Mechanics of Solids – I

Topic: Shear Stress in Bending

1
 SHEAR IN STRAIGHT MEMBERS
If a beam is composed of a number of
thin layers placed on each other.
When a load is applied to this beam, it
will deflect as shown in the top figure.
As there is no shear resistance between
the layers, the bending strength of the
beam will be equal to sum of the
bending strength of each layer.
If ‘h’ is the to total depth of beam and
the number of layers are ‘5’ then
bending strength is

If the layers are firmly secured with each other such that sliding between
layers is prevented, then the beam will act as single unit and its bending
resistance is

Thus a strong beam should have enough strength against both

bending and shear
2
 SHEAR IN STRAIGHT MEMBERS
◼ To illustrate the effect caused by the longitudinal shear
stress, consider the beam made from three boards.
◼ If top and bottom surfaces of each board are smooth, and
boards are not bonded together, then application of load
P will cause the boards to slide relative to one another
when the beam deflects. However, if the boards are
bonded together, then the longitudinal shear stress acting
between the boards will prevent their relative sliding, and
consequently the beam will act as a single unit.

3
 SHEAR IN STRAIGHT MEMBERS
◼ As a result of the shear stress, shear strains will be developed
and these will tend to distort the cross section in a rather
complex manner.
◼ Consider the short bar made of a highly deformable material
and marked with horizontal and vertical grid lines.
◼ When the shear force V is applied, the
force tends to deform these lines into
the pattern shown in Fig b.
◼ This nonuniform shear-strain
distribution will cause cross section to
warp; and as a result, when a beam is
subjected to both bending and shear,
cross section will not remain plane as
assumed in the development of the
flexure formula. 4
 SHEAR FORMULA
◼ As the strain distribution for shear is not easily defined, as in
the case of bending, we will obtain the shear-stress
distribution in an indirect manner.
◼ To do this we will consider the horizontal force equilibrium
of a portion of an element taken from the beam as shown in
the Fig below.

5
 SHEAR FORMULA : Derivation
Horizontal Shearing Stress :
When a shear force is applied on a beam,
non uniform shearing stress are produced
in beam parallel to the axis of the
member.

Assumptions :
All assumptions made in derivation of
flexural formula are also made in
horizontal shearing stress.

Derivation :
Consider two sections 1 and 2 along the
axis of beam with a differential distance
“dx” in between. Where:
M1 = Bending moment at Section 1,
M2 = Bending moment at Section 2
And
M2 - M1 = dM
Let σ1 and σ2 are respectively the stresses at
distance y from NA at section 1 and section 2. 6
 SHEAR FORMULA : Derivation
Let σ1 and σ2 are respectively the stresses at
distance y from NA at section 1 and section 2.
From the flexural formula:
σ1 = (M 1 /I) y
σ2 = (M 2 /I) y
Consider the shaded element as shown. The
horizontal forces F 1 and F 2 , acting on the
shaded element due to flexural stresses are:

F1 = σ1dA = ∫(M1/I)ydA = (M1/I)∫ydA.

F1 =(M1/I)Q

F2 = σ2dA = ∫(M2/I)ydA = (M2/I)∫ydA.

F2 = (M2/I)Q

Where Q = ∫ydA is the first moment of

shaded area about the NA.
If moment varies along axis of the member, then
F1 will not be equal to F 2 .
dF= F2 - F1 = (M2/I)Q ––(M1/I)Q
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 SHEAR FORMULA : Derivation

dF= F2 - F1 = (M2/I)Q ––(M1/I)Q

dF= (M2 - M1)Q/I = dM(Q/I)

Now the horizontal shearing stress is
given by:

τ= dF /(b dx)
τ = dM(Q/ I)/(b dx) = (Q/Ib)(dM/dx)
As we know that dM /dx = V,

τ= (V Q) / (I b) ------------ (1)
Is the formula for calculating horizontal
shearing stress in beam.

