Shear Stress on the Pin  
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The figure shows a rectangular plate on a gusset plate which is anchored to a column on the right. A circular hole is shown on the plate through which the pin can be inserted. The axial load, P, on the plate is directed to the left. The shear stress on the portion of the pin embedded on the plate is labeled tau and it is directed to the right.

On the portion of the pin embedded in the gusset plate, the shear stress τ acts in the same direction as the load P...

...and on the portion of the pin embedded in the axial member, the shear stress τ acts opposite to the direction of P.