Shear stress in beams

Flange

N
x

A
y

Web

y
M is the bending moment
F is the shear force at X-X

C, centroid of
hatched area

X-X

P + P

Let be the normal bending stress then P =

dA

where

= My/I.

I is the second moment of area of the beam about its neutral axis.
Therefore
above.

P =

MyI dA

MAy/I

Longitudinal equilibrium gives:

Therefore

t = dPdx

FAy/I

where A is the hatched (red) area

P = (t x)
or

= FAy/It

provided that the beam is uniform.

Flange

Taking moments about the centre of the

element

+
v

v +
x

y
Element of beam

T-beam

or

v (t y)x

(t x)y

In other words the horizontal shear stress at

any level is equal to the vertical shear
stress. The shear stresses are said to be
complementary.

Thin-walled beams
There is a class of cross-sections that is referred to as thin walled: I-beams, channels etc.

T, flange thickness
t, web thickness

T << B and t << D

For these sections it is convenient to use the longitudinal shear force or shear flow
f = FAy/I
The complementary shear flow is at right angles i.e. parallel to the walls of the section. This is
shown below for various sections. At any point the complementary shear flows are equal in magnitude.

P + P

Diagram showing the longitudinal shear stress in top flange

LHS
H D = F e

or

T = H D

and

e = HD/F

RHS
V = F

T
H

F
e

C
H

Diagram illustrating shear flow in a cantilever channel

section and the shear centre, C

Shear Stress Distribution in Beams

I. Thick-walled beams
Qu.1
The channel section shown in Fig.1 is simmply-supported over a span of 5m and carries a UDL of intensity
15kN/m over its entire length. Sketch the shear stress distribution diagram at the point of maximum
shearing force, and give important values. Determine the ratio of maximum shear stress to average shear
stress.
3, 9.2, 9.3 N/mm2 ; 2.42

Answer.

30

Dim. in mm.
75

30

12

100

70

Dim. in mm.

Fig. 2

40

Fig. 1

185
50

Qu.2
Fig.2 shows the cross-section of a beam that carries a shear force of 20kN. Determine the shear stress
distribution.
21.7, 5.2, 5.23 N/mm2 ; 2.42

Answer.

Qu.3
The cross-section of a beam is an isoceles triangle of base B and height H, the base being arranged in a
horizontal plane. Find the shear stress at the neutral axis due to a shear force Q acting on the crosssection and express it in terms of the average shear stress.
Answer.

8Q/(3BH) , 4avg/3
II. Thin-walled sections

Qu.4
A beam having the cross-section shown in Fig.3 is made of metal having constant wall thickness of 1.3mm.
Throught what point must the applied vertical load pass in order that there shall be no twisting of the
section? Sketch the shear stress distribution.
Qu.5
Determine the position of the shear centre, e, of the beams shown in Figs.4-6

12.74

25

3.09

10
50

25

Ans.
t = 2.5

x V kN/m2

e = 37.1
Fig.5

t = 1.3

50

Dim. in mm.

17.57

Dim. in mm.

50

70

250mm
50

25

120

Ans.

e = 13.9

Fig.3

e
V

Ans.

e = 318.3
V

Fig.4
Fig.6

80

Example 1.

Draw the shear stress distribution. Take F = 400kN.

100

50

Dimensions in mm

Calculate the following:

Neutral

Axis

58.3

1.

= 7500 mm2

2.

= 58.3 mm

3.

INA

50

25

Case

= 5.729 x 106 mm4

Use

25

Case

FA y
It

2
C

1738.9 - y2

Case

28.645

3398.9 - y2
28.645

60.7
116.3
58.3

Shear stress
distribution
in N/mm2

Example 2.

The box beam shown in the figure is secured by screws at 125mm centres along the length of
the beam. Find the maximum shear force if the allowable shear stress in the beam is 0.8N/mm2
and the shear force in each screw is limited to 1.5kN.

Shear strength of material

The neutral axis is located at mid-depth and the second moment of
area is INA = 16042 x 104 mm4
The maximum shear stress is at the neutral axis. Let F be the shear
force then we apply
200

250

Dim. in mm

= FAy/It

Neutral

Axis

Ay = 2 x (125x25) x 62.5 + (150x25) x 112.5 = 812500 mm3

Therefore
25

150

F x 812500/(50I) = 0.8 and so we get

F 7.9kN

25

Strength of connectors
The connectors are subjected to the longitudinal forces at the sides
of the top flange board. The total force is
Dim. in mm

200

250

f = FAy/I per mm run of beam

Ay = (150x25) x 112.5 = 421875 mm3
Therefore

f = 2.630 F/1000 , and so the force per screw is

f x 125/2 = 0.1644 F
= 1.5

25

150

25

which gives
F 9.1kN

Thus the maximum shear force that the beam can support is 7.9kN

Example 3.

Draw the shear flow distribution. Take F = 10kN. Also find the location of the
shear centre.

Calculate the following:

Dimensions in mm

50

1.

= 520 mm2

2.

= 50 mm

3.

INA

Wall thickness = 2

50

80

= 966.7 x 103 mm4

Use

FA y

f=

I
Case

A1 = 2 x1

x1

Case

f1 = 1.034 x1 N/mm

y = 50

2
x1

A2 =

160

y = 50

2 (50 - x2)

y = (50 + x2)/2

x2
10000 (8000

502

- x22)

966.7 x 103
= 82.8 + 1.034 (502 - x22)/100

f2 =

82.8

H = 3312 N

Shear flow
distribution
in N/mm

10kN

10kN

108.7

H
10000 e = H x 100
e = 33.1mm