Unit 1 Shaft
Unit 1 Shaft
Unit I-Shaft
1. Introduction
A shaft is a rotating member, usually of circular cross section, used to transmit power or
motion from one point to another point in a machine. It is one of the most common and
basic machine elements which are used in a variety ways in mechanical equipments.
Elements such as gears, pulleys (sheaves), flywheels, clutches, and sprockets are
mounted on the shaft and are used to transmit power from the driving device (motor or
engine) to a machine that the power required at. These elements along with the forces
exerted upon them causes the shaft to bending. In other words, we may say that a
shaft is used for the transmission of torque and bending moment. The various elements
are attached to the shaft by means of keys, splines, press fit dowel and pins.
There are two terms that are related to a shaft, axle and spindle. An axle is a
stationary machine element and is subjected to bending load only. It simply acts as a
support for some rotating body such as hoisting drum, a car wheel or a rope sheave. A
spindle is a short shaft that imparts motion either to a cutting tool (e.g. drill press
spindles) or to a work piece (e.g. lathe spindle). However, the design methods of axle
and spindle are remains the same as that of shaft.
According to application shaft may be divided in to two groups, transmission shaft and
machine shaft. The transmission shaft is that transmits power between the source and
the machine (application). Counter shaft and line shaft are example of transmitting
shaft. Machine shaft is that form an integral part of the machine itself. (Examples,
crank shaft, comeshaft)
Shaft can be ridged and flexible. The ridged shaft can be used where the axis of
rotation of the driving driven members are coaxial but the flexible shaft is used where
the driving and the driven members are not coaxial. Shaft can also be solid and hollow.
Materials Used for Shafts
Different material, metal and non-metal are used for shaft manufacturing. Usually
most of the shaft is made from metals of different grades taking in to consideration
applications of the shaft.
The material commonly used for shafts is cold drawn low carbon steel with a carbon
content 0.1 to 0.35 percent. Like carbon steel of grade 40C8, 45C8, 50C4 and 50C12.
When shaft of high strength is required, then alloy steel such as nickel, nickel-
chromium or chrome-vanadium steels are used. When resistance to corrosion is
required, some copper alloy is used.
Shafts are generally manufactured by hot rolling and finished to size by cold
drawing or turning and grinding. The cold rolled shafts are stronger than hot rolled
shafts but with higher residual stresses. The residual stresses may causes
distortion when it is machined, especially when slots or keyways are cut. Shafts of
larger diameter are usually forged and turned to size in a lathe.
Standard Size of shafts
There are different standards in the world for engineering materials. Some time
shaft standards that are given below are available in the country market.
However, the standards are not the only standards that are available. Some
countries may have their own standards.
1. 25mm to 60mm diameters of shafts with 5mm step; e.g. 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50,
55, 60
2. 60mm to 110 mm diameters of shafts with 10mm steps; e.g. 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,
110
3. 110 mm to 140 mm diameters of shafts with 15 mm steps; e.g. 110, 125, 140
4. 140 mm to 500 mm diameters of shafts with 20 mm steps. e.g. 140, 160, 180, . . .,
500
The standard lengths of shafts available are 5m, 6m and 7m.
Stress in shaft
The following stresses are induced in the shafts:
1. Sheer stress due to transmission of torque (due to torsion load)
2. Bending stresses (tensile or compressive) due to the forces acting upon machine
elements like gears, pulleys, sprockets and the weight of the shafts itself.
3. Stresses due to combined of torsional and bending loads
Design of shaft
Shaft can be designed based on the following two cases,
Strength i.e. static and flactuating load
Rigidity &stiffness.
2. Shaft Design on the bases of static load
Design of shaft based on strength
In designing shafts on the basis of strength, design is carried out so that stress at any
location of the shaft should not exceed the material yield stress. However, no
consideration for shaft deflection and shaft twisting is included. There are different
loading conditions of shaft in practical application and it is given below,
a. Shaft subjected to twisting moment or torque only
b. Shaft subjected bending moment only
c. Shaft subjected to combined twisting and bending moment
d. Shaft subjected to axial loads in addition to combined torsional and bending
loads
Shaft subjected to twisting moment or torque only
There is a possibility of a shaft to be subjected only for twisting moment like
transmitting power from the prime mover to the machine without carrying any of the
shaft elements or when the weight of the shaft elements are insignificant comparing
the weight of the shaft. Typical example a shaft that is subjected to only twisting
moment is propeller shaft of the automobile, jack shaft.
