Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

Session 05
Power Screws and Threaded Joints

Contents
5. 1 Analysis of Screw Joints 46
5.2 Strength Calculations of Screw Joints under Static Loads 51
5.3 Illustrative Example 57

5. 1 Analysis of Screw Joints

5.1.1 Forces of Interaction between a Screw and a Nut

Let us first consider a square thread to establish the forces of interaction
between a screw and a nut and then extend them to any other type of thread.
In order to establish the relationship of the forces acting in a screw pair, let
us develop one complete turn of a thread through the pitch cylinder of
diameter da. Represent the thread of the bolt by an inclined surface and the
nut by a slider as shown in Fig. 5.1.

Fig 5.1
Let F be the axial force acting on the bolt, Qis peripheral force required in
screwing up the bolt and is the helix angle of the thread.
Then the forces acting in the screw joint can be shown as in Fig. 5.2.
Where;
N - Normal force onto the thread surface
R - Resultant of forces
 - Angle of friction

 - Coefficient of friction

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 Session 05-Power Screws and Threaded Joints

In case of screwing up (or tightening) we get the following force

equilibrium, (Fig. 5.2 b).

(a) Friction between (c) Screwing up (c) Un screwing

the thread and the motion with the with the friction
sider is zero friction
Fig 5.2
Q = F Tan()
The friction force is higher in V- threads than in square threads. The ratio of
the friction forces in square and V- threads can be conveniently determined
using a model with annular threads; and taking the helix angle of the thread
equal to zero. (Fig.5.3).
The peripheral friction force for a square thread is
Q = F
And the same for a V- thread is
F
Q1 = N1 = = F, As shown in Fig. 5.5.

cos
2
Where  is the thread angle.

Fig 5.3

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Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

Normal force;
N1 = F / cos  / 2
 4 =  / cos  / 2

Let us consider 1 as the equivalent coefficient of friction for a V-thread.

A similar relation will hold for the angles of friction, too.
1 =  / cos  / 2
Where 1 is the equivalent angle of friction.
The peripheral force required in screwing up or tightening a V-thread joint
can be determined by using the equation for square thread but substituting
the equivalent angle of friction for the actual value of friction.

5.1.2 Screwing Up Torque

The total torque required in screwing up a bolt or tightening nut is the sum
of the torque required to overcome the friction in the threads and the torque
required to overcome the friction at the bearing surface of the screw head or
nut.
Tsu = Tth + Tcf
Where;
Tsu - Total screwing up to torque
Tth - Frictional torque in the threads

Tcf - Friction torque at the bearing surfacing of the screw head or

nut (torque due to
Collar friction)
Then

= F 2 Tan ( + 1 )
d2 d
Tth = Q
2 2
Assuming that the resultant of the friction force acts at the mean radius of
the bearing surface of the nut or screw, we obtain

Tcf = Fd m / 2

Where;
 - Coefficient of friction for the collar
dm
- Mean radius of the bearing surface of the nut or screw head.
2

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 Session 05-Power Screws and Threaded Joints

D+d
dm =
2
Where;
D- Across flats of the screw head or the nut.
d- Nominal diameter of the threads.
Substituting the values for Tth and Tcf in the equation, we obtain the total
screwing up torque,
d2  d 
Tsu = F  Tan( + 1 ) +  m 
2  d2 

5.1.3 Screwing Off Torque

The torque required to unscrew a cap screw or a nut is found in a way
similar to the screwing up torque, but the directions of the torque and
friction are reversed. Thus, with reference to Fig. 5.2 c,
d2  d 
Tun = F Tan(1 + ) +  m 
2  d2 

5.1.4 Self - Locking Condition of Screw Threads

In the case of unscrewing a cap screw or a nut, we have the following force
equilibrium, when the collar friction is neglected.
Q = F Tan (1 − )
Then the torque required to unscrew a cap screw or a nut

Tan (1 − )
d2
T=F
2
In the above expression, if 1   , then the torque T will be negative. In
other words cap screw or nut will start moving without the application of
any torque. If 1   then torque will be positive. That means, an external
torque should be applied to unscrew a cap or a nut. Such a condition is
known as self-locking condition of screw threads. In other words, threads
are self-locking if the equivalent angle of friction  is greater than the helix
angle  .

5.1.5 Efficiency of Screw Threads

You may recall that the screw threads are used in fastenings and in power
transmission. It is important to discuss the efficiency of screw threads when
the screws used for power transmission are concerned.

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Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

The efficiency of a thread is the ratio of the useful work done by the screw
to the work input. To simplify the derivation, let us consider a small angle of
rotation dr of the screw (Fig. 5.4).

