Introduction

In the previous unit, we examined the normal stresses that develop in beams due to internal moment loading. In most beam problems, however, there is internal shear force loading as well. In this unit, we will examine the behaviour of a beam in response to this internal shear force loading.

Learning Objectives1

By the end of this unit, students should be able to…

  • Explain the derivation of the transverse shear formula
  • Apply the transverse shear formula to calculate shear stress/strain distributions in beam sections
  • Explain the limitations of the transverse shear formula and identify beam sections for which its use is inappropriate
  • Calculate shear flow distributions in thin-walled beam sections due to transverse shear
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