When the shaft is subjected to a twisting moment (or torque) only, then the diameter
of the shaft may be obtained by using the torsion equation. It is known that
For solid shafts:
= .........................................[1]
Where
T=Twisting moment (torque) acting up on the shaft
J=polar moment of inertia of the shaft about the axis of rotation
=Torsional shear stress
R=distance from the neutral axis to the outer most fibre,
=D/2, where D is diameter of the shaft
For solid shaft polar moment of inertia, J
= ............................................[2]
Substituting equation 2 in 1 and solving for shear stress, then we get
= ...................................................[3]
For hollow shafts:
Polar moments of inertia, J
= ( − )............................................[4]
D=outer diameter the shaft
d=Inner diameter of the shaft
Substituting equation 4 in to 1 and solving for shear stress, τ, then we get
= ............................................................[5]
( )
Shaft subjected to bending moment only
Shafts are subjected only bending moment like in the axle of trailers, animal drawn
carts, and etc. In this case no transmission of power from the prime mover to the
machine. Only the shaft is subjected for carrying or supporting the load mounted on it.
When the shaft is subjected to bending moment only, the maximum shear stress
(tensile or compressive) is given by the bending equation,
For solid shafts:
= ..................................................[6]
Where,
M-Bending moment
I-moment of inertia of cross sectional area of the shaft about the axis of rotation
σb-Bending stress
Y-distance from neutral axis to the outer most fibre,
Moment of inertia for solid shaft, I
I= D ........................................[7]
y = ..............................................[8]
Where D is shaft diameter,
Then substituting eqn. of 2& 3 in 1 and solving for bending stress- σb, then we get,
= .........................................[9]
For hollow shafts:
Moment of inertia for hollow shaft, I
I= (D − d )...................................[5]
Substituting equation 5 into equation 6 and solving for bending stress, b, then we get,
= ........................................[6]
( )
Where,
D=outer diameter
d=Inner diameter
Shaft Subjected to Combined Twisting and Bending Moment
Most machine shafts are subjected for combined loading, i.e. twisting and bending.
Usually the bending loads come from the shaft elements that carried for power/motion
transmission and the twisting loads come while transmitting power from the source to
the machine.
When a shaft is subjected to a combined twisting and bending moment, then the shaft
must be designed on the basis of the two moments simultaneously. Various theories
have been suggested to account for the elastic failure of the materials when they are
subjected various types combined stresses. The following two theories are important
from the subject point of view:
1. Maximum shear stress theory or Guest’s theory. It is used for ductile materials
such as mild steel,
2. Maximum normal stress theory or Rankine’s. It is used for brittle materials such
as cast iron.
Let,
τ=Shear stress induced due to twisting moment, and
σb=Bending stress(tensile or compressive) induced due to bending moment.
According to maximum shear stress theory, the maximum shear stress in the shaft,
= ( ) + 4 ............................................[6]
Substituting the value of bending stress (σb) from the equations [9] for solid shaft
and twisting stress (τ) from the equations [3] for solid shaft in the equation [6], then
we get
1 32 16
= +4
2
= √ + ..............................................[7]
=√ + .........................................[8]
The expression √ + is known as equivalent twisting moment and is denoted by
Te. The equivalent twisting moment may be defined as that of moment, which when
acting alone, produces the same shear stress (τ) as actual twisting moment. By
limiting the maximum shear stress (τ max) equal to the allowable shear stress (τ) for
the material, the equation [8] can be written as,
=√ + = .............................................[9]
From eqn. [9] expression, diameter (D) of shaft can be evaluated.
Now again according to maximum normal stress theory, the maximum normal
stress in the shaft can be found as,
( ) = + ( ) +4 .................................................[10]
Similarly as of maximum shear stress theory, substituting values of bending stress
and twisting stress from [6] and [3] respectively into eqn. [10], then we get,
( ) = + +4 ......................................[11]
( ) = +√ + ................................................[12]
( ) = +√ + .........................................................[13]
The expression +√ + is known as equivalent bending moment and is
denoted by Me. The equivalent bending moment may be defined as that moment which
when acting alone produces the same tensile or compressive stress (σ b) as the actual
bending moment. By limiting the maximum normal stress [σb(max)] equal to the
allowable bending stress (σb), then the equation [13] can be written as,
= +√ + = ( ) ...............................................[14]
From equation [14] expression, diameter of the shaft (D) can be evaluated.
For hollow shaft:
Equivalent twisting moment (Te) can be written as,
=√ + = (1 − )...........................................[15]
Where, k=d/D
Equivalent bending moment (σb) can be written as,
= +√ + = ( ) (1 − ).....................................[14]
Where, k=d/D
It is suggested that diameter of the shaft may be obtained by using both the theories
and the larger of the two values can be taken.
Note: Students are advice to derive the above formula for hollow section also.
