Proposes a mathematical model for predicting deflections and root stresses in spiral bevel gears. Shows a shell model is more representative of the spiral bevel tooth geometry as compared to a beam or plate model. Integrates the compliance computations based on the shell model into existing computer codes for bevel gear design to determine the load distribution@ transmission error@ and root stresses on a personal computer. Concludes that computationally@ this procedure is much more efficient than the finite element method.