The GATE Grind

GATE 2017 ME (ME2) – Question 43

Machine Design · Shafts and springs · 2 marks · Numerical answer

A helical compression spring of circular wire has maximum shear stress 24 MPa under a compressive load. With the same load, both wire diameter and mean coil diameter are doubled. The maximum shear stress is ______ MPa.

Practise this question in The GATE Grind →

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: 6 to 6

Explanation

For fixed load, torsional spring shear is proportional to D/d³, with the curvature factor unchanged because D/d is unchanged. Doubling both dimensions multiplies stress by2/2³=1/4. Direct shear also scales as1/d². Thus maximum shear stress becomes24/4=**6MPa**.