The statement 'Shear is a force developed when an external load applied transversely to a bridge member causes it to bend' is True or False?

The statement 'Shear is a force developed when an external load applied transversely to a bridge member causes it to bend' is True or False?

• A. True
• B. Not applicable
• C. Cannot determine
• D. False

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is understanding what causes shear and what causes bending in a bridge member. When a vertical (transverse) load is applied to a member, the internal forces that develop to maintain equilibrium include both a bending moment, which tends to rotate the section and cause curvature, and a shear force, which acts parallel to the cross-section to resist sliding between neighboring portions of the member. The key point is that shear is not generated because the member bends; instead, the transverse load creates both effects, and they coexist as separate internal forces. In other words, bending and shear arise from the same external load, but one does not cause the other. Therefore, describing shear as a force developed because the member bends is incorrect. The statement is false.

The main idea here is understanding what causes shear and what causes bending in a bridge member. When a vertical (transverse) load is applied to a member, the internal forces that develop to maintain equilibrium include both a bending moment, which tends to rotate the section and cause curvature, and a shear force, which acts parallel to the cross-section to resist sliding between neighboring portions of the member. The key point is that shear is not generated because the member bends; instead, the transverse load creates both effects, and they coexist as separate internal forces. In other words, bending and shear arise from the same external load, but one does not cause the other. Therefore, describing shear as a force developed because the member bends is incorrect. The statement is false.