Shaft Subjected to Axial Loads in Addition to a combined Torsional and
Bending Loads
When shaft is subjected to axial loads (F) in addition to torsional and bending loads,
then the stress due to axial loads must be added to the bending stress (σb) and then the
maximum shear stress induced in the shaft may be calculated. When the length of the
shaft is small, the axial force will produce either tensile or compressive stress only.
When the shaft is quite long, it may behave like a column and hence starts buckling.
The bending equation is given below as it is known,
32
= … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . [17]
And the normal stress due to axial load is also given as
4
= … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [18]
Where,
F- is the normal force applied
For bi-axial stress element subjected to direct stress σ, bending stress σb and torsional
shear stress τ, substituting the value of these three stresses into maximum shear
stress theory equation given below for solid shaft,
1
= ( + ) +4 … … … … … … … … … … … … [19]
2
Substituting for σ, σb and τ in the above equation,
1 4 32 16
= + +4 … … … … … … [20]
2
1 32
= ( + ) + ( ) … … … … … … . . … … [21]
2 8
16
= ( + ) + ( ) … … … … … … … … … … [22]
8
For long shaft subjected to compressive and tensile force the column effect must be
considered by introducing column factor α, in direct stress equation as given below.
4
= … … … … … … … … . … … … … … … … . … … … . [23]
16
= ( + ) + ( ) … … … … … . … … … [24]
8
The value of column factor, α, for compressive load can be obtained from
the following relation
1
, , … … … … … … … … … … … … . . [25]
1 − 0.004
This expression used when the slenderness ratio (L/K) is less than 115.
When the slenderness ratio (L/K) is more than 115, then the value of
column factor may be obtained from the following relation
( / )
, , … … … … … … … … … … . [26]
Where,
L-Length of shaft between the bearings
K-Least radius of gyration, = … … … … … … … … … … … … . [27]
σy - Compressive yield point stress of shaft material
C-Coefficient in Eulriens formula depending upon the end conditions.
The value of C on different end conditions are given below,
C=1 for hinged ends
C= 2.25 for fixed ends
C= 1.6 for ends that are partly restrained as in bearings
Shock and Fatigue factor
In so far the discussions it has been seen that bending and twisting stresses are
applied on the shaft at steady state, i.e. constant twisting and bending load/stress.
However, in actual case the shafts are subjected fluctuating twisting and bending
moment. In order to design such shafts, the combined shock and fatigue factors must
be taken into account for the computed twisting moment and bending moment. Thus
for a shaft subjected to combined bending and torsion, the equivalent twisting moment,
= + ) … … … … … … … … … … [28]
And similarly for equivalent bending moment,
1
= + ( ) +( ) … … … … [29]
2
Where,
Km- combined shock and fatigue factor for bending
Kt-Combined shock and fatigue factor for torsion.
Equation [28] and [29] is American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code for
shaft design considering shock and fatigue factor. The general ASME equation that
considers fatigue factor, shock factor and column factor is given below
16 (1 + )
= + +[ ] … … … … … … … … … … … . . [30]
(1 − ) 8
Where, D external diameter of the shaft, K diameter ration (d/D), α column factor, F
axial force, M bending moment, T twisting torque.
The ASME is also suggests about the allowable design stress to be considered for the
design of steel shafting.
ASME code for maximum permissible working stresses in tension or compression
112 Mpa for shaft design without allowance for keyways
84 MPa for shaft design with allowance for keyways
For shafts purchased under definite physical specifications, the permissible tensile
stress (σt) may be taken as 60% of the elastic limits in tension (σ el), but mot more than
36% of the ultimate tensile strength (σ u). I.e. σt=0.6σel or 0.36σu, whichever is less.
Similarly, the maximum shear stress may also be taken as
56 Mpa for shaft design without keyways and
42 Mpa for shafts with allowance for keyways. And for shafts purchased under
definite physical specifications, the permissible shear stress (τ) may be taken as
30% of the elastic limit in tension (σel) but not more than 18& of the ultimate
tensile strength (σu). In other words, the permissible shear stress, τ=0.3 σel or
0.18σu whichever is minimum.
If there is key way on the shaft, the minimum value is to be reduced by 25%.
