The figure shows the single shear connection. An axially loaded member is shown detached from a square plate that is anchored to a support on the left. The load on the axially loaded member has a magnitude P and is directed to the right. The shear stress on each of the bolts has a magnitude tau and is directed opposite to the load P.
 

The shear stress for this connection is based on a shear area equal to the cross-sectional area of one bolt times four failure surfaces:

τ=P/(4×Abolt)

   

Finished