7.

3 Square-Threaded Screws
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 1, page 1 of 5
1. The square-threaded jack is used to raise and lower
the 100-kg block. Determine a) the torque Mu required
to begin moving the block up, and b) the torque Md
required to begin moving the block down. Also
determine if the block will remain stationary when the 100 kg
torque is removed. The screw has lead L = 10 mm,
mean radius r = 8 mm, and is single-threaded. The
coefficient of static friction between the screw and the
supporting threads of the base is = 0.25.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 1, page 2 of 5
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 1, page 3 of 5
2 Part a) Move load up. 3 Load on screw
(100 kg) (9.81 m/s2)
981 N

4 Sense of rotation produced by

torque Mu applied to screw
5 Because the motion of the screw is opposite the
direction of the load on the screw, Eq. 1 can be used
Impending
to calculate the torque:
motion of
screw
Mu = Fr tan ( + ) (Eq.1 repeated)

Here

F = 981 N

r = 0.008 m

= tan-1[L/(2 r)]
= tan-1[0.010 m/(2 (0.008 m))]
= 11.252°

= tan-1 ,
= tan-1(0.25) Mu
= 14.036°

Substituting these results in Eq. 1 gives

Mu = 3.71 N m Ans.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 1, page 4 of 5
6 Part b) Move load down. Load 981 N

8 Because the motion of the screw is in the same

direction as the load acting on the screw, the 7 Impending
appropriate formula to use to calculate the torque Md is motion of
either Eq. 3 or Eq. 4. To decide which equation to use, screw
we have to determine if the screw is self-locking: Sense of rotation
produced by torque
Condition for screw to be self-locking: Md applied to screw

tan (Eq. 2 repeated)

0.25 tan 11.252°= 0.199

Thus the inequality is satisfied and the screw is

self-locking. Eq. 3 then applies:

Md = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 3 repeated)

Substituting F = 981 N, r = 0.008 m, = 11.252° and Md

= 14.036°, as before, gives

Md = 0.38 N m Ans.

Note that this moment is considerably less than the 3.71

N m moment needed to raise the block.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 1, page 5 of 5
9 If the torque is removed, does the block remain
stationary? Since we have shown that the screw is
self-locking, the

block remains stationary Ans.

Comment on "self-locking." The friction coefficient

was = 0.25. Suppose instead that it had been smaller, 100 kg
say, = 0.15. Then consider the self-locking criterion:

tan (Eq. 2 repeated)

Sense of rotation (causes
0.15 tan 11.252° = 0.199 the block to move up, or,
better stated, prevents the
Thus the inequality above is not satisfied, and the screw block from moving down) Impending
is not self-locking. To keep the block from descending motion of
rapidly under its own weight as the screw turns, we have screw
to apply a torque M in the same sense as if we were about
to raise the block. The smallest value of the torque that
will keep the block from coming down is given by Eq. 4:

Md = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 4 repeated)

Substituting F = 981 N, r = 0.008 m, and = 11.252°

as before, together with = tan-10.15 = 8.531°, gives

Md = 0.37 N m M
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 2, page 1 of 3
2. Determine the minimum number n of threads per
inch that will prevent the square-threaded jack screw
from turning by itself under its own weight. The mean
radius r of the thread is 0.5 in., and the coefficient of
static friction between the screw and the supporting
threads of the base is = 0.15. The screw is
single-threaded.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 2, page 2 of 3
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 2, page 3 of 3
2 The jack will not turn by itself if it is 3 Solving for n gives
self-locking. The condition for self-locking is
n 1/(2 r )
tan (Eq. 2 repeated)
Substituting r = 0.5 in. and = 0.15 gives
Here
n 2.122 threads/in.
tan = L/(2 r)
Thus the minimum number is about
Using this result in Eq. 2 gives
n = 2.12 threads/in. Ans.
L/(2 r) (5)

Because the screw is single-threaded, L is the

distance between two consecutive threads.
That is, L is the number of inches per thread. It
follows that the reciprocal of L is the number
of threads per inch:

