A Theoretical and Experimental Study of Propeller-Shaft Failures

摘要

The report presents a detailed study of the stresses in the tailshaft of a T2-SE-A2 tanker of the MISSION type, including an analysis of the causes of tailshaft failures encountered in these ships as well as in Liberty ships and other ships of similar type. The study is based on full-scale tests as well as on theoretical analyses. Special emphasis is placed on the effects of a whirling type of flexural vibration on the stresses and motions of the shaft. Design methods are evaluated in the light of the above analysis. One of the principal conclusions is that the shaft failures are due to a lack of endurance strength of the shaft as designed and built and not due to a serious lack of endurance strength of the shafting material itself. This lack of endurance strength appears to be associated with the microscopic stress variations rather than with macroscopic stress variations. (Author)