STRESS CONCENTRATION

Fundamental equations are used in design of machine elements

𝑃 𝑀𝑏 𝑦 𝑀𝑡 𝑟
𝜎𝑡 = 𝜎𝑏 = 𝜏=
𝐴 𝐼 𝐽

Elementary equations for stress analysis

Stress concentration is defined as the localization of high stresses

due to the irregularities present in the component and abrupt
changes of the cross section.
 Stress concentration factor
• In order to consider the effect of stress concentration and find out
localized stresses, a factor called stress concentration factor is
used.
• It is denoted by Kt

𝐻𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝐾𝑡 =
𝑁𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑦 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟
𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 − 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐾𝑡 = =
𝜎0 𝜏0

• The subscript t denotes the ‘theoretical’ stress concentration

factor.
• The magnitude of stress concentration factor depends upon the
geometry of the component
 Causes of stress concentration
• Variation in properties of materials
• Load application
• Abrupt changes in cross section
• Discontinuities in the component
• Machining scratches
 Stress Concentration Factors
The stress concentration factors are determined by two methods
1) mathematical method based on the theory of elasticity
2) experimental methods like photo-elasticity
chart for the stress concentration factor The nominal stress 𝜎0 in this case is
for a rectangular plate with a given by
transverse hole loaded in tension or
compression 𝑃
𝜎𝑜 =
𝑤−𝑑 𝑡

where t is thickness of plate

 Stress Concentration Factors
The values of stress concentration factor for a flat plate with a
shoulder fillet subjected to tensile or compressive force are
determined from
The nominal stress 𝜎0 in this case is given by
𝑃
𝜎𝑜 =
𝑑𝑡
 Stress Concentration Factors
stress concentration factor for a Stress Concentration Factor for a
round shaft with shoulder fillet round shaft with Shoulder Fillet in
subjected to tensile force Bending

nominal stresses in this case nominal stresses in this case

𝑷
𝝈𝟎 = 𝝅 𝑴𝒃
𝒅𝟐 𝝈𝟎 = 𝒚
𝟒 𝑰
 Stress Concentration Factors
Stress Concentration Factor for a round shaft with Shoulder
Fillet in Torsion

nominal stresses in this case

𝑴𝒕 𝒓
𝝉𝟎 =
𝑱
 Stress Concentration Factors
A flat plate with an elliptical hole and subjected to tensile force

the theoretical stress concentration

factor at the edge of hole is given by
𝑎
𝐾𝑡 = 1 + 2
𝑏
a = half width (or semi-major axis) of the ellipse perpendicular to the
direction of the load
b = half width (or semi-minor axis) of the ellipse in the direction of the load
For a very sharp crack , if b approaches to 0, then

𝑲𝒕 = ∞ 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒃 = 𝟎
Therefore, as the width of the elliptical hole in the direction of the
load approaches zero, the stress concentration factor becomes infinity
The ellipse becomes a circle when (a = b), 𝑲𝒕 = 3
Guidelines for selecting stress concentration factor
• Ductile Materials Under Static Load
 Under a static load, ductile materials are not affected by stress
concentration
 Therefore, it is common practice to ignore the theoretical stress
concentration factor for components that are made of ductile materials
and subjected to static load.
• Ductile Materials Under Fluctuating Load
 However, when the load is fluctuating, the stress at the discontinuities
may exceed the endurance limit and in that case, the component may
fail by fatigue.
 Therefore, endurance limit of the components made of ductile material
is greatly reduced due to stress concentration.
 This accounts for the use of stress concentration factors for ductile
components.
 However, some materials are more sensitive than others to stress
raising notches under a fluctuating load.
Guidelines for selecting stress concentration factor
 To account for this effect, a parameter called notch sensitivity factor is
found for each material.
 The notch sensitivity factor is used to modify the theoretical stress
concentration factor.
Brittle Materials
 The effect of stress concentration is more severe in case of brittle
materials, due to their inability of plastic deformation.
 Brittle materials do not yield locally and there is no readjustment of
stresses at the discontinuities.
 Once the local stress at the discontinuity reaches the fracture strength,
a crack is formed.
 This reduces the material available to resist external load and also
increases the stress concentration at the crack. The part then quickly
fails.
 Therefore, stress concentration factors are used for components made
of brittle materials subjected to both static load as well as fluctuating
load
 Reduction of stress concentration
• This is achieved by providing a specific geometric shape to the
component
• Flow analogy is useful to understand what happens at the abrupt
change of cross-section or at the discontinuity

