A load exerted upon rivets will produce a stress type classed as:

In this context, rivets are fasteners that join materials together, typically used in structures such as bridges, buildings, and machinery. When a load is applied to rivets, the primary stress type experienced is shearing stress.

Shearing stress occurs when two opposing forces act in parallel but in opposite directions, causing the material to shear or slide past itself at the cross-section of the rivet. This makes it critical in the context of riveted connections, where the rivet must withstand forces that can attempt to separate the materials it is binding together.

Understanding this concept is essential in engineering, as it influences design considerations for joints and fasteners, ensuring they can adequately handle expected loads without failure. In contrast, bending stress occurs when loads cause a structural element to curve; torsional stress relates to twisting forces, and compressive stress acts to shorten or squeeze material under load. Each type of stress affects materials in different ways, but shearing is specifically relevant to the functionality and performance of rivets in joint applications.