Shear in a solid rectangular section

y
h/2
b
h/2
b
h
shear distribution
Compute t at level yof the section:
Where:
This is a parabolic distribution of shear, as shown.
2 2
2
2 2 8 2
h
y
h bh by
Q Ay b y y
| |

| |
|
= = + =
|
|
\ .
\ .
2 2
2 2
2
2 3 3
6
2 4 4 2
1.5 1
12
b h h
V y V y
V y
b h bh bh h
t
| | | |
| |

| | |
| |
\ . | |
\ . \ .
= = =
|
|
|
\ .
\ .
3
12
bh
I =
max
1.5
V
bh
t =
, where y = 0
y
VQ
Ib
t =
SHEAR
Observations:
t is very low in the flanges.
V
flange
1/2(0.6)7.5(0.57)) = 1.3 kips
V
web
= 100 - 2(1.3) = 97.3 kips
For a W-shape most of the shear is carried by the web. Therefore, in the AISC
Specification, the shear strength of a W-shape section is calculated based on
and effective area equal to the overall depth of the section times the web
thickness.
d =18
b
f
=7.5
t
f
= 0.57
t
w
= 0.355
0.6ksi
13.1ksi
17.8ksi
Shear in a W-Shape
Example: W18x50; V = 100 kips
VQ
It
t =
max
0.57
100(7.5)(0.57) 9
2
0.6
800(7.5)
f
ksi t
| |

|
\ .
= =
( )( )( ) ( ) ( )
max
9 0.57
100 7.5 0.57 8.715 9 0.57 0.355
2
17.6
800(0.355)
w
ksi t
(
| |
+
|
(
\ .

= =
min
0.57
100(7.5)(0.57) 9
2
13.1
800(0.355)
w
ksi t
| |

|
\ .
= =
SHEAR