(a) Force Flow around Sharp Corner (b) Force Flow around Rounded Corner
 Methods of reduction of stress concentration
 Additional notches and holes in tension member

 Fillet radius, undercutting and notch for member in bending

 Methods of reduction of stress concentration
 Drilling Additional Holes for Shaft

 Reduction of Stress Concentration in Threaded Members

A flat plate subjected to a tensile force of 5 kN is shown in Fig. The
plate material is grey cast iron FG 200 and the factor of safety is
2.5. Determine the thickness of the plate.
A non-rotating shaft supporting a load of 2.5 kN is shown in Fig.
The shaft is made of brittle material, with an ultimate tensile
strength of 300 N/mm2. The factor of safety is 3. Determine the
dimensions of the shaft.
A rectangular plate, 15 mm thick, made of a brittle material is
shown in Fig. Calculate the stresses at each of three holes of 3, 5
and 10 mm diameter.
A round shaft made of a brittle material and subjected to a bending
moment of 15 N-m is shown in Fig. The stress concentration factor
at the fillet is 1.5 and the ultimate tensile strength of the shaft
material is 200 N/mm2. Determine the diameter d, the magnitude of
stress at the fillet and the factor of safety.
A shaft carrying a load of 5 kN midway between two bearings is
shown in Fig. Determine the maximum bending stress at the fillet
section. Assume the shaft material to be brittle.
A plate, 10 mm thick, subjected to a tensile load of 20 kN is shown
in Fig. The plate is made of cast iron (Sut = 350 N/mm2) and the
factor of safety is 2.5. Determine the fillet radius.
 Fluctuating Stresses
• When the components are subjected to forces, which are not
static, but vary in magnitude with respect to time, then the
stresses induced due to such forces are called fluctuating stresses.
• It is observed that about 80% of failures of mechanical
components are due to ‘fatigue failure’ resulting from fluctuating
stresses.
• In practice, the pattern of stress variation is irregular and
unpredictable, as in case of stresses due to vibrations.
• For the purpose of design analysis, simple models for stress–time
relationships like sine curve is used.
Mathematical models for cyclic stresses

Fluctuating or alternating
stresses

Repeated stresses

Reversed stresses
 Mathematical models for cyclic stresses
𝝈𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝝈𝒎𝒊𝒏 = 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝝈𝒎 = 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
𝝈𝒂 = 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒅𝒆

1
𝜎𝑚 = 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 + 𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛
2
1
𝜎𝑎 = 𝜎𝑚𝑎𝑥 − 𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛
2
• In the analysis of fluctuating stresses, tensile stress is considered
as positive, while compressive stress as negative.
• Repeated stress and reversed stress are special cases of
fluctuating stress with (𝜎𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0) and (𝜎𝑚 = 0) respectively.
 Fatigue Failure
• Materials fail under fluctuating stresses at a stress magnitude
which is lower than the ultimate tensile strength of the material.
• Sometimes, the magnitude is even lower than the yield strength.
• Magnitude of the stress causing fatigue failure decreases as the
number of stress cycles increase.
• This phenomenon of decreased resistance of the materials to
fluctuating stresses is the main characteristic of fatigue failure.
• Fatigue failure is defined as time delayed fracture under
cyclic loading
• Examples of fatigue failures: transmission shafts, connecting
rods, gears, vehicle suspension springs and ball bearings.
• The fatigue failure, however, depends upon a number of factors,
such as the number of cycles, mean stress, stress amplitude,
stress concentration, residual stresses, corrosion and creep.
 Endurance Limit
The fatigue or endurance limit of a material is defined as the
maximum amplitude of completely reversed stress that the
standard specimen can sustain for an unlimited number of cycles
without fatigue failure.

