← MES Jr. Grade
Past Questions — 2016
The process of mixing water in quick lime is known as
A)
calcination
B)
slaking
C)
grinding
D)
setting
Quick lime is calcium oxide (CaO). When water is added to quick lime, it forms calcium hydroxide and gives off heat; this process is called slaking (or slaking of lime). Calcination is the process of heating limestone to obtain quick lime, grinding is a size-reduction process, and setting refers to hardening after mixing, not the addition of water to quick lime.
The combined effect of external forces acting on a body is called
A)
stress
B)
strain
C)
load
D)
work
The combined effect of external forces acting on a body is called a load. A load is the external force or system of forces applied to a body. Stress is the internal resisting force per unit area, strain is the deformation produced, and work is force multiplied by displacement, so they are not correct here.
Which of the following statements is incorrect?
A)
Stress is directly proportional to strain within elastic limit
B)
The stress is force per unit area
C)
Hooke’s law holds good upto the breaking point
D)
The ratio of linear stress to linear strain is called Young’s Modulus.
The incorrect statement is (c). Hooke’s law states that stress is directly proportional to strain only up to the elastic limit, not up to the breaking point.
(a) is correct: within the elastic limit, stress ∝ strain.
(b) is correct: stress is force per unit area.
(d) is correct in meaning: Young’s modulus is the ratio of longitudinal (linear) stress to longitudinal strain.
Therefore, the wrong statement is (c).
A piece of timber attached in inclined position within a door frame is called
A)
mullion
B)
louver
C)
sash
D)
horn
In timber door/frame terminology, a horn is the projecting or extended part of a timber member used for support or connection, often seen in door and window frames. Among the given options, only horn matches the description of a timber piece attached in an inclined/supporting position within a door frame. Mullion is a vertical member dividing openings, louver is a slatted arrangement for ventilation, and sash is the movable frame holding glass.
Impulse gives a measure of the product of
A)
force and velocity
B)
force and acceleration
C)
force and displacement
D)
force and time
Impulse is defined as the product of force and the time for which it acts, i.e., Impulse = Force × Time. It is also equal to the change in momentum. The other options are incorrect because force × velocity, force × acceleration, and force × displacement represent different physical quantities, not impulse.
The internal resistance which the body offers to meet with the external force is called
A)
stress
B)
strain
C)
load
D)
work
The internal resistance developed inside a body to oppose an external force is called stress. Strain is the deformation produced by stress, load is the external force applied, and work is force acting through a distance. Therefore, the correct answer is stress.
The rotational tendency of a force is called
A)
torque
B)
translation
C)
moment
D)
couple
The rotational tendency of a force about a point or axis is called the moment of the force. In mechanics, this is also often referred to as torque in some contexts, but in standard exam terminology for a force's turning effect, the correct term is moment. Translation means linear motion, and a couple is a pair of equal and opposite forces producing pure rotation without resultant force.
A beam of length L, fixed at both ends, carries a point load W at its centre. If EI is the flexural rigidity of the beam, the maximum deflection of the beam is
A)
WL /24EI
B)
WL² /48EI
C)
WL³ /192EI
D)
WL³ /384EI
For a beam fixed at both ends with a central point load W, the loading and support conditions are symmetric. Using standard beam deflection results from Strength of Materials, the maximum deflection occurs at the centre and is given by \(\delta_{max} = \frac{WL^3}{192EI}\). The other options do not match the standard formula for a fixed-ended beam under a central concentrated load.
A member is subjected to tensile force P. If its normal cross-section perpendicular to line of force is A, what will be the resulting normal stress in an oblique plane inclined at an angle @ to transverse plane?
A)
(P/A)cos2@
B)
(P/2A) cos2@
C)
(P/A) cos²@
D)
(P/A)sin²@
For a member under direct tensile force P, the direct normal stress on the cross-section perpendicular to the force is σ = P/A. For an oblique plane making an angle @ with the transverse plane, the normal stress on that plane is obtained by resolving the force components and area transformation, giving σ_n = (P/A) cos²@. Hence, the correct option is (c). Option (a) is incorrect because the stress varies with the square of cosine, not double angle. Option (b) is incorrect due to the extra factor of 1/2. Option (d) is incorrect because sine squared would correspond to the complementary relationship, not the normal stress on the inclined plane.
