Theory of Structures MCQs Questions and Answers for All Competitive Exams and Interviews
1. Which of the following best defines a structure in civil engineering?
A) A system designed only for aesthetic appearance
B) An arrangement of connected elements that resist loads and transfer them safely to the ground
C) A collection of materials without load resistance
D) A temporary construction without stability
Answer: B
2. A beam that is supported at one end and free at the other is called:
A) Simply supported beam
B) Fixed beam
C) Cantilever beam
D) Continuous beam
Answer: C
3. Which support provides resistance to vertical, horizontal, and moment reactions?
A) Roller support
B) Hinged support
C) Fixed support
D) Rocker support
Answer: C
4. A structure that can be analyzed using only equations of static equilibrium is called:
A) Indeterminate structure
B) Statically determinate structure
C) Redundant structure
D) Unstable structure
Answer: B
5. The number of independent equilibrium equations available in a plane structure is:
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 6
Answer: C
6. Which of the following loads is permanent in nature?
A) Wind load
B) Earthquake load
C) Live load
D) Dead load
Answer: D
7. The force that resists the relative sliding between two surfaces in contact is called:
A) Normal force
B) Tensile force
C) Frictional force
D) Compressive force
Answer: C
8. A roller support resists:
A) Vertical force and moment
B) Horizontal force and moment
C) Only vertical force
D) Only moment
Answer: C
9. Which of the following is an example of a statically indeterminate structure?
A) Simply supported beam
B) Cantilever beam
C) Fixed beam
D) Single hinged frame
Answer: C
10. Stress is defined as:
A) Force multiplied by area
B) Force per unit area
C) Area per unit force
D) Force divided by volume
Answer: B
11. Strain is defined as:
A) Change in force / original area
B) Change in length × original length
C) Change in length / original length
D) Original length / change in length
Answer: C
12. Hooke’s Law is valid up to:
A) Breaking point
B) Yield point
C) Elastic limit
D) Ultimate stress
Answer: C
13. The internal resistance developed by a beam against bending is called:
A) Shear force
B) Bending moment
C) Axial force
D) Torsion
Answer: B
14. Which diagram represents variation of bending moment along the beam length?
A) Load diagram
B) Shear force diagram
C) Bending moment diagram
D) Reaction diagram
Answer: C
15. A member subjected to pulling force is under:
A) Compression
B) Shear
C) Bending
D) Tension
Answer: D
16. In a simply supported beam, the bending moment at the supports is:
A) Maximum
B) Minimum
C) Zero
D) Negative
Answer: C
17. Which load acts for a very short duration but with high intensity?
A) Live load
B) Dead load
C) Wind load
D) Impact load
Answer: D
18. A structure becomes unstable when:
A) It has extra supports
B) It has sufficient reactions
C) It cannot maintain equilibrium under applied loads
D) It is statically indeterminate
Answer: C
19. The point where shear force changes sign is generally the point of:
A) Zero stress
B) Maximum bending moment
C) Zero reaction
D) Maximum deflection
Answer: B
20. Which material property defines the stiffness of a material?
A) Density
B) Poisson’s ratio
C) Young’s modulus
D) Bulk modulus
Answer: C
21. The ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal strain is called:
A) Elasticity ratio
B) Shear modulus
C) Poisson’s ratio
D) Stress ratio
Answer: C
22. Which type of truss member experiences only axial force?
A) Beam member
B) Frame member
C) Truss member
D) Plate member
Answer: C
23. If a member shortens due to compressive force, it is under:
A) Tension
B) Compression
C) Shear
D) Torsion
Answer: B
24. The total number of unknown reactions in a statically determinate plane structure must be:
A) Less than 3
B) More than 3
C) Equal to 3
D) Equal to 6
Answer: C
25. A beam fixed at both ends is called:
A) Simply supported beam
B) Overhanging beam
C) Cantilever beam
D) Fixed beam
Answer: D
26. The force that tends to rotate a body about a point or axis is called:
A) Linear force
B) Moment
C) Shear force
D) Normal force
Answer: B
27. In a cantilever beam, the maximum bending moment occurs at:
A) Free end
B) Mid-span
C) Quarter span
D) Fixed end
Answer: D
28. A load that is distributed uniformly along the length of a beam is known as:
A) Point load
B) Varying load
C) Uniformly distributed load (UDL)