• Since the fatigue test cannot be conducted for unlimited or

infinite number of cycles, 106 cycles is considered as a sufficient
number of cycles to define the endurance limit.
• The fatigue life is defined as the number of stress cycles that
the standard specimen can complete during the test before the
appearance of the first fatigue crack
 Fatigue Test
Specimen for Fatigue Test

• The specimen is carefully machined and polished.

• The final polishing is done in axial direction in order to avoid
circumferential scratches.
• In the laboratory, the endurance limit is determined by means of a
rotating beam machine developed by R R Moore.
• A beam of circular cross-section is subjected to bending moment
Mb.
 Fatigue Test

• The beam is subjected to completely reversed stresses with

tensile stress in the first half and compressive stress in the second
half.
• The distribution is sinusoidal and one stress cycle is completed in
one revolution.
• The amplitude of this cycle (st or sc) is given by
 Fatigue Test

• The specimen acts as a ‘rotating beam’ subjected to a bending

moment.
• It is subjected to a completely reversed stress cycle.
• Bending moment is changed by addition or deletion of weights.
• the changed bending moment will also change stress amplitude.
• The specimen is rotated by an electric motor.
• The number of revolutions before the appearance of the first
fatigue crack is recorded on a revolution counter.
 Fatigue Test
• In each test, two readings are taken, viz., stress amplitude (Sf)
and number of stress cycles (N).
• These readings are used as two coordinates for plotting a point
on the S–N diagram.
• This point is called failure point.
• Endurance limit of a material is determined by carrying out the
number of tests.
• The results of these tests are plotted by means of an S–N curve.
• The S–N curve is the graphical representation of stress amplitude
(Sf) versus the number of stress cycles (N) before the fatigue
failure on a log-log graph paper.
 S-N Curve for Steels

• For ferrous materials like steels, the S–N curve becomes

asymptotic at 106 cycles, which indicates the stress amplitude
corresponding to infinite number of stress cycles.
• The magnitude of this stress amplitude at 106 cycles represents the
endurance limit of the material.
• For nonferrous metals like aluminium alloys, the S–N curve
slopes gradually even after 106 cycles.
 S-N Curve for Steels
• The endurance limit, in a true sense, is not exactly a property of
material like ultimate tensile strength.
• It is affected by factors such as
 the size of the component,
 shape of component,
 the surface finish,
 temperature and
 the notch sensitivity of the material.
 Low-cycle and High-cycle Fatigue
• The complete S–N curve from 100 cycle to 108 cycles

• Low-cycle fatigue : number of stress cycles are less than 1000

• High-cycle fatigue : number of stress cycles are more than
1000
 Low-cycle and High-cycle Fatigue
• Components subjected to low cycle fatigue are designed on the
basis of ultimate tensile strength or yield strength with a suitable
factor of safety.
• Components subjected to high-cycle fatigue are designed on the
basis of endurance limit stress. S–N curves, Soderberg lines,
Gerber lines or Goodman diagrams are used in the design of such
components.
 Notch Sensitivity
• It is observed that the actual reduction in the endurance limit of a
material due to stress concentration is less than the amount
indicated by the theoretical stress concentration factor Kt.
Endurance limit of the notch free specimen
𝐾𝑓 =
Endurance limit of the notched specimen

