S T R U C T U R A L S T E E L D E S I G N 303-305

CHAPTER EIGHT
SHEARING STRESS

8.1 Shearing Stress of Beams

Long beams usually are govern by deflection of beams.
Medium length beams are usually govern by flexural stress.
Short beams are usually govern by shear.

There are two types of shear acting on beams.

1. Transverse shear:
There is a tendency of the left section of the
beam to slide upward with respect to the
right section of the beam. But this type of
shear failure will not occur in steel beams
because web crippling will occur first before
shear occurs.

2. Longitudinal shear:
The beams bends which causes changes in
lengths of longitudinal fibers are stretched
and the upper fibers are shortened while the
fibers in the beutral axis do not change in
length. Due to these deformations, there is
a tendency for a particular fiber to slip on
the fiber above or below. Max. longitudinal
shear usually occurs at the neutral axis.
8.2 Shearing Stress

For a built up Section or W-section

Allowable shear stress: 𝐹𝑣 = 0.40 𝐹𝑦

𝑉
𝑓𝑣 = Equation 8.2.1
𝑑 𝑡𝑤
S T R U C T U R A L S T E E L D E S I G N 303-305
8.3 Shearing Stress for Plate Girders

A. For plate girders without tension field action

Allowable shear stress:

1. 𝐹𝑣 = 0.40 𝐹𝑦 Equation 8.3.1

ℎ 998
For <
𝑡𝑤 √𝐹𝑦

𝐹𝑦
2. 𝐹𝑣 = 𝐶𝑣 < 0.40 𝐹𝑦 Equation 8.3.2
2.89

ℎ 998
For <
𝑡𝑤 √𝐹𝑦

Where:

310264 𝐾𝑣
𝐶𝑣 = when 𝐶𝑣 is less than 0.8 Equation 8.3.3
𝐹𝑦 (ℎ/𝑡𝑤 )2

500 𝐾𝑣
𝐶𝑣 =
ℎ/𝑡𝑤
√𝐹 when 𝐶𝑣 is more than 0.8 Equation 8.3.4
𝑦

5.34 𝑎
𝐾𝑣 = 4.0 + where is more than 1.0 Equation 8.3.5
(𝑎/ℎ)2 ℎ

4.0 𝑎
𝐾𝑣 = 5.34 + where is more than 1.0 Equation 8.3.6
(𝑎/ℎ)2 ℎ

𝑡𝑤 = thickness of web in mm.

a = clear distance between transverse stiffness

h = clear distance between flanges at the section under investigation in mm.

d = total depth of beam in mm.

S T R U C T U R A L S T E E L D E S I G N 303-305
B. For Plate Girders with Tension Field Action
𝐹𝑦 1−𝐶𝑣
𝐹𝑣 = [𝐶𝑣 + ] Equation 8.3.7
2.89 1.15 √1+ (𝑎/ℎ)2
Where: 𝐶𝑣 < 1.0
𝐹𝑣 < 0.40 𝐹𝑦

310264 𝐾𝑣
𝐶𝑣 = when 𝐶𝑣 is less than 0.8
ℎ 2
𝐹𝑦 ( )
𝑡𝑤

500 𝐾𝑣
𝐶𝑣 = ℎ √𝐹 when 𝐶𝑣 is more than 0.8
( ) 𝑦
𝑡𝑤

5.34 𝑎
𝐾𝑣 = 4.0 + 𝑎 2
where is more than 1.0
( ) ℎ
ℎ

4.0 𝑎
𝐾𝑣 = 5.34 + 𝑎 2
where is more than 1.0
( ) ℎ
ℎ

8.4 Transverse Stiffeners

Intermediate stiffeners are required when:
ℎ
a) > 260
𝑡𝑤

b) The maximum web stress 𝑓𝑣 is greater than the allowable shearing stresses.

Limitations of panel aspect ratio: to reduce the shear stress in the web within its
allowable value.
𝑎
a) ≤ 3.0
ℎ

𝑎 260 𝑡𝑤 2
b)
ℎ
≤ ( ℎ
)
8.5 Shear Stress Distribution on a W Section
𝑉𝑄
𝑓𝑣 =
𝐼𝑏

V = max. eternal shear at the section in question

I = moment of inertia of the entire section about the neutral axis
b = width of the section where the unit shearing stress is desired
Q = statical moment of area of section lying outside, either above or below the line on
which the shear stress is desired taken about the neutral axis.