The figure shows the rear view of a double shear connection. An axially loaded member is shown detached from parallel square plates that are anchored to a support on the right. The shear stress on each of the bolts has a magnitude tau and is directed towards the support.
 

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

τ=P/(8×Abolt)

 

Finished