The Concept of Vertical Shearing Stress in Beams

What is the type of shearing stress developed along a cross-section of a beam to resist transverse shear?

A. Horizontal shearing stress

B. Vertical shearing stress

C. Torsional shearing stress

D. Lateral shearing stress

Answer:

The type of shearing stress developed in a beam that resists a perpendicular or transverse shear force, which shows maximum at the neutral axis and reduces nonlinearly towards the outer faces of the beam, is known as Vertical shearing stress.

Shearing stress, also known as shear stress, is a force that is applied parallel to a surface per unit area. In the context of a beam, shearing stress occurs when the beam is subjected to a load that is perpendicular to its length. This causes the material of the beam to deform, with the maximum deformation occurring at the neutral axis of the beam, and reducing nonlinearly as we move toward the outer faces of the beam.

This phenomenon is closely linked to the concept of shear strain, which is defined by the ratio of the displacement at the point of maximum deformation to the original length of the material, which in this case is the depth of the beam.

Understanding vertical shearing stress in beams is crucial in structural engineering as it helps in analyzing the behavior of beams under transverse shear forces. By knowing how vertical shearing stress develops and distributes across the cross-section of a beam, engineers can design more efficient and safe structures.