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Information on calculation

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Coefficient of safety
Determination of the corresponding coefficient of safety is a complicated and responsible task. A high coefficient of safety usually results in a safer design, however with a higher weight and thus a higher price and vice versa. It is the basic engineering compromise of "price vs.safety". Profession organizations often specify minimum coefficients of safety for various systems; however, it is the responsibility of the designer to determine such coefficient of safety that ensures corresponding safety at an acceptable price. At the same time, the coefficient of safety can vary within a wide range. A coefficient close to 1.0 (one-off use, short service life) may be sufficient for a military missile; a coefficient at 1.2 for military aircraft (it is equipped with a parachute, it passes through an inspection process); in civil aviation it is about 1.5 (inspection process, regular maintenance). A dam with a coefficient of safety higher than 20 can be found at the other end of the range (service life of many decades, faults have catastrophic consequences). For a simple orientation we give here some models for determining the corresponding coefficient of safety, which are published in specialized literature. . For thorough understanding of problems of safety and reliability we recommend you study specialized literature. Joseph P. Visodic. In 1948 he published his recommendations for determining the minimum coefficient of safety, which are mentioned in the table below. The coefficient of safety for tensile materials is based on the yield strength. For fragile materials it is based on the ultimate strength and is double those values given for tensile materials. The coefficient of safety for cyclical loading is based on the fatigue limit. Shock loading requires min. coefficient of safety 2, multiplied by the coefficient of shock - usually in the range from 1.1 to 2.0. Recommended coefficient of safety for tensile materials based on the yield strength. Coefficient of safety 1.2-1.5 1.5-2.0 2.0-2.5 2.5-3.0 3.0-4.0 3.0-4.0 Knowledge of loading exact good good average average indefinite Knowledge of permitted stress exact good good average average indefinite Knowledge of properties of material very good very good average randomly tested not tested Knowledge of environment fully under control invariable common common common indefinite

Robert L. Norton. The total value of the coefficient of safety is a combination of coefficients of safety based on material properties, accuracy of the calculation model and knowledge of working environment. Coefficient of safety SF SF (tensile materials) = max (SF1, SF2, SF3) ; based on the yield strength SF (fragile materials) = 2*[max (SF1, SF2, SF3)] ; based on yield point where SF1, SF2, SF3 are selections from the following table. Coefficient of safety 1.3 2 3 5+ SF1 - Material properties (from tests) Well known / characteristic Well approximated Fairly approximated Roughly approximated SF2 - Loading conditions (knowledge) Verified by testing Well approximated Fairly approximated Roughly approximated SF3 - Working environment Same as material testing conditions Checked, room temperature Slightly demanding Extremely demanding

Pugsley, A.G. He recommends determining the coefficient of safety as a product of two coefficients. SF = SF1 * SF2 where: SF1 is a function of parameters A, B, C from the first table SF2 is a function of parameters D, E from the second table Meaning of parameters: A. Quality of material, level of processing, maintenance, service inspections

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Information on calculation

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B. C. D. E.

Control over possible overloading Accuracy of analysis, knowledge of experimental data of experience with similar parts Threat to people when a failure of the part occurs Financial impact when a failure of the part occurs Parameter B B=1 1.10 1.20 1.30 1.40 1.30 1.45 1.60 1.75 1.50 1.70 1.90 2.10 B=2 1.30 1.45 1.60 1.75 1.55 1.75 1.95 2.15 1.80 2.05 2.30 2.55 B=3 1.50 1.70 1.90 2.10 1.80 2.05 2.30 2.55 2.10 2.40 2.70 3.00 B=4 1.70 1.95 2.20 2.45 2.05 2.35 2.65 2.95 2.40 2.75 3.10 3.45 2.75 3.15 3.55 3.95

Parameter A Parameter C C=1 C=2 C=3 C=4 C=1 C=2 C=3 C=4 C=1 C=2 C=3 C=4

A=1

A=2

A=3

C=1 1.70 2.15 2.40 C=2 1.95 2.35 2.75 A=4 C=3 2.20 2.65 3.10 C=4 2.45 2.95 3.45 Where the evaluation means: 1=Very good; 2=Good; 3=Sufficient; 4=Bad Parameter D Parameter E E=1 E=2 E=3

D=1 1.0 1.0 1.2 D=2 1.2 1.3 1.4 D=3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Where the evaluation means: 1=Minimum; 2=Mean; 3=Very serious List of specialized literature.

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