Table 1 for different conditions values of combined shock and fatigue factor are given
the following table,
Nature of Load Km Kt
1. Stationary shafts
a. Gradually applied load 1 1
b. Suddenly applied load 1.5 to 2 1.5 to 2
2. Rotating shafts
a. Gradually applied or steady load 1.5 1
b. Suddenly applied load with minor shocks
1.5 to 2 1.5 to 2
only
c. Suddenly applied load with heavy shocks 2.0 to 3.0 1.5 to 3.0
Design of Shafts Based on Cyclic Loads or Fatigue Loads
Design of shaft for strength involves certain changes when it is acted upon by variable
load. It required calculating the mean stress and stress amplitude for all amplitude for
all the loads, namely, axial, bending and torsion. Thereafter, any of the design methods
for variable loads, that is, Soderberg, Goodman or Gerber criteria is utilized. Once
again, the familiar design diagram for variable load in terms of the stress amplitude
and the mean stress is reproduced below.
A is the design point, for which, the stress amplitude is σa and mean stress is σm. In the
Soderberg criterion the mean stress material property is the yield point σ y, whereas in
the Gerber and the Goodman criteria the material property is the ultimate stress σ ut
For the fatigue loading, material property is the endurance limit, σe in reverse bending.
The corresponding equations for all the three above criteria are given as,
Goodman criterion:
1
+ = … … … … … … … … … … … [31]
Soderberg criterion:
1
+ = … … … … … … … … … … . . [32]
Gerber criterion:
1
+ = … … … … … … [33]
Where,
σa = Stress amplitude; σe = Endurance limit; σm = Mean stress; σy = Yield point; σut =
Ultimate stress and FS= factor of safety. Similar equation () also can be written for the
shear stress.
Multiplying by σy,
+ = = … … … … … … … … … … … … . … . . … . . [35]
Similarly, the shear stress equation is given as,
1
+ = … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . [36]
Multiplying by τy,
+ = = … … … … … … … … … . … … … … … … … … … … . [37]
In the equation [34] and [36], to consider the effect of variable loads, the normal stress
amplitude, σa is multiplied by the fatigue stress concentration factor, K f and the
corresponding term, shear stress amplitude is multiplied a fatigue stress concentration
factor in shear, Kfs.
The physical significance of equation [34] and [36] is that the effect of variable stress
on the machine member (left hand side of the equations), has been effectively defined
as an equivalent static stress. Therefore, the problem is treated as a design for static
loads. Here, σe or τe are equivalent to allowable stress, σy/FS or τy/FS. Hereafter,
conventional feilure theories can be used to complete the design.
Maximum shear stress theories,
1
= = +4 … … … [38]
2
Substituting eqn [35] and [37] into eqn [38], then it will give the required shaft
diameter.
3. Design of shaft based on Rigidity
In many cases, the shaft is to be designed from rigidity point of view. Basic idea of
designing in such case depends on the allowable deflection and twist of the shaft. The
torisional and lateral rigidity need to be considered.
Design of shafts for Torsional rigidity
The angle of twist θ in radians for a solid circular shaft of uniform diameter d and
length l is given by,
= … … … … … … … … … … … … … [39]
Where,
T-Torque applied o n the shaft, N.mm
l- length of th shaft, mm
J- polar moment of inertia, mm4
G- modulus of rigidity
For standard applications, the torisional deflection must exceed 1 o for a length of shaft
equal to 20 times the diameter. In case of camshaft of I.C. engines, it should be less
than 0.5o regardless of the shaft length. In line shafts, 2.5 o to 3.5o per meter may be
taken as the limiting value.
Design for Lateral Rigidity
It is another important design criterion. The value of lateral deflection of a shaft due to
various transverse forces is very important because it is used to establish the minimum
permissible clearance between the pulley, gears, bearing and housings for the shaft
assembly. If the clearance increases or decreases due to lateral deflection, it will result
in uneven distribution of force, which ultimately causes early failure. Lateral deflection
of shafts can be controlled by the following measures.
a. Reducing the span length
b. Increasing the number of supports
c. Selecting the cross section in which the area moment of inertia is large as
in case of tubular or hollow shafts.
It is desirable to limit the permissible maximum transverse deflection of the shaft
a. For machine shaft, maximum permissible deflection is generally taken as (0.001
to 0.003)l, where l is the span between the two bearing
b. For a shaft mounting a good quality spur gears, the deflection at gear should not
exceed 0.01m, where m is module of the gear
c. The permissible misalignment tolerance of deep groove ball bearing is +/-250
= … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [41]
3
4. Design of Shafts Based on critical Speed
It is very important to avoid excessive lateral vibrations in shafting. Shafts operating
at or near their critical speed (natural frequency) develop lateral displacements of
relatively high amplitudes. This results in high dynamic stresses in the shaft and high
dynamic loads on the bearings and other components causing excessive wear and early
failer. Therefore, critical speeds of all should be checked. The natural frequency of a
shaft is a function of the equivalent stiffness and the mass of the shaft and parts
carried on it. Increasing diameter of a shaft increases the stiffness by the fourth power
of the diameter and weight by only the square so that the net effect is to raise the
critical speed. Increasing the length of the shaft, on the other hand, increases the
flexibility of the shaft and increases the mass, both effects tending to lower the critical
speed. The greater the flexibility of the mounting, the lower the natural frequency of
the system.
