Part 2: Shear Stress

A. ACTUAL STRESS. (In this section, the examples are about solving the actual stress acting on
the member).

Shear Stress, τ is the resisting force offered by the body per unit area of cross-section, when a
tangential force is applied on the body.

Consider the figure:

Two plates are connected by a bolt. If the two plates are to be pulled by force P tangentially as
in the figure, the bolt will suffer a tear, as shown.

There are two ways that a bolt can be sheared off. One way is single shear; it is when a
connector (may be bolts, pin or rivets) is teared off once only. Another way is double shear, it
is when a connector (may be bolts, pin or rivets) is teared off twice. The way the bolt is
sheared depends on the type of connection the system has. It is important that the way of
shearing be determined since this could affect calculations if not analyzed thoroughly.

Illustration:
Figure (a) shows single shear. As we can see, the resistance force occurs at the connection, V
is just equal to force P that is applied parallel to the area of the bolt.

Thus, solving for the shear stress induced in the bolt is given by this formula:

resistance force V
τ= = where V =P
¿ area A

Figure (b) shows double shear. As we can see, there are two resistance force that occurs at the
connection, V since (double connection). Hence the value of resistance V at each location is
just half the force P applied.

Thus, solving for the shear stress induced in the bolt is given by this formula:

resistance force V P
τ= = where V =
¿ area A 2

Example 1a-6. For the clevis connection shown in the figure determine the shear stress in the
22-mm diameter bolt for an applied load of P = 90 kN.

Solution:

Step 1: Analyze the figure. We should determine first whether it is single or double shear. From
the figure, we can say that this is a double shear.

Step 2: Substitute the given to the formula for the double shear:

Given: P = 90 kN and D = 22 mm
P
V
τ= =
( 2)
A A bolt

90 1000 N
τ=
2
kN x (1 kN )
π
( 222) mm2
4