1/L = n

Using this result in Eq. 5 gives

L/(2 r)

1/n
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 3, page 1 of 4
3. An assembly consists of a tube, washer A, and
a square-threaded screw. The end of the screw is
threaded into the support B. The tube will be
crushed if the compressive load acting on it
exceeds 100 N. Determine the maximum value
of the torque M that can be safely applied to the
tube. The screw has lead L = 8 mm and mean M
radius = 10 mm. The coefficient of static friction
between the screw and the threads in the support
A is = 0.3. Neglect the friction between the
washer and the tube and between the washer and
the head of the screw. A

B
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 3, page 2 of 4
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 3, page 3 of 4
2 Free-body diagram of tube 3 The 100-N reaction force from the tube
loaded to maximum capacity pushes up on the washer and thus
produces a tensile load on the screw.
100 N

F 100 N

4 Sense of rotation
produced by torque M 5 Impending
motion of
screw

100 N
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 3, page 4 of 4
6 The motion of the screw is opposite the direction of the
100-N axial load, so Eq.1 applies:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (Eq. 1 repeated)

Here

F = 100 N

r = 0.01 m

= tan-1[L/(2 r)]
= tan-1[0.008 m/(2 0.01 m))]
= 7.256°

= tan-1
= tan-1(0.3)
16.699

Substituting these values in Eq. 1 gives

M = 0.444 N m Ans.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 4, page 1 of 4
4. The C-clamp provides a compressive force of 900 N to
two blocks that are being glued together. Determine the
minimum force P necessary to loosen the clamp. The
clamp has a square-threaded screw with lead L = 7 mm
and mean radius r = 8 mm. The coefficient of static
friction between the screw and the supporting threads in Blocks
the frame is = 0.25.

100 mm

P
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 4, page 2 of 4
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 4, page 3 of 4
2 Free-body diagram of blocks
3 The reaction force from the block
produces an axial load on the screw,

900 N 900 N F 900 N

4 Torque, M (0.1 m) P
(produced by force P)

100 mm 5 Impending motion

of screw

6 Because the motion of the screw is in the same direction as

the load acting on the screw, the appropriate formula to use
to calculate the torque M is either Eq. 3 or Eq. 4.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 4, page 4 of 4
7 To decide whether to use Eq. 3 or Eq. 4, we have to 8 Thus the inequality is satisfied, and the screw is
determine if the screw is self-locking. self-locking. Eq. 3 applies:

Condition for a screw to be self-locking: M = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 3 repeated)

0.25 Here

tan (Eq. 2 repeated) M = (0.1 m)P

L/(2 r) = 0.007 m/(2 0.008 m)) = 0.139 F = 900 N

r = 0.008 m

= tan-1[L/(2 r)]
= tan-1[0.007 m/(2 0.008 m))]
= 7.928°

= tan-1
= tan-1(0.25)
14.036

Substituting these values in Eq. 3 and solving

for P gives

P = 7.70 N Ans.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 5, page 1 of 4
5. A square-threaded bolt and nut are used to
connect three plates as shown. Determine the
torque that must be applied to the bolt and nut
to achieve a specified bolt tension of 60 kip.
The mean diameter of the thread is d = 1 in., the
lead is L = 0.1 in., and the coefficient of static
friction between the threads of the bolt and nut
is = 0.2. Friction between the washer and nut
can be neglected.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 5, page 2 of 4
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 5, page 3 of 4

2 Torques are applied to the bolt head

and to the nut to tighten the nut.

4 Free-body diagram of plates

F (force from washer on top)

M
3 Sense of rotation of nut
produced by torque M F (force from washer on bottom)
applied to the nut
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 5, page 4 of 4
M 5 The reaction force from the top
plate pushes the washer and the
head of the bolt up. This causes
an axial tensile load F in the
screw.
7 The motion of the screw is opposite the
direction of the axial load F, so Eq.1 applies:.

