T slot shear / bearing capacity calc

[Hanson Gill_1983]

Hi,

I am looking to design a t-slot As shown in the attached. The stem with T part 2 fits in the Slot in part 1. Two opposite forces act as shown. How to calculate the stress on the part 1, the shear & bearing capacity? Please let me know.

 

[TimSchrader2]

Hello

The force between the two parts at the joint should be equal. unless one part is fixed somehow. In any case, each flanged leg is like a small cantilevered beam. It will have shear and bending stresses.
Opt 1 You can do a FEA
Opt 2 You can make a safe assumption for each leg that the Centerline of the contact load is 2/3 of the length of the leg. If both legs are of the same thickness. Then calc M=PL and bending stress. Then shear stess. Then compare to allowables based on which method is used to to define the allowables for combined stresses. If deflection is a issue you will need to check that.

 

[Tmoose]

See attached image of a steel Commercial T-nuts securing a fixture to a commercial weld positioner table of unknown material.

7/8"-9 Thread 1" Slot 1-3/4"L x 1"H T-Slot Nut

Estimated Torque was north of 500 lb-ft. Several of the nuts were found cracked, and maybe even a little bent, based on the picture. We never got to inspect the cracked buts in person.