MECHANICS OF MATERIALS (I)

SHEARING STRESSES IN BEAMS AND

THIN-WALLED MEMBERS

Dr. Jung-San Chen

Department of Engineering Science
National Cheng Kung University
 Transverse loading applied to a beam results in normal
and shearing stresses in transverse sections.

6-2
Distribution of normal and shearing stresses satisfies
Fx = x dA = 0 M x = ( y xz z xy )dA = 0
Fy = xy dA = V M y = z x dA = 0
Fz = xz dA = 0 M z = ( y x ) = M
J.S. Chen
 When shearing stresses are exerted on the vertical faces
of an element, equal stresses must be exerted on the
horizontal faces

6-3
J.S. Chen
SHEAR STRESS IN BEAMS OF RECTANGULAR
CROSS SECTION

6-4
My ( M + dM ) y
1 =
,2 =

I I J.S. Chen
SHEAR STRESS IN BEAMS OF RECTANGULAR
CROSS SECTION
My ( M + dM ) y
F1 =
1dA dA = =
2 dA

6-5
= F2 dA
I I
Fx = 0 : F3 = F2 F1
( M + dM ) y My (dM ) y
F3 I
=
dA I
dA I
dA

dM
F3 = y dA
I
Also, if the shear stress are uniformly distributed across the
width b of the beam

F3 =
= dA bdx

J.S. Chen
SHEAR STRESS IN BEAMS OF RECTANGULAR
CROSS SECTION

6-6
dM
y dA = bdx
I
dM 1 V
= ydA ydA
dx Ib Ib

VQ VQ
Let =
Q ydA
=
Ib
=
and q
I
[Note]
Q is the first moment of the cross sectional area above the
level at which the shear stress is being evaluated.
q is the horizontal shear per unit length and is also called
shear flow.
J.S. Chen
SHEAR ON THE HORIZONTAL FACE OF A
BEAM ELEMENT

6-7
Front View Side View
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 Equilibrium of beam element
F x = 0 = H + ( D C )dA

6-8
A

M D MC
H =
I
A
y dA

Note, Q = y dA
A
dM
M D MC = x = V x
dx

Substituting, H = VQ x, q = H = VQ = shear flow

I x I

J.S. Chen
 Same result found for lower area
H VQ
q = = = q
x I
Q + Q = 0
= first moment with respect
to neutral axis 6-9

H = H J.S. Chen
DETERMINATION OF THE SHEARING STRESS
IN A BEAM

6 - 10
J.S. Chen
 DETERMINATION OF THE SHEARING STRESS
IN A BEAM
The average shearing stress on the horizontal face of
the element is obtained by dividing the shearing force on
the element by the area of the face.

H q x VQ x
ave = = =
A A I t x
VQ
=
It

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 On the upper and lower surfaces of the beam, yx= 0.
It follows that xy= 0 on the upper and lower edges of

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the transverse sections.

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 ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE
Problem: A metal beam with span L=3ft is simply supported at

6 - 18
points A and B. The uniform load on the beam (including its own
weight) is q=160lb/in. The cross section of the beam is rectangular
with width b=1in and the height h=4in. Determine the normal
stress and shear stress at point C, which is located 1in below the
top of the beam and 8in from the right-hand support. Show these
stress on a sketch of a stress element at point C

J.S. Chen
ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE

6 - 19
Solution Procedure:
Shear force and bending moment
Moment of inertia
Normal stress at point C
Shear stress at point C

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SHEARING STRESSES IN COMMON TYPES OF
BEAMS

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Rectangular cross section
1
y = y + (c y ) / 2 = (c + y )
2

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SHEARING STRESSES IN COMMON TYPES
OF BEAMS

6 - 21
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 Circular Cross Section
y
Although thee is no simple way to find
the shear stress acting throughout the

6 - 22
m
r entire cross section, we can readily
z q determine the shear stresses at the neutral
p
o axis (where stresses are the largest) by
making some reasonable assumption
Assumptions: the stresses act parallel to the y axis and have
constant intensity across the width of the beam. (from p to q).
Since these assumptions are the same as those used in deriving
the shear formula, we can use it to calculate the stresses at the
neutral axis. r4 r 2 4r 2r 3
=
I ,=
Q =
Ay = ,=
b 2r
4 2 3 3
VQ V (2r 3 / 3) 4V 4V
max
= = = = ..(*)
Ib ( r / 4)(2r ) 3 r 2
4
3A
J.S. Chen
 Hollow Circular Cross Section
y

=I ( r24 r14 )

6 - 23
r1 4
r2
z =
Q
3
(
2 3
r2 r13 )

=
b 2( r2 r1 )
..(**)
VQ 4V r22 + r2 r1 + r12
max
= =
Ib 3 A r2 + r1
2 2 , =
A ( r2
2
r1 )
2

[Remark]
Although the preceding theory for shear stresses in beams of
circular cross section is approximate, it gives results differing by
only few percent from those obtained using the exact theory of
elasticity. Consequently, Eqs. (*) and (**) can be used to determine
the maximum shear stresses in circular beams under ordinary
circumstances. J.S. Chen
 For American Standard (S-beam) and Wide-flange (W-
beam) beams

6 - 24
VQ
ave =
It
V
max =
Aweb
J.S. Chen
 For American Standard (S-beam) and Wide-flange (W-
beam) beams
h h1 = h1

6 - 25
=A1 b A2 t y1
2 2 2
h h h / 2 h1 / 2
d d' h1 =Q A1 1 +
2 2 2
1 2
h / 2 y1
h1 + A2 y1 + 1
h 2
2
2
=
8
(
b 2
h h1
2
) +
8
(
t 2
h1 4 y1 )
2

=
VQ
It
=
V
8 It
b ( h 2
h1
2
) + t ( h1
2
4 y1
2
)

bh3 (b t ) h13
where I =
12

12
=
1
12
( bh3 bh13 + th13 )
J.S. Chen
 For American Standard (S-beam) and Wide-flange (W-
beam) beams

6 - 26
V
=
max
bh 2 bh12 + th12 occurred at y1 = 0
8 It
Vb 2
min
= h h12 occurred at y1 = h1
8 It 2

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Solution Procedure:
Shear force and bending moment
Moment of inertia
Normal stress
Shear stress

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*Skip section 6.6

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SHEARING STRESSES IN THIN-WALLED MEMBERS

6 - 37
The longitudinal shear force
on the element is
VQ
H = x
I J.S. Chen
SHEARING STRESSES IN THIN-WALLED MEMBERS

6 - 38
The corresponding shear stress is

H VQ
zx = xz =
t x It

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SHEARING STRESSES IN THIN-WALLED MEMBERS

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SHEARING STRESSES IN THIN-WALLED MEMBERS

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