Question

The greatest value of maximum shear stress τmax occurs when angle θ is _________

(a) π

(b) π/2

(c) π/3

(d) π/4

This question was posed to me in quiz.

I need to ask this question from Stress Distribution topic in chapter Stress Distribution of Geotechnical Engineering I

Answer 1

Right option is (b) π/2

To explain I would say: The maximum shear stress is given by,

\(τ_{max}=\frac{1}{2} (σ_1-σ_2 )=\frac{q}{π} sinθ\)

Sinθ is maximum when θ= π/2

∴ Sin π/2=1

∴ \(τ_{max}=\frac{q}{π}.\)