Which of the following forms the basis of rigid bodies and strength of materials?
A)
Centroid
B)
Centre of gravity
C)
Moment of inertia
D)
any of these
In engineering mechanics, the concept that forms an important basis for the analysis of rigid bodies and strength of materials is the moment of inertia. It is used in studying resistance to bending, torsion, and the distribution of area/mass about an axis. Centroid and centre of gravity are important geometric and physical concepts, but they are not the main basis referred to here. Therefore, the correct answer is moment of inertia.
In the case of unsymmetrical bending, the direction of neutral axis is
A)
perpendicular to the plane of bending.
B)
not perpendicular to the plane of bending.
C)
neither (a) nor (b)
D)
both (a) and (b)
In unsymmetrical bending, the bending moment does not act about a principal axis, so the neutral axis generally does not remain perpendicular to the plane of bending. Instead, its orientation depends on the section geometry and the direction of loading. Hence, option (b) is correct. Option (a) is true for simple/symmetrical bending, not unsymmetrical bending.
If E = Modulus of Elasticity, K = Bulk Modulus of Elasticity and C = Modulus of Rigidity, then their relation is given by
A)
E=9KC/(3K+C)
B)
E= (K+ C)/6KC
C)
E=6KC/(K + 3C)
D)
E=3KC/(3K+C)
For an isotropic elastic material, the standard relation between Young’s modulus (E), bulk modulus (K), and modulus of rigidity or shear modulus (C or G) is:
E = 9KG / (3K + G)
Here, C denotes the modulus of rigidity, so G = C. Therefore:
E = 9KC / (3K + C)
This matches option (a). The other options do not match the standard elasticity relation.
A column is treated as a short column if the slenderness ratio with respect to major and minor axes are both less than
A)
10
B)
12
C)
14
D)
16
A column is considered a short column when its slenderness ratio (effective length divided by least lateral dimension/radius of gyration, as applicable) about both the major and minor axes is less than 12 in RCC design practice. If either axis exceeds this limit, the column is treated as a long/slender column. Hence, the correct answer is 12.
The ratio of lateral strain to linear strain is known as
A)
Modulus of rigidity
B)
Modulus of elasticity
C)
Poisson’s ratio
D)
Bulk Modulus of elasticity
The ratio of lateral strain to longitudinal (linear) strain is called Poisson’s ratio. It describes how much a material contracts or expands in directions perpendicular to the applied load. The other options are different elastic constants: modulus of rigidity relates shear stress to shear strain, modulus of elasticity relates normal stress to longitudinal strain, and bulk modulus relates volumetric stress to volumetric strain.
Plug weld is also known as
A)
lap weld
B)
fillet weld
C)
butt weld
D)
slot weld
A plug weld is a type of weld made through a round hole in one plate to fuse it to another plate below. In welding terminology, a slot weld is the closely related term used for this kind of weld when the opening is elongated; in many exam contexts, plug weld is identified with slot weld as the equivalent category among the given options. The other options are different weld types: lap weld is a joint arrangement, fillet weld is for corner/T-joints, and butt weld joins members edge-to-edge.
A beam of length L, fixed at both ends, carries a uniformly distributed load of w per unit length throughout the span. If EI is the flexural rigidity of the beam, the maximum deflection of the beam is
A)
wL⁴/12EI
B)
wL⁴/24EI
C)
wL⁴/192EI
D)
wL⁴/384EI
For a beam fixed at both ends and carrying a uniformly distributed load over the full span, the standard result from strength of materials is that the maximum deflection occurs at midspan and equals wL⁴/192EI. This is much smaller than the simply supported beam case because the fixed ends develop end moments that reduce deflection. Hence, option (c) is correct.
