The box beam is made from four pieces of plastic that are gl

The box beam is made from four pieces of plastic that are glued together as shown. If the glue has an allowable strength of 400 lb/in², determine the maximum shear the beam will support.

5.5 in 0.25 in 0.25 in. 0.25 in 4.75 in. 0.25 in

Solution

From the given dimensions of the body

Area can be calculated as (5.5 + 0.25 + 0.25) * (4.75 + 0.25 + 0.25) = 31.5 in².

Given allowable strength= 400lb/in²

shear force = allowable shear * shear area

= 400 * 31.5

= 12600lb.