In the shaft diameter formula d = [16 T /(π τ_allow)]^(1/3), what does τ_allow represent?

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Multiple Choice

In the shaft diameter formula d = [16 T /(π τ_allow)]^(1/3), what does τ_allow represent?

Explanation:
In torsion design, the maximum shear stress in a solid circular shaft is related to the applied torque and the shaft diameter by the relation τ = 16T/(π d^3). The symbol τ_allow is the allowable shear stress — the maximum shear stress the material is permitted to experience in design. It comes from the material’s strength (often a yield or allowable design stress, sometimes with a safety factor applied). This value is what you compare against to ensure the shaft won’t fail under the given torque. So τ_allow represents the allowable shear stress, not the torque, diameter, or density.

In torsion design, the maximum shear stress in a solid circular shaft is related to the applied torque and the shaft diameter by the relation τ = 16T/(π d^3). The symbol τ_allow is the allowable shear stress — the maximum shear stress the material is permitted to experience in design. It comes from the material’s strength (often a yield or allowable design stress, sometimes with a safety factor applied). This value is what you compare against to ensure the shaft won’t fail under the given torque.

So τ_allow represents the allowable shear stress, not the torque, diameter, or density.

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