1598x
004505
2020-07-13

Question

For a combined cross-section in SHAPE‑THIN, the shear area Ay is larger than the total cross-sectional area A. How is this possible?


Answer:
Strange values of shear areas - that is, greater than A - may occur, for example, for parametric thin-walled sections that have an atypical geometry and may not be ideally thin-walled.

The shear areas are calculated according to the theory of thin-walled cross-sections in SHAPE‑THIN. Therefore, the defined cross-section should have reasonable dimensions with regard to the width-thickness ratios. The thickness t* of the connecting null element can be used to affect the shear transfer and thus the value of a shear area.