Fig 5.4
Then, the efficiency of a thread is

Work Output
=
Work Input
F dh
=
Tth dr
Where;
F - Axial thrust
dh - Axial displacement when the screw is turned through the
angle dr.
Tth - Torque required to overcome friction between threads.
Substituting the expression derived for Tth and the value.
We obtain,
d2
F dr Tan 
= 2
Tan( + 1 ) dr
d2
F
2
Tan 
=
Tan( + 1 )

In the above expression for efficiency, only the screw friction (friction in
threads) is considered. However, if both screw friction and collar friction are
taken into account, then the efficiency is
Tan 
=
Tan( + 1 ) + 
dm
d2

Where dm is the mean radius of the collar.

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 Session 05-Power Screws and Threaded Joints

5.2 Strength Calculations of Screw Joints

Under Static Loads

Under static loading conditions following stresses may be induced in screw

fastenings.
i. Initial stresses due to screwing up forces.
ii. Stresses due to external forces.
iii. Stresses due to combination of screwing up and external forces.

5.2.1. Initial Stresses Due to Screwing Up Forces

The following stresses are induced in a bolt, screw or stud when it is
tightened up.
(a) Tensile stress due to stretching of the bolt.
(b) Shear stress caused by the frictional resistance of the threads.
(c) Shear stress across the threads due to axial force.
(d) Crushing stress on threads due to axial 1oad.
Accurate determination of any of the above-mentioned stresses is extremely
difficult and complicated.
Therefore, the following analysis is used for the estimation of stresses.

(a) Tensile stress due to stretching of the bolt.

The initial tension (pre-load) needed in a bolt, based on experiments,
and may be expressed by the following relation.
F1 = 284d
Where;
F1= Initial tension (pre-load) in a bolt (N).
d = Nominal diameter of bolts in mm.
The above relation is used for making a joint fluid-tight like cylinder
head cover joints etc. When the joint is not required to be as tight as
a fluid-tight joint, then the initial tension in bolt may be reduced to
half of its value. (F1 = 142 d).
If the bolt is not initially stressed, then the maximum safe axial load
which may be applied to it, can be estimated as follows;
F- Allowable tensile stress of the bolt material X cross sectional
area of the bolt by considering the minor diameter of thread
(stress area)
d 
2

Stress area=  c 
4 2 

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Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

Where;
dc - core or root diameter

(b) Shear stress due to frictional resistance.

Since the collar friction torque Tcf at the bearing surface is not
transmitted through the shank of the bolt, the torque acting on the
shank is only due to the frictional resistance on the thread (Tth ) . By
using the torsion equation, we get
Tth 
=
1 dc / 2
Tth d c
= 
x
32
d c4 2

Where;
 - Torsional shear stress
dc - core or root diameter of threads.
Tth - Torque due to frictional resistance.

(c) Shear stress across threads (fig. 5.5).

Considering shear failure of threads of the screw due to axial force
F, we can write the following expression;
F
T(screw ) =
 dc b n
Where;
b - Width of the thread section at the root (Fig. 5.5)
n - Number of threads in engagement.
dc- Core or root or minor diameter of threads.
Considering shear failure of threads of the nut, we get
F
( nut) =
xdbn
Where;
d - Major diameter of threads.

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 Session 05-Power Screws and Threaded Joints

Fig 5.5
(d) Crushing stress of threads.
Considering the crushing failure of threads, the crushing stress can
be obtained by using the relation,
Axial Force
cr =
Total Crushing Area
F
=
(d − d c2 )n
2

5.2.2 Stresses Due to External Forces

When a bolt is subjected to any form of external load, one or more of the
following stresses may be induced;
i. Tensile or compressive stress
ii. Shear stress
iii. Combined tensile and shear stress

i. Tensile stress
In most of the applications, bolts, studs and screws usually carry
loads in the axial direction. This induces a tensile stress in the bolt.
Let
F - External load applied.
dc - Core or root diameter of the thread.
t  - Allowable tensile stress for the material.
Then we can write the following expression.
Fc = Area subjected to tensile stress x Allowable tensile stress for bolt
material.

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Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

 2
Fc d c   t 
4
or
4Fe
dc =
 t 
Then using tables of standards, the value of the nominal diameter d
of the bolt, corresponding to the value of dc can be obtained.
ii. Shear stress

Fig 5.6
In certain applications, the bolts are used to prevent the relative
movement of two or more parts, as in the case of flange coupling. In
this case, the bolts are subjected to direct shearing loads. It should be
noted that when the bolts are subjected to direct shearing loads, they
should be located in such a way that the shearing loads come upon
shank of the bolt and not upon the threaded portion. (Fig.5.6).

Let
Fs - Total shear load carried by the bolts.
D - Major diameter of the bolt.
N - Number of bolts.
 - Allowable shear stress of the bolt material.
Then
 2
Fs = d   n
4
4 Fs
d=
n

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 Session 05-Power Screws and Threaded Joints

iii. Combined tensile and shear stresses.

