SHEARING STRESS Double Shear (tearing of bolt/rivet with

double area of shear)

Forces parallel to the area
resisting the force cause shearing stress.
It differs to tensile
and compressive stresses, which are
caused by forces perpendicular to the
area on which they act. Shearing stress
is also known as tangential stress. It is
usually denoted by the symbol 𝜏 is
defined by the equation:

𝑽
𝝉=
𝑨𝒗

Single Shear (tearing of bolt/rivet with

single area of shear)

Punching Shear (punching of metal

plate with lateral shear area)

AV
 ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS 1.3
1. The lap joint shown in the figure
below is fastened by four rivets of
3/4-in. diameter. Find the
maximum load P by shearing of
rivets in pound-force that can be
applied if the working stresses are
14 ksi for shear in the rivet and 18
ksi for bearing in the plate.
Assume that the applied load is
distributed evenly among the
four rivets, and neglect friction
between the plates. Ans: P = 24
700 lb
2. Find the smallest diameter bolt
that can be used in the clevis
shown below if P = 400 kN. The
shearing strength of the bolt is
300 MPa. Ans: d = 29.13mm
3. As shown in the figure below, a
hole is to be punched out of a
plate having a shearing strength
of 40 ksi. The compressive stress in
the punch is limited to 50 ksi.
a. Compute the maximum
thickness of plate in which
a hole 2.5 inches in
diameter can be
punched. Ans: t=0.781 in.
b. If the plate is 0.25 inch
thick, determine the
diameter of the smallest
hole that can be
punched. Ans: d=0.8 in.
NAME: (Last, First, MI) CRS/YR/SEC: ___________ SCORE: _______

SUBJECT: ES 313 (MECHANICS OF MATERIALS) DATE: ________

PLATE NO. 2

1. The lap joint is connected by three 20-mm-diameter rivets. Assuming that the
axial load P ¼ 50 kN is distributed equally among the three rivets, find (a) the
shear stress in a rivet; and (b) the maximum average net tensile stress in each
plate. Ans: (a) 53.1 MPa; (b) 18.18 MPa

2. A key prevents relative rotation between the shaft and the pulley. If the torque T
¼ 2200 N_m is applied to the shaft, determine the smallest safe dimension b if the
working shear stress for the key is 60 MPa. Ans: 17.46 mm