Stiffness of Stepped Bars.

The stiffness of stepped bars is determined by calculating deflections due to applied loads using the finite element method. Nine combinations of step height and fillet radius are studied for each of the following cases Rectangular cross section under axial load rectangular cross section under bending load circular cross section under axial load and circular cross section under torsional load. A correction parameter, actually a fictitious axial displacement of the step, is derived. It makes possible accurate calculation of deflections of stepped bars using elementary formulas.