LECTURE ARO326

10 ARO326 Shear in Beams: An Introduction

Consider a beam made of four unattached stacked planks.

Structural Mechanics I
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.3 (a)

If we subject the beam to a pure moment, then the planks

Shear in Beams deform in bending, as shown.
Our strain distribution is linear (due to all our previous
B&J, Chapter 6.1 to 6.3 assumptions), so no sliding occurs between the planks as
they deflect.
11 is B&J, Chapter 6.4 to 6.6 Ref. [1], Fig. 6.3 (c)
Therefore, our beam remains shear-free when subjected to a
pure moment.

However, if we subject the beam to a lateral load, the planks

slide upon each other as the beam deflects in bending, as
shown.

Todd Coburn This means a solid material subjected to transverse load

develops longitudinal shear forces & stresses as it attempts
Cal Poly Pomona
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.3 (b)
to keep its adjacent fibers from sliding across each other.

Chart by Todd Coburn. 2

ARO326 ARO326
Shear in Beams: Basic Ideas Shear in Beams: Shear Flow
Equilibrium can be imposed on any section subjected to Consider a prismatic beam subjected to arbitrary loading.
shear and bending.

Fx = s x dA = 0
Fy = t xy dA = -V
Fz = t xz dA = 0
( )
M x = y t xz - z t xy dA = 0
M y = z s x dA = 0
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.4
M z = (- y s x ) = M Ref. [1], Fig. 6.1 Ref. [1], Fig. 6.5

If we examine an element CCDD located as shown, we can examine all forces acting on it.
+
An incremental element pulled at random will result in Fx = 0 DH + (s C - s D )dA = 0
shear & normal stresses as shown. A
M y -MDy
DH + C dA = 0
A
I
M D - MC
DH =
I y dA
A
dM
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.6
But Q = y dA And recall M D - M C = Dx = V Dx
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.2 A
dx
VQ DH VQ
So DH = Dx And we find =
I Dx I
We now introduce a new useful variable we will see quite often called the shear flow.
DH VQ Note: We get the same result if we
\q = shear flow So q= had started with the lower element
Dx I of the beam & done the same.
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ARO326 ARO326
Shear in Beams: Shear Flow Example: Concept Application 6.1
VQ The shear flow equation is used a LOT in aircraft analysis. Given
q= Solution Procedure
I It is directly related to the shear stress in the section (we will see this momentarily).
It is used to quickly determine the shear forces that result when various sections of a Determine the horizontal force per
cross section are bonded, bolted, pressed, blessed or riveted together.. unit length or shear flow q on the
lower surface of the upper plank.
Calculate the corresponding
shear force in each nail.
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.8a

A beam is made of three planks, nailed together.

Ref. [1], Fig. 6.8a
Ref. [2], Fig. 7-15 The spacing between nails is 25 mm
The vertical shear in the beam is V = 500 N.

Find
Determine the shear force in each nail.

Ref. [1], Problem 6.5

Ref. [1], Problem 6.11 Ref. [1], Problem 6.16
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ARO326 ARO326
Example: Concept Application 6.1 Shear in Beams: Shear Stress
Consider an element CCDD located just below our prior element CCDD as shown.
SOLUTION:
Determine the horizontal force per unit
length or shear flow q on the lower
surface of the upper plank.
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.7

VQ (500 N)(120 10-6 m3 ) Ref. [1], Fig. 6.9

Fig. 6.8b-c Cross section with flange area for q= = The average shear stress on this face is given by...
computing shear on nail highlighted. Cross section I 16.20 10-6 m 4
compound areas for finding entire section moment of DH q D x q q Note: This is another key
inertia. = 3704 N t ave = = = t ave = relation we will use repeatedly
Q = Ay m DA t D x t t in Strength.