F = 60 kip M = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 1 repeated)

Here

F = 60 kip

Sense of rotation of nut r = d/2

= 1.0 in./2
= 0.5 in.
Impending motion
of screw = tan-1[L/(2 r)]
= tan-1[0.1 in./(2 0.5 in.))]
= 1.823°
6 The motion of the nut is up so = tan-1
M
the motion of the screw = tan-1(0.2)
relative to the supporting 11.310
screws of the nut is down.
Substituting these values in Eq. 1 gives

M = 7.00 kip in. Ans.

7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 6, page 1 of 6
6. The weight W = 6 kN can be raised by rotating the
square-threaded screw of the automobile jack, causing
joints A and C to move towards each other. Determine the
force P required to raise the load when = 30°. The lead
of the thread is L = 4 mm, the mean diameter is d = 8 mm,
and the coefficient of static friction is = 0.2.

150 mm 150 mm

A C

150 mm 150 mm
200 mm

D
P
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 6, page 2 of 6
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 6, page 3 of 6
2 The torque required to turn the screw depends on the
Free-body diagram of bracket D
axial load acting on the screw. To find the axial
load, we have to compute the forces in the members
AB, BC, AD, and DC.
FAD FDC
The forces in members AB and BC can be found
from a free-body diagram of bracket B:
W D
W (force from floor
under jack)
B
4 Similarly using a free body diagram of bracket D
leads to
FAB FBC
FAD = FDC = W/(2 sin ) (6)

3 Equilibrium equations
+
Fx = 0: FAB cos FBC cos =0

Fy = 0: FAB sin + FBC sin W=0

+

Solving gives

FAB = FBC = W/(2 sin ) (5)

7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 6, page 4 of 6
5 Next, a free-body diagram of pin A gives the
force F of the screw acting on the pin: W
FAB
B
A F

FAD

6 Equilibrium equations A C

W/(2 sin ) by Eq. 5

+ Fx = 0: FAB cos FAD cos +F=0

W/(2 sin ) by Eq. 6

Solving gives D

F = W/tan (7)

F is the force of the screw acting on

the pin A. The equal and opposite
force of pin A acting on the screw
constitutes the load on the screw.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 6, page 5 of 6

W
9 Sense of rotation
B caused by torque M

7 Load on screw F = W/tan

A C

8 Torque M produced by
force P (M P 0.2 m)
200 mm

P D 10 Impending motion
of screw relative
to supporting
threads at C

11 Because the motion of the screw is opposite the

direction of the load on the screw, Eq. 1 can be
used to calculate the torque.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 6, page 6 of 6
12 Apply Eq. 1: 13 Comment: if a jack is to be safe, it must support the
weight being lifted, even when the operator of the
M = Fr tan ( + ) (Eq.1 repeated) jack takes his hands off the handle. Is the present
jack safe? Answer: yes, if it is self-locking.
Here
Condition for screw to be self-locking:
M = 0.2P
0.2
F = W/tan
= (6000 N)/tan 30° tan (Eq. 2 repeated)
= 10 392 N
tan 9.043° by Eq. 8
r = (0.008 m)/2 = 0.159
= 0.004 m
Because the inequality is satisfied, the jack is
= tan-1[L/(2 r)] self-locking and so is safe.
= tan-1[0.004 m/(2 (0.004 m))]
= 9.043° (8)

= tan-1 ,
= tan-1(0.2)
= 11.310°

Substituting these results in Eq. 1 gives

P = 77.1 N Ans.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 1 of 8
7. Joints A and D of the truss are connected by a cable with a
turnbuckle. Determine the minimum torque Me required to
loosen the turnbuckle. The turnbuckle has a square thread
with lead L = 1/8 in. and mean radius r = 1/4 in. The
coefficient of static friction between the turnbuckle frame and
the screws is = 0.4. Both screws are prevented from
rotating as the turnbuckle is turned.

