SIMPLE STRESSES AND STRAINS 253

FG d 2 a2 IJ 100
= 1
H d2 K
a2
= 100
d2

8.12 SHEAR STRESS Q

Figure 8.22 shows a bar subject to direct shearing

force i.e., the force parallel to the cross-section of
bar. The section of a rivet/bolt subject to direct shear
is shown in Fig. 8.23. Let Q be the shearing force P
and q the shearing stress acting on the section. Then, R
with usual assumptions that stresses are uniform we
get,
Q
Fig. 8.22. Direct Shear Force on a
Section

Q Q
Q R

Q
Q

Fig. 8.23. Rivet in Direct Shear

R = q dA = q dA = qA
For equilibrium Q = R = qA
Q
i.e., q = ...(8.18)
A
Thus, the direct stress is equal to shearing force per unit area.

8.13 SIMPLE SHEAR

A material is said to be in a state of simple shear if it is subjected Element

to only shearing stress. A shearing force tries to shear off the
cross-section of the body. Consider a bolt subjected to pure shear
as shown in Fig. 8.24a. A rectangular element at this section is
shown in Fig. 8.24b.
(a) Bolt Subjected to Shearing
Let the intensity of shear stress be qab and thickness of
element be t. Consider the equilibrium of the element. Fig. 8.24
Vertical force on AB = qab AB t
This can be balanced by vertical downward force on CD.
254 MECHANICS OF SOLIDS

qab AB t = qcd CD t
qab = qcd = q(say)
qbc
Since qab and qcd are giving rise to equal and opposite forces B C
q AB t, with moment arm = AD, they form a couple of qab
magnitude equal to
q AB t AD ...(1) qcd
This can be balanced by another couple only. i.e. qbc and qcd A D
should form an equal and opposite couple. Hence their direction qad
will be as shown in Fig. 8.24b. (b) Element under Shear

Let qbc = qad = q q

The couple formed by these forces

= q AD t AB ...(2)
Equating (1) and (2) we get, q = q.
q
Thus if a section is subjected to pure shear, the state of stress in
any element at that section is as shown in Fig. 8.24c. (c) State of Simple Shear

State of stress at 45 to shearing direction is of engineering interest. Fig. 8.24

To study it, for simplicity, consider a square element of side a and
thickness t, under simple shear as shown in Fig. 8.25a.

q a C C
B p

a a

a Dq A D q
A
(a) (b)

Fig. 8.25

Since it is square element AC = a 2 . Consider section along AC and let p be the stress on this
section. From equilibrium condition of system of forces in the direction normal to AC, we get
p AC t = q CD t cos 45 + q AD t sin 45
pa 2t = qat 1/ 2 + qat 1/ 2
= qat 2
i.e., p = q
Thus in case of simple shear tensile stress of the same magnitude as C C
B
shearing stress develops at 45 to shearing plane. By taking stresses on B
diagonal BD it can be shown that compressive stress of magnitude q acts
on this plane. Thus simple shear gives rise to tensile and compressive  
stresses across planes inclined at 45 to the shearing planes, the intensity
A D
of direct stresses being of same magnitude as shearing stresss.
Fig. 8.26
SIMPLE STRESSES AND STRAINS 255

Shearing strain. Shearing stress has a tendency to distort the element to position ABCD from
the original position ABCD as shown in Fig. 8.26.
This deformation is expressed in terms of angular displacement and is called shear strain. Thus
BB
Shear strain = = tan
AB
= , since angle is small

8.14 POISSONS RATIO

When a material undergoes changes in length, it undergoes changes of opposite nature in lateral
directions. For example, if a bar is subjected to direct tension in its axial direction it elongates and
at the same time its sides contract (Fig. 8.27).

L

Fig. 8.27. Changes in Axial and Lateral Directions

If we define the ratio of change in axial direction to original length as linear strain and change
in lateral direction to the original lateral dimension as lateral strain, it is found that within elastic limit
there is a constant ratio between lateral strain and linear strain. This constant ratio is called
Poissons ratio. Thus,
Lateral strain
Poissons ratio = ...(8.19)
Linear strain
1
It is denoted by , or . For most of metals its value is between 0.25 to 0.33. Its value for steel
m
is 0.3 and for concrete 0.15.

8.15 VOLUMETRIC STRAIN

When a member is subjected to stresses, it undergoes deformation in all directions. Hence, there will
be change in volume. The ratio of the change in volume to original volume is called volumetric
strain.
V
Thus ev = ...(8.20)
V
where eV = Volumetric strain
V = Change in volume
V = Original volume
It can be shown that volumetric strain is sum of strains in three mutually perpendicular directions.
i.e., ev = ex + ey + ez