PROBLEMS

1. A steel shaft 3 ft long has a diameter of 4 inch is

subjected to a torque of 15 kip∙ ft. Determine the angle of
twist. G = 12 𝑥 106 psi.

GIVEN:
L = 3 ft
D = 4 inch
T = 15 000 lb-ft
G = 12 x 103 psi

SOLUTION:
𝑖𝑛
16𝑇 16(15 𝑥 1000)(12 )
𝑓𝑡
𝜏max = =
𝜋𝑑3 𝜋(43 )
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 14 324 psi

𝑇𝐿 (15 𝑥 1000 𝑙𝑏−𝑓𝑡)(3 𝑓𝑡)(144 𝑖𝑛)

∅ = = 𝜋(44 )
𝐽𝐺 (12 𝑥 103 𝑝𝑠𝑖)
32
∅ = 0.0215 rad

2. What is the minimum diameter of solid steel shaft will

not twist through more than 3° in a 6 m length when subjected
to a torque of 12 KN-m? use G = 83 GPa.

GIVEN:
∅ = 3°
L = 6 m
T = 12 KN-m
G = 83 GPa

SOLUTION:

𝑇𝐿
∅ =
𝐽𝐺

𝜋 (12 𝐾𝑁−𝑚)(6𝑚)(10002 )
3° (180) = 𝜋(𝑑4 )
(8300)
32

D = 113.98 mm

34
3. Shaft drawn drives a gear set that is transmitting 5 HP
at 1750 rpm. Shaft is self-aligning ball bearings and gears
are both 10 pitch, 40 tooth, 20̊ spur gears. Find the
torsional and bending stresses in shaft.

GIVEN:

P = 5 Hp

N = 1750 rpm

SOLUTION:
𝑇𝑛
HP = 63000

63000 𝐻𝑝
T = 𝑛

63000 (5)
T = 1750

T = 180 in-lb

4. A solid circular shaft is subjected to a bending moment

of 3000 N-m and a torque of 10 000 N-m. The shaft is made of
45 C 8 steel having ultimate tensile stress of 700 MPa and a
ultimate shear stress of 500 MPa. Assuming a factor safety
as 6. Determine the diameter of the shaft.

GIVEN:
M = 3000 N-m , 3 x 106 N-mm
T = 10 000 N-m , 10 x 106 N-mm
S = 700 MPa
S = 500 MPa

SOLUTION:

We know that allowable tensile stress

𝑠 700
S =𝑓.𝑠 = = 116.7 N/mm2
6

𝑠 500
S = 𝑓.𝑠
= 6
= 83.3 N/mm2

Let :

35
according to maximum shear stress theory, equivalent
twisting moment

𝜋 𝜋
10.44 x 106 = = 𝜏 𝑥 d3 = x 83.3 x d3 = 16.36 d3
16 16

d3 = 10.44 x 106 / 16.36 = 0.636 x 106 or d = 86 mm

5. A shaft supported at the ends in ball bearings carries a

straight tooth spur gear at its mid spin and is to transmit
7.5 KW at 300 rpm. The pitch circle diameter of the gear is
150 mm. The distances between the centre line of bearing and
gear are 100 mm each. If the shaft is made of steel and
allowable shear stress is 45 MPa, determine the diameter of
the shaft.

GIVEN:

P = 7.5 KW
N = 300 rpm
d = 150 mm
L = 200 mm
Ss = 45 MPa
∝ = 20°

SOLUTION:

P = 2𝜋TN

𝑝 𝑥 60 7500 𝑥 60
T = → → 238.7 N-m
2𝜋𝑁 2𝜋 𝑥 300

Tangential force on the gear

2𝑇 2(238.7)
F = = = 3182.7 N
𝐷 0.15

𝐹 3182.7𝑁
W = → → 3387 𝑁
cos∝ 0.9397

𝑊𝐿 3387 𝑁 𝑥 0.2 𝑚
M = → → 169.4 𝑁 − 𝑚
4 4

T =√𝑀2 + 𝑇 2 = √169.42 + 238.72 = 292.7 N-m

16𝑇
Ss =
𝜋𝑑3

16(292.7 𝑥 103 𝑁−𝑚𝑚)

45 MPa =
𝜋𝑑3

D3 = 32 mm

36
6. A steel marine propeller shaft 14 inch in diameter and 18
ft long is used to transmit 5000 Hp at 189 rpm. G = 12
x106 𝑝𝑠𝑖. Determine the maximum shearing stress.