= (0.020 m 0.100 m )(0.060 m ) And since... q=

VQ
-6 3
Calculate the corresponding shear force I Ref. [1], Fig. 6.10
= 120 10 m in each nail for a nail spacing of 25 VQ Note: This is another key relation we
1 (0.020 m )(0.100 m )3
We can write... t ave = will use repeatedly in Strength.
I = 12 mm. It
+ 2[121 (0.100 m )(0.020 m )3 F = (0.025 m)q = (0.025 m)(3704 N m Shear on this horizontal face is the same as that on the adjacent vertical one.
The shear stress actually varies for many sections, as shown in 6.1B of [1].
F = 92.6 N
+ (0.020 m 0.100 m )(0.060 m ) ] 2
It varies from zero at the upper surface to a maximum at the centroid and
= 16.20 10-6 m 4 back to zero at the lower surface where Q is again zero.
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.10

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ARO327 Ref: Hibbeler. Mechanics of Materials. 9th Edition. Pearson, 2014., Section 7.2 ARO326
Shear in Beams: Equation Limitations Shear in Beams: Shear Stress Distributions
For a narrow rectangular beam.
Not on cross sections that are short or flat
Not at points of sudden cross sectional changes (e.g. flange-to-web junction in
wide flange beam)
VQ 3 V y2
Not at a joint on an inclined boundary t xy = = 1 -
Ib 2 A c 2

Uniform Distribution Across Width Inclined Boundaries 3V

t max =
2A
Wide-Flange Beams Ref. [1], Fig. 6.14
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.13
Shear-stress distribution is
parabolic but has a jump at For a typical I-beam.
the flange-to-web junctions.

VQ
t ave =
It
V
t max
Error Evaluation Aweb
Only ~3% Error for b/h=0.5
Ref. [1], Fig. 6.15
However, ~40% Error for b/h=2
Chart by Todd Coburn. 9 Chart by Todd Coburn. 6 - 10

ARO326 ARO326
Shear in Beams: Narrow Rectangular Beams Example: Sample Problem 6.2
Consider a narrow rectangular cantilever beam
subjected to load P at its free end: SOLUTION:
Develop shear and bending moment
3 P y 2
Pxy
t xy = 1- sx = + diagrams. Identify the maximums.
2 A c 2 I
Fig. 6.18 Deformation of cantilever Shearing V is constant and equal in magnitude to Design the beam based on allowable
beam with concentrated load, with a
parabolic shearing stress distribution. the load P. normal stress.
A timber beam AB of span 10 ft is to
Normal strains and normal stresses are unaffected support the three concentrated loads Check shearing stress.
by the shearing stresses. shown. Knowing that for the grade of
timber used, Redesign beam based on allowable
From Saint-Venants principle, effects of the load s all = 1800 psi t all = 120 psi shearing stress, if needed.
Fig. 6.19 Cantilever beam with
multiple loads. application mode are negligible except in
immediate vicinity of load application points. determine the minimum required depth
d of the beam.
Stress/strain deviations for distributed loads are
negligible for typical beam sections of interest.
Fig. 6.20 Deformation of cantilever
beam with distributed load.
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ARO326 ARO326
Example: Sample Problem 6.2 Example: Sample Problem 6.2
SOLUTION: Design beam based on allowable normal stress.
Develop shear and bending moment M max
diagrams. Identify the maximums. s all =
S
90 103 lb in.
1800 psi =
Vmax = 3 kips (0.5833in.) d 2
M max = 7.5 kip ft = 90 kip in d = 9.26 in.
Fig. 2 Section of beam having depth
d. Check shearing stress.
3 Vmax 3 3000 lb
t all = = = 138.8 psi.
2 A 2 (3.5 in.) (9.26in.)
1 bd3
I = 12
Since tall = 120 psi, the depth d = 9.26 in. is not
acceptable and we must redesign the beam on the
I basis of the requirement that tm 120 psi..
S = = 16 b d 2
c
= 16 (3.5 in.)d 2 Allowable shear stress controls.
3 Vmax 3 3000 lb
t m = 120 psi. = t all = =
Fig. 1 Free-body diagram of beam with shear and = (0.5833in.)d 2 2 A 2 (3.5 in.) ( d )
bending-moment diagrams.
d = 10.71 in.
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ARO326 ARO326
Example: Concept Application 6.4 Example: Concept Application 6.4
SOLUTION:
Determine the shear force per unit
SOLUTION:
length along each edge of the upper
Determine the shear force per unit
plank.
length along each edge of the upper
plank.
q= =
(
VQ (600 lb ) 4.22 in 3 )
= 92.3
lb
I 27.42 in 4 in
Based on the spacing between nails, q lb
determine the shear force in each
Fig. 6.24b-c (b) Geometry for finding first moment
of area of top plank. (c) Geometry for finding the
f = = 46.15
moment of inertia of entire cross section.
2 in
nail. = edge force per unit length
For the upper plank,
A square box beam is constructed from Q = Ay = (0.75in.)(3 in.)(1.875 in.) Based on the spacing between nails,
four planks as shown. Knowing that the determine the shear force in each
spacing between nails is 1.5 in. and the = 4.22 in 3
nail.
beam is subjected to a vertical shear of For the overall beam cross-section, lb
F = f ! = 46.15 (1.5 in )
magnitude V = 600 lb, determine the 1 (4.5 in )4 - 1 (3 in )4
I = 12 in
12
shearing force in each nail.
= 27.42 in 4 F = 69.2 lb