• Kf is applicable to actual materials and depends upon the grain

size of the material.
• Fine-grained materials has lower endurance limit as compared to
coarse-grained materials, due to stress concentration.
• Notch sensitivity is defined as the sensitivity of a material to
break down due to the damaging effects of stress raising
notches in fatigue loading
 Notch Sensitivity
• The notch sensitivity factor q is defined as
Increase of actual stress over nominal stress
𝑞=
Increase of theoretical stress over nominal stress
σo = nominal stress as obtained by elementary equations
actual stress = 𝐾𝑓 𝜎𝑜
theoretical stress = 𝐾𝑡 𝜎𝑜
increase of actual stress over nominal stress = 𝐾𝑓 𝜎𝑜 - 𝜎𝑜
increase of theoretical stress over nominal stress = 𝐾𝑡 𝜎𝑜 - 𝜎𝑜
Therefore, (𝐾𝑓 𝜎𝑜 − 𝜎𝑜 )
𝑞=
(𝐾𝑡 𝜎𝑜 − 𝜎𝑜 )
(𝐾𝑓 −1)
𝑞=
(𝐾𝑡 −1)
𝐾𝑓 = 1 + 𝑞(𝐾𝑡 −1)
 Notch Sensitivity
When the material has no sensitivity to notches,
𝒒 = 𝟎 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒇 = 𝟏
When the material is fully sensitive to notches,
𝒒 = 𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒇 = 𝑲𝒕
The magnitude of the notch sensitivity factor q varies from 0 to 1.
 Notch Sensitivity Charts
for Reversed Bending and Reversed for Reversed Torsional Shear
Axial Stresses Stresses
 Endurance Limit — Approximate Estimation
• The laboratory method for determining the endurance limit of
materials, although more precise, is laborious and time
consuming
𝑆𝑒′ = endurance limit stress of a rotating beam specimen subjected to
reversed bending stress (N/mm2)
𝑆𝑒 = endurance limit stress of a particular mechanical component
subjected to reversed bending stress (N/mm2)
• Approximate relationship between the endurance limit and the
ultimate tensile strength (Sut) of the material.
For steels, 𝑆𝑒′ = 0.5 𝑆𝑢𝑡
For cast iron and cast steels, 𝑆𝑒′ = 0.4 𝑆𝑢𝑡
For wrought aluminium alloys, 𝑆𝑒′ = 0.4 𝑆𝑢𝑡
For cast aluminium alloys, 𝑆𝑒′ = 0.4 𝑆𝑢𝑡
• These relationships are based on 50% reliability.
 Endurance Limit — Approximate Estimation
• The endurance limit of a component is different from the
endurance limit of a rotating beam specimen due to a number of
factors.
• There are standard specifications and working conditions for the
rotating beam specimen, while the actual components have
different specifications and work under different conditions.
• Different modifying factors are used in practice to account for
this difference
• These factors are, sometimes, called derating factors.
• The purpose of derating factors is to ‘derate’ or reduce the
endurance limit of a rotating beam specimen to suit the actual
component.
 Endurance Limit — Approximate Estimation
The relationship between (𝑆𝑒 ) and (𝑆𝑒 ’) is as follows
𝑆𝑒 = 𝐾𝑎 𝐾𝑏 𝐾𝑐 𝐾𝑑 𝑆𝑒 ′
where,
Ka = surface finish factor
Kb = size factor
Kc = reliability factor
Kd = modifying factor to account for stress concentration.
 Surface finish factor
The surface finish factor takes into account the reduction in
endurance limit due to the variation in the surface finish between
the specimen and the actual component.
the surface finish factor for steel components

The surface finish factor for ordinary grey cast iron components is
taken as 1, irrespective of their surface finish.
 Size Factor
• size factor Kb takes into account the reduction in endurance limit
due to increase in the size of the component.
 Reliability Factor
• The reliability factor Kc depends upon the reliability that is used in the
design of the component.
• The greater the likelihood that a part will survive, the more is the
reliability and lower is the reliability factor. The reliability factor is
one for 50% reliability.
• This means that 50% of the components will survive in the given set
of conditions.
• To ensure that more than 50% of the parts will survive, the stress
amplitude on the component should be lower than the tabulated value
of the endurance limit.
• The reliability factor is used to achieve this reduction.
Modifying Factor to Account for Stress Concentration

• The endurance limit is reduced due to stress concentration.

