Shearing Stress

BES 122 – Fundamentals of Deformable Bodies

WMSU Reference/s:

Beer, F., Johnston, R., DeWolf, J., & Mazurek, D. (2015). Mechanics of materials (7th
Edition). 2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121: McGraw-Hill Education.

This document is for classroom use only and should not be shared outside the WMSU
community.
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Shear Stress 𝝉
Shear stress is the component of stress coplanar with the material
cross section. This is caused by the transverse forces or forces applied
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a member or forces that are
parallel to the resisting area.
Consider the bar and pin connection below:

FR

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 Top view: Pin
FR

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Due to the applied force F, internal forces exist in the plane of the
section, as shown, which can be represented by its resultant
internal force P.

This resultant force P is called the shear force.

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To relate F and P, we use the equation of equilibrium
෍ 𝑭𝒚 = 𝟎

𝑷=𝑭
Average Shearing Stress 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 can be computed using:
𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃 𝐹
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = =
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴 𝐴
Where A is the cross-sectional area that is parallel to the applied
force F.

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Shear stresses are commonly found in bolts, pins, and rivets used
to connect various structural members and machine components.

Bolts Connection Rivets Connection

Pin Connection
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S𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐭
Consider the bolted connection below,

Only one cross section

(one side) of the bolt is
resisting to the applied
force F.

Hence, only a single shear is produced.

Average shear stress:
෍ 𝑭𝒙 = 𝟎 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃 𝐹
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = =
𝑷=𝑭 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴 𝐴

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S𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬
For a single shear, two bolts (as shown), only one side of the bar
experiences resistance from the bolts.
Hence, only a
single shear is
produced.
෍ 𝑭𝒙 = 𝟎

The total resisting area 𝐴 𝑇 : 𝑷𝑻 = 𝑭

𝐴 𝑇 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2
Average shear stress:
when 𝐴1 = 𝐴2 = 𝐴, then
𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃 𝐹
𝑨𝑻 = 𝟐𝑨 𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴 𝑇 2𝐴
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D𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐭
Consider the bolted connection below,
For this type of connection,
the magnitude of the applied
force F can be regarded as
being divided into two
internal reactions on both
When 𝑃1 = 𝑃2 = 𝑃 , then using sides.
the equation of equilibrium, we
have
Average shear stress:
෍ 𝑭𝒙 = 𝟎 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃 𝐹/2
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = =
𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝐴 𝐴
2𝑷 = 𝑭
𝑷 = 𝑭/𝟐
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D𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐬
Consider the bolted connection below,
When 𝑃𝑇1 = 𝑃𝑇2 = 𝑃, then using
the equation of equilibrium, we
have
෍ 𝑭𝒙 = 𝟎

2𝑷 = 𝑭
The total resisting area 𝐴 𝑇 : 𝑷 = 𝑭/𝟐

𝐴 𝑇 = 𝐴1 + 𝐴2 Average shear stress:

when 𝐴1 = 𝐴2 = 𝐴, then 𝐼𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑃 𝐹/2
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = = =
𝑨𝑻 = 𝟐𝑨 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 2𝐴 2𝐴
𝑭
𝝉𝒂𝒗𝒆 =
𝟒𝑨
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Single Shear vs D𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 1
What force is required to punch a
20mm diameter hole in a plate that is
25mm thick? The shear strength is 350
MPa.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 2
When the force P reached 8kN, the wooden specimen shown
failed in shear along the surface indicated by the dashed line.
Determine the average shearing stress along that surface at the
time of failure.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 3
The wooden members A and B are to
be joined by plywood splice plates that
will be fully glued on the surfaces in
contact. As part of the design of the
joint, and knowing that the clearance
between the ends of the members is to
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be in., determine the smallest
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allowable length L if the average
shearing stress in the glue is not to
exceed 120 psi.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 4
A load P is applied to a steel rod supported as shown by an
aluminum plate into which a 0.6 in.-diameter hole has been
drilled. Knowing that the shearing stress must not exceed 18 ksi in
the steel rod and 10 ksi in the aluminum plate, determine the
largest load P that can be applied to the rod.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 5
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A in.-diameter steel rod AB is fitted to a round hole near end C
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of the wooden member CD. For the loading shown, determine (a)
the maximum average normal stress in the wood, (b) the distance
b for which the average shearing stress is 100 psi on the surfaces
indicated by the dashed lines.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 6
Knowing that 𝜃 = 40° and P = 9 kN, determine the smallest
allowable diameter for the pin at B if the average shearing stress
in the pin is not to exceed 120 MPa.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 7
Link AB, of width b = 50 mm and
thickness t = 6 mm, is used to
support the end of a horizontal
beam. Knowing that the average
normal stress in the link is -140
MPa, and that the average shearing
stress in each of the two pins is 80
MPa, determine the diameter d of
the pins.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 8
Consider the bolted joints as shown. The force P is 30 kN and the
diameter of the bolt is 10mm. Determine the average shearing
stress on the resisting bolt.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 9
Consider the structure shown, which was designed to support a 30kN
load. It consists of a boom AB with 30x50 mm rectangular cross-section
and of a rod BC with a 20mm diameter circular cross-section. The
20mm diameter rod BC has flat ends of 20x40mm rectangular cross-
section. Both members are connected at B by a pin from which the
30kN load is supported by means of a u-shaped bracket. Boom AB is
supported at A by a pin fitted into a double bracket, while rod BC is
connected at C to a single bracket. All pins are 25 mm in diameter.

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SAMPLE PROBLEM 10

Determine the (a) stress in rod BC and boom AB, (b) the stress on
the flat end of rod BC close to the hole, (c) the shearing stresses at
pins A, C, and B.

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