A B

5 kip

Left-handed thread Right-handed thread

Me
6 ft

Enlarged view of turnbuckle

C D

6 ft
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 2 of 8
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 3 of 8
2 The torque required to loosen the turnbuckle
depends on the value of the axial force that acts
on the turnbuckle. Thus we first have to solve
for the force in truss member AD. Using the
method of joints, we begin with a free-body
diagram of joint B:

B
FAB 5 kip

B
FBD A
5 kip
Equilibrium equation:
+ Fx = 0: FAB 5 kip = 0

Thus Me

FAB = 5 kip

= 5 kip (C)

C D
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 4 of 8
3 Free-body diagram of joint A
A
FAB 5 kip (C)
A B
45°
FAD 5 kip
FAC

Me
Equilibrium equation: 6 ft
+ Fx = 0: 5 kip + FAD sin 45° = 0

Thus

FAD = 7.071 kip (T) (5)

This is the axial force acting on the ends of the C D

turnbuckle.

6 ft
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 5 of 8
4 To loosen the turnbuckle, we must turn it in
such a way that screw R moves to the right
relative to the turnbuckle frame.
Direction of desired motion of
L R screw R relative to frame

Axial load Axial load

5 Because screw R has a right-handed

thread, it will move to the right if an
external torque Me is applied to the
frame in the sense shown.

Me
Impending motion of screw R
L R relative to frame

Axial load Axial load

Sense of rotation of frame Right-handed thread

produced by torque Me
6 Note that the motion of screw
R is in the same direction as
the axial load acting on the
screw.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 6 of 8
7 Because screw L has a left-handed
thread, it will move left relative to the
frame if torque Me is applied to the
frame with the same sense as before.

Me
Impending motion of
screw relative to frame
L R

Axial load Axial load

Left-handed thread Sense of rotation of frame

produced by torque Me

8 Just as was the case for screw R, the

impending motion of screw L is in the same
direction as the axial load. It follows that for
both screws either Eq. 3 or Eq. 4 applies. To
decide which equation to use, we have to
determine if the screws are self-locking.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 7 of 8
9 Condition for screw to be self-locking: 10 Apply Eq. 3.

tan (Eq. 2 repeated) M = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 3 repeated)

Here Here

= 0.4 F = 7.071 kip (Eq. 5 repeated)

and r = 1/4 in.

tan = L/(2 r) = tan-1

= (1/8 in.)/[2 (1/4 in.)] = tan-1(0.4)
= 0.080 (6) 1.801

Since = tan-1(0.080) (by Eq. 6)

0.4 = 4.570°

> tan Substituting these values into Eq. 3 gives

0.080 M = 0.548 kip in (7)

the inequality, Eq. 2, is satisfied and the screws are Note: the torque M is not the same as the external
self-locking. Thus Eq. 3 is the appropriate equation torque Me, as will now be shown.
for calculating M, the torque acting on each screw.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 7, page 8 of 8
11 The torque M can now be related to the external torque
Me by considering a free-body diagram of the frame:

F 7.07 kip L R F 7.07 kip

Me

12 M 0.548 kip in. by Eq. 7 14 Torque applied externally to 13 M 0.548 kip in. by Eq. 7
(Torque from screw L turnbuckle to make it rotate (Torque from screw R
resisting rotation of frame) resisting rotation of frame)

15 Moment equilibrium equation:

+ Maxial = 0: M Me + M = 0

Thus

Me = M + M
= 0.548 kip in + 0.548 kip in
= 1.096 kip in Ans.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 1 of 8
8. Determine the minimum torque Me applied to the turnbuckle
that will cause the 500-kg block to begin to move a) up and
b) down. Also, if no torque is applied, determine if the block
will remain stationary. The turnbuckle has a square thread
with lead L = 5 mm, mean radius r = 10 mm, and coefficient
of static friction between the turnbuckle frame and the screws
of = 0.24. Both screws are prevented from rotating as the
turnbuckle is turned.

Cable Frictionless pulley

Enlarged view of turnbuckle

Left-handed thread Right-handed thread

500 kg
Enlarged view of turnbuckle
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 2 of 8
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 3 of 8
2 Part a): 500-kg block moves up.