• The stress concentration factor used for cyclic loading is less
than the theoretical stress concentration factor due to the notch
sensitivity of the material.
• Reducing the effect of stress concentration either by
1) the designer can either reduce the endurance limit by (Kd)
2) increase the stress amplitude by (Kf).

• The modifying factor Kd to account for the effect of stress

concentration is defined as
1
𝐾𝑑 =
𝐾𝑓
 Endurance limit (𝑺𝒔𝒆 ) for fluctuating torsional
shear stresses
• Endurance limit (𝑆𝑠𝑒 ) of a component subjected to fluctuating
torsional shear stresses is obtained from the endurance limit in
reversed bending (Se) using theories of failures.

According to the maximum shear stress theory,

𝑆𝑠𝑒 = 0.5 𝑆𝑒
According to distortion energy theory
𝑆𝑠𝑒 = 0.577 𝑆𝑒
 Endurance limit in axial loading
• In axial loading, the entire cross-section is uniformly stressed to
the maximum value.
• In the rotating beam test, the specimen is subjected to bending
stress.
• The bending stress is zero at the centre of cross-section and
negligible in the vicinity of centre.
• only the outer region near the surface is subjected to maximum
stress.
• There is more likelihood of a microcrack being present in the
much higher high stress field of axial loading than in the smaller
volume outer region of the rotating beam specimen.
• Therefore, endurance limit in axial loading is lower than the
rotating beam test.
For axial loading
𝑆𝑒 𝑎 = 0.8 𝑆𝑒
 Reversed Stresses—Design for Finite and
Infinite Life
There are two types of problems in fatigue design
(i) components subjected to completely reversed stresses
(ii) components subjected to fluctuating stresses.

• The design problems for completely reversed stresses are further

divided into two groups
(i) design for infinite life
(ii) design for finite life.
 Designed for infinite life
• When the component is to be designed for infinite life, the
endurance limit becomes the criterion of failure.
• The amplitude of stress induced in such components should be
lower than the endurance limit in order to withstand the infinite
number of cycles.
• Such components are designed with the help of the following
equations:
• In case of reversed bending stress amplitudes is given by
𝑆𝑒
𝜎𝑎 =
𝑓𝑠

