Question

The principle of superposition is made use of in structural computations when :

• A. The geometry of the structure changes by a finite amount during the application of the loads.
• B. The changes in the geometry of the structure during the application of the loads is too small and the strains in the structure are directly proportional to the corresponding stresses.
• C. The strain in the structure are not directly proportional to the corresponding stresses, even though the effect of changes in geometry can be neglected.
• D. None of the above conditions are met.

Answer 1

The correct option is B The changes in the geometry of the structure during the application of the loads is too small and the strains in the structure are directly proportional to the corresponding stresses.

The principle of superposition is stated as- 'the deflection at a given point in a structure produced by several loads acting simultaneously on the structure can be found by superposing deflections at the same point produced by loads acting individually.'
The principle of superposition can be applied only when-
1. stress-strain relationship is linear.
2. the geometry of the structure doesn't change with the application of load. i.e., strains are small
Hence answer is option (b).