Shear stress
component of stress coplanar with a material cross section
Shear stress is a stress state where the stress is parallel to the surface of the material, as opposed to normal stress when the stress is perpendicular to the surface.
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/SubsidedRoad.jpg/300px-SubsidedRoad.jpg)
Shear stress is relevant to the motion of fluids upon surfaces, which result in the generation of shear stress. Also constructions in soil can fail due to shear; e.g., the weight of an earth-filled dam may cause the subsoil to collapse, like a small landslide.
Related pages
change- Scissors work by shear stress