SHEARING STRESS
Forces parallel to the area resisting the force cause shearing stress. It differs to tensile and
compressive stresses, which are caused by forces perpendicular to the area on which they act.
Shearing stress is also known as tangential stress.
𝑉
𝜏=
𝐴
where V is the resultant shearing force which passes through the centroid of the area A being sheared.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS:
1. What force is required to punch a 20-mm-diameter hole in a plate that is 25 mm thick?
The shear strength is 350 MN/m2.
2. As in the figure, a hole is to be punched out of a plate having a shearing strength of 40 ksi. The
compressive stress in the punch is limited to 50 ksi. (a) Compute the maximum thickness of
plate in which a hole 2.5 inches in diameter can be punched. (b) If the plate is 0.25-inch thick,
determine the diameter of the smallest hole that can be punched.
3. Find the smallest diameter bolt that can be used in the clevis shown in the figure if P = 400
kN. The shearing strength of the bolt is 300 MPa.
4. Compute the shearing stress in the pin at B for the member supported as shown in the figure. The pin
diameter is 20 mm.
5. The members of the structure in the figure weigh 200 lb/ft. Determine the smallest diameterpin that can be
used at A if the shearing stress is limited to 5000 psi. Assume single shear.
