If the bottom of a beam is in tension, what is the top in?

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Multiple Choice

If the bottom of a beam is in tension, what is the top in?

Explanation:
Bending causes opposite stresses on opposite faces of a beam’s cross-section. As the beam curves under load, the fibers on one side are stretched (tension) while the fibers on the opposite side are squeezed (compression). The neutral axis in the middle has zero strain. So, if the bottom fibers are in tension, the top fibers must be in compression to accommodate the bending and keep the section in equilibrium. The terms shear and bending moment relate to other aspects of the load and stress state, but they don’t describe the specific tensile/compressive state of the top vs bottom fibers.

Bending causes opposite stresses on opposite faces of a beam’s cross-section. As the beam curves under load, the fibers on one side are stretched (tension) while the fibers on the opposite side are squeezed (compression). The neutral axis in the middle has zero strain. So, if the bottom fibers are in tension, the top fibers must be in compression to accommodate the bending and keep the section in equilibrium. The terms shear and bending moment relate to other aspects of the load and stress state, but they don’t describe the specific tensile/compressive state of the top vs bottom fibers.

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