Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam 2026 - Free PE Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a structure or material is subjected to bending or torsion forces, it experiences specific types of stress. In the case of bending, the material experiences tension on one side and compression on the opposite side. This is due to the curvature induced by the bending moment, where the upper fibers are compressed, and the lower fibers are elongated, creating tensile stress.

In torsion, which occurs when a twisting force is applied, shear stress is predominantly experienced across the material's cross-section. The internal forces that resist this twisting create a shear stress distribution along the length of the torsional member.

In summary, when discussing bending, the material is indeed under both compression and tension, making it essential to understand that these two stress types are directly related to the bending moment applied to the material. Torsional forces also contribute primarily to shear stress, complementing the understanding of bending-related stresses. Thus, it is important to recognize the significance of both tensile and compressive stresses in bending scenarios, validating the correct answer.