SHEAR STRESSES IN BEAMS

Introduction:

In the earlier chapter, the variation of bending stress across

a beam section was studied. The bending stress is due to
bending moment at the section. A typical beam section is
subjected to shear force in addition to bending moment. The
variation of shearing stress, which is due to the presence of
shear force, is studied in this chapter.

The stresses induced by shear force at a section in a beam

may be analyzed as follows:
Consider an elemental length of a beam between the sections
AA and BB separated by a distance dx, as shown in the
following figure. Let the moments acting at AA and BB be
M and M+dM respectively.
Let CD be a fibre of thickness dy at a distance y from
the neutral axis. My
Then bending stress at left side of the fibre CD = I
 Force on the left side of the layer CD = M y ([Link])
I
(M+dM).y.([Link])
and force on the right side of the layer CD =
I
Therefore unbalanced force, towards right, on the layer CD
[Link]
is = I
There are a number of such elements above the section CD.

Hence the unbalanced horizontal force above the section CD =

t
y [Link]
∫ I
y
This horizontal force is resisted by the resisting force
provided by shearing stresses acting horizontally on the
plane at CD. Let the intensity of shear stress be τ.
Equating the resisting force provided by the shearing
stress to the unbalanced horizontal force we have:
yt
τ .[Link] = ∫ dM .y . b. dy
I
t
y
y
1
or τ= dM
dx
.
∫
I.b y
[Link] where da = [Link] is area of the
element .
yt
where the term ∫ [Link] = ay = Moment of area above the
fibre CD about the NA.
y
 but the term dM / dx = F, the shear force. Substituting
in the expression for τ, we obtain :

Fay where :
τ =
Ib
F = shear force at a section in a beam
a = area above or below a fibre (shaded area)
y = dist. from N.A. to the centroid of the shaded area
I = M.I. of the entire section about the N.A

b = breadth of the fibre.

Note :The above expression is for horizontal shear stress. From
The principle of complementary shear, this horizontal shear stress
Is accompanied by a vertical shear stress of the same intensity.
Shear stress variation across a few standard cross sections
1. Rectangular section:
Consider a rectangular section
of width b and depth d subjected
to shearing force F. Let AA be
a fibre at a distance y from the
neutral axis as shown in fig.

From the equation for shear

stress :

τ =Fay
where : a=b d
2
[ y ]
Ib
 d
y = y + 1/2 2 [ ]
y

= 1/2 [ d2 + y ]

and I = bd3/12

substituting,

d y . 1/2 d + y
F. b 2 [ ] 2
[ ]
τ =
( bd3/ 12) . b
 Simplifying, τ = 6F (d 2 – y2 )
bd3 4
Thus the shear stress variation is parabolic.

When,
(i) y = d/2, τ = 0.
(ii) y = - d/2, τ = 0.
6 Fd2 1.5 F
(iii) y = 0 , τ is maximum and its value is = 3
=
4 bd bd

that is, τmax = 1.5 τavg , for a rectangular section, and this
occurs at the neutral axis.
2. Circular section:
Consider a circular section
of diameter d , as shown in
fig. Let AA be a fibre at a
vertical distance y and
angle ϕ1,from N.A.,on
which shear stress is to be
determined.

To find moment of area above the fibre AA about the N.A.

consider an element of thickness dz at a vertical distance z
from the [Link] the angular distance of the element be ϕ, as
shown in fig.
 Width of the element , b = 2 d cosϕ
2
= d cosϕ
z = dsin ϕ, dz = d cosϕ dϕ, area of the element,A = b dz
2 2
Substituting, A= d cosϕ d cosϕ dϕ = dcos2 ϕdϕ
2 2
 Moment of area of the element about the N.A.= area x z

= d2 cos2ϕ.dϕ. d sinϕ
2 2

Therefore moment of the entire area ,above the fibre AA,

about the N.A.= a y π2
d3 cos2ϕ sinϕ dϕ
=
∫4
ϕ1
π
2
[ ϕ/3/ 3
= d3 -cos ] = d3 cos3ϕ1
4 ϕ1 12