Solution :
𝑙𝑏−𝑖𝑛
𝑃 (500 𝐻𝑝)(396,000 )
𝑚𝑖𝑛
P = 2𝜋𝑇𝑁 ; 𝑇 = = = 1, 667, 337.5 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛
2𝜋𝑁 2𝜋(189 𝑟𝑝𝑚)

16𝑇 16(1,667,337.5 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛)

𝑆𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 309.96 𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝜋𝐷 3 𝜋(14𝑖𝑛)3

7. A torque T is applied to a solid shaft with built-in

ends. Prove that the resisting torques at the walls are T1 =
Tb/L and T2 = Ta/L How would these values be changed if the
shaft were hallow ?

SOLUTION:

∶ ∑𝑀 = 0

T = T1 + T2

∅1 = ∅2
𝑇𝐿 𝑇𝐿
( )1 = ( )2
𝐽𝐺 𝐽𝐺

𝑏
T1 = T2
𝑎

𝑎
T2 = T1
𝑏

Equation 1 and 2 with T2 in terms of T1:

𝑎
T = T1 + T1
𝑏

T1b+ T1a
T = 𝑏

(𝑎+𝑏)T1
T = 𝑏

𝐿T1
T = 𝑏

37
 Tb
T1 = 𝐿

Equation 1 and 2 with T1 in terms of T2:

𝑏
T = T2 + T2
𝑎

T2b+T2 a
T = 𝑎

(𝑎+𝑏) T2
T = 𝑎

𝐿T2
T = 𝑎

Ta
T2 = 𝐿

Answer: if the shaft were hallow, equation (1)would be the

same and the quality ∅1 = ∅2 by direct investigation, would
yield the same result in equation (2). Therefore, the values
of T1 and T2 are the same (no change) if the shaft were
hallow.

8. Compute for the torsional deflection in degrees of a

110mm diameter, 1.4m long shaft subjected to a twisting
moment of 3x106 N-mm. The torsional modulus of elasticity is
83,000 MPa.

GIVEN:

D = 110mm
1000𝑚𝑚
L = 1.4m ( ) = 1400mm
1𝑚

T = 3x106 N-mm

G = 83,000 MPa

Ɵ = ? in degrees

SOLUTION:

𝑇𝐿 𝜋𝐷 4
Ɵ= ; 𝐽=
𝐽𝐺 32

38
 (3𝑥106 𝑁 − 𝑚𝑚)(1400𝑚𝑚)
Ɵ= 𝜋 𝑁
(32) (110𝑚𝑚 )4 (83,000 𝑚𝑚2 )

180°
Ɵ = 3.52𝑥10−3 𝑟𝑎𝑑 ( )
𝜋𝑟𝑎𝑑
Ɵ = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟎𝟐°

9. Find the torsional moment in N-m developed when the shaft

delivers 20kN at 200rpm.

GIVEN:

P = 20kN

N = 200rpm

T = ? in N-m

SOLUTION:

2𝜋𝑇𝑁 𝑃 (60𝑥106 )
𝑃= ; 𝑇=
60𝑥106 2𝜋𝑁
(20𝑘𝑊)(60𝑥106) 1𝑚
𝑇= (1000𝑚𝑚)
2𝜋(200𝑟𝑝𝑚)
𝐓 = 𝟗𝟓𝟒. 𝟗𝟑 𝐍 − 𝐦

10. A short shaft transmits 200Hp at 300rpm. Determine the

diameter of the shaft in inches.

GIVEN:
P = 200Hp
N = 300rpm
D = ? in inches

SOLUTION:

𝐷3𝑁 3 𝑃(38)
𝑃= ;𝐷 = √
38 𝑁

39
 3 (200𝐻𝑝)(38)
𝐷= √
300𝑟𝑝𝑚
D = 2.94 inches

11. What power in kW would a 2 inches diameter short shaft

transmit at 500 rpm? The torsional modulus of elasticity is
at 12,000,000 psi.

GIVEN:

D = 2in

N = 500rpm

G = 12,000,000 psi

P = ? in Kw

SOLUTION:

𝐷3𝑁
𝑃=
38
(2𝑖𝑛)3 (500𝑟𝑝𝑚)
𝑃=
38
0.746𝑘𝑊
P = 105.26 Hp ( 1 𝐻𝑝 )
P = 78.524 kW

12. Compute for the diameter in inches of a conveyor head

pulley SAE 4130 solid steel shaft being driven by a 20Hp
drive motor through a gear reducer with 120rpm output. The
torsional deflection is 0.06 degrees/foot of shaft length
and the modulus of elasticity is 30x106 psi.