To make the block move up, we must rotate the

turnbuckle in such a way that screw R moves left
relative to the turnbuckle frame.
3 Direction of desired motion of
screw R relative to frame
L R

Axial load Axial load

4 Because screw R has a right-handed thread, it

will move left if an external torque Me is
applied to the frame in the sense shown.
Right-handed thread
Me

Impending motion of screw

L R R relative to frame
Axial load Axial load

6 Note that the motion of

screw R is in a direction
5 Sense of rotation of frame opposite to the axial load
produced by torque Me acting on the screw.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 4 of 8
7 Because screw L has a left-handed thread, it will
move right relative to the frame if torque Me is
applied with the same sense as before.

Left-handed thread

Me
Impending motion of screw L
L R

Axial load Axial load

Sense of rotation of frame

produced by torque Me

8 Thus the motion of each screw is in a direction opposite

to the axial load acting on the screw. It follows that the
appropriate formula (for square-threaded screws) to use
for both screws is Eq.1, which applies when screw
motion and axial load are in opposite directions.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 5 of 8
9 M = Fr tan ( + ) (Eq. 1 repeated)

Here M is the torque acting on either screw L or

screw R. M is not Me (recall that Me is the torque
applied to the frame of the turnbuckle, not to the
individual screws).

F = tension in cable
= weight of 500-kg mass
= (500 kg)(9.81 m/s2)
= 4905 N (5)

r = 0.01 m (6)

= tan-1[L/(2 r)]
= tan-1[0.005 m/(2 (0.01 m))]
= 4.550° (7)

= tan-1 ,
= tan-1(0.24)
= 13.496° (8)

Substituting these results in Eq. 1 gives

M = 15.981 N m (9)
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 6 of 8
10 The torque M can now be related to the torque
Me by considering a free-body diagram.

Free-body diagram of frame of turnbuckle

F 4905 N L R F 4905 N
Me

11 M 15.981 N m 12 Torque applied externally 13 M 15.981 N m

(Torque from screw L to turnbuckle frame to (Torque from screw R
acting on frame) make it rotate acting on frame)

14 Moment equilibrium:
+ Maxial = 0: M + Me M=0

Thus

Me = 2M (10)
= 2(15.981 N m)
= 32.0 N m Ans.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 7 of 8
15 Part b): 500-kg block moves down.

To make the block move down, rotate the turnbuckle in the

opposite sense. The sense of Me and the direction of
motions of the screws reverse from what we had before.

Me 17 Impending motion of screw R

16 Impending motion of screw L

L R

Axial load Axial load

Sense of rotation
produced by torque Me

18 Because the motion of each screw is in the same direction as the axial
load acting on the screw, either Eq. 3 or Eq. 4 apply. To decide which,
equation to use we have to determine if the screws are self-locking:

Criterion of self-locking:

tan (Eq. 2 repeated)

0.24 tan 4.550° by Eq. 7

0.080
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 8, page 8 of 8
19 Thus the inequality is satisfied, and the screws are self-locking. Eq. 3
applies:

M = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 3 repeated)

Substituting the previous values from Eqs. 5-9 (F = 4905 N,

r = 0.01 m, = 4.550°, and = 13.496°) gives

M = 7.721 N m

Writing a moment equilibrium equation as before gives Eq. 10 again:

Mu = 2M (Eq. 10 repeated)
= 2(7.721 N m)
= 15.44 N m Ans.

Finally, because we have shown that the turnbuckle is self-locking

( > tan in Eq. 2), we can conclude that

the weight will remain stationary when Me = 0 Ans.

7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 1 of 7
9. The collar connects two shafts with threaded ends.
Both threads are single, square, and right-handed,
with lead L = 5 mm, mean radius r = 8 mm, and
coefficient of static friction = 0.4. The tension in
each shaft is 5 kN. Both screws are prevented from
turning as the collar turns. Determine the minimum
torque M required to turn the collar in either
direction.

