Question

Cantilevers and over hanging beams collapse as _____

(a) single-bar mechanism

(b) double-bar mechanism

(c) three-bar mechanism

(d) does not collapse

This question was addressed to me in a job interview.

This intriguing question comes from Plastic-Collapse Load in chapter Plastic and Local Buckling Behaviour of Steel of Design of Steel Structures

Answer 1

Right answer is (a) single-bar mechanism

The explanation is: Cantilevers and over hanging beams generally collapse as single-bar mechanisms with a single plastic hinge at one of the supports.