Sample Problems on

Allowable Stresses
Solutions
 1. A load of 8.9 kN is applied to a 6-mm-thick steel plate, as shown.
2
The steel plate is supported by a 10-mm diameter steel pin in a single
shear connection at A and a 10-mm-diameter steel pin in a double
shear connection at B. The ultimate shear strength of the steel pins is
280 MPa, and the ultimate bearing strength of the steel plate is 530
MPa. Determine:
(a) the factor of safety for pins A and B with respect to the ultimate
shear strength.
(b) the factor of safety with respect to the ultimate bearing
strength for the steel plate at pin B.

Prepared by: MQAdajar

 x=
x = 120 sin 30o = 60mm
y = 120 cos 30o = 103.923mm
y=

RBX =

SUPPORT REACTIONS:

M A =0 RA = RBY =

6.293(220) + 6.293(103.923) − RBY (160) = 0

F Y =0
RBY = 12.741KN
− RA + 12.741 − 6.293 = 0
F X = 0 ; − RBX + 6.293 = 0
RA = 6.448KN
RBX = 6.293KN
Resultant force on pin B:
RB = (12.741)2 + (6.293)2 = 14.21KN
a.) FS in pin A
Actual shear stress in pin A (single shear):
V RA 6.448(1000)
 actual = = = = 82.1MPa

A Apin (10)2

4
 fail  ult 280 MPa
F .S . = = = = 3.41
 allow  actual 82.1MPa
a.) FS in pin B
Actual shear stress in pin B (double shear):

 actual
V
= =
RB
2 =
(
14.21 )(1000)
2 = 90.46 MPa

A Apin (10)2
4
 fail  ult 280 MPa
F .S . = = = = 3.09
 allow  actual 90.46 MPa
b.) FS in steel plate at pin B
Actual bearing stress between steel plate and pin B:

P RB (14.21)(1000)
 actual = = = = 236.83MPa
Ab td 6(10)
 fail  ult 530 MPa
F .S . = = = = 2.24
 allow  actual 236.83MPa
 2. The rigid bar AB shown in Fig. is supported by a steel rod AC
having a diameter of 20mm and an aluminum block having a
7 cross-sectional area of 1800mm2. The 18-mm diameter pins at A
and C are subjected to single shear. If failure stress for steel and
aluminum is (σst)fail = 680 MPa and (σal)fail = 70 MPa, respectively ,
and the failure shear stress for each pin is τfail = 900 MPa,
determine the largest load P that can be applied to the bar.
Apply a factor of safety F.S. = 2.

A B

0.75 m

2m
Prepared by: MQAdajar
  Failure stresses:
steel: (σst)fail = 680 MPa
aluminum: (σal)fail = 70 MPa
for each pin, τfail = 900 MPa,
 fail
Applying a factor of safety, FS = 2.0:  allow =
F .S
680
Steel:  allow = = 340 MPa
2
70
Aluminum:  allow = = 35MPa
2
900
Shear stress in pin:  allow = = 450 MPa
2
Fs

Determine internal
force in steel rod, Fs
and aluminum, Fal
Fal

M = 0
B M A =0

Fs (2 ) − P (1.25) = 0 − Fal (2.0) + P (0.75) = 0

P (1.25) P (0.75)
Fs = Fal =
2 2
 Fs steel rod AC has a diameter of 20mm

P (1.25)
Fs =
2
Fal

Fs
Steel rod:  allow = = 340
As
P (1.25)
 allow = 2 = 340 P = 170,902 N
 (20)2

4
 aluminum block has a cross-
Fs sectional area of 1800mm2

P (0.75)
Fal =
2
Fal

Fal
Aluminum:  allow = = 35MPa
Aal
0.75P
 allow = 2 = 35 P = 168,000 N
1800
 The 18-mm diameter pins
Fs
at A and C are subjected
to single shear.
P (1.25)
Fs =
Fal
2
1.25P
Fs
Pin:  allow = = 450 MPa  allow = 2 2 = 450
Ap  (18)
4
P = 183,217 N
safe largest load P = 168,000 N