Stress Concentration

•In developing a machine it is impossible to avoid

changes in cross-section, holes, notches,
shoulders etc.
•Any such discontinuity in a member affects the
stress distribution in the neighbourhood and the
discontinuity acts as a stress raiser.
Stress concentration factor
Consider a plate with a centrally located
hole and the plate is subjected to uniform
tensile load at the ends.

Stress distribution at a section A-A

(there is a sharp rise in stress in the
vicinity of the hole.)
σav = P/t(w -2b)

Stress distribution at a section B-B

(Uniform distribution of stress.)
σav = P/t(w -2b)

Kt = theoretical stress concentration

factor = σmax/ σav (σav -nominal stress)
= σ3/ {P/t(w -2b)}

Kt =Highest value of actual stress near discontinuity/Nominal stress obtained by

elementary equations for minimum cross-section
Theoretical stress concentration factor
(kt)
• Theoretical stress concentration factor (kt) is
found out based on either photo elastic
analysis of epoxy models using circular
polariscope or theoretically by FEA of
mathematical model.
Flat plate with a hole

Theoretical stress concentration factors for different

configurations are available in handbooks
Stepped shaft subjected to tension
Stepped flat plate subjected to
normal stress
Stepped shaft subjected to
bending
 Methods of reducing stress
concentration
A number of methods are available to reduce
stress concentration in machine parts
1. Provide a fillet radius so that the cross-section may
change gradually.
2. If a notch is unavoidable it is better to
provide a number of small notches rather than
a long one. This reduces the stress
concentration to a large extent
3. If a projection is unavoidable from design considerations it is preferable to
provide a narrow notch than a wide notch.
4. Stress relieving groove are sometimes
provided.