Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/L53830/01
Title:	FATIGUE OF SPLINED JOINT COUPLINGS
Principal Investigator:	Hyde, Professor TH
Other Investigators:	McColl, Dr IR Williams, Dr EJ Becker, Professor A
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Rolls-Royce Plc (UK)
Department:	Sch of Mech Materials Manuf Eng Mgt
Organisation:	University of Nottingham
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 June 1998	Ends:	31 August 2001	Value (£):	152,081
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Eng. Dynamics & Tribology Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Aerospace, Defence and Marine
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
For high powers and torques, spline couplings are widely used throughout industry and are unrivalled as a compact and effective means of interconnecting shafts and locating components on shafts. However, in spite of a long history of developments it is not possible to predict their performance with confidence due to a lack of fundamental understanding of the fatigue, fretting fatigue and wear mechanisms which occur in splines. Currently, therefore, spline couplings are designed using empirical data and by making incremental changes, based upon experience and judgement, to existing designs; costly development testing is then necessary for verification or to indicate the need for further modification. Hence, research is proposed seeking basic understanding which will allow optimisation of designs and significantly shorter development periods. The work will have three inter-related foci:a) computation of spline tooth interaction conditions using boundary element method used in conjunction with experimental data from specimens with representative stress, pressure, relative movement, etc conditions, in order to predict crack initiation, under fretting conditions, and subsequent growth. b) measurement of materials properties (ie initiation of fretting fatigue cracks and crack growth) by laboratory methods involving novel techniques to obtain data representative of spline tooth interaction conditions and c) experimental tests of spline joints using large-scale laboratory rig, to evaluate predictions resulting from the work of a) and b).
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Organisation Website:	http://www.nottingham.ac.uk