Calculating Shear Force: Understanding Two Forces Acting in Opposite Directions

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating shear force in a system under equilibrium, specifically analyzing forces of 30 kN and 40 kN acting to the left against a 60 kN force to the right. Participants clarify that while the net external force is zero in equilibrium, internal shear forces still exist within the structure. The concept of load path is emphasized, illustrating how forces interact within mechanical assemblies. Understanding these principles is crucial for engineering statics and mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of shear force and shear stress concepts
  • Knowledge of Newton's laws of motion, particularly equilibrium conditions
  • Familiarity with load path analysis in mechanical systems
  • Basic principles of engineering statics and mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study shear force diagrams and their applications in engineering
  • Learn about load path analysis in mechanical assemblies
  • Explore the implications of non-equilibrium conditions on shear forces
  • Investigate real-world applications of shear stress in bolted joints
USEFUL FOR

Engineering students, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in analyzing forces in static and dynamic systems will benefit from this discussion.

chetzread
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Homework Statement


in this diagram , we could see two forces acted to left , one force acted to right , total of two forces acting to left = force acting to right .

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


i'm wondering if the total of two forces on the left are not the same with the force on the right , then , how to do the question ? We know that tau = P/ A , tau = stress , P = force . let's say one of the force is 30kN to left , another one is 40kN to left , total is 70kN to the left , but on the right , the force is 60kN to right ... so , the shear stress = 10kN to right divided by area ? [/B]
 

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Why my post is deleted?
 
Not deleted from my end, check again.

The system is in equilibrium, so the applied force of 60kN to the right must be balanced by the two 30 kN forces on the left. You can't have it any other way for equilibrium And if you thus have 60 kN to the right and 60 kN to the left, the shear force on the bolts is not 0, is it? Follow the solution explanation.
 
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PhanthomJay said:
Not deleted from my end, check again.

The system is in equilibrium, so the applied force of 60kN to the right must be balanced by the two 30 kN forces on the left. You can't have it any other way for equilibrium And if you thus have 60 kN to the right and 60 kN to the left, the shear force on the bolts is not 0, is it? Follow the solution explanation.
Do you mean if the system is not in equilibrium, then shear force can't exist?
 
chetzread said:
Do you mean if the system is not in equilibrium, then shear force can't exist?
If the system is not in equilibrium, it is accelerating, and you don't even want to think about that when studying engineering statics and mechanics for bodies at rest.
 
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Can anyone try to answer?
 
PhanthomJay said:
If the system is not in equilibrium, it is accelerating, and you don't even want to think about that when studying engineering statics and mechanics for bodies at rest.
Can you explain further? If the body is not in equilibrium, why there's no shear force?
 
PhanthomJay said:
if you thus have 60 kN to the right and 60 kN to the left, the shear force on the bolts is not 0, is it
it's in equlibrium , so shear force = 0
 
One of the first things that an engineer looks at when analysing stresses in a mechanical assembly is the load path .

Load path describes how forces interact sequentially between individual components of an assembly . The complete load path starts with the applied forces , goes through the assembly and terminates with the balancing forces .

Load path can be a very simple linear chain with simple forces at each end or very complex with multiple sub paths and multiple forces .

What do you think that the load path is for the forces acting in your assembly ?
 
  • #10
Nidum said:
One of the first things that an engineer looks at when analysing stresses in a mechanical assembly is the load path .

Load path describes how forces interact sequentially between individual components of an assembly . The complete load path starts with the applied forces , goes through the assembly and terminates with the balancing forces .

Load path can be a very simple linear chain with simple forces at each end or very complex with multiple sub paths and multiple forces .

What do you think that the load path is for the forces acting in your assembly ?
Load path can be start from the 2 30m forces or the single 60m forces
 
  • #11
chetzread said:
it's in equlibrium , so shear force = 0
It is in equilibrium, so the net external force acting on the system is zero. But that does not mean that the shear force or stress on the bolts is zero. Follow the solution explanation.
 
  • #12
PhanthomJay said:
It is in equilibrium, so the net external force acting on the system is zero. But that does not mean that the shear force or stress on the bolts is zero. Follow the solution explanation.
I don't understand why the shear force not =0 when the whole structure in equilibrium? When it's in equilibrium, there's no net force acting on it, right?
 
  • #13
Pin2.jpg


Think about a slightly simpler problem with just one pin .

What forces are acting on the pin ?
 
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  • #14
chetzread said:
I don't understand why the shear force not =0 when the whole structure in equilibrium? When it's in equilibrium, there's no net force acting on it, right?
systems in equilibrium have no net external force acting on them, per Newton's first law. You apply a 60 N force on the right plate, and the end plate reactions are 30 kN apiece or 60 kN to the left.. But you are not looking at the internal forces acting within the system. Imagine the right plate is your head and the left plates are your legs, and someone pulled on your head with a force of 400 N and another person was pulling on your legs and you didn't move. Then the person pulling on your legs also exerts a force of 400 N in the other direction, since net external force must be zero. But if you think there is no force in your body, think again, because you will the pain as your body is being stressed. 400N force internal. If you draw a FBD of the right part of your body (cutting you in half in an imaginary sense), then the internal force of 400N is pulling you leftward and the applied force of 400 N is pulling ' you rightward, no net force, but you sure feel the 400 N force, it is quite real and certainly non-zero.
 
