Mechanical Design of Machine Elements

Complete after watching Module 31: Approximating the SN Curve

Worksheet 5: SN Curve
A 1025 steel bar shown below is loaded with a fully reversible axial load from -55000
lbf to 55000 lbf. Material properties for 1025 steel bar from MIL HDBK 5J are shown
on the next page. Note that the ultimate strength (Sut) is referred to as Ftu in MIL
HDBK 5J. The fatigue strength fraction f = 0.9. The fully adjusted endurance strength
(Se) for this test specimen is 25 ksi.

1 in
2 in

10 in

Determine the expected life of the component.

Assumptions:
Isotropic, homogenous, axial centric load, neglecting weight of bar.

Thoughts:
We have been giving a fully reversible load, NOT stress. We need to calculate the fully reversible stress
from the load and the cross sectional area.

Known:
h= 2 in, 1 = 1 in, l = 10 in, Se = 25 ksi, Sut = 55 ksi, f = 0.9, Fully reversible axial load= 55,000 lbf

Analysis:
Determine fully reversible axial stress.
F 55000
s rev = = = 27.5ksi
A (2 *1)
Determine N, number of cycles at this fully reversible axial stress.
 ( fS ut ) 2   (0.9 * 55) 2 
a        98ksi
 Se   25 
1  fS  1  0.9 * 55 
b   log ut    log   0.099
3  Se  3  25 
1 1
  b
 27.5  0.098
N   rev     381435cycles
 a   98 