Maximum equivalent stress in a pin-loaded lug subject to inclined loading

The elastic maximum equivalent stress in a pin-loaded, straight- or taper-shanked, round-ended lug subject to inclined loading is investigated using the finite element and the boundary element methods, and, partly, photoelasticity. The influence of the load direction, of the ratio between the bore diameter and lug width, and of the shank taper angle are particularly addressed. In addition, the effects of the axial length of the lug trunk and, partially, of the initial clearance between the lug bore and pin are numerically examined in the presence of a loading variously inclined to the lug axis. An interpolating expression for the maximum equivalent stress as a function of the ratio between the bore diameter and lug width, taper angle, and load inclination angle is proposed.