Helical Spring

 A close-coiled helical spring is composed of a wire of round rod of diameter d wound into
a helix of mean radius R, (R >> d) with n number of turns.
 If an axial load P is applied to the spring, then an extension of δ will be produced.

 If the spring sectioned as shown in the figure (at the curvature) two types of internal load will
be present, internal shear force V = P and internal torque T = PR, then two types of shear stress
will be developed in this sectional area, direct shear stress and torsional shear stress.
𝑃 𝑃
 Direct shear stress = =𝜋
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑑2
4
𝑑
𝑇( ) 16𝑃𝑅
2
 Torsional shear stress = 𝜋 𝑑 4 =
( ) 𝜋𝑑3
2 2

 Total shear stress = Direct shear stress + Torsional shear stress

16𝑃𝑅 𝑑
Total shear stress = (1 + )
𝜋𝑑3 4𝑅
64𝑃𝑛𝑅3
 The total extension (δ) of a round spring of n turns is given by δ =
𝐺𝑑4
𝑃 𝐺𝑑4 64𝑘𝑛𝑅3
 Spring constant k = = ; hence, the modulus of rigidity, G =
𝛿 64𝑅3 𝑛 𝑑4
 Experiment

A wire of diameter 4 mm is used to form a helical spring of 80 turns and 30 mm outer diameter.

Outer diameter Dout = 30 mm, then R = 13 mm.

Load (kg) Extension (mm)

0 0
0.203873598 0.8
0.509683996 2
0.815494393 3.2
0.917431193 3.6
1.325178389 5.2
1.732925586 6.8
1.936799185 7.6

Analysis:

i. Draw the P-δ diagram and find the spring constant, k (N/mm).
ii. Find the modulus of rigidity of the spring’s material.
iii. Determine the total shear stress developed in the spring when P = 19 kg.