Screw Jack :

Construction of Screw jack :

• Screw Jack is a device, in which screw mechanism is used to raise or

lower the load. Manually operated, portable type screw jack is the
simplest and most commonly used.

• Its construction is shown in figure . In this, nut is fixed to the frame and
remains stationary. When screw is rotated with the help of the handle, it
moves axially.

• A cup is provided at the top to support the load. Cup remains stationary
as the screw rotates and they rub against each.

• Applied torque has to overcome this friction also, which is known as

collar friction.

• To avoid screw to completely turning out of the nut, washer is fixed on

the lower end of the screw.
The various parts of the screw jack are as follows:
1. Screwed spindle having square threaded screws,
2. Nut and collar for nut,
3. Head at the top of the screwed spindle for handle,
4. Cup at the top of head for the load, and
5. Body of the screw jack.

Design procedure of Screw Jack :

In order to design a screw jack for a load W, the following procedure may be
adopted:

Step 1. Find the core diameter (dc) by considering that the screw is under
pure compression

𝐖
σc = 𝛑
𝐗 𝐝𝐜𝟐
𝟒
To account for torsional shear stress which screw is subjected, increase d c by
referring standard table of square threads, Where we get do and p.
Now, calculate new dc using the formula, dc = do - p
Fig. Screw Jack
 Step 2) Find the torque (T1) required to rotate the screw and find the shear
stress (τ) due to this torque :

𝐝 𝐝
T1 = P ×𝟐 = W tan (α + φ) × 𝟐
where, P = Effort required at circumference of screw
d = Mean dia. of screw
Torque transmitted at circumference of screw,
π
T1 = 𝟏𝟔
x d c3

Find the torsional shear stress due to torque T1 in the screw designed in step 1

∴ Induced torsional shear stress in screw,

𝟏𝟔 𝑻𝟏
τind = 𝝅 𝒅𝒄𝟑

𝐖
Find σc ind = 𝛑
𝐗 𝐝𝐜𝟐
𝟒
Step 3) Check maxm principal stresses :

a) By maxm shear stress theory,

𝟏
Induced τmax = Maximum shear stress on minm c/s , = σc𝟐 + 𝟒 τ𝟐
𝟐

b) By normal stress theory,

𝟏 𝟏
σc max = Maximum normal stress = σc + σc𝟐 + 𝟒 τ𝟐
𝟐 𝟐

Put the value of τmax calculated in step 3 (a) in above expression,

𝟏
σc max = σc + τmax
𝟐

Check principal stresses induced (τmax and σc max ) are less than permissible
values, if yes design is safe.
 B ) Design of Nut :
4) Find the height of nut (H) by considering the bearing pressure on the nut.

Bearing pressure on the nut,

𝐖
Pb = 𝛑
𝐝𝐨𝟐 −𝐝𝐜𝟐 𝐗 𝐧
𝟒

n = No. of threads of screw in contact with nut

a) Calculate n from above eqn .

b) Calculate H = n x p

c) Calculate thick. or width of screw thread, t = p/2

 5) Check transverse shear stresses induced in screw and nut :

𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐖
a) Induced Transverse shear stress for screw, τscrew = =
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝛑 dc n t

𝐋𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝑾
b) Induced Transverse shear stress for nut, τnut = =
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝝅 do n t

By using above formulae, calculate τscrew and τnut and verify that these
induced stresses are less than their permissible values.

6) Find inner diameter (D1), outer diameter (D2) and thickness (t1) of the nut
collar :

The inner diameter (D1) is found by considering the tearing strength of the
nut. We know that
π
W = [(D1)2 – (do)2] σt
𝟒
The outer diameter (D2) is found by considering the crushing strength of the
nut collar.

π
W = [(D2)2 – (D1)2] σc
𝟒

The thickness (t1) of the nut collar is found by considering the shearing
strength of the nut collar.

W = π D1.t1.τ

7) Fix the dimensions for the diameter of head (D3) on the top of the screw and
for the cup. Take D3 = 1.75 do. The seat for the cup is made equal to the
diameter of head and it is chamfered at the top. The cup is fitted with a pin of
diameter D4 = D3 / 4 approximately. This pin remains a loose fit in the cup.
Standard table of square threads for nominal dia. and corresponding pitch : ( Ref.
Khurmi Gupta pg.627-628)