Proper free-body diagram for a shaft experiencing multiple torques

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on creating a proper free-body diagram (FBD) for a shaft subjected to multiple torques, where the initial FBD did not align with the solutions manual. The maximum torque was identified as 327 Nm, with internal shear stresses calculated at 47 MPa for section CD and 60 MPa for section DE, indicating that DE reaches its shear stress limit. Participants clarified the application of the right-hand rule for torque direction and discussed the implications of varying the unknown torque T1 on the internal torques and shear stresses. The conversation concluded with a focus on expressing torque constraints algebraically, emphasizing the need to consider the magnitudes of torques in relation to the maximum allowable shear stress. The exchange highlighted the importance of accurate torque diagrams and shear stress calculations in mechanical analysis.
Qube
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Homework Statement
Draw a FBD, determine the largest torque, T1, and find shear stresses in CD and DE
Relevant Equations
Method of sections, static equilibrium
shear stress=Tc/J
1601854246923.png


I wish to draw a proper free-body diagram for this shaft. However, my FBD does not agree with the solutions manual. If someone could point out where I erred, that would be great.

This is what I drew:

1601854456033.png


From my FBD, it is clear that the maximum torque is present in section DE of the shaft.

We can use the equation shear stress=Tc/J in conjunction with the maximum allowed shear stress of 60 MPa as follows:

1601854644164.png


Then, to find the maximum shear stresses in sections CD and DE:

1601854894122.png
 

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Are you sure about the ##\frac{\pi}4##s? I thought it was ##\frac{\pi}2##
 
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Thanks! You are right, it is J=pi*c^4/2. I will rework this problem and see if I get the right answer this time...
 
Qube said:
Thanks! You are right, it is J=pi*c^4/2. I will rework this problem and see if I get the right answer this time...
Note that with your original calculation the 900Nm was already too much for AB.
 
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Okay, I reworked the problem. I drew a torque diagram.

1601996009445.png


It seems that the maximum possible value of the unknown torque, T1, is 327 Nm.

From there, it seems that the internal shear stress in section CD is about 47 MPa, and the internal torque in DE causes the bar to hit its shear stress limit, 60 MPa.

1601996124154.png


This makes much more sense than my initial results.

Does it make sense that the section with the highest shear stress is the section of the bar closest to the wall, to which the bar is anchored?

Also, does my torque diagram make sense? Someone else argues that this is the correct diagram:

1601996400211.png
 
Qube said:
Okay, I reworked the problem. I drew a torque diagram.

View attachment 270516

It seems that the maximum possible value of the unknown torque, T1, is 327 Nm.

From there, it seems that the internal shear stress in section CD is about 47 MPa, and the internal torque in DE causes the bar to hit its shear stress limit, 60 MPa.

View attachment 270517

This makes much more sense than my initial results.

Does it make sense that the section with the highest shear stress is the section of the bar closest to the wall, to which the bar is anchored?

Also, does my torque diagram make sense? Someone else argues that this is the correct diagram:

View attachment 270518
What, exactly, is the inequality involving 1800 - T1 that you deduce from your diagram?
What will happen to your diagram if T1 is increased a little?
What would happen if T1 were zero?
 
Okay, scratch all that. I managed to figure it out by finding similar problems. Thank you for the guidance. I hope that this post of mine is error-free!

1602092840262.png

We need to start by applying the right-hand rule to the applied torques, with the sign convention that a torque directed away from point E is a positive torque. This means A, C, and D are positive, and the unknown torque at B (T1) is a negative torque.

With the above established, we can find the internal torque in segment AB, knowing that the segment is in equilibrium:

1602093041646.png


We also know that the maximum allowable shear stress in any segment is 60 MPa, which allows us to find the maximum value of T1:

1602093065620.png

Using the above information, and the fact that every section of the bar is in equilibrium, we can find the internal torques of each section.

Knowing the internal torques of sections CD and DE allow us to find the maximum shear stresses within CD and DE.
 
That's unnecessarily rewriting what you did successfully in post #5 by other means.
You found that the torques are, taking some sign convention, 900, 900-T, 1500-T, 1800-T.
The constraint is some maximum magnitude torque, Tmax. What is the correct way to write that algebraically?
 
haruspex said:
You found that the torques are, taking some sign convention, 900, 900-T, 1500-T, 1800-T.
The constraint is some maximum magnitude torque, Tmax. What is the correct way to write that algebraically?

I don't understand, but I'll give it a try.

Are you saying to plug 900-T, 1500-T, and 1800-T into the equation, shear=Tc/J and try to maximize the value of T?
 
  • #10
Qube said:
I don't understand, but I'll give it a try.

Are you saying to plug 900-T, 1500-T, and 1800-T into the equation, shear=Tc/J and try to maximize the value of T?
No, I am asking how you express in algebra that, e.g., the torque 1500-T must not exceed the calculated limit (call it Tmax)? Be careful.
 
  • #11
1500-T<Tmax

1602167913052.png


I'm still unclear on what you mean, sorry.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Qube said:
1500-T<Tmax

View attachment 270636

I'm still unclear on what you mean, sorry.
It's magnitudes!
 
  • #13
haruspex said:
It's magnitudes!

I don't see a direct constraint on Tmax in this problem that is given. I'm still unclear on what you mean by:

The constraint is some maximum magnitude torque, Tmax. What is the correct way to write that algebraically?

The only constraint I see is on torsional shear, which is a function of Tmax.
 
  • #14
Qube said:
I don't see a direct constraint on Tmax in this problem that is given. I'm still unclear on what you mean by:
The only constraint I see is on torsional shear, which is a function of Tmax.

I was using Tmax to mean the maximum torsional shear, not the max value of T1.
I'll stop trying to be subtle. You computed 900-T1, 1500-T1, and 1800-T1, and took the constraint to be that each < Tmax. In fact, the constraint is on the magnitudes of these: |900-T1|<Tmax, |1500-T1|<Tmax, and |1800-T1|<Tmax. That opens up more possibilities.
 

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