• In case of reversed torsion stress amplitudes is given by

𝑆𝑠𝑒
𝜏𝑎 =
𝑓𝑠

𝑆𝑒 and 𝑆𝑠𝑒 are the corrected endurance limits in reversed bending

and torsion respectively
 Designed for finite life
• When the component is to be designed for finite life, the S–N
curve as shown in Fig
• The curve is valid for steels.
• It consists of a straight line AB drawn from (0.9 Sut) at 103
cycles to (Se) at 106 cycles on a log-log paper
 Design procedure for finite life problem
(i) Locate the point A with coordinates [3, log10(0.9Sut)] since
log10(103) = 3
(ii) Locate the point B with coordinates [6, log10(Se)] since
log10(106) = 6
(iii) Join 𝐴𝐵, which is used as a criterion of failure for finite-life
problems
(iv) Depending upon the life N of the component, draw a vertical
line passing through log10(N) on the abscissa. This line
intersects 𝐴𝐵 at point F
(v) Draw a line FE parallel to the abscissa. The ordinate at the
point E, i.e. log10(Sf), gives the fatigue strength corresponding
to N cycles.
• The value of the fatigue strength (Sf) obtained by the above
procedure is used for the design calculations.
 Infinite-life Problems (Reversed Load)
A plate made of steel 20C8 (Sut = 440 N/mm2) in hot rolled and
normalised condition is shown in Fig. It is subjected to a
completely reversed axial load of 30 kN. The notch sensitivity
factor q can be taken as 0.8 and the expected reliability is 90%.
The size factor is 0.85. The factor of safety is 2. Determine the plate
thickness for infinite life.
A rod of a linkage mechanism made of steel 40Cr1 (Sut = 550
N/mm2) is subjected to a completely reversed axial load of 100 kN.
The rod is machined on a lathe and the expected reliability is 95%.
There is no stress concentration. Determine the diameter of the rod
using a factor of safety of 2 for an infinite life condition
A component machined from a plate of steel 45C8 (Sut = 630
N/mm2) is shown in Fig. It is subjected to a completely reversed
axial force of 50 kN. The expected reliability is 90% and the factor
of safety is 2. The size factor is 0.85. Determine the plate thickness
t for infinite life, if the notch sensitivity factor is 0.8.
 Finite-life Problems (Reversed Load)
A rotating bar made of steel 45C8 (Sut = 630 N/mm2) is subjected
to a completely reversed bending stress. The corrected endurance
limit of the bar is 315 N/mm2. Calculate the fatigue strength of the
bar for a life of 90,000 cycles