A beam of length L is simply supported at both ends. If EI is the flexural rigidity, the stiffness factor of the beam is
A)
EIL
B)
2EI/L
C)
3EI/L
D)
4EI/L
For a simply supported beam, the end-stiffness factor used in slope-deflection/moment distribution analysis is 3EI/L. This comes from the relation between end moment and end rotation for a member with the far end hinged. Hence, the correct stiffness factor is 3EI/L. The other options correspond to incorrect or different boundary conditions.
If Poisson’s ratio = 1/m, E = Modulus of Elasticity and K = Bulk Modulus of Elasticity, then their relation is given by
A)
E=K(1-2/m)
B)
E=2K(1-2/m)
C)
E=3K(1-2/m)
D)
E=4K(1-2/m)
For an isotropic elastic material, the relation between Young’s modulus E, bulk modulus K, and Poisson’s ratio ν is:
E = 3K(1 - 2ν)
Given ν = 1/m, substitute into the formula:
E = 3K\left(1 - 2/m\right)
So the correct option is (c). Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect because the coefficient relating E and K is 3, not 1, 2, or 4.
The black bolts cannot carry loads equal to those of a rivet with the same diameter. In such cases, the remedial measures adopted is the use of
A)
unfinished bolts
B)
turned bolts
C)
rough bolts
D)
common bolts
Black bolts are ordinary bolts and their load-carrying capacity is lower than that of a rivet of the same diameter because of play between the bolt and hole. When equal or higher load capacity is needed, the usual remedial measure is to use turned bolts, which fit more closely in the holes and provide better shear resistance. The other options are not standard remedies in steel structure design.
Development of these trees takes place by addition of one annular ring every year. Identify the type of tree.
A)
Endogenous
B)
Exogenous
C)
Cambium
D)
Medullary
Trees that grow by adding one annual ring every year are called exogenous trees. In these trees, growth occurs from the cambium layer outward, producing annual rings. Endogenous plants grow from within and do not form such rings. Cambium is the growth tissue itself, not the tree type. Medullary refers to the pith/central region, not the growth pattern.
The distance between centre of rivets (minimum pitch) should not be less than X times the nominal diameter of rivets. Find the correct replacement for X.
A)
1.50
B)
2.00
C)
2.50
D)
3.00
In steel structures, the minimum pitch (distance between the centers of adjacent rivets) is specified as not less than 2 times the nominal diameter of the rivet. This prevents interference between rivets and allows proper riveting. Therefore, X = 2.00. The other options are too small or not the standard minimum requirement.
Which of the following is usually considered as a basic or fundamental quantity?
A)
Mass
B)
Length
C)
Time
D)
All of these
In engineering mechanics, mass, length, and time are all considered fundamental (basic) quantities. They are independent quantities and are not derived from other physical quantities. Hence, the correct choice is 'All of these'.
The first product in the process of conversion of Iron ore into Steel is
A)
pigiron
B)
cast iron
C)
wrought iron
D)
metallic iron
Iron ore is first reduced in a blast furnace to form pig iron. Pig iron is the initial product obtained from the smelting of iron ore and is then further refined to produce cast iron, wrought iron, or steel. Cast iron and wrought iron are processed forms, while metallic iron is not the standard first product in this conversion sequence.
The body of a bolt is termed as
A)
shank
B)
nut
C)
head
D)
washer
In a bolt, the cylindrical body portion between the head and the threaded end is called the shank. The nut is the fastener that fits onto the threads, the head is the top enlarged portion used for tightening, and the washer is a separate disc placed under the nut or head to distribute load.
While planning buildings, the minimum distance of a septic tank from any source of drinking water must be
A)
22 metres
B)
20 metres
C)
18 metres
D)
16 metres
The recommended minimum separation between a septic tank and any source of drinking water is 20 metres to prevent contamination of the water supply. Among the given options, 20 metres is the standard safe distance. The other values (22 m, 18 m, 16 m) are not the commonly prescribed minimum in sanitary engineering practice.