Question

Surfaces forces are applied _________

(a) externally at boundaries of body

(b) internally at boundaries of body

(c) only on one side in internal of the body

(d) throughout the volume of the body

The question was posed to me at a job interview.

This interesting question is from Elasticity topic in division Elements of Elasticity of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) externally at boundaries of body

The explanation: The forces distributed over the surface of the body, like pressure of one body over another body, are called surface forces. The surface forces are applied externally at boundaries of body.