Question

The component σz denotes __________

(a) normal stress in x-direction

(b) normal stress acting perpendicular to z-axis

(c) shear stress acting perpendicular to z-axis

(d) shear stress acting perpendicular to y-axis

This question was posed to me by my school teacher while I was bunking the class.

Question is from Elasticity topic in portion Elements of Elasticity of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right option is (b) normal stress acting perpendicular to z-axis

Easiest explanation: The normal stresses in the stress tensor are represented by σ. The normal stress σz denotes the normal stress acting on the face of the element that is perpendicular to the z-axis.