GATE CE 2019 Set 2 — Question 18

MCQ+1 / -0.33MediumShear Stresses in BeamsStress, Strain & BeamsStructural Engineering

Structural Engineering → Stress, Strain & Beams → Shear Stresses in Beams

Last updated 5 September 2026

Question

For a channel section subjected to a downward vertical shear force at its centroid, which one of the following represents the correct distribution of shear stress in flange and web?

Correct answer (A) [figure] Solution In a channel section, the shear stress distribution is linear in the flanges and parabolic in the web. The shear flow must be continuous throughout the section. For a downward vertical shear force, the shear flow in the web is downward. To maintain continuity in a '[' shaped channel (web on the left), the shear flow in the top flange must be directed from right to left (towards the web), and in the bottom flange, it must be directed from left to right (away from the web). Option (A) correctly represents these characteristics. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

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Correct answer (A) [figure] Solution In a channel section, the shear stress distribution is linear in the flanges and parabolic in the web. The shear flow must be continuous throughout the section. For a downward vertical shear force, the shear flow in the web is downward. To maintain continuity in a '[' shaped channel (web on the left), the shear flow in the top flange must be directed from right to left (towards the web), and in the bottom flange, it must be directed from left to right (away from the web). Option (A) correctly represents these characteristics.

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