A normal stress is a stress that occurs when a member is loaded by an axial force. The value of the normal force for any prismatic section is simply the force divided by the cross sectional area. A normal stress will occur when a member is placed in tension or compression.

The rock cycle is an example of the conservation of matter. The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed.

Shearing, also known as die cutting, is a process which cuts stock without the formation of chips or the use of burning or melting. Strictly speaking, if the cutting blades are straight the process is called shearing; if the cutting blades are curved then they are shearing-type operations.

The process of shearing a material may induce a volumetric strain along with the shear strain. In soil mechanics, the volumetric strain associated with shearing is known as Reynolds’ dilation if it increases the volume, or compaction if it decreases the volume.

Shear stress, force tending to cause deformation of a material by slippage along a plane or planes parallel to the imposed stress. The resultant shear is of great importance in nature, being intimately related to the downslope movement of earth materials and to earthquakes.

Reduce shearing forces by maintaining the head of the bed at the lowest elevation consistent with medical conditions and restrictions. Teach client/caregiver to keep head of bed at or below 30°. Head of bed may be elevated for meals then lowered within one hour after the meal.

Since shear failure is frequently sudden with little or no advanced warning, the design for shear must ensure that the shear strength for every member in the structure exceeds the flexural strength. Providing proper shear reinforcement along the beam will reduce the possibilty of shear failure along the beam.