Chart by Todd Coburn. Chart developed from content provided by McGraw-Hill for [1]. 6 - 15 Chart by Todd Coburn. Chart developed from content provided by McGraw-Hill for [1]. 6 - 16

ARO327 Ref: Hibbeler. Mechanics of Materials. 9th Edition. Pearson, 2014., Section 7.3 ARO327
Shear Flow
If the shaded portion of the beam is the same in each picture, which
configuration has the highest shear force in the fasteners?

Example Problems

VQ
q=
I
Chart by Todd Coburn. 17 Chart by Todd Coburn.
ARO327 Ref: Hibbeler. Mechanics of Materials. 9th Edition. Pearson, 2014., Section 7.2 ARO327 Ref: Hibbeler. Mechanics of Materials. 9th Edition. Pearson, 2014., Section 7.2

Shear Flow - Example Shear Flow - Example

Nails having a total shear strength of 40 N are used in a beam that can be Solution
constructed either as in Case I or as in Case II, Fig. 718. If the nails are spaced
at 90 mm, determine the largest vertical shear that can be supported in each case Since the cross section is the same in both cases, the moment of inertia about the
so that the fasteners will not fail. neutral axis is

I=
1
12
( ) ( ) = 205833 mm
(30 ) 503 - 2 1 (10 ) 403 4

12
Case I
For this design a single row of nails holds the top or bottom flange onto the web.
For one of these flanges,
Q = y 'A' = (22.5)(30 )(5) = 3375 mm3

VQ
q=
I
40 V (3375)
=
90 205833
Pictures Courtesy of Pearson (Hibbelers Mechanics of Materials, 9th Edition).
V = 27.1 N (Ans)

Chart by Todd Coburn. 19 Chart by Todd Coburn. 20

ARO327 Ref: Hibbeler. Mechanics of Materials. 9th Edition. Pearson, 2014., Section 7.2 ARO326
Shear Flow - Example References & Bibliography
Solution 1. Beer , Johnson, DeWolf, & Mazurek. Mechanics of Materials. 7th Edition.
Case II McGraw Hill. 2015.
Here a single row of nails holds one of the side boards onto the web. 2. Hibbeler. Mechanics of Materials. 9th Edition. Pearson, 2014.
Thus, 3. Shanley. Strength of Materials. McGraw-Hill. 1957.
4. Bruhn. Analysis & Design of Flight Vehicle Structures. S.R. Jacobs &
Associates. 1973.
Q = y 'A' = (22.5)(10 )(5) = 1125 mm 3 5. Peery & Azar. Aircraft Structures. 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill. 1982.
6. Budynas & Nisbett. Shigleys Mechanical Engineering Design. 9th Edition.
VQ McGraw Hill. 2011.
q=
I 7. Roark, Young, Budynas, & Sadegh. Roarks Formulas for Stress & Strain,
40 V (1125) 8th Edition. McGraw Hill. 2012.
=
90 205833 8. Ugural & Fenster. Advanced Strength & Applied Elasticity. 4th Edition.
V = 81.3 N (Ans) Prentice Hall, 2003.

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