∑
= … … … … … … … … … … . . [42]
∑
Where
Wi the weight of the ith attachment and I is the deflection at the ith body location.
Gears, belt sheaves, chain sprockets, and other elements typically carried
by shafts exert forces on the shaft that cause bending moments.
Examples
1. A line shaft is rotating at 300 rpm is to transmit 30 kw power. Let the
shaft is assumed to be made from mild steel and has an allowable sheer
stress of 42 MPa. Determine the diameter of the shaft neglecting the
bending moment. Ans, d=48.5mm (50mm)
2. A 2MW power is transmitted at 250 rpm. Determine diameter of the
shaft. Take allowable shear stress of the shaft is 60MPa and the
maximum power transmitted is exceeds the mean torque by 15%. Ans,
d=195.43 mm~ (200mm)
3. A mild steel made shaft is rotating at 400 rpm to transmit 30 kw power.
Determine the diameter of shaft neglecting bending moment occurred on
the shaft. Take allowable shear stress of the shaft material 42MPa. Ans
d=44.3mm~(45mm)
4. A shaft is running at 400 rpm and transmits 15 kw power to a machine.
The allowable shear stress on the shaft is 40MPa. Determine diameter of
the shaft.
5. A 2 MW power is transmitted at 250 rpm. Determine diameter of the
shaft. Take allowable shear stress of the shaft is 60MPa and the
maximum power transmitted is exceeds the mean torque by 15%.
6. A pair of wheels of a lorry trailer carries a load of 15 KN on each side of
the wheel at a distance of 150mm from outside to inside. The span of the
wheel is 1.5m. Determine the diameter of the axle, if the allowable stress
is not exceeds 100MPa. Neglect the weight of the wheels. Ans,
d=60.12mm~65mm
7. From the above example, keeping the given parameters are the same,
determine the diameter(external and internal) of the axle, if the axle is
hollow with external to internal diameter ratio is 1.5. Ans D=57.5mm,
d=38.5mm ~(D=60mm, d=40mm)
8. If the load is increased to 20 KN, then with all the given parameters of
example 1 is the same determine the diameter of the axle. Ans
D=67.36mm~(D=70mm)
9. Keeping all the given parameters of example 3 are the same but the
external diameter to internal diameter ratio is 2, then determine the
external and internal diameter of the hollow axle. Ans
d=44.37mm&D=88.7mm~(d=45mm&D=90mm)
10. If the load is increased to again 25KN of example 1, then with all the
given parameters the same, determine the diameter of the axle. Ans
D=72.56mm~(D=75mm)
11. If again the external diameter to internal diameter ratio of the axle is to
be 2.5, then determine the external and internal diameter of the axle. Ans
d=29.28, D=73.2mm~(d=30mm, D=75mm)
12. A shaft carries a 1000 N pulley in the centre of two ball bearings which
are 2000 mm apart. The pulley is keyed to the shaft and receives 30 kW of
power at 150 rpm. The power is transmitted from the shaft through a
flexible coupling just outside the right bearing. The belt derive is
horizontal and the sum of the belt tension is 8000 N. Calculate the
diameter of the shaft if permissible stress in bending is 80 MPa and in
shear it is 45MPa.For this case neglect the effect of torision.
13. A line shaft is rotating at 400 r.p.m. to transmit 30 KW. The allowable
shear stress for the material of the shaft is 42 MPa. If the shaft carries a
central load of 1000N and simply supported between bearings 2m meter
apart. Determine the diameter of the shaft. The allowable stress of the
shaft material is 56MPa.
14. The shaft shown in the figure below is driven by pulley B from a prime
mover. Another belt drives from pulley A is running a compressor. The
belt tensions for pulley A are 1500N and 600N. The ration of belt tensions
for pulley B is 3.5. Diameter of pulley A is 150mm and diameter of pulley
B is 480mm. The allowable tensile strength of the material is 170 MPa
and the allowable shear stress is 85 MPa. Determine the diameter of the
shaft.
5. Reference
[1]. Khurmi, R.S. and Gupta J.K., Text book on Machine Design, Eurasia
Publishing House, New Delhi, 2002
[2].J.E Shigley and C.R Mischke , Mechanical Engineering Design , McGraw
Hill Publication, 5th Edition. 1989
[3].Dr. Sadhu Singh, Machine Design, Khanna Publishers, Delhi, 2001