  • #15
PhanthomJay said:
If the system is not in equilibrium, it is accelerating, and you don't even want to think about that when studying engineering statics and mechanics for bodies at rest.
Why when the structure is accelerating , there can't be shear force acting?
 
  • #16
Nidum said:
View attachment 106974

Think about a slightly simpler problem with just one pin .

What forces are acting on the pin ?
2 F/2 act to left, and one F act to right?
 
  • #17
So what does the shear force diagram for the pin look like ?
 
  • #18
chetzread said:
Why when the structure is accelerating , there can't be shear force acting?
I did not say that . I ask you to focus instead on systems in equilibrium where net forces are zero.
 
  • #19
chetzread said:
I'm wondering if the total of two forces on the left are not the same with the force on the right, then how to do the question? Let's say one of the forces is 30kN to left, another one is 40kN to left (total is 70kN to the left), but on the right, the force is 60kN to right.
Then you multiply the mass of the right portion by the acceleration of the body, and add it to the 60kN force. For example, if the mass of the right portion is negligible, shear force would be 60 kN.
 
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  • #20
chetzread said:

Homework Statement


in this diagram , we could see two forces acted to left , one force acted to right , total of two forces acting to left = force acting to right .

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


i'm wondering if the total of two forces on the left are not the same with the force on the right , then , how to do the question ? We know that tau = P/ A , tau = stress , P = force . let's say one of the force is 30kN to left , another one is 40kN to left , total is 70kN to the left , but on the right , the force is 60kN to right ... so , the shear stress = 10kN to right divided by area ? [/B]
My apology for the 1st deleted post.

I don't know Whether Force imbalance is Possible unless there is Deformation of the Bolt.

But when the whole system is in Acceleration, Force P in both Segments of Bolted Joint is still the Same.

See the Figure below.
 

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  • #21
Diptangshu said:
I don't know Whether Force imbalance is Possible unless there is Deformation of the Bolt.
If the force on one side is zero, there will be no load on the shear pin other than inertial forces due to acceleration.
 
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  • #22
Diptangshu said:
My apology for the 1st deleted post.

I don't know Whether Force imbalance is Possible unless there is Deformation of the Bolt.

But when the whole system is in Acceleration, Force P in both Segments of Bolted Joint is still the Same.

See the Figure below.
So, when the whole structure is in acceleration, is the shearing possible?
 
  • #23
David Lewis said:
Then you multiply the mass of the right portion by the acceleration of the body, and add it to the 60kN force. For example, if the mass of the right portion is negligible, shear force would be 60 kN.
How if the mass is not negligible, then how the shearing force is?
 
  • #24
David Lewis said:
If the force on one side is zero, there will be no load on the shear pin other than inertial forces due to acceleration.
Do you mean if the force on one side is 0, then, the shear force will be just the inertia force? How if the 2 sides are subjected to different forces?
 
  • #25
chetzread said:
So, when the whole structure is in acceleration, is the shearing possible?
Of course... the figure shows that the bolted joint has force P on right and left, which generates the Shear Stress.
 
  • #26
David Lewis said:
If the force on one side is zero, there will be no load on the shear pin other than inertial forces due to acceleration.

Yes...but real life physical problem doesn't make mass on one side zero...i think.

I would love, if you give me insight on real life cases with force imbalance, Sir.
 
  • #27
Diptangshu said:
Of course... the figure shows that the bolted joint has force P on right and left, which generates the Shear Stress.
Then, why someone said that when the structure is in acceleration ( not in equilibrium), then the shearing is not possible?
 
  • #28
Diptangshu said:
Of course... the figure shows that the bolted joint has force P on right and left, which generates the Shear Stress.
But, the whole structure is in equilibrium, right? There's no acceleration...
 
  • #29
chetzread said:
But, the whole structure is in equilibrium, right? There's no acceleration...
The system as given in the original posting is in equilibrium. But you have kept asking about what would happen if it was not, and instead, was accelerating under a net unbalanced force. Now you ask about equilibrium again. You are confusing yourself. Once again please focus on understanding shear forces on the pin for the equilibrium condition. Answer post 17 for the equilibrium condition. Once you understand that, then you can ask about the accelerated system if your inquisitive mind so desires. But you can't understand the advanced topics without first understanding the basic concepts.
 
  • #30
Nidum said:
So what does the shear force diagram for the pin look like ?
i really have no idea . i haven't learn the shear force diagram
 

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