When a bolt is subjected to a combination of tensile and shear loads,
stresses due to combined loads should be checked for the following
principal stresses.
Maximum shear stress

(max) = 2 + ( 2t )
2

And maximum tensile stress

t 2 t 2
t (max) =  +(2 )
2

5.2.3 Stresses Due to Combination of Screwing Up and External Forces

The estimation of the resultant of initial and external forces in a screw joint
is based on the assumption that all the elements of the joint experience equal
strain.
In order to determine the resultant load, the following equation may be used.
a
F = Fi + Fe
1+ a
= Fi + k Fe (substituting a/(1 + a) = k)
Where;
F - Resultant axial load on the bolt.
Fi - Initial tension due to tightening up.
Fe - External load on the bolt.
a - Ratio of elasticity of connected parts to the elasticity of bolt.
Values of a/ (l + a) (i.e. k) for various types of joints are given in table
below.

TYPE OF JOINT k = a / ( 1 + a)

Metal to metal joint 0.00 to 0.10

With hard copper gasket 0.25 to 0.50
With soft copper gasket 0.50 to 0.75
Soft packing with through bolts 0.75 to 1.00
Soft packing with studs 1.00

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Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

5.2.4 Screw Joints Under: Eccentric Loading

Fig 5.7
Now let us consider a screw joint under eccentric loading acting parallel to
the axis of bolt.
Consider a bracket having a rectangular base bolted to a wall by means of
four bolts as shown in fig 5.7.
In this joint all the bolts experience direct tensile load due to the external
load and secondary load due to moment caused by the external load about A
- A.
Direct tensile load on a bolt
Fd = F/n
Where;
Fd - Direct tensile load on a bolt.
n - Number of bolts of the joint (in this particular case n = 4)
Let p1 and p2 be the secondary loads on each of the bolts at a distance 11and
12 from the tilting edge.
By considering the force distribution among bolts due to moment
P1 / 11 = P2 / 12 = p
Load on each bolt at 11
P1 = P11
And moment of this load about tilting edge,
M1 = p 11 11 = p 112
Similarly, the moment of the load P2 about the tilting edge

M2 = p 12 12 = p 122
Total moment of the load on the bolts about the tilting edge
= 2p 112 + 2p 122....................................(1)
(There are two bolts each at distance l1 and 12).
Also the moment due to load F about the tilting edge
= F L..................................................(2)

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 Session 05-Power Screws and Threaded Joints

Equating (1) and (2), we get

FL = 2p 112 + 2p 122
FL
p=
2(1 + 122 )
2
1

It may be noted that the most heavily loaded bolts are those which are
situated at the greatest distance from the tilting edge. In this particular case
the bolts at distance l2 are heavily 1oaded.
Tensile load on each bolt at distance 12,
P2 = p 12
FL12
=
2(112 + 122 )
And the total tensile load on the most heavily loaded bolt,
p = Fd + p2 ...................................................(3)
If dc - Root diameter of the bolt
t - Allowable tensile stress of the bolt material.
Then the value of root or minor diameter dc could be calculated from the
following equation.
 2
p= dc  t ...............................................(4)
4

5.3 Illustrative Example

The cylinder head of the steam engine subjected to a steam pressure of 7 x

105N/m2 is fastened by means of 10 bolts. A soft copper gasket is used to
make the joint leak-proof. The inner (effective) diameter of the cylinder is
280mm. Find the size of the bolts required, if the allowable tensile stress of
bolt materiel is 1200 x 105 N/m2.
Answer
Given data:
Number of bolts n = 10
Steam pressure p = 7 x 105 N/m2
Effective diameter of the cylinder
d1= 280mm.
Allowable tensile stress of the bolt material t  = 1200 105 N / m2 .
The total load acting on the cylinder head (i.e. on 10 bolts).

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Unit II- Design of Machine Elements

 2
F= d1 p
4

F = (280  10− 3 ) 2  7  105
4
= 43102.65N
Let
d - Outside (nominal) diameter of the bolt.
dc - Core (root) diameter of the bolt.
We know that initial tension of the bolt due to tightening, as recommended
in the lesson,

P1 = 2840d(where d is in mm).
External load on each bolt
P2 = F / n = 43102.65 / 10
= 4310.265N.
 Resultant tensile load on a bolt,
p = p1 + kp 2
From the table 1 we find that for soft copper gasket K=0.5.
p = 284  d 103 + 0.5  4310.265..................................(1)
Now, by using the following relation we can express the strength of the bolt,

p = d c2  t ........................................................................(2)
4

Using expression (1) and (2) we can write,


284  d  103 + 0.5  4310.265 = d c2  1200  105
4
Taking dc = 0.84d, the above expression may be written as

284  d 103 + 0.5  4310.265 = (0.84d)2 1200 105
4
Or
66501233d2-2840000d-2155.1325=0
Solving this quadratic equation, we get
d=43.5 mm
According to this value, the standard nominal diameter of bolts is selected.
The standard nominal diameter of bolts is M 45.

58