DME

unit - 4
What do you mean by endurance limit? Explain with
diagram.
Endurance limit is defined as the maximum value of the completely reversed bending
stress that a material can withstand for the infinite number of cycles without
fatigue failure. the endurance limit, also known as the fatigue limit.
The endurance limit is a valuable concept for engineers and designers who need to
select materials that can withstand repeated stresses without breaking. It helps them
ensure the safety and reliability of structures and machines.
Imagine repeatedly bending a paperclip back and forth. After some time, the metal
will weaken and eventually snap. This is fatigue failure. The endurance limit is the
stress level at which the paperclip could bend indefinitely without breaking.
Here's a breakdown with a diagram to illustrate:
Endurance Limit Explained :-
- Stress vs. Number of Cycles (S-N Curve): We use a graph called the S-N curve
to represent the relationship between stress (S) applied to a material and the
number of cycles (N) it can endure before failure.
- Endurance Limit on the Curve :- For some materials, like steel, the S-N curve
flattens out at a specific stress level. This flatline region represents the
endurance limit. Below this stress level, the material can theoretically
withstand an infinite number of cycles without failing.
- Material Behavior :- Materials with a distinct endurance limit are often
ferrous alloys (iron-based) and titanium alloys. These materials exhibit a
strengthening effect, where repeated stress cycles at a level below the limit
can actually make them slightly stronger.
- No True Limit for Some Materials :- Not all materials have a well-defined
endurance limit. In some Materials, like aluminum and copper, the S-N curve
continues to slope even at high cycle numbers. For these materials, engineers
use a concept called fatigue strength, which is the stress level a material can
withstand for a specific number of cycles (e.g., 10 million cycles) without
failure.
 Imagine the following diagram :-

The S-N curve plots stress (vertical axis)

vs. number of cycles (horizontal axis). A
clear horizontal line is visible at a certain
stress level. This line represents the
endurance limit. Below this line, the
material can endure an indefinite number
of cycles.

Explain the phenomenon of fatigue failure. give any

two examples of fatigue failure in machine elements.
Fatigue failure is the formation and propagation of cracks due to a repetitive or cyclic
load. Most fatigue failures are caused by cyclic loads significantly below the loads
that would result in yielding of the material.
Here's the breakdown :-
- Repetitive Stress :- Unlike a single, high-force event that can break a
component, fatigue failure happens under seemingly harmless, repeated
stresses that are well below the material's yield strength.
- Microscopic Damage :- With each stress cycle, microscopic cracks initiate
within the material. These cracks slowly grow with every repetition.
- Crack Propagation :- Over time, these tiny cracks propagate and merge,
weakening the material until it fractures. This fracture can happen abruptly or
even during a seemingly low-stress cycle.

Two Examples of Fatigue Failure in Machines :-

Airplane Wing :- Imagine an airplane wing. During flight, the wing bends up and
down due to air pressure. These repeated bending stresses can cause fatigue cracks
to initiate at rivet holes or other stress concentration points. If left unchecked, these
cracks can grow and potentially lead to catastrophic wing failure.
Axle in a Car :- The axle in a car experiences repeated bending stresses as the wheels
roll over bumps and uneven terrain. These stresses can cause fatigue cracks to
develop near the bearing seats or other areas of stress concentration. A broken axle
can lead to a loss of control and a serious accident.

Fatigue failure can occur in many other machine elements like shafts, gears, springs,
and even nuts and bolts. By understanding fatigue and designing for it, engineers can
create machines that are safe and reliable for extended use.

State assumption made in the design of

curved beams.
If the beam is Originally curved before applying the bending moment, are termed as
“Curved Beams”.
Following are assumption made in the analysis of curved Beam :-
- Plane section remains plane during bending.
- The material Obeys Hookes Law.
- Radial strain is negligible.
- The fibers are free to expand or contract without any constraining effect from
the adjacent fibres.