Shear Strain Calculator

Your details

Choose the method that matches your known quantities. All three give shear strain (gamma, dimensionless).
The horizontal distance a face of the element moves under the shearing force.
mm
The perpendicular dimension of the element, measured parallel to the applied force.
mm
Shear strain (gamma)Moderate strain (check material limits)
0.04rad

Dimensionless angular deformation (radians, equivalent to rad/rad)

Shear strain (degrees)2.2906deg
0.04 rad
Very small<0.001Small / elastic0.001-0.01Moderate0.01-0.05Large0.05-0.1Severe0.1+

Shear strain gamma = 0.040000 rad (2.2906°)

  • This is a moderate shear strain. Compare against the material's shear yield strain (typically 0.001 to 0.01 for metals) to check whether plastic deformation has begun.
  • A lateral displacement of 2 mm over a height of 50 mm gives a deformation ratio of 1:25.0.
  • Shear strain is dimensionless (it is an angle in radians). To find shear stress from strain, multiply by the shear modulus G (Hooke's law for shear: tau = G * gamma).

Next stepTo assess structural safety, compare gamma to the material's shear yield strain (tau_y / G) and check that the implied shear stress does not exceed the allowable limit.

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