Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

What describes forces acting in opposite directions?

1. Bending force

2. Tension

3. Shear force

4. Torsion

The correct answer is: Shear force

Shear force is characterized by forces acting in opposite directions along a particular cross-section of a structural element. This concept is crucial in civil engineering, as shear forces can lead to internal stress within beams and other structural members. When forces are applied in such a manner, they attempt to slide one part of the material relative to another, which is key in understanding how structures react to loads and how they can be designed to withstand such forces effectively. In contrast, bending forces relate to the internal moments generated when loads cause a structural member to bend, tension forces pull apart a material, and torsion involves twisting forces applied to an object. Each of these other forces behaves differently and addresses different aspects of material stress and structural design. Understanding shear force, however, is essential for analyzing and designing safe structures capable of handling various load conditions.