1

Shaft Design
Section VI
2
Shaft?
Shaft Design
ASME Shaft Equations
Design of Shaft for Torsional Rigidity
Standard Sizes of Shafts
Bending and Torsional Moments
Talking Points
3
Rotating machine
element that transmits
power.
Shaft?
Shafts are usually
circular in cross-section,
and may be either hollow
or solid.
4
Shaft Design
Consists of the determination of the
correct shaft diameter to ensure
satisfactory strength and rigidity when
the shaft is transmitting power under
various operating and loading
conditions.
Design of shafts for ductile
materials, based on strength, is
controlled by the maximum-shear
stress theory; while shafts of brittle
materials would be designed on
the basis of the maximum-normal
stress theory.
Shafts are usually subjected
to torsion, bending, and axial
loads.
1) For axial loads: The tensile or compressive
stress is:
( )
shafts hollow For
4
shafts solid For
4
2 2
2
i o
a
a
a
a
d d
F
d
F

=
=
t
o
t
o
a
o
( )
shafts hollow For
32
shafts solid For
32
4 4
3
i o
o b
b
b b
b
d d
d M
d
M
I
r M

=
= =
t
o
t
o
2) For bending loads: The bending
stress (tension or compression)
is:
b
o
3) For torsional loads: The torsional stress is:
( )
shafts hollow For
16
shafts solid For
16
4 4
3
i o
o
xy
xy
d d
Td
d
T
J
Tr

=
= =
t
t
t
t
xy
t
5
Shaft Design Cont.
6
Shaft Design Cont.
7
ASME Shaft Equations
The ASME code equation for hollow shaft combines torsion, bending, and axial
loads by applying the maximum-shear equation modified by introducing shock,
fatigue, and column factor as follows:
( )
( )
( )
2
2
2
4
3
8
1
1
16
t t
o a
b b
s
o
M k
K d F
M k
K
d +
(

+
+

=
o
to
For solid shaft having little or no axial loading, the equation is:
( ) ( )
2 2 3
16
t t b b
s
o
M k M k d + =
to
Where:
moment torsional to applied factor fatigue and shock combined
moment bending to applied factor fatigue and shock combined
diameter, inside shaft
diameter, outside shaft
=
=
=
=
=
t
b
i
o
o i
k
k
m d
m d
d d K
( )
keyway shaft with for MPa) (40 psi 6000
keyway out shaft with for MPa) (55 psi 8000 allowable
: shafting steel commercial For
=
=
s
o
( )
( ) 115 for
115 for
0044 . 0 . 1
1
: by computed be may load, e compressiv a For
load. tensile a for unity
: ) ( factor action - Column
2
> =
<

=
=
k L k L
nE
k L
k L
y
t
o
o
o
o
o
o
Where:
2
m N n, compressio in stress yield
gyration, of radius
bearings. as , restrained partly ends
for 1.6 and ends fixed for 2.25 or ends hinged for 1
=
= =
=
y
A I m k
n
o
8
ASME Shaft Equations
Cont.
9
Design of Shaft for Torsional
Rigidity
It is based on the permissible angle of twist. The amount of twist permissible
depends on the particular application, and varies about 0.3 degree/m for
machine tool shafts to about 3.0 degree/m for line shafting.
( )
shaft hollow For 584
shaft solid For 584
4 4
4
i o
t
t
d d G
L M
Gd
L M

=
=
u
u
Where:
2
N , elasticity of modulus Torsional
shaft, the of length
deg twist, of angle
m G
m L
=
=
= u
10
Standard Sizes of Shafts
These sizes vary according to material
specifications and supplier. Typical sizes for
solid shafts are:
Up to 25 mm in 0.5 mm increments
25 to 50 mm in 1.0 mm increments
50 to 100 mm in 2.0 mm increments
100 to 200 mm in 5 mm increments
11
Bending and Torsional
Moment
These are the main factors influencing shaft design. One of the first steps in shaft
design is to draw the bending moment diagram for the loaded shaft or the
combined bending moment diagram if the loads acting on the shaft are in more
than one axial plane. From the bending moment diagram, the points of critical
bending stress can be determined. The torsional moment acting on the shaft can
be determined from:
N.m
min
9550
min 2
60 1000

60 1000
2
1000 rev
kW
rev
kW
M
N M M
Power
t
t t

=

= =
t
t e
2) For gear drive: The torque is found by:
( ) N.m
2 1 p t
R T T M =
1) For belt drive: The torque is
found by:
Where:
m pulley, of radius
N pulley, on belt of side lose
N pulley, on belt of side tight
2
1
=
=
=
p
R
T
T
o tan
N.m
t r
g t t
F F
R F M
=
=
Where:
degrees angle, pitch gear
m gear, of radius pitch
N force, radial
N radius, pitch at the force tangential
=
=
=
=
o
g
r
t
R
F
F