LECTURE 3 Shear Stress and allowable stress

Fig. 1

Concept of shear stress:

Simple or direct shear is the shear that caused by the direct action of the applied load F, see
Fig. 2a. This type of shear often occurs in various types of simple connections that use bolts, pins,
welding material, etc.

Fig. 2
We know that Shear stress τ is the stress component [i.e is the quotient of the internal force and
area, it describes the intensity of the internal force] that acts in the plane of the sectioned area [parallel
to the sectioned area].
The average shear stress distributed over each sectioned area that develops this shear force is
defined by:-
𝐕
𝛕𝐚𝐯𝐠 = ……………………………………………(1)
𝐀
τavg = average shear stress at the section, which is assumed to be the same at each point
located on the section, see Fig. 2c.
V = internal resultant shear force on the section determined from the equations of
equilibrium.
A = area at the section.
A more precise investigation of the shear-stress distribution over the section often reveals that
much larger shear stresses occur in the material than those predicted by this equation. Although this
may be the case, application of Eq. (1) is generally acceptable for many problems in engineering
design and analysis. For example, engineering codes allow its use when considering design sizes for
fasteners such as bolts and for obtaining the bonding strength of glued joints subjected to shear
loadings.
 Fig. 2
the material is subjected to pure shear when it satisfy the complementary property of shear [all
four shear stresses, in a volume element of material taken at a point located on the surface of a
sectioned area which is subjected to a shear stress, must have equal magnitude and be directed
either toward or away from each other at opposite edges of the element];
𝛕𝐳𝐲 = 𝛕𝐳𝐲 = 𝛕𝐲𝐳 = 𝛕𝐲𝐳 = 𝛕
The same form of relationship can be obtained for the other two pair of shear stress components.

Sign convections for shear stresses:

For 2-D
 Tending to turn the element C.W +ve.
 Tending to turn the element C.C.W – ve.

For 3-D
 In Matrix form:

or

Where

Usually simplification of the loading on a body is done, in order that the stress produced in a
member can be analyzed in a single plane. If this would be the case, then the material is said to be
subjected to plane stress.

3-D 2-D
Allowable Stress
To properly design a structural member or mechanical element it is necessary to restrict the stress in
the material to a level that will be safe. To ensure this safety, it is therefore necessary to choose an
allowable stress that restricts the applied load to one that is less than the load the member can fully
support.
One method of specifying the allowable load for a member is to use a number called the factor of
safety. The factor of safety (F.S.) is a ratio of the failure load Ffail to the allowable load Fallow. Here, Ffail
is found from experimental testing of the material, and the factor of safety is selected based on
experience.
Ffail
𝐹. 𝑠 = … … … … . (2)
Fallow

If the load applied to the member is linearly related to the stress [σ =P/A or τavg = V/A] developed
within the member, then we can also express the factor of safety (F.S.) as a ratio of the failure stress σfail
(or τfail) to the allowable stress σallow (or τallow)
σ fail τ fail
𝐹. 𝑠 = σ 𝑜𝑟 𝐹. 𝑠 = τ
allow allow

In some cases, such as columns, the applied load is not linearly related to stress and therefore only
Eq. (2) can be used to determine the factor of safety.
In any of these equations, the factor of safety must be greater than 1 in order to avoid the potential
for failure. The factor of safety for a specific case can be found in design codes and engineering
handbooks. These values are intended to form a balance of ensuring public and environmental safety
and providing a reasonable economic solution to design.
Factor of safety considerations:
• Variations in material properties
• Uncertainty of loadings
• Uncertainty of analyses
• Number of loading cycles
• Types of failure
• Maintenance requirements and deterioration effects
• Importance of member to structures integrity
• Risk to life and property
• Influence on function of structural elements

Design of Simple Connections

 If a member is subjected to (normal or shear) force at a section, its required area at the section is
determined from
P V
𝐴= 𝑜𝑟 𝐴=
σ allow τ allow

The allowable stress used in each of these equations is determined either by applying a factor of
safety to the material’s normal or shear failure stress or by finding these stresses directly from an
appropriate design code.