Question

In the making of the shear force diagram or the bending moment diagrams, one method is used, distributed load. In this the distributed load will be considered positive if ____________

(a) Loading acts upward

(b) Loading acts downward

(c) Loading acts rightward

(d) Loading acts leftward

I had been asked this question at a job interview.

Question is taken from Relation Between Distributed Load, Shear and Moment topic in chapter Internal Forces of Engineering Mechanics

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) Loading acts upward

Explanation: The loading acting upward is considered to be positive. This is done as to decrease the time used for the calculations. If the method of sections is being applied at the complex sections for the determination of the unknown forces, much time is required for it. Thus the main motto is to make the calculations easy and make the less use of time.