Helical Springs

When close-coiled helical spring, composed of a wire of round rod of diameter d wound into a helix of mean radius
R with n number of turns, is subjected to an axial load P produces the following stresses and elongation:

The maximum shearing stress is the sum of the direct shearing stress 1 = P/A and the torsional shearing stress 2 =
Tr/J, with T = PR.

This formula neglects the curvature of the spring. This is used for light spring where the ratio d/4R is small.
For heavy springs and considering the curvature of the spring, A.M. Wahl formula a more precise, it is given by:

where m is called the spring index and (4m - 1)/(4m - 4) is the Wahl Factor.
The elongation of the bar is

Notice that the deformation is directly proportional to the applied load P. The ratio of P to is called the spring
constant k and is equal to

Springs in Series
For two or more springs with spring laid in series, the resulting spring constant k is given by

where k1, k2,... are the spring constants for different springs.
Springs in Parallel
For two or more springs in parallel, the resulting spring constant is

Problem 343
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a helical steel spring composed of 20 turns of 20-mmdiameter wire on a mean radius of 90 mm when the spring is supporting a load of 1.5 kN. Use Eq. (3-10) and G = 83
GPa.
Problem 343

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (3-10)
Where:
P = 1.5 kN = 1500 N; R = 90 mm
d = 20 mm; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(90)/20 = 9

answer

answer
Problem 344
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a bronze helical spring composed of 20 turns of 1.0-in.diameter wire on a mean radius of 4 in. when the spring is supporting a load of 500 lb. Use Eq. (3-10) and G = 6
106 psi.
Solution 344

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (3-10)
Where
P = 500 lb; R = 4 in
d = 1 in; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(4)/1 = 8

answer

answer
Problem 344
Determine the maximum shearing stress and elongation in a bronze helical spring composed of 20 turns of 1.0-in.diameter wire on a mean radius of 4 in. when the spring is supporting a load of 500 lb. Use Eq. (3-10) and G = 6
106 psi.
Solution 344

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (3-10)
Where
P = 500 lb; R = 4 in
d = 1 in; n = 20 turns
m = 2R/d = 2(4)/1 = 8

answer

answer
Problem 345
A helical spring is fabricated by wrapping wire 3/4 in. in diameter around a forming cylinder 8 in. in diameter.
Compute the number of turns required to permit an elongation of 4 in. without exceeding a shearing stress of 18 ksi.
Use Eq. (3-9) and G = 12 106 psi.
Solution 345

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (3-9)

answer
Problem 346
Compute the maximum shearing stress developed in a phosphor bronze spring having mean diameter of 200 mm
and consisting of 24 turns of 200-mm diameter wire when the spring is stretched 100 mm. Use Eq. (3-10) and G =
42 GPa.
Solution 346

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Where
= 100 mm; R = 100 mm
d = 20 mm; n = 24 turns
G = 42 000 MPa

 Equation (3-10)
Where
m = 2R/d = 2(100)/20 = 10

answer
Problem 347
Two steel springs arranged in series as shown in Fig. P-347 supports a load P. The upper spring has 12 turns of 25mm-diameter wire on a mean radius of 100 mm. The lower spring consists of 10 turns of 20-mm diameter wire on a
mean radius of 75 mm. If the maximum shearing stress in either spring must not exceed 200 MPa, compute the
maximum value of P and the total elongation of the assembly. Use Eq. (3-10) and G = 83 GPa. Compute the
equivalent spring constant by dividing the load by the total elongation.

Solution 347

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (3-10)
For Spring (1)

For Spring (2)

Use
answer
Total elongation:

answer
Equivalent spring constant, kequivalent:

answer
Problem 348
A rigid bar, pinned at O, is supported by two identical springs as shown in Fig. P-348. Each spring consists of 20
turns of 3/4-in-diameter wire having a mean diameter of 6 in. Determine the maximum load W that may be
supported if the shearing stress in the springs is limited to 20 ksi. Use Eq. (3-9).

Solution 348

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (3-9)

For this problem, the critical spring is the one subjected to tension. Use P2 = 519.75 lb.

answer
Problem 349
A rigid bar, hinged at one end, is supported by two identical springs as shown in Fig. P-349. Each spring consists of
20 turns of 10-mm wire having a mean diameter of 150 mm. Compute the maximum shearing stress in the springs,
using Eq. (3-9). Neglect the mass of the rigid bar.

Solution 349

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

 Equation (3-9)
For spring at left:

answer
For spring at right:

answer
Problem 350
As shown in Fig. P-350, a homogeneous 50-kg rigid block is suspended by the three springs whose lower ends
were originally at the same level. Each steel spring has 24 turns of 10-mm-diameter on a mean diameter of 100
mm, and G = 83 GPa. The bronze spring has 48 turns of 20-mm-diameter wire on a mean diameter of 150 mm, and
G = 42 GPa. Compute the maximum shearing stress in each spring using Eq. (3-9).

Solution 350

HideClick here to show or hide the solution

Equation (1)

Equation (2)

Equation (3)
From Equation (1)

Substitute P1 to Equation (3)

 Equation (4)
From Equation (2)

Substitute P2 to Equation (4)

For steel at left:

answer
For steel at right:
answer
For phosphor bronze:
answer