Pin and Lug - Static and Fatigue.xls

Rating:
12

Description

Calculating the fatigue strength of a lug involves understanding the cyclic loading conditions and material properties to ensure the lug can withstand repetitive loading without failure. Here's a step-by-step process to calculate the fatigue strength of a lug:

  1. Identify the loading conditions: Determine the cyclic loading conditions the lug is subjected to, such as the minimum and maximum loads, the load range, and the number of cycles.

  2. Determine the lug geometry: Define the lug's dimensions, such as hole diameter (d), edge distance (e), lug thickness (t), and any other relevant geometrical features like fillet radii or notches.

  3. Calculate stress concentration factors (SCFs): Identify stress concentrators in the lug, such as holes or fillets, and calculate the SCFs using analytical methods, empirical formulas, or numerical simulations (e.g., finite element analysis).

  4. Compute stress ranges: Based on the loading conditions and the lug geometry, calculate the stress ranges acting on the lug, considering both axial and shear stress components. Incorporate the SCFs to account for stress concentrators.

  5. Determine the material's S-N curve: Obtain the S-N curve (stress vs. number of cycles) for the lug material, which typically represents the fatigue behavior of the material. This curve can be found in material handbooks or obtained through fatigue testing of the material.

  6. Estimate the fatigue life: Using the S-N curve, determine the fatigue life (N) of the lug material for the calculated stress range. The fatigue life is the number of cycles that the material can withstand before failure.

  7. Compare the fatigue life to the number of cycles: Compare the estimated fatigue life (N) to the actual number of cycles the lug is expected to experience during its service life. If the fatigue life is less than the number of cycles, the lug may be at risk of failure due to fatigue, and modifications may be required, such as changing the material, redesigning the lug, or reducing the stress concentrations.

  8. Factor of safety: Include an appropriate factor of safety to account for uncertainties in the fatigue analysis, such as material variability, manufacturing defects, or loading variations.

In summary, calculating the fatigue strength of a lug involves identifying the loading conditions, determining the lug geometry, calculating stress concentration factors, computing stress ranges, determining the material's S-N curve, estimating the fatigue life, and comparing it to the number of cycles the lug is expected to experience. Proper evaluation of the lug's fatigue strength is crucial to ensuring its long-term performance and preventing premature failure due to fatigue.


Purpose of calculation:
Calculate the proof and ultimate strength of obliquely loaded lugs.
Calculate the fatigue strength of lug.
This is an extension of a simpler calculation which only considers static strength.
Calculation Reference
Traditional UK railway method.
A.P.T. Mechanical Design Note No APT/MD 257
Strength of Lugs in Fatigue by R. B Heywood
Stress, Strain and Strength by R. C. Juvinall
Calculation Validation
This calculation requires validation.
Design Tips
It is normal to choose a pin size 6mm larger than required to allow for off centre drilling etc.
You may want to consider the use of a replaceable bush to increase the wear life of the lug.
You may also have to consider fatigue life.
Pin bending stresses also needs consideration but is not covered in the calculation below.
Design Procedure
================
Lug Dimensions
Material selection
Applied Loads
+ve. force loads the eye of the lug.
-ve. force is compressive.
Minimum force applied to the lug
Minimum force applied to the lug
Number of cycles applied
Orientation of applied force
Summary
Proof strength check.
Ultimate strength check.
Fatigue strength check.
Static Strength Design of Lugs
==============================
1 Calculate Lug Proof Strength when θ=0
Tensile Proof Strength
Shear Proof Strength
Check shear stress at ¸=90°
Pull out strength - check shear stress at θ=40°
Check limiting shear stress
Proof Bearing Strength
Limiting lug proof strength
2) Calculate Lug Ultimate Strength when θ=0
Tensile ultimate Strength
Shear ultimate Strength
Check shear stress at θ=90°
Pull out strength - check shear stress at θ=40°
Check limiting shear stress
Note - Bearing strength is not considered for an ultimate strength case.
Limiting lug ultimate strength
3) Calculate Lug Strength for Oblique or Transversely Loaded Lugs
4) Static Strength Pass/Fail Criteria
Proof demand to capacity ratio
Ultimate demand to capacity ratio
Fatigue Design of Lugs
======================
5) Determine Fatigue Stress Parameters
Minimum Stress (assume compressive force does not contribute)
Mean Stress (assume compressive force does not contribute)
Maximum Stress (assume compressive force does not contribute)
Alternating Stress
6) Assumptions:
Poor fatigue performance as a result of fretting and stress concentration on the loaded hole.
Design data is based on a standard lug with 25.4mm diameter and stress concentration factor of 2.5.
The results of the standard lug may be adapted for lugs of other proportions (see method below).
Assume ? = 0° for fatigue assessment with load in any direction.
7) Determine stress concentration factor, KE
8) Determine size factor, KS
Change units of d into mm for size factor lookup.
9) Determine thickness ratio correction factor, CT
10) Determine casting factor, CF
11) Read Heywood's Lug Fatigue Curve.
12) Fatigue Pass/Fail Criteria
Allowable alternating stress

Calculation Reference
Machine Design
Bruhn Design of aircraft
Heywood Design of Lugs

Calculation Preview

Uploaded
10 Aug 2023
Last Modified
10 Aug 2023
File Size:
166.71 Kb
Downloads:
397
File Version:
1.3
Rating:
12

 
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Comments: 10
JohnDoyle[Admin] 7 months ago
I have corrected an error in the calculation of dimension 'b'. This is now correct. Please note that this file contains macros and needs to be trusted before opening otherwise you will see #NAME! errors.
JohnDoyle[Admin] 1 year ago
Just updated the calculation it was an old xls format but it has macros so I uploaded an xlsm format file so that anyone opening the file is aware that it contains custom function macros.
JohnDoyle[Admin] 10 years ago
Theo, The method as encoded is a method that has been in use in the UK railway industry. There is nothing to stop you modifying the spreadsheet to include material and load factors recommended by Eurocode 3. However I am familiar enough with with the code to know what the appropriate factors would be.
JohnDoyle[Admin] 10 years ago
You are entirely correct Theo sigma_p is the proof stress and sigma_U the ultimate stress so for S355 are analogous with fy=355N/mm2 and fu=510N/mm2.
JohnDoyle[Admin] 12 years ago
Typo corrections.Error in US units corrected.Two worksheets now included one worked in SI(mm) the other worked in US(in). Identical results can be observed.Many thanks to ekoontz for reporting the errors in.
gandalf69 13 years ago
Yes, thanks, using XLC redraw fixes the equations. I just downloaded again and got the same errors initially. Maybe it is my XP system.
JohnDoyle[Admin] 13 years ago
I have just downloaded to check the equation and it seems fine to me:I should use the XLC redraw equations button and see if the problem persists.
gandalf69 13 years ago
There seems to be a display error with the formulas in the download. For instance the first formula should have + c within the brackets and co should be cos. There are many more. These can be fixed locally by deleting the displayed formula and regenerating it. Or maybe it is just XP messing with it:)
JohnDoyle[Admin] 13 years ago
A correction to the shear proof strength and ultimate proof strength formulas has been made after it was reported in by a user.
JohnDoyle[Admin] 13 years ago
Description of Change: An error in the sketch showing dimension b has been corrected. Addition of calculations of the parameter b for round ended and square ended lugs has been added.