Determine working stress and greatest allowable load

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving the calculation of ultimate tensile stress, working stress, and greatest allowable load for mild steel specimens of different diameters. The participants explore the relationships between these quantities, particularly in the context of applying a factor of safety.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the ultimate tensile strength for a 12.5 mm diameter specimen and expresses uncertainty about how to proceed with a larger diameter specimen.
  • Another participant corrects a minor calculation error regarding the radius of the specimen.
  • There is confusion regarding whether to use the same maximum load for the larger diameter or to calculate a new force based on the factor of safety.
  • Participants discuss the relationship between ultimate tensile stress, working stress, and maximum allowable load, with one suggesting that the ultimate stress can be assumed to be the same for both diameters.
  • One participant proposes a calculation for working stress and seeks clarification on the concept of maximum allowable load.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of including units in calculations for clarity.
  • A participant arrives at a calculated maximum allowable load of 108.56 kN for the larger diameter and expresses uncertainty about the correctness of this value.
  • One participant confirms the correctness of the calculated maximum allowable load, while also providing a reminder about proper unit formatting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the method for calculating ultimate tensile stress and working stress, but there remains some confusion about the application of these concepts to the larger diameter specimen. Multiple competing views on the calculations and interpretations persist.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the assumptions made regarding the ultimate tensile stress for different diameters and the implications of the factor of safety on the calculations. There is also a lack of consensus on the correct application of units in the calculations.

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"Determine working stress and greatest allowable load"

Homework Statement



The maximum load in a tensile test on a mild steel specimen of diameter 12.5 mm is 95 kN, calculate the ultimate tensile stress. Also, determine the working stress and greatest allowable load on a rod of the same material 25 mm in diameter, given that the factor of safety is to be 3.5.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm only in the first term of my course and still new to this. I believe I've worked out the ultimate tensile strength here;

Pi x 6.25^2 = 122.718mm^2
95000/122.718 = 774.1326

now, where I'm struggling is the second two parts. Am i using the same force for this, the 95 kN or do i need to work out a new force using factor of safety and the new diameter?

I know factor of safety = Stress at Failure/Max working stress.

Greatest allowable load, is this the same as maximum load?

What i have tried and found out to be wrong is;

Pi x 12.5^2 = 490.87
95000/490.87 = 193.534

193.534/3.5 = 55.3

I'm not asking for the answer. Just a point in the right direction would be great.

Thanks.
 
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Well, the radius of a 12.5 mm dia. shaft is 6.25 mm, not 6.252 mm.

Your calculations lack units. You should get into the habit now of always including units in any calculation.
 
Sorry yes that wasn't meant to have 2 there.
 
ziziu said:

Homework Statement



The maximum load in a tensile test on a mild steel specimen of diameter 12.5 mm is 95 kN, calculate the ultimate tensile stress. Also, determine the working stress and greatest allowable load on a rod of the same material 25 mm in diameter, given that the factor of safety is to be 3.5.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I'm only in the first term of my course and still new to this. I believe I've worked out the ultimate tensile strength here;

Pi x 6.25^2 = 122.718mm^2
95000/122.718 = 774.1326

now, where I'm struggling is the second two parts. Am i using the same force for this, the 95 kN or do i need to work out a new force using factor of safety and the new diameter?

I know factor of safety = Stress at Failure/Max working stress.

Greatest allowable load, is this the same as maximum load?

What i have tried and found out to be wrong is;

Pi x 12.5^2 = 490.87
95000/490.87 = 193.534

193.534/3.5 = 55.3

I'm not asking for the answer. Just a point in the right direction would be great.

Thanks.
you solved for the ultimate tensile stress in part a ( units?) so per your equation the max allowable working stress is the ult stress divided by the safety factor. So now that you know the max allowable working stress, you can now calculate the max allowable load , where the max allowable load is the load above which you start compromising your safety factor. The max allowable load is a design safe working load and should not be confused with the ultimate failure load for that larger diameter rod.









both
confused with the max ultimate load
 
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Thanks for your reply although i still don't fully understand. I understand what you are saying about the ult stress divided by the safety factor to give me working stress. But is the question not asking me to do this for the new diameter?

774.1326 mm^2 is for the diameter 12.5 in part A. It's asking me for the working stress and max allowable load for the new diameter 25 or no? So i don't really have the ult stress for the new diameter? Perhaps I'm totally missing something obvious.

From my understanding of what your saying these would be my next calculations;

774.1326/3.5 = 221.181 This would be the working stress?

where the max allowable load is the load above which you start compromising your safety factor.

Could you explain this further please. I can't really understand what your saying.
 
You are still resisting the suggestion to include units with your calculations. It makes it hard for third parties to review your results without working out the calculations from scratch.

Sample 1 provides you with a method to determine the ultimate tensile stress for a certain mild steel material. Let's call this ult. stress 'x'.

Sample 2 is made out of the same mild steel material as Sample 1, but its diameter is larger. It is reasonable to assume that the ult. stress of Sample 2 is the same as Sample 1, or 'x'.

Knowing that the ult. stress is the same value for both Samples, what tensile load produces the ult. stress 'x' in Sample 2? If a Factor of Safety of 3.5 is applied to this load, what is the max. tensile load which can now be applied to Sample 2?
 
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I'm still a bit lost.

Max allowable load = Working stress x Area ?

Pi x 12.5^2 = 490.87mm^2 Is the area of the 25mm diameter.

221.181 MPa x 490.87mm^2 = 108.56 kN

Max allowable load = 108.56 kN?

Pretty much a guess.
 
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Oh nice one. Thank you guys. Very helpful site.

Seems pretty simple once you know how..

Thanks again.
 

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