GIVEN:
𝑙𝑏−𝑖𝑛
396,000 𝑙𝑏−𝑖𝑛
𝑚𝑖𝑛
P = 20Hp ( ) = 7,920,000
1𝐻𝑝 𝑚𝑖𝑛

N = 120rpm

40
 𝜋𝑟𝑎𝑑
Ɵ = 0.06̊ ( 180° ) = 1.05x10-3 rad

L = 1ft = 12 inches

G = 30x106 psi

SOLUTION:

𝑃
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑇𝑁 ; 𝑇 =
2𝜋𝑁
𝑙𝑏−𝑖𝑛
7,920,000 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑇=
2𝜋 (120𝑟𝑝𝑚)
𝑇 = 10,504.23 𝑙𝑏 − 𝑖𝑛
𝑇𝐿 𝑇𝐿
Ɵ= ;𝐽 =
𝐽𝐺 Ɵ𝐺
𝑇𝐿 (10504.23 𝑙𝑏−𝑖𝑛)(12𝑖𝑛)
𝐽= = (1.05x10−3 rad)(30x106 psi)
= 4.002 in4
Ɵ𝐺

𝜋𝐷 4 4 𝐽(32)
𝐽= ;𝐷 = √
32 𝜋

4 (4.002𝑖𝑛4 )(32)
𝐷= √
𝜋
D = 2.53 inches

13. A torque of 3142 foot – pounds is applied to one of a

solid cylindrical stress is closest to :

GIVEN:
T= 3142 ft-lb

SOLUTION:
12𝑖𝑛
3142 ft.lb X 1𝑓𝑡
=37,704in-lb
4
D = 0.29 √𝑇
= 0.29 4√37,704
D = 4.0 in

16𝑇
Ss = 𝜋𝐷3
16 (37,704)
=
𝜋 (4.0)3

Ss = 3000.39 psi

41
14. A Chromium SAE 4340 steel 6 in diameter by 24 in long
shafting weight is 87.3Kgs. How about the weight in lbs of
an AISI 1030 steel shaft on the same dimension?

GIVEN:
W = 87.3kgs D = 6 in L = 24 in

SOLUTION:
2.2𝑙𝑏𝑠
W = 87.3kgs X 1𝑘𝑔

W = 192.06lbs
15. Determine the power transmitted by main power
transmitting steel shaft with 2-7/8 inches outside diameter.
SAE 1040 driving conveyor pulleys at a shaft speed of 150
rpm.

GIVEN:
7
Do = 2 in
8
N = 150 rpm

SOLUTION:
7
𝐷3 𝑁 (2 )3 (150)
8
P = =
80 80
P = 44,56 Hp

16.Design the safe diameter for a power transmitting shaft

to transmit 30 HP at a shaft speed of 180 rpm.

GIVEN:
P = 30 Hp
N = 180 rpm

SOLUTION:
𝐷3 𝑁
P = 80
3 𝑃(80)
D = √ 𝑁

3 (30)(80)
D = √ (180)

D = 2.37 in

42
17. What would be the diameter of a main power transmitting
a steel shaft SAE 1040 in millimeters to transmit 100kw at
600 rpm.

GIVEN:
P = 100kw N = 600 rpm
SOLUTION:
1ℎ𝑝
100kw X = 134.05Hp
0.746𝑘𝑤
3 𝑃(80)
D = √ 𝑁

3 (134.05)(80)
D = √ 400
1𝑚𝑚
D = 2.99in X 0.03937𝑖𝑛
D = 66.29mm

18. Find the diameter of main power transmitting shaft in mm

to transmit 100kw at 400 rpm.

GIVEN:
P = 100kw N = rpm

SOLUTION:
1𝐻𝑝
100kw X = 134.05 Hp
0.746𝑘𝑤
3 𝑃(80)
D = √ 𝑁
3 (134.05)(80)
D = √
400
1𝑚𝑚
D = 2.99 in X 0.03937𝑖𝑛
D = 75.95mm

19.What power in what should a short shaft 40 mm in diameter

transmit at 30 rpm.

GIVEN:
D = 40mm N = 300 rpm

SOLUTION:
0.03937𝑖𝑛
40mm X = 1.58 in
1𝑚𝑚
𝐷3 𝑁
P = 38

43
 (1.58)3(300) 746𝑤
P = = 31.14 Hp X
38 1𝐻𝑝
P = 23,230.44 Watts

20. Compute the outside diameter in mm of a power

transmitting SAE low carbon steel shaft to transmit 200kw at
800 rpm?

GIVEN:
P = 200kw N = 800 rpm

SOLUTION:
1𝐻𝑝
200kw X 0.746𝑘𝑤
= 268.10 Hp
𝐷3 𝑁
P = 80
3 𝑃(80)
D = √
𝑁
3 (268.10)(80) 1𝑚𝑚
D = √ (800)
= 2.99 in X
0.03937𝑖𝑛
D = 75.95 mm

21.Compute for the diameter of a line shaft to transmit 25

Hp in a speed of 225 rpm design stress is 6ksi.

