Shear

Definition

Shear refers to the deformation of a material where parallel planes slide past one another. It occurs when forces are applied tangentially to a surface.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Shear stress is defined as the force per unit area exerted parallel to the plane of interest, mathematically expressed as $\tau = \frac{F}{A}$.
2. Shear strain measures the distortion angle induced by shear stress, often represented as the tangent of the deformation angle.
3. Shear modulus (G) is a material's ability to resist shear deformation and is calculated using $G = \frac{\tau}{\gamma}$, where $\gamma$ is shear strain.
4. In static equilibrium problems, balancing shear forces is crucial for maintaining stability in structures and materials.
5. Different materials have distinct shear moduli; for instance, metals generally have higher shear moduli compared to polymers.

Review Questions

• What is the formula for calculating shear stress?
• How do you define shear modulus in terms of stress and strain?
• Why is it important to consider shear forces when analyzing static equilibrium?

Related terms

Stress:

The internal resistance offered by a material to external forces, measured as force per unit area.

Strain:

The measure of deformation representing the displacement between particles in a material body.

Elastic Modulus:

A property that measures a material's tendency to be deformed elastically (non-permanently) when a force is applied.