Shear stress occurs when forces act parallel to a material’s surface, causing adjacent layers to slide past each other. Unlike tensile and compressive stress, which act perpendicular to a surface, shear stress results from forces applied tangentially. The formula for shear stress is:
shear stress = force / cross-sectional area or τ = F / A,
where τ (tau) represents shear stress, F is the applied force, and A is the area over which the force is distributed.
Shear stress is critical in the design of fasteners, shafts, and structural joints, where materials must resist sliding forces without failing. Understanding shear behavior helps engineers ensure that components like bolts, rivets, and welds can handle applied loads without excessive deformation or fracture.
