Force Fits and Shrinkage Fits in Crank Webs and Locomotive Driving Wheels
This experimental investigation relates to a general method of measuring stress distribution when force fits and shrinkage fits of the plane stress type are employed in engineering practice. Important cases occur in the webs of built-up crankshafts for locomotives and Diesel engines. When the latter are of high power and short stroke, so that crankshaft and crankpins are large and relatively close together, the initial constructional stresses are shown to attain high values. More complicated cases, from an experimental point of view, occur in the driving wheels of locomotives with a tyre shrunk over a wheel centre having a crank and balance weight integral therewith, while the main axle and crankpin are forced or shrunk in. Such a case is examined with reference to a driving wheel of the London Midland and Scottish Railway locomotive Royal Scot, and the stress distributions measured in various parts of a model of it are described in detail.