4.6. Maximum Shearing Stress Theory

The maximum shearing stress theory is an outgrowth of the experimental observation that a ductile material yields as a result of slip or shear along crystalline planes. Proposed by C. A. Coulomb (1736–1806), it is also referred to as the Tresca yield criterion in recognition of the contribution of H. E. Tresca (1814–1885) to its application. This theory predicts that yielding will start when the maximum shearing stress in the material equals the maximum shearing stress at yielding in a simple tension test. Thus, by applying Eq. (1.45) and Table 4.1, we obtain