area A and Young’s
modulus E . The vertical deflection of point B 20 kN 20 kN
is_________. B
A A D
EA = 2X10 N
5
E C F
2m 2m 1m 1m 1m
2m
F =1 kN Q.100 A beam of rectangular cross-section is subjected
C to transverse loads. In a section where the shear stress at
B
(1/4)th of the beam depth is 120 MPa, the maximum
2m shear stress (in MPa) is_________.
Q.94 Figure shows the dimensions as well as loading on Q.101 A circular log of timber has diameter d. The ratio
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 13

of depth to breadth of rectangular beam that can be cut (A) Yield stress (B) Proportional limit
from a circular log for the strongest section in bending, is
___. (C) Maximum stress (D) Fracture stress
GATE 2017 Session I
Q.102 A solid circular steel shaft of 50 mm diameter,
fixed at one end, is subjected to torques as shown below. Q.109 An initially stress-free massless elastic beam of
The shearing modulus of the material is 80 GPa. The

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

length L and circular cross-section with diameter d (
rotation (in radians) of the free end S due to torsion d << L) is held fixed between two walls as shown. The
is_______. beam material has Young's modulus E and coefficient of
thermal expansion a.
500 Nm 250 Nm

d
P Q R S
L
500 mm 500 mm 250 mm
Q.103 The principal stresses at a point on body If the beam is slowly and uniformly heated, the
subjected to a state of plane stress are 10 MPa and 20 temperature rise required to cause the beam to buckle is
MPa. The magnitude of shear stress on a plane in which proportional to
the normal stress is 12 MPa is_________.
(A) d (B) d 2 (C) d 3 (D) d 4
Q.104 A 0.2 mm thick tape goes over a frictional pulley
GATE 2017 Session I
of 25 cm diameter. If modulus of elasticity E of material
is 100 GPa, then the maximum stress induced in the tape Q.110 A point mass of 100 kg is dropped onto a massless
is_. elastic bar (cross-sectional area = 100 mm 2 , length = 1m,
Young's moduls = 100 GPa) from a height h of 10 mm as
shown (Figure is not to scale). If g = 10 m/s 2 , the
maximum compression of the elastic bar is____mm.
25 cm
m =100 kg
0.2 mm h =10 mm

g
Q.105 Shear force diagram of simply supported beam is
shown in figure. The value of maximum bending (in
kNm) moment in the beam is_________. l =1 m
10 kN
8 kN
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

C GATE 2017 Session I

A B
1m 1m Q.111 A horizontal bar, fixed at one end (x = 0), has a
–8 kN length of 1 m, and cross-sectional area of 100 mm 2 . Its
–10 kN elastic modulus varies along its length as given by
Shear force diagram E ( x ) = 100 e - x GPa, where x is the length coordinate (in
m) along the axis of the bar. An axial tensile load of 10
Q.106 The Poisson's ratio for a perfectly incompressible
kN is applied at the free end (x =1). The axial
linear elastic material is
displacement of the free end is________mm.
(A) 1 (B) 0.5 (C) 0 (D) infinity GATE 2017 Session I
GATE 2017 Session I
Q.112 The state of stress at a point is
Q.107 Consider a beam with circular cross-section of s x = s y = s z = t xz = t zx = t yz = t zy = 0 and
diameter d. The ratio of the second moment of area about t xy = t yx = 50 MPa. The maximum normal stress (in
the neutral axis to the section modulus of the area is. MPa) at that point is ____.
d pd GATE 2017 Session II
(A) (B) (C) d (D) pd
2 2 Q.113 For a loaded cantilever beam of uniform
GATE 2017 Session I cross-section, the bending moment (in N.mm) along the
length is M ( x ) = 5x 2 + 10x, where x is the distance (in
Q.108 In the engineering stress-strain curve for mild
steel, the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) refers to mm) measured from the free end of the beam. The
For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 14

magnitude of shear force (in N) in the cross-section at ends. Assuming modulus of elasticity, E = 200 GPa for
x =10 mm is______. steel, the critical axial load (in kN) is ____ .
GATE 2017 Session II GATE 2018 Set-1
Q.114 A cantilever beam of length L and flexural Q.120 The state of stress at a point, for a body in plane
modulus EI is subjected to a point load P at the free end. stress, is shown in the figure below. If the minimum