8
 SHEAR FORMULA
With reference to Fig:-
𝜏– shear stress in the member at point
located a distance y from the neutral
axis. This stress is assumed to be
constant and therefore averaged
across the width t of the member
V – the shear force, determined from the method of sections and the
equations of equilibrium
I – the moment of inertia of the entire cross-sectional area calculated
about the neutral axis
t – the width of the member’s cross section, measured at the point
where t is to be determined
Q– , where A’ is the area of the top (or bottom)
portion of the member’s cross section, above (or below) the
section plane where t is measured, and y’ is the distance from the
neutral axis to the centroid of A’ 9
LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF SHEAR FORMULA
◼ One of the major assumptions used
in the development of the shear
formula is that the shear stress is
uniformly distributed over the width
t at the section. In other words, the
average shear stress is calculated
across the width. In actual the shear
stress varies along the width of the
section and variation / error is more
for flatter sections i.e. for the
sections having greater b/h
(width/depth) value.
contd…..
10
LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF SHEAR FORMULA
Errors of this magnitude are certainly
intolerable if one attempts to use the
shear formula to determine the shear
stress in the flange of the wide-flange
beam shown in Fig.
It should also be noted that the shear formula will not give
accurate results when used to determine the shear stress at the
flange–web junction of I beam, since this is a point of sudden
cross-sectional change and therefore a stress concentration
occurs here.
Hence, shear formula does not give accurate results when
applied to members having cross sections that are short or flat,
or at points where the cross section suddenly changes.

11
 VERTICAL SHEARING STRESS
Consider a differential element at distance y from
the NA. The horizontal shearing stress at this
differential element is given by:
τH = (V Q)/(I b)
Consider the enlarge view of the differential
element of sizes dx, dy and dz along x, y and z axes
respectively.
Horizontal force acting on top and bottom surfaces
of the element is H =τH (dx dz).
The two forces are creating a clockwise couple.
To balance this couple there must be vertical
shearing stress “ τV ” on the element.
Vertical force acting on two vertical forces of the
element is V =τV (dy dz).
The couple due to vertical force must be balance
by the couple due to horizontal force:
Vdx = Hdy => τV (dy dz )dx = τH(dx dz )dy
=> τV = τH
Therefore, the vertical shearing stress produced in
beam is equal to horizontal stress. 12
 APPLICATION OF SHEARING STRESS
Rectangular Section
Consider a rectangular section (b x h) subjected to shear force “V”.
Consider a fiber at a distance of “y” from the neutral axis. To compute shear
stress at this fiber, we will have to calculate first moment of shaded area “Q”
from y to h/2.

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 APPLICATION OF SHEARING STRESS
Rectangular Section
Therefore, the shear stress varies parabolically and is maximum at the NA and
zero at the outer most fiber.

14
 APPLICATION OF SHEARING STRESS
Triangular Section
Consider a triangular section subjected
to shear force “V”. Consider a fiber at a
distance of “y” from the neutral axis. To
compute shear stress at this fiber, we will
have to calculate first moment of shaded
area “Q”.
Q=AY

15
 APPLICATION OF SHEARING STRESS
Triangular Section

16
 APPLICATION OF SHEARING STRESS
Triangular Section

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 Problem # 565
A simply supported beam 120-mm wide, 180-mm deep and
6-m long carries a uniformly distributed load of 4 kN/m.
a. Compute the shearing stress developed at horizontal
layers 30-mm apart from top to bottom for a section 1.0-
m from the left end.
b. Compute the maximum shearing stress developed in the
beam.

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 Problem # 565 : Solution

Part a.
As show in SF diagram, V=8 kN at x=1.0-m
𝑏ℎ3 120 ∗ 1803
𝐼= 𝐼𝑁𝐴 = = 58.32𝑥106 𝑚𝑚4
12 12
19
 Problem # 565 : Solution
Part a.
𝐼𝑁𝐴 = 58.32𝑥10−6 𝑚4

Shear Stress at layer 30-mm from top 𝜏 = 𝑉 𝐴′ 𝑦′

𝐼𝑏
8000
𝜏= −6
0.120 ∗ 0.030 0.075 = 309 kPa
58.32𝑥10 0.120

𝜏30 𝑚𝑚 = 309 kPa

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 Problem # 565 : Solution
Shear Stress at layer 60-mm from top 𝑉 ′
𝜏 = 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼𝑏
8000
𝜏= −6
0.120 ∗ 0.060 0.060 = 494 kPa
58.32𝑥10 0.120
𝜏60 𝑚𝑚 = 494 kPa

21
 Problem # 565 : Solution
𝑉
Shear Stress at layer 60-mm from top 𝜏 = ෍ 𝐴′ 𝑦 ′
𝐼𝑏
8000
𝜏= −6
0.120 ∗ 0.030 0.075 +
58.32𝑥10 0.120
0.120 ∗ 0.030 0.045 = 494𝑘𝑃𝑎

𝜏60 𝑚𝑚 = 494 kPa

22
 Problem # 565 : Solution
Part b.
Shear Stress at layer 90-mm from top 𝑉 ′
𝜏 = 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼𝑏
8000
𝜏= −6
0.120 ∗ 0.090 0.045 = 555 kPa
58.32𝑥10 0.120
𝜏90 𝑚𝑚 = 555 kPa
3𝑉
Maximum Shear Stress 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2𝑏ℎ
3 ∗ 8000
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
2 0.120 0.180

𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥@𝑁𝐴 = 555 kPa 23

 Flanges/web

I beam consists horizontal element - flanges and

vertical element - web.