D) Impact load
Answer: C
29. Which of the following is a primary structural element?
A) Brick
B) Paint
C) Beam
D) Plaster
Answer: C
30. The algebraic sum of vertical forces in a body in equilibrium is:
A) Maximum
B) Minimum
C) Zero
D) Infinite
Answer: C
31. A structure that has more unknown reactions than equilibrium equations is called:
A) Determinate structure
B) Indeterminate structure
C) Unstable structure
D) Simple structure
Answer: B
32. Which support allows rotation but prevents translation in both directions?
A) Roller support
B) Hinged support
C) Fixed support
D) Link support
Answer: B
33. The slope of the shear force diagram at any section equals:
A) Bending moment
B) Reaction
C) Load intensity
D) Deflection
Answer: C
34. The slope of the bending moment diagram at any point represents:
A) Load
B) Reaction
C) Deflection
D) Shear force
Answer: D
35. Which type of load varies along the length of the beam?
A) Point load
B) UDL
C) Uniformly varying load (UVL)
D) Dead load
Answer: C
36. A column primarily resists:
A) Tension
B) Compression
C) Bending
D) Shear
Answer: B
37. The property of a material by which it regains its original shape after removal of load is:
A) Plasticity
B) Ductility
C) Brittleness
D) Elasticity
Answer: D
38. Which diagram helps in finding maximum bending moment in a beam?
A) Reaction diagram
B) Load diagram
C) Shear force diagram
D) Deflection diagram
Answer: C
39. A beam supported on more than two supports is called:
A) Cantilever beam
B) Fixed beam
C) Continuous beam
D) Overhanging beam
Answer: C
40. The resistance developed per unit area due to axial force is known as:
A) Load
B) Strain
C) Stress
D) Deflection
Answer: C
41. A force acting perpendicular to the axis of a beam produces:
A) Axial stress
B) Bending
C) Torsion
D) Compression only
Answer: B
42. Which structural element mainly carries axial loads?
A) Beam
B) Slab
C) Column
D) Plate
Answer: C
43. The equilibrium condition for moments in plane structures is:
A) ΣF = 0
B) ΣM = 0
C) ΣR = 0
D) ΣD = 0
Answer: B
44. A structure that collapses due to insufficient constraints is called:
A) Indeterminate
B) Determinate
C) Unstable
D) Redundant
Answer: C
45. The unit of stress in SI system is:
A) Newton
B) Joule
C) Pascal (N/m²)
