Chapter 7 Transverse Shear

Shear in straight members

Shear stress in a beam having a prismatic cross-section and made of
homogeneous material, in a linear-elastic region

▪ A beam will support both shear and moment.

▪ Shear V is the result of a transverse shear-stress distribution that

acts over the beam’s cross-section.

▪ Due to the complementary property of shear, this stress will create

corresponding longitudinal shear stresses which will act along
longitudinal planes.

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Shear Formula

Consider the horizontal force equilibrium

Take top portion to consideration

Due to the difference in moments at the two cross-sectional surfaces, the force equilibrium requires
Longitudinal shear stress.

Shear formula

Limitations on the use of shear formula

1. Aspect ratio effect: 2. Sudden change of cross-section

The ratio of beam width (b) to depth (h) has
a significant effect on the shear stress
distribution. What calculated from shear Stress concentration – the shear
formula is average shear stress formula cannot be used for the
junction area.

3. Irregular/nonrectangular boundary

Shear formula does not give accurate The shear formula cannot
results to the beam having cross-sections be applied to a section that
of that are flat. intersects the boundary
of the member at an angle
other than 90o

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Examples
Example 7.1 (ex 7.1)
The beam shown is made from two boards. Determine the maximum shear
stress in the glue necessary to hold the boards together along the seam where
they are joined.

Example 7.2 (ex 7.3)

A steel wide-flange beam has the dimensions as shown. If it is subjected to a shear of , plot
the shear-stress distribution acting over the beam's cross-sectional area.

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Shear Flow in Built-Up Members
Built-up member: consist of several component parts

Fastener: keep component parts from sliding relative to each other, such as nails, bolts, welding materials, or glue

Shear flow (q): shear force, measured as a force per unit length, that must be resisted by the fastener

Three horizontal forces must act on the segment:

and from the moments of and
The third force acts at the juncture and is to be supported by the fastener

Example 7.3 (ex 7.6)

Nails having a total shear strength of 40 lb are used in a beam that can be constructed either as in Case I
or Case II as shown. If the nails are spaced at 9 in, determine the largest vertical shear that can be
supported in each case so that the fasteners will not fail.

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Shear Flow in Thin-Walled Members
Approximation: only the shear-flow component that acts parallel to the walls of the member will be counted.

Subject to

(leading to normal longitudinal force)

▪ Determine the direction

A shear force for

equilibrium along
longitudinal direction

▪ Determine the distribution

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Examples

Example 7.4 (ex 7.7)

The think walled box beam is subjected to a shear of . Determine the variation of the shear flow
throughout the section.

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Shear Center for Open Thin-Walled Members
• Shear center is the point through which a force can be applied which will cause a beam to bend and
yet not twist.

• The location of the shear center is only a function of geometry of the cross section and does not
depend upon the applied load.

Shear center or flexural center

Example 7.5 (ex 7.8)

Determine the location of the shear center for the thin-walled channel section having the dimension as shown.

Chapter 7 Transverse Shear Page 7