Question 596 Deck General

The correct answer is B) the falls are at an equal angle to the horizontal. When the load is positioned such that the yard fall and stay fall are at equal angles to the horizontal, the greatest horizontal stress occurs between the heads of the booms. This is because the equal angles result in the forces being evenly distributed between the yard and stay, creating the maximum horizontal stress on the rig. The other options are incorrect because A) greater angle of the yard fall would result in less horizontal stress, C) greater angle of the stay fall would result in less horizontal stress, and D) a vertical stay fall would eliminate the horizontal stress component.