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How to Find the Sheer Force in a Direct Sheer Test

A direct shear test can be performed on a steel bar or length of wood to determine the shear force necessary to compromise the test material. A direct shear test determines when a material is compromised when sheared between two edges. You will first need to determine the shearing yield strength of the material and then calculate its ultimate shearing strength, which you will do by obtaining specific values, using a shear testing fixture, a fixture designed to test the hardness of the material being tested.

Things You'll Need

Shear testing fixture
Steel bar
Length of wood

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the diameter of the steel bar or length of wood to use for the test with a tape measure. Make a note of the measurement on a piece of paper.
- 2
  Insert the steel bar or length of wood into the shear testing fixture. Set the testing fixture to apply a load with a cross-head speed of 0.1 in/min.
- 3
  Turn on the machine to begin the test. Make a note of the load when at 0.2 percent offset yield and note the maximum load after the test has completed.
- 4
  Write out the equation to use for finding the shearing yield strength of the steel or wood. The shearing yield strength is the lowest amount of stress a material can endure and still return to its original shape. This equation is expressed as ̶0;S = load at yield point/cross sectional area.̶1; Input your variables into the equation and obtain the result.
- 5
  Write out the equation for finding the ultimate shearing strength of the steel or wood. Ultimate shearing strength is the maximum amount of stress a material can endure before it deforms or ruptures. This equation is expressed as ̶0;S = maximum load/cross sectional area.̶1; Input your variables into the equation and obtain the result.

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