##  [Shear Lag](/shear-lag) 

  ##  [Shear Lag](https://engineering.quantumdictionary.io/shear-lag-0) 

  

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**Engineering & Applied Technologies Dictionary**

 







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Definition

The nonuniform distribution of axial stress across a cross‑section of a member (commonly wide flanges or plate elements) caused by load introduction paths that require shear transfer from loaded zones to the remainder of the section; shear lag reduces the effective area contributing to axial resistance compared with the gross cross‑section.