Consider a small length of a beam subjected to simple bending. It has ...
Explanation:
When a beam is subjected to simple bending, different layers of the beam experience different amounts of elongation or compression. The layer that is farthest from the neutral axis experiences the greatest change in length.
Position of the Layer
The amount by which a layer increases or decreases in length depends on its position with respect to the neutral axis. The neutral axis is an imaginary line passing through the centroid of the beam's cross-section, where the stress and strain are zero.
Effect of Position on Elongation/Compression
The layers that are above the neutral axis (top layers) experience tension, leading to elongation, while the layers that are below the neutral axis (bottom layers) experience compression, leading to contraction.
Explanation of Options
a) The position of the top layer with respect to the bottom layer does not determine the amount of elongation or compression. The layers on both the top and bottom experience different amounts of elongation or compression.
b) Similarly, the position of the bottom layer with respect to the top layer does not determine the amount of elongation or compression. The layers on both the top and bottom experience different amounts of elongation or compression.
c) The correct option is C because the position of the layer with respect to the neutral axis determines the amount of elongation or compression it experiences. Layers farther from the neutral axis experience greater elongation or compression.
d) The position of the top layer with respect to the axis N-N does not directly determine the amount of elongation or compression. The position of the layer with respect to the neutral axis is the key factor.
Therefore, the correct answer is option C, which states that the amount by which the layer increases or decreases in length depends on its position with respect to the neutral axis.