What is shear stress on the Key

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the shear stress on a key at the interface with a shaft, particularly in the context of torque transmission. Participants explore the mechanics of shear stress in relation to the dimensions and forces acting on the key.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant assumes a uniform shear stress distribution across the key's width and seeks to calculate the shear stress based on given torque and dimensions.
  • Another participant questions the ability of the key, as depicted, to transmit drive forces between the shaft and gear, indicating a potential design flaw.
  • A participant expresses uncertainty regarding hand calculations for shear stress, referencing a previous online test involving FEA software.
  • It is noted that for effective torque transmission, the key must be properly seated, with half of its depth in the shaft and half in the gear.
  • One participant describes the forces acting on the key, including shearing and compressive stresses due to the torque transmitted by the shaft.
  • A later reply provides a formula for calculating the key's shearing stress, based on the applied torque and the dimensions of the key.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of the key design in transmitting torque, and there is no consensus on the calculations or assumptions regarding shear stress. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the key's installation and the distribution of forces may not be fully articulated, and the discussion includes references to specific calculations that may depend on additional context or definitions.

Sean Trainor
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Hi guys,

I'm trying to work out the following:

Assume uniform shear stress distribution across "Key" width.

What is the shear stress (psi) on the "Key" at the interface with the "Shaft"?

Torque (in-lb) = 4959
Shaft diameter (in) = 2
Key width/height (in) = 0.3
Key length (in) = 2
 

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How could key as shown in your drawing transmit any drive forces between shaft and gear ?
 
Nidum said:
How could key as shown in your drawing transmit any drive forces between shaft and gear ?
What do you mean?

The question above is one which was put to me while doing an online test regarding FEA software. Most questions were based on the software which was fine, but then a few questions required hand calculations. And I'm rather rusty when it comes to that since I haven't done any since uni :-)
 
You describe a plain rectangular key . For this to work properly half of the depth of the key has to be in the shaft and half in the gear .
 
key.jpg
 
At the point when a key is utilized as a part of transmitting torque from a pole to a rotor or center, the accompanying two sorts of strengths follow up on the key : ... (b) Forces (F) because of the torque transmitted by the pole. These strengths produce shearing and compressive (or pounding) stresses in the key.
 
Assuming that a key is installed as shown in Nidum's figure the key's shear line is the radius of the shaft and the key's shearing area = the key width x key length.
The amount of applied shearing force = the applied torque / shaft radius
As a result, the key's shearing stress = (torque / shaft radius) / (key width x key length)
 

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