Shear deformation

Shear deformation occurs when a force causes a material to slide or shift along a specific plane, similar to cutting with scissors. Instead of stretching or compressing, parts of the material move past each other sideways. Imagine pushing the top of a deck of cards sideways; the cards slide over one another, changing the shape of the stack. This deformation primarily affects the shape, not the volume, and happens when shear forces—those applied parallel to a surface—are strong enough to cause this sliding movement within the material.