Lecture: Load Analysis
MEC3416 Machine Design
Dr Jing Fu (Clayton)
Dr Jen Nee Lim (Malaysia)
Load Analysis
• For design and analysis of machine and component, which often transmit
force and motion, there are load-carrying members.
• Before analysis of stress and deflection, load analysis is important.
• Determination of appropriate loads is often difficult during design
Equilibrium and Free-Body Diagrams
• We assume that the system to be studied is motionless or, at most, has
constant velocity, then the system has zero acceleration
• Under this condition the system is said to be in equilibrium
• For equilibrium, the forces and moments acting on the system balance
such that
σ 𝐹 =0 σ 𝑀 =0
• the sum of all force and the sum of all moment vectors acting upon a
system in equilibrium is zero
If you feel something is not right, you are right
M1=F1×L1 > M2=F2L2 Not balanced
Hidden M3
F1
F2
Equilibrium and Free-Body Diagrams
• For accelerating body:
𝐹 = 𝑚𝑎 𝑀 = 𝐼𝑎
• These equations apply with respect to x, y and z.
Beam Loading
• Beam loading refers to lateral loading of members that are relatively long
in comparison with their cross-sectional dimensions.
• External loads, internal transverse shear diagram (V), and internal
bending moments (M), based on ΣF= ΣM=0
Beam Loading
• Distributed load w treated as a concentrated
load wb acting in the middle.
• The value of shear force (V) at any point
along the beam is equal to the slope of the
bending moment diagram (M) at that point.
Example: Lathe machine
Assume the conditions:
Example from [Link]
Force Flow Concept
• Used to locate Critical Sections/Areas.
• How force is transmitted from one part to another and thought the
structure, machine.
• Particularly useful when there are multiple paths in a complex machine.
• Example: Yoke connection
Load path
Critical Areas
• Tensile Loading of rod on Fork side.
• Load at 1 divides into 4. Each having an area of 0.5(m-a)b
• Load goes around and shearing stresses tend to push out the end segment along
jagged lines.
• Load is transferred to the pin.
• Load transferred along the pin. Double shear.
• Maximum bending moments of the
pin at this location. Failure by
tensile/compressive loading.
• Blade Sides. Load goes from 4,3,2
and then 1. Same cross-sectional
area except now in one continuous
section.
Onsite investigation
Load Division Between Redundant Supports
• A redundant support usually adds stiffness to a structure.
• The strength of redundant load-carrying members should be made
approximately proportional to their stiffness.
• Example (right): The webbing significantly
increases the stiffness thus taking a significant load.
• A poorly designed web will likely fail and cracks
may propagate to the main structure.
Load Sharing - Brittle vs Ductile Material
• Brittle material – Failure will occur when any member reaches the strength
of the material (UTS).
• Ductile material – Supports that reach yield strength first will start to
deform. This can continue until all supports reach their yield strength.
Ductile material
Brittle material
Load Sharing - Brittle vs Ductile Material
• Brittle material – Failure will occur when any member reaches the strength
of the material (UTS).
• Ductile material – Supports that reach yield strength first will start to
deform. This can continue until all supports reach their yield strength.
Ductile material
Brittle material
Example – Problem 2.43
• A “T” bracket, attached to a fix surface by four bolts is
loaded at point E as shown in Figure P2.43 (right).
• Copy the drawing and sketch path lines of forces flow
going to each bolt.
• If the stiffness between E and the plate through bolts B
and C is twice the stiffness between point E and the plate
through bolts A and D, how is the load divided between the
four bolts.
Example – Problem 2.43
• If they are brittle and each one fractures at a load of
6000N, what maximum force F can be applied to the
bracket?
• What load can be applied if they are ductile, and each bolt
has a yield strength of 6000N?
• Load at B and C: 2F, A and D: F, overall at E: 6F
• If brittle, then fracture occurs when loads at B and C
reaching 6000 N, so total load E: 18000 N.
• If ductile, yield occurs when loads at B and C reaching
6000 N, loads at A and D still increase till 6000 N. So total
load E much larger than 18000 N and even approach
24000 N.
Summary
• Equilibrium and Free-Body Diagrams σ 𝐹 =0 σ 𝑀 =0
• Beam loading
• Force flow concept
• References:
o Juvinall RC, Marshek KM. Fundamentals of machine component design. Hoboken, NJ:
John Wiley & Sons; 2019
o Budynas RG, Nisbett JK, Shigley JE. Shigley's mechanical engineering design. Boston:
McGraw-Hill; 2008.
