A handbrake is designed to pivot about point B while connected to control rod at C as shown in the diagram on the left. What is the maximum force, T, that can be applied at A if the shear stress in the pin at B and axial stress in the control rod at C is limited to 12.5 ksi and 5 ksi, respectively? Assume the diameter of the circular rod and the pin is 1 in and 0.5 in, respectively.

Close-up of Pin Joint at B.
Pin is Connect on Both Sides.

Free-Body Diagram

The applied force T may cause either shear failure in the pin at B or axial failure in the control rod at C.

Shear failure will occur when shear stress in the pin at B exceeds 12.5 ksi. Since this stress is applied on two sides of same cross-section of the pin, the maximum allowable shear force is
    R_max = 2 [ 12.5 π (0.25²) ] = 4.909 kip

Axial failure will occur when axial stress in the control rod at C exceeds 5 ksi. The maximum allowable axial force in the control rod is
     F_max = 5 π (0.5²) = 3.927 kip

For convenience, it is assumed that the pin at B will fail in shear stress before the rod at C will fail in axial stress. The axial force, F, at this stress state will be determined and compared with F_max . If F is less than or equal to F_max, the assumption is correct. Otherwise the failure will occur due to axial stress and the value of T will have to be recalculated.

Since it is assumed the pin at B will fail first, the force at B is set at 4.909 kip at an angle of θ, as shown at the left. Notice the x-y coordinates are orientated in the handbrake direction. There are three unknowns, F, T and θ.

Shear Failure Assumed

Since it is assumed the pin at B will fail first, the force at B is set at 4.909 kip with an unknown angle of θ, as shown at the left. Notice the x-y coordinates are orientated in the handbrake direction. There are three unknowns, F, T and θ. Summing all forces in x direction, ΣF_x = 0, gives

     F cos30 = 4.909 cosθ
     F = 5.669 cosθ

Summing all forces in y direction, ΣF_y = 0, gives

     T = 4.909 sinθ - F sin30
     T = 4.909 sinθ - 0.5 F

Summing all moments about B, ΣM_B = 0, gives

     (T)(12) = (Fsin30)(8)
     T = 0.3333 F

Combining last two equations,

     0.3333 F = 4,909 sinθ - 0.5 F
     F = 5.891 sinθ

Replacing F in the first equation,

     5.669 cosθ = 5.891 sinθ
     θ = tan^-1(5.669 / 5.891)
        = 43.90°

Calculating for axial force,

     F = 5,891 sin43.90
        = 4085 lb > F_max

Hence, the assumption for failure is not correct and it is obvious that the failure will occur due to axial stress.

Rod Tension Failure Assumed

Since the control rod at C will fail first, the force at C is now set at 3.927 kip. There are three unknowns, R, T and θ. To determine the value of T, calculations with other two unknowns can be easily avoided by taking summation of all moments about B.

ΣM_B = 0, gives,

     (T)(12) = (Fsin30)(8)
     (T)(12) = (3.927sin30)(8)

     T = 1,309 lb