How Do You Calculate Factor of Safety for a Steel Bolt in Tension and Shear?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the factor of safety (FoS) for a steel bolt subjected to both tension and shear forces. Participants explore the appropriate methods for determining the FoS based on given stresses and the implications of combined loading conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a problem involving a 14mm diameter steel bolt and provides specific material properties and loading conditions, seeking help with calculations for the FoS.
  • Another participant suggests that there are two modes of failure (tension and shear), each with its own FoS, and that the lowest value should be considered relevant.
  • Concerns are raised about the accuracy of the calculated tensile stress, with a request for detailed workings to verify the calculations.
  • A participant notes that allowable stresses for bolts under combined shear and tension are governed by interaction equations, indicating that the safety factor could differ significantly from those calculated for tension or shear alone.
  • One participant acknowledges a delay in responding and provides links to their calculations, which are intended to clarify their approach.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the definitions of 'direct' stress and 'tensile' stress, with a suggestion that the participant may have transposed numbers in their calculations.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to consider combined tension and shear stress formulas to accurately determine the overall safety factor, suggesting that the individual safety factors may not reflect the true safety of the bolt under combined loading.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about the combined stress formulas and requests guidance, indicating that their course notes do not cover this topic.
  • It is suggested that if the stresses are low, individual safety factors may suffice, but higher stresses would necessitate using combined stress formulas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity and application of combined stress formulas for calculating the FoS. There is no consensus on the best approach to take, and multiple perspectives on the calculations and definitions remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential errors in calculations and definitions, as well as the absence of specific guidance in course materials regarding combined stress formulas. The discussion highlights the complexity of determining the FoS under combined loading conditions.

AutumnBeds
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Homework Statement


[/B]
The 14mm diameter steel bolt with modulus of elasticity of 210GPa and modulus of rigidity of 85 GPa shown in the diagram below holds two components together. The thickness of the bolted interface of the components is 18mm. To 2 decimal places, for the given loading;

Assuming the ultimate tensile stress is 490MN/m2 and the ultimate shear stress is 290MN/m2 determine the factor of safety in operation.

Forces - http://imgur.com/mbTD0Xg

Homework Equations



Assuming the ultimate tensile stress is 490MN/m2 and the ultimate shear stress is 290MN/m2 determine the factor of safety in operation.

The Attempt at a Solution



I have resolves the forces and found the following[/B]

Direct Stress 35.12 Mpa
Tensile Stress 0.17 Mpa (I think something may be amiss here)
Sheet Stress 26.24 Mpa

But for the factor of safety the notes I have been given say to divide the UTS by the direct stress,

So 490/35.12 = 13.95 (seems rather high). But then do I repeat for the Ultimate sheer stress?

So again 290/35.12 = 8.26.

Then is the lower of the two value?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
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No one answered. I think you have two modes of failure, each having its own FoS. The lowest must be the relevant one.
 
AutumnBeds said:
Tensile Stress 0.17 Mpa (I think something may be amiss here)

Please show us your workings for this problem .
 
Bolts subjected to both shear and tension forces have allowable stresses governed by shear-tension interaction equations specified by applicable loads. The safety factor depends on what the results of the interaction equation show. It could be quite less than the safety factor for tension alone or shear alone. As requested, please show your work.
 
AutumnBeds said:
Sorry for not responding on this - I've been away for a few weeks on vacation.

Please find attached workings out as requested.

http://imgur.com/a/OLXFV

http://imgur.com/whVrTat

http://imgur.com/prJRAke

http://imgur.com/ObVc6KR

Thanks
The terms 'direct' stress and 'tensile' stress need definition. Direct stress is tensile stress if no shear stresses exist. Tensile stress is the actual tensile stress on the bolt. In your first image, you are calculating the tensile stress, which you did correctly , except you transposed some numbers it should be 5734, you wrote 5374.

In the 2nd image, you are calculating tensile strain, not stress, and strain is a dimensionless number. I am unsure why you are doing this, though.

In the third image, you have calculated the shear stress correctly.

Now in the 4th image, you calculate a safety factor for tension stress and a safety factor for shear stress, and both are rather large safety factors, but you really can't look at the overall safety factor of the bolt without calculating the effects of both tensile and shear loads applied at the same time, because the shear stress reduces the allowable tensile stress in the bolt, using a combined tension and shear stress formula to determine the allowable tensile stress. Only then can you calculate the safety factor, which will be the lowest of the 3 safety factors so calculated. Are you familiar with combined shear and tension stress formulas? I suspect that the safety factor for shear alone will control, because your actual stresses are rather low, but generally speaking, when shear and tensile stresses are high, the combined stress safety factor will be a lot less than the individual tension and shear alone safety factors.
 
Thanks,

1. Will redo the calculation and transpose the numbers correctly

2. This most likely just a written error on my behalf

3. Thanks - occasionally I get things correct.

4. No - nothing in the course notes gives guidance on the using the columbines stresses to calculate the fos. If you can offer any guidance on this I would be grateful.

Thanks again.
 
I
AutumnBeds said:
Thanks,

1. Will redo the calculation and transpose the numbers correctly

2. This most likely just a written error on my behalf

3. Thanks - occasionally I get things correct.

4. No - nothing in the course notes gives guidance on the using the columbines stresses to calculate the fos. If you can offer any guidance on this I would be grateful.

Thanks again.
If it's not in your notes, I guess they are not looking for a combined stress formula, which probably isn't necessary on this problem where stresses are rather low and shear alone safety factor controls.
A combined stress formula for bolts might look like ( approxomTely...don't use it at face value F_t = 1.3 F_u - 5 f_v </= F_u where
F_u = max direct tensile syress at failure
F_t = max allowed tensile failure stress
f_v = applied shear load shear stress

If stresses are low then individual shear or tension safety factors control, but when stresses are high, the combined stress governs and must be used.
 
Last edited:

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