UNIT II

SHAFTS AND COUPLINGS

PART - A

1. Classify keys with its applications? (May 2012)

(a) Saddle key- It is applicable where light load is used.

(b) Sunk key – It is used to connect pulleys where is moderate load is applied.

(c) Woodruff key- Used to transmit small amount of torque in automotives.

2. Discuss the forces on key? (Dec 2012, Dec 2014)

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(a) Shear force

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(b) Bearing force
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(c) Tensile force

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3. What are the various stresses induced in shafts? (May 2014)

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(a) Shear due to torsion

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(b) Stress due to bending

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(c) Axial stress if an axial load acts.

4. Name any two of the rigid coupling? (May 2014)

(a) Sleeve couplings

(b) Flange couplings

(c) Clamp couplings

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5. What is the difference between rigid and flexible coupling? (May 2013, May
2016)

Rigid coupling: It is used in low speed applications where a good axial alignment
between connecting shafts can be achieved.

Flexible Coupling: The shafts having longitudinal, lateral and angular misalignment are
connected using flexible coupling.

6. How is the strength of a shaft affected by the keyway? (May2014)

The keyway cut into the shaft reduces the load carrying capacity of the shaft. This is due
to the stress concentration near the corners of the keyway and reduction in the cross-
sectional area of the shaft. It other words, the torsional strength of the shaft is reduced.

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7. What is the main use of woodruff key? (Nov 2013)

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It is used to transmit less torque in automotive and machine tool industries. The keyway
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in the shaft is milled in a curved shape whereas the key way in the hub is usually straight.
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8. A shaft of 70 mm long is subjected to shear stress of 40 Mpa and has an angle of

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twist equal to 0.017 radian. Determine the diameter of the shaft. Take G= 80 Mpa?
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(Nov 2013)
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Given data:
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Length of the shaft, l= 750mm

Shear stress, τ= 40 N/mm2

Angle of twist, ϴ=0.017 radian

Modulus of rigidity, G=0.8 ×105 N/mm2

To find:

Diameter of the shaft, d

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Solutions:

Torsional moment of the shaft, Mt= (π/16) × τ × d3

Angle of twist, ϴ = (Mt×l)/(GJ)

Where J=(π/32) × d4

Angle of twist, 0.017=(2×40×750)/(0.8×105×d)

d=44.11 mm

Standard diameter, d=45 mm

9. Why a hollow shaft has greater strength and stiffness than solid shaft of equal
weight? (Nov 2012)

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Stresses are maximum at the outer surface of a shaft. A hollow shaft has almost all
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the materials concentrated at the outer circumference. So, it has better strength and
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stiffness for equal weight.

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10. Indicate the effects of providing key ways in the shaft? (Nov 2010)
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(a) It reduces strengths of the shaft because of material removal.

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(b) It increases stress concentration.

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11. What do you mean by stiffness and rigidity with reference to shafts? (Dec 2010)

Stiffness is the resistance offered by the shaft for twisting and rigidity is the resistance
offered by the shaft for lateral bending.

12. Differentiate between keys and splines? (Nov 2011)

Key: A key is a piece of mild steel inserted between the shaft and hub or boss of the
pulley to connect these together in order to prevent relative motion between them. It is
always inserted parallel to the axis of the shaft. Keys are used as temporary fastenings
and are subjected to considerable crushing and shearing stresses.

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Splines: Sometimes, keys are made integral with the shaft which fits in the keyways
broached in the hub. Such shafts are known as splined shafts or splines. These shafts
usually have four, six, ten or sixteen splines. The splined shafts are relatively stronger
than shafts having a single keyway. The splined shafts are used when the force to be
transmitted is large in proportion to the size of the shaft as in automobile transmission
and sliding gear transmissions. By using splined shafts, we obtain axial movement as
well as positive drive is obtained.

13. Under what circumstances flexible couplings are used? (Nov 2012)

(a) They are used to join the abutting ends of shafts when they are not in exact
alignment.

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(b) They are used to permit an axial misalignment of the shafts without under

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absorption of the power, which the shafts are transmitting.
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14. How is flexibility achieved in flexible coupling? (Nov 2010)
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(a) Kinematic arrangement such as loosely fit members

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(b) Using rubber such as materials

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15. Suggest suitable couplings for, shafts with parallel misalignment, shafts with
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angular misalignment of 100, shafts in perfect alignment?

Flexible coupling such as spring coupling can be used for shafts with parallel
misalignment. Universal coupling is suitable for shafts with angular misalignment of
100 . Rigid coupling can be used for shafts in a perfect alignment.

16. Define equivalent torsional moment of a shaft. (April 2017)

The expression M2 + T 2
is known as equivalent twisting moment and is
denoted by Te. The equivalent twisting moment may be defined as that twisting
moment, which when acting alone, produces the same shear stress (τ) as the actual
twisting moment.

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