Structural Analysis and Design MCQs

1. Which structural analysis method calculates internal forces and stresses in a structure subjected to loads?
(A) Static analysis
(B) Dynamic analysis
(C) Modal analysis
(D) Fatigue analysis

2. Which structural member is designed to resist axial forces only?
(A) Beam
(B) Column
(C) Truss
(D) Plate

3. What is the purpose of a shear wall in structural design?
(A) Resist bending moments
(B) Carry axial loads
(C) Stabilize against lateral forces
(D) Increase stiffness

4. Which method is used to analyze the behavior of a structure under dynamic loads?
(A) Modal analysis
(B) Buckling analysis
(C) Plastic analysis
(D) Yield line analysis

5. In structural design, what does the term “yield strength” refer to?
(A) Maximum stress before failure
(B) Stress at which deformation becomes elastic
(C) Stress at which plastic deformation begins
(D) Stress under constant loading

6. Which structural element is designed to carry loads primarily in tension?
(A) Beam
(B) Column
(C) Slab
(D) Cable

7. What does the term “buckling” refer to in structural mechanics?
(A) Failure due to excessive deformation
(B) Sudden failure under dynamic loads
(C) Instability under compressive loads
(D) Fatigue failure

8. Which analysis method is used to determine the critical load at which a structure buckles?
(A) Modal analysis
(B) Buckling analysis
(C) Static analysis
(D) Dynamic analysis

9. What is the primary function of a beam in structural design?
(A) Resist axial loads
(B) Resist bending moments
(C) Transfer lateral loads
(D) Provide support for columns

10. Which type of load is considered in the design of foundations for buildings?
(A) Static loads
(B) Dynamic loads
(C) Impact loads
(D) Fatigue loads

11. Which structural analysis method is used to study the response of a structure to earthquake-induced forces?
(A) Static analysis
(B) Dynamic analysis
(C) Modal analysis
(D) Buckling analysis

12. In structural design, what does the term “ultimate strength” refer to?
(A) Maximum stress before failure
(B) Stress at which deformation becomes elastic
(C) Stress at which plastic deformation begins
(D) Stress under constant loading

13. Which structural member is designed to resist both tension and compression forces?
(A) Beam
(B) Truss
(C) Cable
(D) Column

14. What is the primary function of a slab in building construction?
(A) Resist axial loads
(B) Resist bending moments
(C) Provide support for columns
(D) Transfer lateral loads

15. Which analysis method is used to study the plastic behavior of structures beyond elastic limits?
(A) Plastic analysis
(B) Buckling analysis
(C) Yield line analysis
(D) Modal analysis

16. In structural design, what is the primary purpose of a tie rod?
(A) Resist bending moments
(B) Resist axial compression
(C) Transfer lateral loads
(D) Resist tension forces

17. Which type of load is considered in the design of bridges and overpasses?
(A) Static loads
(B) Dynamic loads
(C) Impact loads
(D) Fatigue loads

18. What does the term “modulus of elasticity” represent in structural materials?
(A) Ability to resist deformation
(B) Maximum load-carrying capacity
(C) Stiffness or rigidity
(D) Ultimate strength

19. Which structural element is designed to support loads primarily by compression?
(A) Truss
(B) Beam
(C) Cable
(D) Column

20. What is the primary function of a retaining wall in civil engineering?
(A) Resist lateral earth pressure
(B) Carry axial loads
(C) Provide support for foundations
(D) Transfer bending moments

21. Which structural analysis method is used to determine the natural frequencies and mode shapes of a structure?
(A) Modal analysis
(B) Buckling analysis
(C) Static analysis
(D) Dynamic analysis

22. In structural design, what is the primary function of a foundation?
(A) Resist lateral loads
(B) Distribute loads to the ground
(C) Resist bending moments
(D) Transfer axial forces

23. Which type of load is considered in the design of tall buildings to account for wind effects?
(A) Static loads
(B) Dynamic loads
(C) Impact loads
(D) Fatigue loads

24. What does the term “moment of inertia” represent in structural engineering?
(A) Resistance to deformation
(B) Distribution of loads
(C) Distribution of stresses
(D) Distribution of area

