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.

The shear stress acts on a single surface. (If the load P was large enough to break the pin, it would break on only one surface.) The area subjected to shear stress in this instance is simply the cross-sectional area of the pin.

τpin=PAshear=PApin

Note that the surface upon which the stress acts is parallel to the direction of the applied load P; hence, the term shear stress.