Shear Force and Bending Moment MCQ – Objective Questions with Answers
Mechanical Engineering › Strength of Materials | Free practice MCQs with detailed explanations
Last Updated: June 2026
📌 About this MCQ Set
Shear force and bending moment diagrams (SFD and BMD) describe how internal shear and moment vary along a beam under load. They are essential for beam design.
These MCQs cover sign conventions, standard load cases, and the relationships between load, shear and moment.
8 questions • every answer comes with a worked explanation. Click Show Answer to check yourself.
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Shear Force and Bending Moment MCQs
Q1. The shear force at a section equals the algebraic sum of:
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Answer: B. All vertical forces on one side
SF at a section = algebraic sum of all transverse (vertical) forces on either side of the section.
Q2. The bending moment at a section equals the algebraic sum of:
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Answer: B. Moments of all forces on one side
BM = algebraic sum of moments of all forces on one side of the section about that section.
Q3. A point of contraflexure is where the bending moment:
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Answer: B. Changes sign (is zero)
At a point of contraflexure the BM changes sign and is momentarily zero; the beam changes curvature.
Q4. Bending moment is maximum where the shear force:
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Answer: B. Is zero or changes sign
Since dM/dx = V, BM is an extremum where shear force is zero or changes sign.
Q5. For a simply supported beam of span L with a central point load W, the maximum bending moment is:
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Answer: B. WL/4
Max BM occurs at mid-span = WL/4.
Q6. For a simply supported beam of span L with UDL w per unit length, the maximum bending moment is:
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Answer: B. wL²/8
Max BM at mid-span = wL²/8.
Q7. For a cantilever of length L with a point load W at the free end, the maximum bending moment is:
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Answer: B. WL
Max BM occurs at the fixed end = WL.
Q8. The rate of change of bending moment along a beam equals the:
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Answer: B. Shear force
dM/dx = V (shear force); and dV/dx = −w (load intensity).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between load, shear force and bending moment?
The rate of change of bending moment equals the shear force (dM/dx = V), and the rate of change of shear force equals the negative of load intensity (dV/dx = −w).
What is a point of contraflexure?
A point on a beam where the bending moment changes sign and is zero, marking a change in the direction of curvature.
Where is bending moment maximum?
At the section where the shear force is zero or changes sign.