Switch between 10 solut

Cell perfusion with pulse-free flow wit

one manifold
Fluigent

Solid Mechanics II C3.1 Shear Flow

Course homepage
The shear formula
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2)
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics1/C5-
transverse-shear/C5.1-shear-formula/theory) in
C3: Transverse Shear Solid Mechanics I ( τ = VQ/It ) is useful as it
helps us to find the critical τ max , which would
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/overview) help us to design a safe structure that can
3.1 Shear Flow withstand the τ max .
- Theory
The shear flow q is another shear loading
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear- quantity that is useful for design purposes.
It
flow/theory)
measures the shear force per unit length and is
- Example
useful in applications of:
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear- • built-up members – sections that are built-
flow/example)
up and joined together using nails/bolts.
- Question 1
Shear flow helps us to determine the
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear- appropriate spacing s between the
flow/question1) nails/bolts to ensure sufficient strength
- Question 2
• thin-walled members – members where the
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear- thickness is very small compared to other
flow/question2) dimensions. Shear flow helps us to
- Question 3
determine the shear force distribution in
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear- each portion of the cross-section, and is
flow/question3) necessary to help us work out the shear
3.2 Shear Centre centre
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.2-shear-
centre/theory).

Without further ado, let’s look at the formula:

Note:
• V is the shear force acting on the cross-
section (units: N )
• Q = Aȳ and it’s the same Q as in transverse
shear
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics1/C5-
transverse-shear/C5.1-shear-
formula/theory) (units: m 3 or mm 3 )
• I is the moment of inertia (units: m 4 or
mm 4 )
• It’s pretty much the same as τ = VQ/It ,
except that the thickness τ is dropped out.

Shear flow direction and

distribution
Another information of interest is how the shear
actually “flows” in the cross-section. Knowing
where the shear flow starts and ends will help us
determine how we calculate our “ Q ” ( Q = Aȳ ) at
the point of interest.
Here are two useful hints to help us determine
our shear flow direction:
1) The net effect of the shear flow will result in
the shear force V acting on the cross-
section. This means that the vertical
regions of the cross-section should
generally have q in the same direction as V .
2) Shear flow q must be continuous
regardless of the cross-section geometry.
Putting these 2 guidelines together, here are the
shear flow distributions of some common cross-
sections:
Shear force from shear flow
At the point where q starts in the cross-section,
q = 0 , but as it flows q gradually increases
because Q = Aȳ goes up as well. An example of
the q magnitude distribution for an I-section is
shown below:

Using this information, we can actually work out

the force caused by the shear flow for an
arbitrary segment of the cross-section:

This might look difficult, but we’ll be looking at

an example of this later in Question 3
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear-flow/question3).
For now, let’s look at a simple example
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/solidmechanics2/C3-
transverse-shear/C3.1-shear-flow/example).
 Switch between 10 solu

Compare the effect of different

concentrations of compounds in a m
on cells
Fluigent

(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/)

COURSES FEATURES THE STORY CONTACT US

(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/#courses)
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/#features)
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/#story)
(http://www.engineeringcorecourses.com/contact)
(http://www.facebook.com/engineeringcorecourses