Simple shear

Simple shear is a deformation in which parallel planes in a material remain parallel and maintain a constant distance, while translating relative to each other.

is the shear rate and: The displacement gradient tensor Γ for this deformation has only one nonzero term: Simple shear with the rate

is the combination of pure shear strain with the rate of ⁠1/2⁠

It is an elementary linear transformation represented by a matrix.

The model may represent laminar flow velocity at varying depths of a long channel with constant cross-section.

Limited shear deformation is also used in vibration control, for instance base isolation of buildings for limiting earthquake damage.

[1] This deformation is differentiated from a pure shear by virtue of the presence of a rigid rotation of the material.

[2][3] When rubber deforms under simple shear, its stress-strain behavior is approximately linear.

[4] A rod under torsion is a practical example for a body under simple shear.