A forged steel bar, 50 mm in diameter, is subjected to a reversed

bending stress of 250 N/mm2. The bar is made of steel 40C8 (Sut =
600 N/mm2). Calculate the life of the bar for a reliability of 90%.
A rotating shaft, subjected to a nonrotating force of 5 kN and
simply supported between two bearings A and E is shown in Fig.
The shaft is machined from plain carbon steel 30C8 (Sut = 500
N/mm2) and the expected reliability is 90%. The equivalent notch
radius at the fillet section can be taken as 3 mm. What is the life of
the shaft?
The section of a steel shaft is shown in Fig. 5.34. The shaft is
machined by a turning process. The section at XX is subjected to a
constant bending moment of 500 kN-m. The shaft material has
ultimate tensile strength of 500 MN/m2, yield point of 350 MN/m2
and endurance limit in bending for a 7.5 mm diameter specimen of
210 MN/m2. The notch sensitivity factor can be taken as 0.8. The
theoretical stress concentration factor may be interpolated from
following tabulated values: rf is the fillet radius and d is the shaft
diameter. The reliability is 90%. Determine the life of the shaft.
A cantilever beam made of cold drawn steel 20C8 (Sut = 540
N/mm2) is subjected to a completely reversed load of 1000 N as
shown in Fig. The notch sensitivity factor q at the fillet can be
taken as 0.85 and the expected reliability is 90%. Determine the
diameter d of the beam for a life of 10000 cycles.
 Cumulative Damage in Fatigue
• In certain applications, the mechanical component is subjected
to different stress levels for different parts of the work cycle.
• The life of such a component is determined by Miner’s equation.
• Suppose that a component is subjected to completely reversed
stresses (σ1) for (n1) cycles, (σ2) for (n2) cycles, . . . .
• Let N1 be the number of stress cycles before fatigue failure, if
only the alternating stress (σ1) is acting.
• One stress cycle will consume (1/N1) of the fatigue life.
• Therefore for n1 cycles at this stress level, the proportionate
damage of fatigue life will be [(1/N1)nl] or (nl/Nl).
• Similarly, the proportionate damage at stress level (σ2) will be
(n2/N2).
 Cumulative Damage in Fatigue
Adding these quantities, we get
𝑛1 𝑛2 𝑛𝑥
+ + ...+ =1 Miner’s equation
𝑁1 𝑁2 𝑁𝑥
• Sometimes, the number of cycles n1, n2,… at stress levels σ1,
σ2,… are unknown.
• Suppose that α1, α2,… are proportions of the total life that will be
consumed by the stress levels σ1, σ2,… etc.
• Let N be the total life of the component. Then,
𝑛1 = 𝛼1 𝑁
𝑛2 = 𝛼2 𝑁
Substituting these values in Miner’s equation,
𝛼1 𝛼2 𝛼𝑥 1
+ + ...+ =
𝑁1 𝑁2 𝑁𝑥 𝑁
𝛼1 + 𝛼2 + 𝛼3 + . . . + 𝛼𝑥 = 1
 Cumulative Damage in Fatigue
The work cycle of a mechanical component subjected to completely
reversed bending stresses consists of the following three elements:
(i) ± 350 N/mm2 for 85% of time
(ii) ± 400 N/mm2 for 12% of time
(iii) ± 500 N/mm2 for 3% of time
The material for the component is 50C4 (Sut = 660 N/mm2) and the
corrected endurance limit of the component is 280 N/mm2.
Determine the life of the component
Soderberg and Goodman Lines
• the mean stress component has an
effect on fatigue failure when it is
present in combination with an
alternating component
 Soderberg and Goodman Lines
• When stress amplitude (σa) is zero, the load is purely static
and the criterion of failure is Sut or Syt. These limits are
plotted on the abscissa (X-axis).
• When the mean stress (σm) is zero, the stress is completely
reversing and the criterion of failure is the endurance limit
Se that is plotted on the ordinate ( Y-axis).
• When the component is subjected to both components of
stress, viz., (σm) and (σa), the actual failure occurs at
different scattered points shown in the figure.
• There exists a border, which divides safe region from unsafe
region for various combinations of (σm) and (σa).
 Soderberg and Goodman Lines
Gerber Line A parabolic curve joining Se on the ordinate to Sut on
the abscissa is called the Gerber line.
Soderberg Line A straight line joining Se on the ordinate to Syt on
the abscissa is called the Soderberg line.
Goodman Line A straight line joining Se on the ordinate to Sut on
the abscissa is called the Goodman line.
 Soderberg and Goodman Lines
• The Gerber parabola fits the failure points of test data in the best
possible way.
• The Goodman line fits beneath the scatter of this data.
• Both Gerber parabola and Goodman line intersect at (Se) on the
ordinate to (Sut) on the abscissa.
• However, the Goodman line is more safe from design
considerations because it is completely inside the Gerber
parabola and inside the failure points.
• The Soderberg line is a more conservative failure criterion and
there is no need to consider even yielding in this case.
• A yield line is constructed connecting (Syt) on both axes.
 Soderberg and Goodman Lines
• We will apply following form for the equation of a straight line,
𝑥 𝑦
+ =1
𝑎 𝑏
where a and b are the intercepts of the line on the X and Y axes
respectively.
• Applying the above formula, the equation of the Soderberg
line is given by,
𝜎𝑚 𝜎𝑎
+ =1
𝑆𝑦𝑡 𝑆𝑒
• Applying the above formula, the equation of the Goodman line
is given by,
𝜎𝑚 𝜎𝑎
+ =1
𝑆𝑢𝑡 𝑆𝑒
 Soderberg and Goodman Lines
The Goodman line is widely used as the criterion of fatigue
failure when the component is subjected to mean stress as well
as stress amplitude.
It is because of the following reasons:
(i) The Goodman line is safe from design considerations because it
is completely inside the failure points of test data.
(ii) The equation of a straight line is simple compared with the
equation of a parabolic curve.
(iii) It is not necessary to construct a scale diagram and a rough
sketch is enough to construct fatigue diagram.
 Modified Goodman Diagrams
• The components, which are subjected to fluctuating stresses,
are designed by constructing the modified Goodman
diagram.
• For the purpose of design,
the problems are classified
into two groups:
1) components subjected
to fluctuating axial or
bending stresses
2) components subjected
to fluctuating torsional
shear stresses.
• Separate diagrams are used
in these two cases.
 Modified Goodman Diagrams
• In this diagram, the Goodman line is ‘modified’ by
combining fatigue failure with failure by yielding.
• In this diagram, the yield strength Syt is plotted on both the axes
and a yield line CD is constructed to join these two points to
define failure by yielding.
• Similarly, a line AF is constructed to join Se on the ordinate with
Sut on the abscissa, which is the Goodman line discussed in the
previous article.
• The point of intersection of these two lines is B. The area
OABC represents the region of safety for components
subjected to fluctuating stresses. The region OABC is called
modified Goodman diagram.
• All the points inside the modified Goodman diagram should
cause neither fatigue failure nor yielding.
 Modified Goodman Diagrams
• The modified Goodman diagram combines fatigue criteria
as represented by the Goodman line and yield criteria as
represented by yield line.
• Note that AB is the portion of the Goodman line and BC is a
portion of the yield line.
• If the mean component of stress (σm) is very large and the
alternating component (σa) very small, their combination will
define a point in the region BCF that would be safely within the
Goodman line but would yield on the first cycle.
• This will result in failure, irrespective of safety in fatigue
failure.
 Modified Goodman Diagrams
• While solving a problem, a line OE
with a slope of tan 𝜃 is constructed
in such a way that
𝜎𝑎
tan 𝜃 =
𝜎𝑚
𝜎𝑎 𝑃𝑎 𝐴 𝑃𝑎
Since = =
𝜎𝑚 𝑃𝑚 𝐴 𝑃𝑚
𝑃𝑎
tan 𝜃 =
𝑃𝑚
• The magnitudes of Pa and Pm can be determined from maximum
and minimum forces acting on the component.
• The point of intersection of lines AB and OE is X. The point X
indicates the dividing line between the safe region and the region
of failure.
 Modified Goodman Diagrams
• The coordinates of the point X (Sm, Sa) represent the limiting
values of stresses, which are used to calculate the dimensions of
the component.
• The permissible stresses are as follows:
𝑆𝑎 𝑆𝑚
𝜎𝑎 = and 𝜎𝑚 =
𝑓𝑠 𝑓𝑠
The Modified Goodman Diagram for Fluctuating
Torsional Shear Stresses