D) Watt
Answer: C
46. The unit of Young’s modulus is:
A) Newton
B) N/m²
C) Meter
D) N/m
Answer: B
47. Which property describes the ability of a material to undergo large deformation before fracture?
A) Elasticity
B) Brittleness
C) Ductility
D) Rigidity
Answer: C
48. The diagram that shows variation of shear force along beam length is called:
A) Load diagram
B) Shear force diagram
C) Bending diagram
D) Reaction diagram
Answer: B
49. In a simply supported beam under UDL, maximum bending moment occurs at:
A) Support
B) Quarter span
C) Mid-span
D) Free end
Answer: C
50. Which of the following is not a type of support?
A) Roller
B) Hinged
C) Fixed
D) Floating
Answer: D
51. The internal force that tries to slide one part of a section over the other is called:
A) Axial force
B) Bending moment
C) Shear force
D) Torsional force
Answer: C
52. In a simply supported beam carrying a point load at mid-span, the bending moment at mid-span is:
A) Zero
B) Minimum
C) Maximum
D) Negative
Answer: C
53. A member subjected to twisting action is under:
A) Bending
B) Shear
C) Compression
D) Torsion
Answer: D
54. The property of a material that allows permanent deformation without rupture is called:
A) Elasticity
B) Brittleness
C) Plasticity
D) Hardness
Answer: C
55. Which structure is always statically determinate?
A) Fixed beam
B) Continuous beam
C) Cantilever beam
D) Propped cantilever beam
Answer: C
56. The ratio of stress to strain in the elastic region is known as:
A) Shear modulus
B) Bulk modulus
C) Young’s modulus
D) Poisson’s ratio
Answer: C
57. A load acting at a single point on a beam is called:
A) Distributed load
B) Varying load
C) Point load
D) Area load
Answer: C
58. Which type of beam has one end fixed and the other end supported?
A) Cantilever beam
B) Simply supported beam
C) Propped cantilever beam
D) Overhanging beam
Answer: C
59. The bending moment is zero at:
A) Fixed support
B) Free end of cantilever
C) Mid-span
D) Hinged support
Answer: D
60. The force per unit length acting on a beam is known as:
A) Point load
B) Distributed load
C) Axial load
D) Impact load
Answer: B
61. Which factor mainly affects the stability of a column?
A) Material color
B) Length and end conditions
C) Slenderness ratio
D) Cross-section shape only
Answer: C
62. In truss analysis, loads are assumed to act:
A) At any point along members
B) At mid-length of members
C) Only at the joints
D) Uniformly on all members
Answer: C
63. A truss member experiencing tensile force is called:
A) Strut
B) Tie
C) Column
D) Girder
Answer: B
64. A truss member experiencing compressive force is called:
A) Tie
B) Strut
C) Beam
D) Link
Answer: B
65. Which of the following is an example of a moving load?
A) Self-weight of beam
B) Furniture load
C) Vehicle load on bridge
D) Wind load
Answer: C
66. The point where bending moment is maximum is generally where shear force is:
A) Maximum
B) Minimum
C) Zero
D) Infinite
Answer: C
67. A beam carrying loads beyond its elastic limit will undergo:
A) Elastic deformation
B) Plastic deformation
C) Zero deformation
D) Perfect recovery
Answer: B
68. The SI unit of bending moment is:
A) N/m
B) N·m
C) N/m²
D) N
Answer: B
69. Which of the following resists both shear and bending?
A) Column
B) Beam
C) Cable
D) Strut
Answer: B
70. The ability of a material to resist scratching is called:
A) Toughness
B) Ductility
C) Hardness
D) Elasticity
Answer: C
71. A structure that has additional supports or members beyond necessity is called:
A) Unstable
B) Determinate
C) Redundant
D) Simple
Answer: C
72. Which type of stress is developed due to twisting?
A) Normal stress
B) Bending stress
C) Shear stress
D) Tensile stress
Answer: C
73. The distance from the neutral axis where stress is zero is:
A) At extreme fiber
B) At centroid
C) At the neutral axis itself
D) At support
Answer: C
74. A cable can resist only:
A) Compression
B) Shear
C) Bending
D) Tension
Answer: D
75. The diagram that shows how load varies along a beam is:
A) Shear force diagram
B) Bending moment diagram
C) Load diagram
D) Reaction diagram
Answer: C
76. The point in a beam section where bending stress is maximum is located at:
A) Neutral axis
B) Center of gravity
C) Extreme fiber
D) Support
Answer: C
77. The line in a beam section where bending stress is zero is called:
A) Center line
B) Base line
C) Neutral axis
D) Stress axis
Answer: C
78. A beam that extends beyond one or both of its supports is called:
A) Cantilever beam
B) Fixed beam
C) Overhanging beam
D) Continuous beam
Answer: C
79. Which of the following loads depends on the use of the structure?
A) Dead load
B) Wind load
C) Earthquake load
D) Live load
Answer: D
80. The number of reactions in a fixed support in plane structures is:
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Four
Answer: C
81. The resistance offered by a body to change in its shape is known as:
A) Strength
B) Toughness
C) Rigidity
D) Plasticity
Answer: C
82. In a simply supported beam, deflection is maximum at:
A) Supports
B) Quarter span
C) Mid-span
D) Free end
Answer: C
83. Which of the following is a secondary structural member?
A) Column
B) Beam
C) Slab
D) Purlin
Answer: D
84. The ability of a material to absorb energy before fracture is called:
A) Ductility
B) Toughness
C) Hardness
D) Brittleness
Answer: B
85. A beam that is supported at more than two points is known as:
A) Fixed beam
B) Continuous beam
C) Overhanging beam
D) Cantilever beam
Answer: B
86. In equilibrium, the algebraic sum of horizontal forces is:
A) One
B) Maximum
C) Minimum
D) Zero
Answer: D
87. The resistance developed against twisting of a member is called:
A) Bending moment
B) Axial force
C) Torsional moment
D) Shear force
Answer: C
88. Which of the following members can carry both tension and compression?
A) Cable
B) Chain
C) Beam
D) Rope
Answer: C
89. The bending stress in a beam depends on:
A) Only bending moment
B) Only cross-section
C) Bending moment and section properties
D) Only length of beam
Answer: C
90. The SI unit of shear force is:
A) N/m
B) N
C) N·m
D) N/m²
Answer: B
91. The ability of a material to resist impact load is called:
A) Hardness
B) Brittleness
C) Toughness
D) Elasticity
Answer: C
92. A structure that just satisfies the conditions of equilibrium without redundancy is:
A) Indeterminate
B) Statically determinate
C) Redundant
D) Unstable
Answer: B
93. The force in a truss member can be determined using:
A) Method of deflection
B) Method of strain
C) Method of joints
D) Method of moments only
Answer: C
94. Which type of stress is developed due to direct pulling force?
A) Shear stress
B) Bending stress
C) Tensile stress
D) Compressive stress
Answer: C
95. The main function of a foundation is to:
A) Increase height of structure
B) Improve appearance
C) Transfer loads safely to the ground
D) Reduce cost
Answer: C
96. A structure designed mainly to resist lateral loads is:
A) Beam
B) Column
C) Slab
D) Shear wall
Answer: D
97. Which of the following materials is considered brittle?
A) Steel
B) Rubber
C) Glass
D) Aluminum
Answer: C
98. The unit of strain is:
A) N/m²
B) Meter
C) Dimensionless
D) Newton
Answer: C
99. A pin-jointed truss assumes that members are connected by:
A) Rigid joints
B) Welded joints
C) Frictionless hinges
D) Fixed joints
Answer: C
100. The main purpose of structural analysis is to:
A) Decorate the structure
B) Select paint color
C) Determine internal forces and reactions for safe design
D) Reduce construction time only
Answer: C