12.12 Knuckle Joint A knuckle joint is used to connect two rods which are under the action of tensile loads, if the joint is euided, the rods may support a compressive load, A kmuckle joint may be readily disconnected for adjustments or repairs. Its use may be found in the link of a cycle chain, tie rod joint for roof truss, valve rod joint with eccentric rod, pump rod joint. tension link in bridge structure and lever and rod connections of various types.ja 45d > 4 — >| a Y, p—Sinele eye or rod end Double eye or forked end 124 ah are wn Het Frade rr, teat a os et Knuckle pin collar: e a ee Knuckle pin—/ 4 Split pin Fig. 12.46, Knnckle joint In knuckle joint (the two views of which are shown in Fig. 12.16). one end of one of the ods is made into an eye and the end of the other rod is formed into a fork with an eve in each of the fork leg. The knuckle pin passes through both the eye hole and the fork holes and may be secured by means of a collar and taper pin or spilt pin, The knuckle pin may be prevented from rotating in the fork by means of a smnall stop, pin, peg or snug, In order to get a better quality of joint, the sides of the fork and eye are machined. the hole is accurately drilled and pin tamed, The material used for the joint may be steel or wrought iron. 12.13 Dimensions of Various Parts of the Knuckle Joint The dimensions of various parts of the knuckle joint are fixed by empirical relations as aiven below. It may be noted that all the parts should be made of the same material ie. mild steel or wrought iron, Ifdis the diameter of rod, then diameter of pin, Submersibis tke this can work at much greater ‘Ocean depths and high pressures where divers aad Gannot reach. Outer diameter of eye [Note This picture is given as adkitional information and =24 is not a direct example of the current chapter dyDiameter of knuckle pin head and collar, = 15d Thickness of single eye or rod end, = 128d Thickness of fork. 1, = 075d Thickness of pin head, 1, = 05d Other dimensions of the joint are shown in Fig. 12.16. 12.14 Methods of Failure of Knuckle Joint Consider a knuckle joint as shown in Fig. 12.16. Let P = Tensile load acting on the rod, d = Diameter of the rod. 4, = Diameter of the pin, 4d, = Outer diameter of eye, 7 = Thickness of single eye. 1, = Thickness of fork. G,, Tand G., = Permissible stresses for the joint material in tension, shear and crushing respectively. In determining the strength of the joint for the various methods of failure. itis assumed that 1. There is no stress concentration, and 2. The load is uniformly distributed over each part of the joint. Due to these assumptions, the strengths are approximate, however they serve to indicate a well proportioned joint. Following are the various methods of failure of the joint : 1. Failure of the solid rod in tension Since the rods are subjected to direct tensile load, therefore tensile strength of the rod, Rp = Exa?x 4 o Equating this to the load (P) acting on the rod, we have Ry ye = *xa? xe, Peq a equation, diameter of the rod ( @) is obtained. 2. Failure of the knuckle pin in shear Since the pin is in double shear, therefore cross-sectional area of the pin under shearing From rz = 2x7 Gy and the shear strength of the pin Reap 2xt art 4 ‘Equating this to the load (P) acting on the rod, we have Kay =2x5a@yr P au From this equation, diameter of the knuckle pin (¢,) is obtained. This assumes that there is no slack and clearance between the pin and the fork and hence there is uo bending of the pin. But, inactual practice, the knuckle pin is loose in forks in order to permit angular movement of one with respect to the other, therefore the pin is subjected to bending in addition to shearing. By making the diameter of kauckle pin equal to the diameter of the rod (i.e..d, = ¢).a margin of strength is provided to allow for the bending of the pin. In case, the stress due to bending is taken into account, itis assumed that the load on the pin is ‘uniformly distributed along the middle portion (cc. the eye end) and varies uniformily over the forks as shown in Fig. 12.17. Thus in the forks. a load P/2 acts through a distance of i, /3 from the inner edge and the bending moment will be maxinmm at the centre of the pin. The value of maximum bending moment is given by w=2(4el)-2x ~ 2\3°2 and section modulus, Z + Maximum bending (tensile) stress, P(t) Piaget M 74 a ! . Zz EG) Fig. 12.17, Distribution of load on the pin 32°) From this expression, the value of d, may be obtained, 3. Failure of the single eye or rod end in tension The single eye or rod end may tear off due to the tensile load, We know that area resisting tearing =(d,-d)t Tearing strength of single eye or rod end (a= 4)1*6, ‘Equating this to the load (P) we have P= (d,—4)1* 6, From this equation, the induced tensile stress (G,) for the single eye or rod end may be checked. In case the induced tensile stress is more than the allowable working stress. then increase the outer diameter of the eye (d,). 