Moment of inertia of the section , I = πd4 / 64

Substituting in the expression for shear stress,
F d3 cos3ϕ1
16 F ( 1 – sin2 ϕ1 )
12
τ = =
3 πd2
ϕ1
(πd4 / 64) dcos

y 2
= 16 F [1 – ( d / 2 ) ]
3 πd2
Hence shear stress varies parabolically over the depth. Its
value is zero at the extreme fibres where y = d / 2 and its value
is maximum when y = 0 (at the N.A.) and is given by :
τmax = 16 F = 4 F
= 4F
3 πd2 3 πd2 / 4 3A
 F = Shear Force = Average shear stress
A Area of cross section

Thus in circular sections shear stress is maximum at the centre,

and is equal to 4 / 3 times the average shear stress.

Let AA be a fibre at a
3. Isosceles Triangular section :
distance y from the top.
Width of fibre AA is:
b’ = y b.
h
Moment of inertia of the
section about the N.A. is
I = b h3
36
Shear stress in general , τ = F a y , substituting ,
I b

[
τ = F 1 b' y 2h – 2y ] = 36 F 1 y (h - y)
2 3 3
bh3 3
bh3 b'
36 τ = 12 F y (h - y)
bh3
At y = 0, τ = 0, and at
y =h, τ = 0.
At the centroid , y = 2h / 3 , substituting,

τ = 12 F 2h /3 (h – 2h / 3) = 8F
bh3 3 bh
 4F 4 Shear Force
or τ = = = 4 τavg , at the N.A.
3 bh 3 Area 3
2
For shear stress ,τ, to be max., dτ 12 F (h - 2y) = 0
= 0, or
dy bh3
or y = h / 2 , substituting in the expression for τ,

τmax = 12 F h (h - h)
= 3F = 1.5 F = 1.5 τavg
bh3 2 2 bh bh / 2

Thus, max. shear stress occurs at half the depth and its value is
1.5 times the average shear stress, in the case of an isosceles
triangle.
EXERCISE PROBLEMS
1. Draw the shear stress variation diagram for a square section
placed with one of its diagonals horizontal. Show that the
maximum shear stress is equal to 9/8 times the average shear
stress.
2. A timber beam 150mm x 250mm deep in c/s is simply
supported at its ends and has a span of [Link] the safe stress
in bending is 7.5MPa find the maximum safe UDL the beam
can carry. What is the maximum shear stress in the beam for
the UDL calculated? ( Ans: 7.66kN/m , 0.536N/mm2 )
[Link] cross section of a beam is an isosceles triangle having
base width 400mm and height 600mm. It is placed with its base
horizontal and is subjected to a shear force of 90kN. Find the
intensity of shear stress at the neutral axis. (Ans: 1 MPa)
4. A beam of channel section 120mm x 60mm has a uniform
thickness of [Link] the shear stress diagram if it
carries a shear force of [Link] the ratio of maximum
and mean shear stresses.
(Ans:Shear stress values at significant fibres from bottom:
0, 6.67, 26.67, 35.24, 26.67, 6.67, 0 MPa. Ratio = 2.22 )

5. The c/s of a beam is an unsymmetric I -section of overall

depth 350mm, topflange 250mmx50mm,bottomflange
150mmx50mm, and web thickness 50mm. Draw the shear
stress distribution diagram if it carries a shear force of
80 kN.
(Ans:Shear stress values at significant fibres from bottom:
0, 1.378, 4.134, 5.89, 5.06, 1.012, 0 MPa. )
6. A hollow rectangular box of outer dimensions 100mmx160mm
deep and wall thickness 10mm carries a shear force of 150kN.
Draw the shear stress variation diagram.
(Ans: 0, 8.23, 20.59, 31.18, 20.59, 8.23,0)

7. The c/s of a beam is an I- section of overall depth 240mm,width

of flanges 160mm,thickness of both flanges and web 20mm.
If it carries a shear force of 70kN,draw the shear stress
distribution diagram. Also find the percentage of shear carried
by the web alone.

( Ans: Shear stress values at significant fibres from bottom:

0,1.69, 13.52,17.4,13.52,1.69,0. Percentage of shear carried
by the web alone = 92% )