GIVEN:
P = 25 Hp N = 225 rpm S = 6ksi

SOLUTION:
𝐷3 𝑁
P = 53.5
3 𝑃(53.5)
D = √
𝑁

3 (25)(53.5)
D = √ 22.5
𝟕
D = 1.81in or 𝟏 𝟖 in

The shaft diameter in fraction is the size closest to the

computed value which is slightly bigger to leave room for
finishing of adjustment, the size is available in the
market.

44
22. Determine the diameter in inches of an SAE 140 steel
line shaft to 20 Hp at 200 rpm.

GIVEN:
P = 20 Hp N = 200rpm

SOLUTION:
𝐷3 𝑁
P = 53.5
3 𝑃(53.5)
D = √ 𝑁
3 (20)(53.5)
D = √ 200
D = 1.75 in

23. Compute for the diameter of a shaft to transmit is Hp at

120 rpm with a torsional deflection not to exceed 0.08 deg
FT length shaft is 4 ft.

GIVEN:
P = 15 Hp N = 120 rpm

SOLUTION:
4 𝐻𝑝
D = 4.6 √ 𝑁
4 15
= 4.6 √120
D = 2.74in

24. Compute for the diameter of a steel long shaft to

transmit 15 Hp at 120 rpm. The allowable torsional
deflection limit is 0.08 deg/foot of length.

GIVEN:
P = 15Hp N = 120 rpm

SOLUTION:
4 𝐻𝑝
D = 4.6 √ 𝑁
4 15
= 4.6 √120
D = 2.74 in

45
25.Compute for the power transmitted by a journal shaft 55
mm in diameter at a speed of 360 rpm.

GIVEN:
D = 55 mm N = 360 rpm

SOLUTION:
𝐷3 𝑁
P = 38
1𝑖𝑛
= (55mm)(25.4𝑚𝑚)
= 2.17 in
(2.17)3(360)
P = 38
0.746𝑘𝑤
P = 96.81 Hp X 1𝐻𝑝
P = 72.22 kw

26. Compute for the diameter in millimeters of a main power

transmitting SAE 1010 steel shaft to transmit 100kw at 800
rpm.

GIVEN:
P = 100kw N = 800rpm

SOLUTION:
1𝐻𝑝
100kw X = 134.05 Hp
0.746𝑘𝑤
3 𝑃(80)
D = √ 𝑁

3 (134.05)(80)
D = √ 800
25.4𝑚𝑚
= 2.38in X 1𝑖𝑛
D = 60.34 mm

27. What will be the ultimate length of a 5-inch diameter

steel shaft subjected to 28,000 in-lb twisting moment to
reach the maximum allowable angular deflection 0.08 deg/ft
length. Use torsional modulus of elasticity of 12 x 10’6
psi.

GIVEN:
D = 5in T = 28,000 G = 12 x 105 psi

SOLUTION:
𝜋𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜃 = 0.08 o/ft X 1800
= 0.0014 rad/ft

46
 𝜋𝐷4
J = 32
𝜋(5)4
= 32
J = 61.36 in 4
𝑇𝐿
𝜃= 𝐽𝐺
𝜃𝐽𝐺
L = 𝑇
(0.0014)(61.36)(12𝑥106 )
L = 28,000
L = 36.82 in

28. If the weight of ½ ” x 4” x 8” plain carbon steel is 652

lbs what will be the weight of a high chrome abrasion
resistant steel of same size in kgs?

GIVEN:
W = 652lbs DIMENSIONS = ½ ” x 4” x 8 ”

SOLUTION:
1𝑘𝑔
W = 652lbs x 2.2𝑙𝑏𝑠

W = 296.36 kg

29. Compute for the diameter of a power transmitting shaft

in millimeters to transmit 200kw at 600 rpm.

GIVEN:
P = 200kw N = 600 rpm

SOLUTION:
1𝐻𝑝
200kw X 0.746
= 268. 10 Hp
3 𝑃(80)
D = √ 𝑁

3 (268.10)(80)
D = √ 600
25.4𝑚𝑚
D = 3.29 in X 1𝑖𝑛
D = 83.67mm

47
30. Compute for the torsional deflection in degrees for A 3-
718 in. OD x 48 in long steel shafting which is subjected to
28,000 in-lb twisting moment. Use a torsional modulus of
elasticity of 12,000,000 psi.

GIVEN:
D = 3.875in L = 48 in T = 28,000 in-lb G = 12 x 106psi

SOLUTION:
𝜋𝐷4
J = 32
𝜋(3.875)4
= 32
J = 22.14 in 4
𝑇𝐿 (28,000)(48)
𝜃 = = (22.14)(12𝑥106)
𝐽𝐺
1800
= 5.06 x 10-3 rad x 𝜋𝑟𝑎𝑑
𝜽 = 0.29o

find

48