About this previous year paper
SECTION A – Short Answer (Attempt All)
Focus: Definitions, concepts, and direct theory (2 marks each)
Important Topics & Notes
Indeterminate Structure: Structure with unknown reactions > equilibrium equations.
Influence Line: Graph showing variation of response (reaction, SF, BM) at a point due to a moving load.
Degree of Indeterminacy: Difference between unknown forces and equilibrium equations.
Two-Hinged Arch: Hinges at supports, indeterminate to degree 1.
Two-Hinged vs Three-Hinged Girders: Three-hinged is statically determinate; two-hinged is indeterminate.
Local Coordinate System (Matrix Analysis): Member-based axes used for stiffness formulation.
Plastic Moment Capacity (Mpl): Moment at which full plastic hinge forms.
Tip: Write crisp definitions + one key property.
SECTION B – Medium Questions (Attempt Any Three)
Focus: Derivations, principles, comparisons (7 marks each) High-Priority Questions
Castigliano’s Second Theorem
Statement Application to beam deflection using strain energy
Suspension Cable with Three-Hinged Girder
Maximum BM in girder Maximum cable tension
Shape Factor (Rectangular Section)
Derivation Relation: Shape Factor = Mpl / My
Force Method vs Displacement Method
Principles Comparison table Which is better and why
Müller-Breslau Principle
Construction of ILD for SF & BM in continuous beams
Tip: Diagrams + stepwise explanation fetch more marks.
SECTION C – Long Numerical / Analytical (Attempt Any One)
Focus: Full problem solving, diagrams (7 marks)
Very Important
Fixed Beam Analysis
Support reactions Bending Moment Diagram
Slope-Deflection Method
Member end moments Reactions of continuous beam
Tip: Always draw BMD/SFD neatly and show formulas used.