Shafts Subjected to Fatigue

In cases of pronounced fatigue loading, a comprehensive procedure involving

values must be used.

British Standard keyways are satisfactory in general applications but would give a high
under pronounced fatigue loading. Data from R.E. Peterson (compiled from
research) suggests larger fillet radii giving an average / ratio of just over 0.02. see
table below:

Table 1: Stress Concentration Factors ( )

() ()
/ / / /
0.01 1.1 1.5 0.01 1.1 2
0.05 1.1 1.2 0.05 1.1 1.5
0.05 1.2 1.2 0.05 1.2 1.6
0.1 1.1 1.15 0.1 1.1 1.3
0.1 1.2 1.2 0.1 1.2 1.35
0.1 2 1.2 0.1 2 1.4
0.3 1.2 1.1 0.3 1.2 1.15
0.3 2 1.1 0.3 2 1.2

Example

A shouldered shaft made from 070M20 (EN3) steel is required to sustain a maximum
bending moment of 4500 Nm and torque of 3500 Nm under cyclic loading. With a
required safety factor of 2 on the fatigue limit, determine suitable dimensions for the
shaft if the shoulder is used as a bearing location.

Proportions decided / = 0.01 / = 1.1

Tensile strength of 070M20 460 /2

Allowable Bending Stress

Note: For steels it may generally be assumed that the fatigue limit will be at least 40%
of the static strength quoted.

Bending fatigue limit 460 0.4 = 184 /2

From table 1 () = 1.5


=

184
= = 61.33 /2
2 1.5

Allowable Torsional stress

Shear strength of 070M20 270 /2

Torsional fatigue limit 270 0.4 = 108 /2

From table 1 () = 2

108
= = 27 /2
22
Combined Stress

2
= ( ) + 2
2

61.33 2
= ( ) + 272 = 40.86 /2
2

Shaft Dimensions

= 2 + 2

= (4.5 106 )2 + (3.5 106 )2 = 5.7 106

4
=
32

=

Where =

5.7 106 40.86

4 =

32 2

5.7 106 40.86

3 =
1
32 2

= 89.23 ( 90)

= 1.1 90 = 99

= 1.01 99 = 0.99 ( 1)

= 99

= 90

= 1