Strength of Materials

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

Shear Stresses in Beams

Shear force is related to change in bending moment between adjacent sections.

dM =v dx

As shown in figure, consider a cut-out section from a beam. At section 1 {Area PADS}

F 1 =

A1

M1 y M1 dA = I I

y dA =
A1

M1Q I

where y is the distance of any fiber from the neutral axis.

Q=

y.dA
A1

- First moment of area about the neutral axis F2 =

M2Q I

if M 2 = M1 + dM and F2 = F1 + dF then dF =
dM Q I dF dM Q = dx dx I

Force per unit length,

This force per unit length is termed as the shear flow, q Substituting for
dM = V; dx

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Strength of Materials

Prof. M. S. Sivakumar

q=

VQ I

Here I is the moment of Inertia of the entire cross-sectional area around the neutral axis.

Shear Stress Formula for Beams

The shear stress formula is obtained by modifying the shear flow formula.
dF dM Q = dx dx I

Shear Stress, = 1 dF t dx VQ = It q = t

(Refer figure)

Indian Institute of Technology Madras