Shear force
A shear force is a force applied along the surface, in opposition to an offset force acting in the opposite direction. This results in a shear strain. In simple terms, one part of the surface is pushed in one direction, while another part of the surface is pushed in the opposite direction.
This is different to compression, which occurs when the two opposing forces are pushing into each other at the same point (i.e. they are not offset), resulting in compressive stress.
When a structural member experiences failure by shear, two parts of it are pushed in different directions, for example, when a piece of paper is cut by scissors.
Large or high-rise buildings must be designed with shear walls to provide resistance to shear forces, which might otherwise push over parallel structural elements of a building, in what is known as racking. For more information, see Shear wall.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bearing capacity.
- Bending moment.
- Biaxial bending.
- Building foundations.
- Concept structural design of buildings.
- Defects in construction.
- Lateral loads.
- Limit state design.
- Moment.
- Point of contraflexure.
- Racking.
- Settlement.
- Shear wall.
- Structural principles.
- The design of temporary structures and wind adjacent to tall buildings.
- Types of structural load.
- Wind comfort simulations.
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
CIOB reacts to the announcement of Andy Burnham as Prime Minister.
Heritage and conservation science workforce survey - Have your say.
England's Suburbs 1820-2020. Book review.
New, more proportionate and targeted approach for higher-risk building assessments.
Government brings British Steel into public ownership.
UKCW Birmingham returns with bold new theme and focus.
New guidance published on competence requirements for self-certification schemes.
Construction Management, 8 July
NEETs crisis drives interest in trades, but apprenticeships barriers remain.
Passive fire protection webinar
MEP services penetration seals.
Where its at podcast (and video) - The role of the Architectural Technologist as an Expert Witness.
More than 200 remarkable buildings added to SAVE’s Buildings at Risk register.
Government scraps pre-application consultation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Comments