5 kN 5 kN
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 2 of 7
1 Formulas For A Screw With A Single Square Thread Sense of rotation produced by torque M applied to screw

Let F be the resultant axial force acting on the screw,

exclusive of the force from the supporting threads). Then F M
for screw motion in a direction opposite to F:

M = Fr tan ( + ) (1)
Direction of motion of screw
in which M is the torque required to turn the screw; r is the relative to supporting threads
mean radius of the threads; = tan-1[L/(2 r)], where L is
the lead of the screw; is the angle of friction (= tan-1 ),
where is the coefficient of friction.

Condition for screw to be of self-locking: F M

tan (2)

Self-locking screw with motion in same direction as axial

load: Direction of motion of screw

M = Fr tan ( ) (3)

Non-self-locking screw with motion in same direction as

axial load: F M
M = Fr tan ( ) (4)

in which M is the minimum torque that must be applied to

the screw to prevent it from turning on its own. Direction of motion of screw
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 3 of 7

2 Apply a torque Me to the collar with the

sense chosen arbitrarily as shown. 3 Sense of rotation of collar
produced by torque Me

A B

5 kN Me 5 kN

4 Because screw B has a right-handed thread,

it will move left relative to the collar.

Impending motion of
screw B
A B

5 kN Me 5 kN

5 Note that the motion of screw B is in a direction

opposite to the 5-kN axial load acting on the
screw. It follows that the appropriate formula to
use to calculate MB, the torque required to turn
screw B, is Eq. 1, which applies when screw
motion and axial force are in opposite direction.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 4 of 7
6 Apply Eq. 1.

MB = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 1 repeated)

Here MB is the torque acting on screw B. MB is not

Me, as will be shown shortly. The other parameters in
Eq. 1 have the following values:

F = 5000 N (5)

r = 0.008 m

= tan-1[L/(2 r)]
= tan-1[0.005 m/(2 (0.008))]
= 5.681° (6)

= tan-1
= tan-1(0.4)
21.801 (7)

Substituting these values into Eq. 1 gives

MB = 20.807 N m (8)
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 5 of 7
7 Next consider screw A. Because screw A has a
right-handed thread, it will move left relative to the
collar when torque Me is applied.

Impending motion of screw A

A B

5 kN Me 5 kN

Sense of rotation of collar

produced by torque Me
8 Because the motion of screw A is in the same
direction as the axial load acting on the screw, the
appropriate formula to use to calculate MA, the torque
required to turn screw A, is either Eq. 3 or Eq. 4. To
decide which equation to use, we have to determine if
the screw is self-locking.
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 6 of 7
9 Condition for a screw to be self-locking:

0.4

tan (Eq. 2 repeated)

tan 5.68 by Eq. 6

= 0.099

Thus the inequality is satisfied and the screws are

self-locking. Eq. 3 is the appropriate equation for
calculating MA, the torque acting on screw A:

MA = Fr tan ( ) (Eq. 3 repeated)

Here

F = 5000 N

r = 0.008 m

= 21.801 (Eq. 7 repeated)

= 5.681° (Eq. 6 repeated)

Substituting these values into Eq. 3 gives

MA = 11.561 N m (9)
7.3 Square-Threaded Screws Example 9, page 7 of 7
10 Finally, the torque Me applied to the collar can be
related to MA and MB, the torques required to turn
the screws, by considering a free-body diagram:

Free-body diagram of collar (alone, without screws A and B)

A B
F 5 kN F 5 kN
Me

11 MA 11.561 N m by Eq. 9 12 Torque applied externally to 13 MB 20.807 N m by Eq. 8

(Torque from screw A collar to make it rotate (Torque from screw B
resisting rotation of collar) resisting rotation of collar)

14 Moment equilibrium equation: 15 We initially chose the sense of the torque Me arbitrarily. Had
we chosen Me with the opposite sense, however, it would have
+ made no difference in the final answer, because the new value
Maxial = 0: MA + Me MB = 0
of MB would be equal to the old value of MA, and the new value
Thus of MA would be equal to the old value of MB. That is, MB and
MA would merely have switched values, and their sum, which is
Me = MA + MB equal to Me, would have remained the same. Thus the torque
= 11.561 N m + 20.807 N m calculated, Me, is the minimum torque required to turn the
= 32.4 N m Ans. collar in either direction.