Strength of Materials

Problem 1: Derivation of Shear stress in rectangular crosssection

Problem 2: Computation of Shear stresses
Problem 3: Computation of Shear stresses
Problem 4: Computation of Shear stresses

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Strength of Materials

Problem 1: Derivation of Shear stress in rectangular crosssection

Derive an expression for the shear stress distribution in a beam of solid rectangular crosssection transmitting a vertical shear V.

The cross sectional area of the beam is shown in the figure. A longitudinal cut through the
beam at a distance y1, from the neutral axis, isolates area klmn. (A1).
Shear stress,
VQ
It
V
y.dA
=
It

A1

=
=

V
Ib

d/2

by dy

y1

V
( d / 2 )2 ( y1 )2 ---------------------- (1)

2I

The Shear Stress distribution is as shown below

Max Shear Stress occurs at the neutral axis and this can be found by putting y = 0 in the
equation 1.

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Strength of Materials

Vd 2
8I
3 V
=
2 bh
3V
=
2A

max =

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Strength of Materials

Problem 2: Computation of Shear stresses

A vertical shear force of 1KN acts on the cross section shown below. Find the shear at the
interface (per unit length)

Solution:
Formula used:

q = VQ/I

We first find the distance of the neutral axis from the top fiber.

All dimensions in mm

y NA =

20 100 10 + 20 100 70
= 40mm
20 100 + 20 100

Q = ydA of shaded area about neutral axis.

Q = 20 x 100 x 30 = 6 x 104

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Strength of Materials

V = 1KN
3
20 1003
2 100 20
I=
+ 20 100 30 +
+ 100 20 302
12
12

= 5.33 106
q=

VQ 103 6 104 (103 )3

N
=
= 1.125 104
4
I
m
5.33 106 103

= 11.25

KN
m

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Strength of Materials

Problem 3: Computation of Shear stresses

A 6m long beam with a 50 mm 50 mm cross section is subjected to uniform loading of
5KN/m. Find the max shear stress in the beam

Solution:
max =

3V
2A

We first find the section of maximum shear force. We know this is at the supports and is
equal to
5 6
= 15KN
2

We also know that max.shear stress occurs at the centre (for a rectangular cross section)
and is 1.5 times the average stress.
So,

max =

3 15 103
2 50 50 106

= 9 Mpa

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Strength of Materials

Problem 4: Computation of Shear stresses

The cross section of an I beam is shown below. Find the max.shear stress in the flange if it
transmits a vertical shear of 2KN.

Solution:
=

Formula used:

VQ
It

V = 2KN

10 1003 100 103

I=
+
+ 100 10 552 2 = 6.9 106 mm 4
12

12

Q is maximum at the midpoint as shown below

Q = 50 10 55

max =

2 103 50 10 55 103

( 6.9 10 )(10 )

3 4

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

10 10

= 0.79 MPa

Strength of Materials

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

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Indian Institute of Technology Madras