Final answer:
The question involves calculating support reactions, plotting shear force and bending moment diagrams, and determining stress in a simply supported beam under given loads. It requires the application of static equilibrium, beam theory, and bending stress formula.
Step-by-step explanation:
The provided student question involves analyzing a simply supported beam carrying two concentrated loads, calculating the support reactions R1 and R2, drawing the shear and bending moment diagrams, and calculating the stress at the point where the bending moment is at a maximum. These calculations are fundamental in the field of structural engineering and mechanics of materials. The question allows students to apply principles such as static equilibrium and beam theory to determine the forces and moments in structural elements.
To find the support reactions, one must apply static equilibrium equations, summing forces in the vertical direction and moments about a point (usually one of the supports) to zero. After determining R1 and R2, the shear force and bending moment diagrams can be drawn by considering the variations of these quantities along the length of the beam. The maximum bending moment occurs at the location where the shear force changes sign or is zero. The stress in the beam at the point where the bending moment is maximum can be calculated using the bending stress formula σ = My/I, where M is the bending moment, y is the distance from the neutral axis to the outermost fiber, and I is the moment of inertia of the beam's cross-sectional area.