DESIGN OF KEY

1. Design the rectangular key for a shaft of 50 mm diameter. The shearing

and crushing stresses for the key material are 42 MPa and 70 MPa.

Given data
d=50mm
42MPa
σc=70 MPa

From DDHAB Table 17.3

W=16mm
h=10mm
16 T
d={ π × τ }1/3 DDHB EQN 14.1

16 T
τ =d 3=
π ×τ
16 T
50 3= π × 42

π × 42× 50 ³
T= 16

Torque T=1030000Nmm

By considering shear strength

1
T= 2 τ w dl

1
1030000= 2 ∗42∗¿16* 50*l

1030000∗2
l = 42∗16∗50 =61.31mm
By Considering Crushing
1
T= 4 σc∗¿h* d*l

1
1030000= 4 ∗70∗¿ 10* 50*l

1030000∗4
l = 70∗10∗50 =117.71mm

Select largest value of length ,l=117.71mm=120mm

2. A 45 mm diameter shaft is made of steel with a yield strength of 400 MPa.
A parallel key of size 14 mm wide and 9 mm thick made of steel with a yield
strength of 340 MPa is to be used. Find the required length of key, if the shaft
is loaded to transmit the maximum permissible torque. Use maximum shear
stress theory and assume a factor of safety of 2.

Given data
Diameter of shaft D=45mm
Yield strength of shaft σys =400 MPa
W=14mm
h =9 mm
Yield strengthof key σyk =340 MPa
Factor of safety =2

σys
According maximum shear stress theory ,FOS= Allowable stress

σys
Allowable shear stress for shaft τs = 2∗FOS

400
τs = =100MPa
2∗2
σy k
Allowable shear stress for Key τ k = 2∗FOS
340
τk = =85MPa
2∗2

Torque T-=
16 T
d={ π × τ }1/3 DDHB EQN 14.1
 16 T
d 3= π × τ

16 T
45 3= π ×100

π ×100 × 45 ³
T= 16
=1.79×106 Nmm

By considering shear strength

1
T= 2 τ w dl

1
1.79×106 = 2 ∗85∗¿14* 45*l

1.79× 10˄ 6∗2

l = 100∗1 4∗45 =56.82 mm

σyk
By Considering Crushing,Crushing strength , σ k = FOS ,
340
σK = =170 MPa
2
1
1.79×106 = 4 ∗170∗¿ 9* 45*l

1
1.79×106 = 4 ∗170∗¿9* 50*l

1.79× 10˄ 6∗4

l = 170∗9∗45 =103.99 mm

Select largest value of length l=103.99 mm=105mm

3. Design a square key for a gear shaft of diameter 30mm. 30kW power at
1000 rpm is transmitted from the shaft to the gear. The yield strength of
key material in tension is 400MPa and the factor of safety is 3. The yield
strength in compression can be assumed to be equal to the yield strength in
tension. Determine the dimensions of the key.

Given
Diameter of shaft d =30 mm
Power P=30Kw=30*1000=30000w
Speed n=1000 rpm
yield strength of key material in tension =400MPa
factor of safety = 3
9550∗P 9550∗30000
Torque,T= n
= 1 000 = 286500Nmm (EQN 19.3 c)

σys 400
Allowable stress σ = FOS = 3 =133.33MPa=σ c

Allowable stress 133.33

Shear stress τ = 2
= 2 =66.67 MPa
From DDHAB Table 17.3
W=10mm
h=8mm

By considering shear strength

1
T= 2 τ w dl

1
286500= 2 ∗66.67∗¿10* 30*l

286500∗2
l = 66.67∗10∗3 0 =28.65mm

By Considering Crushing
1
T= 4 σc∗¿h* d*l

1
286500= 4 ∗133.33∗¿8* 30*l

286500∗4
l = 133.33∗8∗3 0 =35.81mm

Select largest value of length ,l=35.81mm=40mm

4. Determine the length of the key required in terms of shaft
diameter taking width of key b = d/4 and thickness of key
h=(3/16)d, If a shaft and key are made of same material.
Given data=b=d/4
h=(3/16)d
Consider shear strength of key is equal to torsional shear strength of
shaft
Shearing strength of key
1
T= 2 τ w dl

Torsional shear strength of shaft

π × τ ×d ³
T= 16

Shearing strength of key = Torsional shear strength of shaft

1 π × τ ×d ³
τ w dl =
2 16

1 d π × τ ×d ³
τ dl =
2 4 16

Since key and shaft is same material τ k =¿ τ S,both of them cancel each
other and simplify
 π
l = 2d

l =1.57d
Length of key =1.57 d