Multiple choice

If a small concrete cube is submerged deep in still water in such a way that the pressure exerted on all faces of the cube is p, then the maximum shear stress developed inside the cube is

  1. 0
  2. $\frac{P}{2}$

  3. p

  4. 2p
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A Correct answer
Explanation

When a body is subjected to hydrostatic pressure (p on all sides), the principal stresses are equal (sigma1 = sigma2 = sigma3 = -p). The maximum shear stress is (sigma1 - sigma3) / 2, which equals (-p - (-p)) / 2 = 0.

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