Mechanics of Materials

CIVL 3322 / MECH 3322

Shear Stress in Beams II
7 November, 1940 Four months after the
bridge's completion, the middle section of
the Tacoma Narrows Bridge across the
Tacoma Narrows in state of Washington
collapsed in a windstorm.

Shear Stress in Beams II

F09_005_2

Shear Stress in Beams II

Shear Stress in Beams II

F09_006_1

F09_006_2

Shear Stress in Beams II

F09_007

Shear Stress in Beams II

F =
x

M
M + M
ydA'
ydA'+ FH = 0
A' I
A'
I
z
z

M
ydA'+ FH = 0
A' I
z

FH =

M
ydA'
A' I
z

Q = y dA'
A'

FH =

MQ
Iz

Shear Stress in Beams II

VQ
I zt

t = width of the section at some depth in the beam

Q= yi Ai
i

Shear Stress in Beams II

F09_008

Shear Stress in Beams II

10

Shear Stress in Beams II

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Shear Stress in Beams II

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Shear Stress in Beams II

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Shear Stress in Beams II

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Shear Stress in Beams II

9.9 A 1.6-m long cantilever beam supports a concentrated load of 7.2 kN, as shown below. The beam is
made of a rectangular timber having a width of 120 mm and a depth of 280 mm. Calculate the maximum
horizontal shear stresses at points located 35 mm, 70 mm, 105 mm, and 140 mm below the top surface
of the beam. From these results, plot a graph showing the distribution of shear stresses from top to
bottom of the beam.

Fig. P9.9a Cantilever beam

Fig. P9.9b Cross-sectional dimensions

Solution
Shear force in cantilever beam:
V = 7.2 kN = 7,200 N
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Shear stress formula:

VQ

It

Shear Stress in Beams II

Section properties:
(120 mm)(280 mm)3
I
219.52 106 mm 4
12
t = 120 mm
Distance below top
surface of beam

35 mm

105 mm

514,500 mm3

140.6 kPa

70 mm

70 mm

882,000 mm3

241 kPa

105 mm

35 mm

1,102,500 mm3

301 kPa

1,176,000 mm3

321 kPa

Homework

140 mm

0 mm

Problem

P9.10
Problem P9.11
Problem P9.13

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Shear Stress in Beams II