4. Failure of the single eye or rod end in shearing ‘The single eye or rod end may fail in shearing due to tensile load. We know that area resisting shearing =(-d)t . Shearing strength of single eye or rod end = @y-d) txt Equating this to the load (P), we have PH(d,-d)ixt From this equation, the induced shear stress (t) for the single eye or rod end may be checked.8. Failure of the single eye or rod end in crushing The single eye or pin may fail in crushing due to the tensile load, We know that area resisting crushing =d,xt ©. Crushing strength of single eye or rod end =d,*1%6, Equating this to the load (P). we have * P=d,xt«o, From this equation, the induced crushing stress (6) for the single eye or pin may be checked. In case the induced erushing stress in more than the allowable working stress. then increase the thickness of the single eye (9. 6. Failure of the forked end in tension The forked end or double eye may fail in tension due to the tensile load. We know that area resisting tearing =@,-d)* 21, ©. Tearing strength of the forked end = @,-d,) *24,*6, Equating this to the load (P). we have P = (d,-d,)*21,*6, From this equation, the induced tensile stress for the forked end may be checked, 7. Failure of the forked end in shear The forked end may fail in shearing due to the tensile load. We know that area resisting shearing =(dy—d) * 21, ©. Shearing strength of the forked end = d,—d,)* 2, xT Equating this to the load (P). we have P= (dj d)*2,%t From this equation, the induced shear stress for the forked end may be checked. In case, the induced shear stress is more than the allowable working stress, then thickness of the fork (¢,) is increased. 8. Failure of the forked end in crushing The forked end or pin may fail in crushing due to the tensile load. We know that area resisting crushing = 42h ©. Crushing strength of the forked end = dy*24,~0, Equating this to the load (P), we have P=d,2h*o, From this equation, the induced crushing stress for the forked end may be checked. Note: Frou the above failures of the joint, we see that the thickness of fork (f,) should be equal to half the Uickness of single eye (¢/ 2). But, in actual practice ¢, > £/ 2in order to prevent deflection or spreading of the forks which would introduce excessive bending of pin. 12.15 Design Procedure of Knuckle Joint ‘The empirical dimensions as discussed in Art. 12.13 have been formulated after wide experience on a particular service. These dimensions are of more practical value than the theoretical analysis. Thus, a designer should consider the empirical relations in designing a kauckle joint. The followingprocedure may be adopted 1. First of all, find the diameter of the rod by considering the failure of the rod in tension. We know that tensile load acting on the rod, P ax a xo, where d = Diameter of the rod, and 6, = Permissible tensile stress for the material of the rod. 2. After determining the diameter of the rod, the diameter of pin (d,) may be determined by considering the failure of the pin in shear. We know that load, P= 2x Tay t A little consideration will show that the value of d, as obtained by the above relation is less than the specified value (i.e. the diameter of rod). So fix the diameter of the pin equal to the diameter of the rod. 3. Other dimensions of the joint are fixed by empirical relations as discussed in Art, 12.13. 