25. Which structural element is designed to support loads primarily by bending?
(A) Truss
(B) Column
(C) Cable
(D) Beam

26. What is the primary function of a cantilever in structural design?
(A) Resist axial loads
(B) Transfer lateral loads
(C) Resist bending moments
(D) Support overhangs

27. Which analysis method is used to study the behavior of a structure under repeated loading and unloading?
(A) Static analysis
(B) Dynamic analysis
(C) Fatigue analysis
(D) Modal analysis

28. In structural design, what does the term “strain” refer to?
(A) Deformation under load
(B) Force per unit area
(C) Stiffness of material
(D) Elastic modulus

29. Which type of load is considered in the design of bridges to account for live traffic loads?
(A) Dead loads
(B) Live loads
(C) Wind loads
(D) Seismic loads

30. What is the primary function of a brace in structural design?
(A) Resist axial loads
(B) Resist bending moments
(C) Provide support for columns
(D) Transfer lateral loads

31. Which structural analysis method is used to assess the stability of a structure under extreme wind or earthquake conditions?
(A) Modal analysis
(B) Buckling analysis
(C) Seismic analysis
(D) Dynamic analysis

32. In structural design, what is the primary function of a beam-column?
(A) Resist axial loads
(B) Resist bending moments
(C) Transfer lateral loads
(D) Provide support for slabs

33. Which type of load is considered in the design of tall buildings to account for gravitational effects?
(A) Static loads
(B) Dynamic loads
(C) Wind loads
(D) Seismic loads

34. What does the term “stress concentration” refer to in structural design?
(A) Uneven distribution of loads
(B) Localized areas of high stress
(C) Deformation under load
(D) Load-carrying capacity

35. Which structural element is designed to carry loads primarily by axial compression?
(A) Truss
(B) Beam
(C) Column
(D) Cable

36. In structural design, what does the term “creep” refer to?
(A) Sudden failure under load
(B) Permanent deformation over time
(C) Dynamic load effects
(D) Fatigue failure

37. What is the primary function of a beam in a structural system?
(A) Resist axial loads
(B) Carry lateral loads
(C) Transfer bending moments
(D) Support foundations

38. Which type of structure is most suitable for resisting tensile forces?
(A) Truss
(B) Arch
(C) Slab
(D) Plate

39. What is the primary function of a tie in a truss structure?
(A) Resist axial compression
(B) Resist bending moments
(C) Transfer lateral loads
(D) Resist tension forces

40. Which structural member is designed to transfer loads directly to the ground?
(A) Beam
(B) Slab
(C) Column
(D) Truss

41. In structural design, what is the purpose of a footing?
(A) Resist lateral loads
(B) Transfer loads to the foundation
(C) Provide support for beams
(D) Resist bending moments

42. Which analysis method is used to determine the stability of a structure against overturning?
(A) Static analysis
(B) Dynamic analysis
(C) Foundation analysis
(D) Stability analysis

43. What does the term “deflection” refer to in structural engineering?
(A) Movement of the structure under load
(B) Distribution of stresses
(C) Bending moment capacity
(D) Elastic modulus

44. Which type of load is considered in the design of floors and roofs to account for permanent loads?
(A) Dead loads
(B) Live loads
(C) Wind loads
(D) Seismic loads

45. What is the primary function of a girder in bridge construction?
(A) Resist lateral loads
(B) Carry axial loads
(C) Transfer bending moments
(D) Provide support for decks

46. Which structural element is designed to resist shear forces in a building frame?
(A) Beam
(B) Column
(C) Diaphragm
(D) Slab

47. In structural design, what is the purpose of a shear connector in composite beams?
(A) Transfer bending moments
(B) Resist axial compression
(C) Increase shear capacity
(D) Provide lateral support

48. Which type of analysis is used to assess the stability of soil beneath a foundation?
(A) Structural analysis
(B) Geotechnical analysis
(C) Seismic analysis
(D) Foundation analysis

49. What does the term “prestressing” refer to in structural engineering?
(A) Increase in material strength
(B) Introduction of initial stress
(C) Reduction in deflection
(D) Enhancement of dynamic response

50. Which structural element is designed to connect two or more structural members together?
(A) Joint
(B) Brace
(C) Bracket
(D) Fastener