The transverse shear stress acting in a beam of rectangular cross-section, subjected to a transverse shear load, is

variable with maximum at the bottom of the beam
variable with maximum at the top of the beam
uniform
variable with maximum on the neutral axis

Correct answer: variable with maximum on the neutral axis

Solution

Transverse shear stress in a beam varies across the height of the cross-section, with the maximum occurring at the neutral axis due to the distribution of shear forces, which leads to higher stress concentrations there.

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