4. The induced stresses are obtained by substituting the empirical dimensions in the relations as discussed in Art. 12.14 In case the induced stress is more than the allowable stress, then the corresponding dimension may be increased. Example 12.7. Design a knuckle joint to transmit 150 kN. The design stresses may be taken as 75 MPa in tension, 60 MPa in shear and 150 MPa in compression. Solution. Given : P= 150kN= 150 « 10°N :6,=75 MPa=75 N/mm? ; t= 60 MPa=60Némm? : 6,=150MPa=150N/mm? ‘The knuckle joint is shown in Fig. 12.16. The joint is designed by considering the various methods of failure as discussed below : 1. Failure of the solid rod in tension Let d = Diameter of the rod. ‘We know that the load transmitted (P), Roy Ry 15010 = x d? x6, =—xd? x 75 =s0d? 4 4 : @? = 150 103/59 = 2540 or d = 50.4say 52mm Ans, ‘Now the various dimensions are fixed as follows : Diameter of knuckle pin, Outerdiameterofeye. — d, Diameter of knuckle pin head and collar. d, = 15d=1,5*52= 78mm Thickness of single eye or rod end, 25 1.2552 Thickness of fork. 1 0.75 «52 Thickness of pinhead, 1, = 0.5d = 0.5 «52 = 26mm. 2. Failure of the knuckle pin in shear Since the knuckle pin is in double shear, therefore load (P), 150 10° 2x EX) ta DK EX ODT 42487T= 150 10°/4248 = 35.3N/mm? 3. Failure of the single eye or rod end in tension ‘The single eye or rod end may fail in tension due to the load. We know that load (P). 150» 103 = (d,—d,) r= 6,= (104-52) 65 « 6,= 33806, * 6, = 150 10°/3380=44.4 N/mm? = 44.4 MPa 4. Failure of the single eye or rod end in shearing The single eye or rod end may fail in shearing due to the load, We know that load (P), 150 108 = (d,—d,) t* t= (104 ~ 52) 65 « t= 33807 ” T= 150» 10°/3380=44.4 Nim? = 44.4 MPa 5. Failure of the single eye or rod end in erushing The single eye or rod end may fail in crushing due to the load. We know that load (P). 150108 = d, «1 6,=52 «65 * 6,=33806, s je = 150 = 103/3380 = 44.4 Ninm?= 44.4 MPa 6. Failure of the forked end in tension ‘The forked end may fail in tension due to the load. We know that load (P), 150% 10° = (dy—d,) 21, * 6,= (104-52) 2» 40 « 6,= 4160.6, * 6G, = 150 * 103/4160 = 36N/mm? = 36MPa 7. Failure of the forked end in shear The forked end may fail in shearing due to the load. We know that load (P). 150108 = (d,—d,) 2 F, = t= (104 ~52)2 «40 x t= 41607 * ‘© = 150 = 103/4160= 36 Nim? = 36 MPa 8. Failure of the forked end in crushing The forked end may fail in crushing due to the load. We know that load (P). 150< 10% = dy <2 *0,=5252=40* 6, 41600, ” 6, = 150 « 10°/4180=36Nimm? = 36MPa 5.3 MPa From above, we see that the induced stresses are less than the given design stresses, therefore the joint is safe. Example 12.8. Design a knuckle joint for a tie rod ofa circular section to sustain a maximum pull of 70 KN. The ultimate strength of the material of the rod against tearing is 420 MPa. The ultimate tensile and shearing strength of the pin material are 510 MPa and 396 MPa respectively. Determine the tie rod section and pin section. Take factor of safety = 6. Solution. Given : P= 70 KN = 70.000 N :G,, for rod =420 MPa : *G,, for pin = 510 MPa : =396MPa: FS.=6 ‘We know that the permissible tensile stress for the rod material, Gy for rod _ 420 _ _ SG, Ts eo 70 MPa= 70 N/mm? and permissible shear stress for the pin material, 1 _ 396 = 66MPa=66 Nim? FS. 6‘We shall now consider the various methods of failure of the joint as discussed below: 1, Failure of the rod in tension Let d = Diameter of the rod. ‘We know that the load (P), 70000 = faa x6, Fxa? x70 =S55d? * ad? = 70000/55=1273 ot d = 35.7 say 36mm Ans. The other dimensions of the joint are fixed as given below : Diameter of the knuckle pin, 1 Outer diameter of the eye, d,=2d= Diameter of knuckle pin head and collar. d, =15d=15%36= 54mm Thickness of single eye or rod end. 36mm, «36 = 72uun Thickness of fork. ‘Now we shall check for the induced streses as discussed below : 2. Failure of the knuckle pin in shear Since the knuckle pin is in double shear, therefore load (P), 70.000 = 2« © (ayy oe T= 70 000/203 3. Failure of the single eye or rod end in tension The single eye or rod end may fail in tension due to the load. We know that load (P), 70 000 = (d,-d,) = 0,= (72-36) 45 0,=16200, 0, = 70 000 / 1620 = 43.2 N/mm? 4. Failure of the forked end in tension The forked end may fail in tension due to the load. We know that load (P), 10 000 =(d,=d,) 21, 6,= (72-36) *2* 276, oe 6, =70 000/ 1944 = 36 Nim? From above we see that the induced stresses are less than given permissible stresses, therefore the joint is safe. Pe 22 Gort 20367 344mm? 944 6,Failure may be due to any one of the following stresses, (1) Tensile in rod 6, =4P/xD? i "(D,—D, (2) Tensile in eye o, 1.14) Stresses in knuckle joint which occur are given. ‘Symbols used P=load o.=tensile stress (3) Shear in eye *=P/(D,—D,)b ’ ° D,=pin diameter D, =eye outer diameter ickness of the fork b=the thickness of the eye (4) Tensile in fork o,=P/(D, WwW Ti (5) Shear in fork r= P/(D,—D,)2a =+{¢ |-}+-4P(a+b) =D; (9) Bending in pin 9, (10) Crushing in pin due to eye 4,=P/6D,, (11) Crushing in pin due to fork ¢,=P/2aD, He