Shear stress

Shear stress is a stress state where the shape of a material tends to change (usually by "sliding" forces - torque by transversely-acting forces) without particular volume change. The shape change is evaluated by measuring the change of the angle's magnitude (shear strain).

In laboratory testing, shear stress is achieved by torsion of a specimen. Direct shear of a specimen by a moment induces shear stress, as well as tensile and compressive stress.

Structural members subjected in pure shear stress are the torsion bars and the driving shafts in automobiles. Riveted joints and some bolts are also subjected mainly to shear stress. Cantilevers, beams, consoles and column heads are subject in composite loading, consising of shear, tensile and compressive stress.

Also constructions in soil can fail due to shear, e.g. the weight of an earth fill dam or dike may cause the subsoil to collapse, like a small landslide.

See also

shear, shear strength, tensile stress, strength of materials, geotechnical engineering.

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