The web resists shear forces while the flanges

resist most of the bending moment.
Due to its effectiveness in carrying both bending
and shear loads, it is the most frequent for steel
buildings, bridge and civil project.

24
 Problem # 566
A wide-flange beam has the section as shown. At a cross
section where vertical shear is V=16 kips, Compute
a. The maximum shearing stress.
b. Shear stress at the junction of web & flange.
c. Plot shear stress distribution in the web and determine
the percentage of shear carried by the web alone.

MOS-1 2015 25
 Problem # 566 : Solution
Part a.
I (NA) = I of large rectangle – I of two small shaded rectangles

The moment of
inertia is given by
𝑏ℎ3
𝐼=
12

8 ∗ 123 3.5 ∗ 103

𝐼𝑁𝐴 = −2 = 568 𝑖𝑛4
12 12 26
 Problem # 566 : Solution
Part a.
τ = (V Q)/(I b).
𝑉 ′
𝜏 = 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼𝑏

Compute Q = 𝐴′ 𝑦′ as the sum of the

moments of area of the rectangles
shaded in figure.

Q = 𝐴′ 𝑦 ′ = 8 ∗ 1 5.5 + 5 ∗ 1 2.5

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 Problem # 566 : Solution
Part a.

The maximum shearing stress occurs at NA.

𝑉 ′
𝜏 = 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼𝑏

16,000
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 8 ∗ 1 5.5 + 5 ∗ 1 2.5 = 1590 psi
568 1
28
 Problem # 566 : Solution

Part b.
Shear stress at the junction
of web & flange.

𝑉 ′
𝜏 = 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼𝑏

16,000
𝜏= 8 ∗ 1 5.5 = 1240 psi
568 1

29
 Problem # 566 : Solution
Part c.

Shear stress distribution is

parabolic & average
height of the parabolic
segment is 2/3 of (1590-
1240) = 233 psi.
Thus Average Shear stress distribution in the web.
𝜏𝑎𝑣𝑒 = 1240 + 233 = 1473 𝑝𝑠𝑖
The Shear Force in the web. 𝐹 =𝐴∗𝜏
𝐹 = 𝐴 ∗ 𝜏 = (10 ∗ 1)1473 = 14,730 𝑙𝑏 30
 Problem # 566 : Solution
Part c.
Percentage of the Shear carried
by the web alone.
𝑆𝐹 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑊𝑒𝑏
%𝑉 =
𝑆𝐹 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
14730
= 𝑥100 = 92.2%
16000
Shows flange are almost ineffective in vertical resisting shear.
Assume total V is carried by the web, ave shear stress will be
very close to max
𝑉 16000
𝜏= = = 1600 𝑝𝑠𝑖 ≅ 1590 𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝐴 (10𝑥1)
 SHEAR FLOW
➢ Occasionally, members are “built up”
from several composite parts in order
to achieve a greater resistance to
loads.
➢ If the loads cause the members to
bend, fasteners such as nails, bolts,
welding material, or glue will be
needed to keep the component parts
from sliding relative to one another.
➢ In order to design these fasteners or
determine their spacing, it is
necessary to know the shear force that
they must resist.
➢ This loading, when measured as a
force per unit length of beam, is
referred to as shear flow, q.
 SHEAR FLOW in beam
▪ 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝐻𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 & 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚′ 𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
𝑖𝑠 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤, 𝑞.
▪ 𝐼𝑡 𝑟𝑒𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝐿𝑜𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓
𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑎𝑚𝑠 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑦1
𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑛𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠. 𝑉 ′
𝜏= 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼𝑏
𝑞 =τ∗𝑏

𝑉 ′
𝑞 = 𝐴 𝑦′
𝐼

𝑉
𝑞= 𝑄
𝐼 33
 Self Assessment Problem

A uniformly distributed load of 200 lb /ft is carried on simply

supported span. If the cross section is as shown in the figure,
determine maximum length of the beam, if the shearing
stress is limited to 80 psi.
Assume the load acts over the entire length of the beam.
 Self Assessment Problem
A wide-flange beam has the
section as shown.
a. Determine the maximum
and minimum shearing
stress in the web of the
wide flange section if V =
100 kN.

b. Plot shear stress distribution in the web and determine the

percentage of the vertical shear carried only by the web of the
beam.

37
 Practice Problems

Problem # 568, 572, 575, 588,

Problem # 1 , 11, 15,25, 28, Chp-7, Hibbeler 9th ed.