Scherung

Scherung is a German noun meaning the act or effect of shearing. It describes situations in which parallel surfaces within a material slide past one another or are distorted by a tangential force. In technical contexts, Scherung refers to both the process of such deformation and the resulting geometric change.

In geology and geotechnical engineering, Scherung denotes shear deformation produced by differential movement along fault planes or within rock masses. It involves angular distortion that can occur with minimal change in volume. Geologists quantify the phenomenon using concepts such as shear strain and the shear modulus, and it is often manifested in shear zones and faults.

In materials science and mechanical engineering, Scherung concerns forces that act parallel to a material cross-section, generating shear stress. The relationship between shear stress and shear strain depends on material properties, notably the shear modulus. In structural design, accounting for Scherung is essential for evaluating shear forces in beams, joints, and fasteners to prevent excessive deformation or failure.

The term also appears in German-language technical literature to describe both the action of shearing and observed shear phenomena in various materials. In English, the corresponding concepts are usually expressed as “shear,” with terms such as shear stress, shear strain, and shear force used according to the specific discipline.