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GATE 2021 CE (CE2) – Question 16

Steel Structures · Working stress and limit state design concepts · 1 mark · Multiple choice

Strain hardening of structural steel means

  1. higher stress than yield stress with increased deformation
  2. externally strengthening a member to reduce strain
  3. strain occurring before plastic flow
  4. decreasing stress with increasing strain

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (A) higher stress than yield stress with increased deformation

Explanation

After yielding and the yield plateau, continued plastic deformation requires rising stress as dislocation motion becomes harder. This rising post-yield branch is strain hardening. It is a material response, so **A** is correct; external strengthening is a different operation.