# Shear stress vs Shear strain – Difference explained with Pdf

The shear stress is the resistance developed by the object per unit resisting area to avoid the shear deformation caused by the application of the shear forces while the shear strain is the strain results due to the shear stress.

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## Shear stress:

The shear stress indicates the internal resistance per unit area developed by the object to avoid shear deformation.

The shear stress in the object arises due to the application of the equal and opposite forces that acts tangentially to the resisting surface. Thus the shear stress also acts tangentially to the resisting surface.

The above figure shows the object subjected to the shear forces. Thus the shear stress acting on the object is given by,

\text{Shear stress}=\frac{\text{Shear force}}{\text{Resisting area}}

## Shear strain:

The shear strain is the type of strain in the object caused due to the shear stress.

It is the rate of shear deformation in the object and is measured as a change in the angle between the planes of the object. It is measured in terms of radians.

The below figure indicates an object with its bottom plane fixed. The upper plane of the object is subjected to the shear force (F) which results in the displacement of the upper plane of the object.

The shear strain in the object (\gamma) is given by the following equation,

\gamma=tan^{-1}(\frac{\text{Displacement of plane}}{\text{Perpendicular distance from opposite plane}})

## FAQs:

1. How to obtain shear strain from the shear stress?

The shear strain can be calculated from the shear stress by use of the following equation:-
Shear strain (γ) = Shear stress (𝜏) ÷ Modulus of rigidity (G).

2. How shear strain depends on the shear stress?

The shear strain in an object increases with the increase in shear stress.