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

The elastic strain energy stored in the beam due to principal stress is 10 kPa, then the normal stress s y (in
bending (neglecting transverse shear) is kPa) is
P 2 L3 P 2 L3 PL3 PL3 sy
(A) (B) (C) (D) txy=50 kPa
6EI 3EI 3EI 6EI
GATE 2017 Session II sx=100 kPa
Q.115 A steel bar is held by two fixed supports as shown
in the figure and is subjected to an increases of
temperature DT =100 o C. If the coefficient of thermal
expansion and Young's modulus of elasticity of steel are
11 ´ 10 -6 / o C and 200 GPa, respectively, the magnitude
of thermal stress (in MPa) induced in the bar is_____. (A) 9.45 (B) 18.88 (C) 37.78 (D) 75.50
GATE 2018 Set-1
Q.121 A simply supported beam of width 100 mm,
height 200 mm and length 4 m is carrying a uniformly
distributed load of intensity 10 kN/m. The maximum
GATE 2017 Session II bending stress (in MPa) in the beam is ____.
Q.116 Which one of the following statements is TRUE 10 kN/m
for the ultrasonic machining (USM) process?
(A) In USM, the tool vibrates at subsonic frequency.
(B) USM does not employ magnetostrictive transducer. 4m
(C) USM is an excellent process for machining ductile
materials. GATE 2018 Set-1
(D) USM often uses a slurry comprising abrasive- Q.122 The minimum axial compressive load, P,
particles and water. required to initiate buckling for a pinned-pinned slender
GATE 2017 Session II column with bending stiffness EI and length L is
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

Q.117 A rod of length 20 mm is stretched to make a rod p2 EI p2 EI

(A) P = (B) P =
of length 40 mm. Subsequently, it is compressed to make 4L2 L2
a rod of final length 10 mm. Consider the longitudinal
tensile strain as positive and compressive strain as 3p2 EI 4p2 EI
(C) P = (D) P =
negative. The total true longitudinal strain in the rod is 4L2 L2
(A) –0.5 (B) –0.69 (C) –0.75 (D) –1.0 GATE 2018 Set-2
GATE 2017 Session II Q.123 A bar of circular cross section is clamped at ends
Q.118 If s 1 and s 3 are the algebraically largest and P and Q as shown in the figure. A torsional moment T =
smallest principal stresses respectively, the value of the 150 Nm is applied at a distance of 100 mm from end P.
maximum shear stress is The torsional reactions (TP , TQ ) in Nm at the ends P and
Q respectively are
s1 +s3 s1 -s3 P T Q
(A) (B)
2 2
s1 +s3 s1 -s3
(C) (D)
2 2
100 mm 200 mm
GATE 2018 Set-1
Q.119 A steel column of rectangular section (15 mm ´ (A) (50, 100) (B) (75, 75) (C) (100, 50) (D) (120, 30)
10 mm) and length 1. 5 m is simply supported at both GATE 2018 Set-2

For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."
Strength of Materials GATE Mechanical Engineering by D. P. Sharma 15

Q.124 A bimetallic cylindrical bar of cross sectional

area 1 m 2 is made by bonding Steel (Young’s modulus =
210 GPa) and Aluminium (Young’s modulus = 70 GPa)
as shown the figure. To maintain tensile axial strain of
magnitude 10 -6 in Steel bar and compressive axial strain
of magnitude 10 -6 in Aluminum bar, the magnitude of the

GATE Mechanical Engineering Author D. P. Sharma

required force P (in kN) along the indicated direction is

L/2 L/2
clamped end

clamped end
P
Steel Aluminium
Perfectly bonded interface

(A) 70 (B) 140 (C) 210 (D) 280

GATE 2018 Set-2
Q.125 A thin-walled cylindrical can with rigid end caps
has a mean radius R = 100 mm and a wall thickness of
t = 5 mm. The can is pressurized and an additional tensile
stress of 50 MPa is imposed along the axial direction as
shown in the figure. Assume that the state of stress in the
wall is uniform along its length. If the magnitudes of
axial and circumferential components of stress in the can
are equal, the pressure (in MPa) inside the can is ____ .
end cap end cap

pressurized can

50 MPa R 50 MPa
© 2016 by PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi

GATE 2018 Set-2

For Solution Refer book "GATE Mechanical Engineering author D. P. Sharma, Publisher PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd."