= Fault shear stress from a plate-integrated force
{title2=$\bar\tau=F\sin(2\delta)/(2a)$}
A horizontally compressive <force> per width $F$, carried uniformly through thickness $a$, gives additional horizontal <stress> $F/a$. Resolving its <traction> on a <fault> dipping at angle $\delta$ gives the displayed mean <shear stress>. An isotropic background <pressure> adds only normal <traction>. The integrated <force> alone does not determine the actual depth-dependent <stress> distribution or whether a <fault> fails.
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