• The area OABC represents the region of safety in this case.

• fatigue failure is indicated if, 𝜏𝑎 = 𝑆𝑠𝑒
• static failure is indicated if, 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝜏𝑎 + 𝜏𝑚 = 𝑆𝑠𝑦
• The permissible stresses are as follows
𝑆𝑠𝑒 𝑆𝑠𝑦
𝜏𝑎 = 𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝑓𝑠 𝑓𝑠
A cantilever beam made of cold drawn steel 4OC8 (Sut = 600
N/mm2 and Syt = 380 N/mm2) is shown in Fig. The force P acting at
the free end varies from –50 N to +150 N. The expected reliability is
90% and the factor of safety is 2. The notch sensitivity factor at the
fillet is 0.9. Determine the diameter ‘d’ of the beam at the fillet
cross-section.
A transmission shaft of cold drawn steel 27Mn2 (Sut = 500 N/mm2
and Syt = 300 N/mm2) is subjected to a fluctuating torque which
varies from –100 N-m to + 400 N-m. The factor of safety is 2 and
the expected reliability is 90%. Neglecting the effect of stress
concentration, determine the diameter of the shaft. Assume the
distortion energy theory of failure.

A spherical pressure vessel, with a 500 mm inner diameter, is

welded from steel plates. The welded joints are sufficiently strong
and do not weaken the vessel. The plates are made from cold
drawn steel 20C8 (Sut = 440 N/mm2 and Syt = 242 N/mm2). The
vessel is subjected to internal pressure, which varies from zero to
6 N/mm2. The expected reliability is 50% and the factor of safety
is 3.5. The size factor is 0.85. The vessel is expected to withstand
infinite number of stress cycles. Calculate the thickness of the
plates.