Under load, which term best describes the bending of a beam?

Under load, which term best describes the bending of a beam?

• A. Deflect
• B. Bend
• C. Stretch
• D. Crack

Answer: (B)

When a beam is loaded, it undergoes bending, developing a curved shape along its length. The word that best captures this deformation is Bend, because it describes the beam changing from a straight form into a curved one under the moment. Deflect describes the movement from the original position (how far it shifts), which is related but refers more to displacement rather than the shape change itself. Stretch means elongation along the length, which isn’t about bending, and Crack refers to a failure mode, not the regular deformation under load. So Bend is the most natural way to describe the bending behavior of a beam under load.

When a beam is loaded, it undergoes bending, developing a curved shape along its length. The word that best captures this deformation is Bend, because it describes the beam changing from a straight form into a curved one under the moment. Deflect describes the movement from the original position (how far it shifts), which is related but refers more to displacement rather than the shape change itself. Stretch means elongation along the length, which isn’t about bending, and Crack refers to a failure mode, not the regular deformation under load. So Bend is the most natural way to describe the bending behavior of a beam under load.