Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

1Formulas and methods

Gears & gear trains

Meshing gears
n1·N1 = n2·N2
Torque
T2 = T1·(N2/N1)·η
Power
P = T·ω, ω = 2π·n/60
Compound train
total ratio = product of the stage ratios

Torsion of shafts

Shear stress
τ = T·r/J
Solid shaft
J = πd⁴/32
Hollow shaft
J = π(D⁴ − d⁴)/32
Angle of twist
φ = TL/(GJ)
Power
P = T·ω = 2πnT/60

Method

  1. Find the polar moment of area: J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft.
  2. Shear stress at the surface: τ = T·r/J, with r the outer radius.
  3. Angle of twist: φ = TL/(GJ) in radians.
  4. If power is given, find the torque first with P = T·ω, ω = 2πn/60.

Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Centre
C = (σx + σy)/2
Radius
R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²)
Principal stresses
σ1,2 = C ± R
Principal direction
tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy)
Inclined plane
σθ = C + (σx − σy)/2·cos 2θ + τxy·sin 2θ

Method

  1. Calculate the centre of Mohr’s circle: C = (σx + σy)/2.
  2. Calculate the radius: R = √(((σx − σy)/2)² + τxy²).
  3. The principal stresses are C ± R and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.
  4. Angles on the circle are double the angles on the element: tan 2θp = 2τxy/(σx − σy).

Axial stress & strain

Normal stress
σ = F/A
Strain
ε = ΔL/L
Hooke’s law
σ = E·ε
Elongation
ΔL = FL/(EA)
Thermal strain
εT = α·ΔT

Column buckling

Euler load
Pcr = π²EI/(KL)²
Effective length factor
K = 1 pinned–pinned, 0.5 fixed–fixed, 0.7 fixed–pinned, 2 fixed–free
Critical stress
σcr = Pcr/A
Slenderness
λ = KL/r, r = √(I/A)

Mechanical vibrations

Natural frequency
ωn = √(k/m), fn = ωn/(2π)
From static deflection
ωn = √(g/δst)
Critical damping
cc = 2√(km) = 2mωn
Damping ratio
ζ = c/cc
Damped frequency
ωd = ωn√(1 − ζ²)
Logarithmic decrement
δ = (1/n)·ln(x0/xn), ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²)
Springs in parallel
k = k1 + k2
Springs in series
1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2

2Practice problems

1.Gears & gear trainsMedium
Nw​ = 40z = 2, 1440 rpm

A worm with 2 start(s) turns at 1440 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 40 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 2Nw = 40n = 1440 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 40C = 15D = 30

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1440 rpm drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (15 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (30 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1440 rpmA = 12B = 40C = 15D = 30
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 400 N·md = 40 mmL = 0.5 mφ = ?

A solid brass shaft is fixed at the wall and twisted by a torque T at its free end. Find the angle of twist φ of the free end, in degrees.

T = 400 N·md = 40 mmL = 0.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmTB​ = 1000 N·mTC​ = 2000 N·mABC2 m1.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 1000 N·m acts at B, 2 m from A, and a torque of 2000 N·m in the opposite direction acts at the free end C, a further 1.5 m along. Find the magnitude of the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

d = 60 mmTB = 1000 N·mTC = 2000 N·mAB = 2 mBC = 1.5 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 30σy​ = 110τxy​ = −30MPa

A point has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 60° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 30 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = −30 MPaθ = 60°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 80σy​ = −10τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 80 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
50 kNØ20100 GPaØ100/70500 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 500 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø70 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 500 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmCopper1 mØ 12 mmBrass1 mP = 30 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 30 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 30 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 60 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. It must carry 60 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 60 kNn = 2L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx40 mm5 cycles6.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 40 mm is followed 5 cycles later by a peak of 6.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 40 mmx5 = 6.1 mmn = 5
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 10k2​ = 20m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 10 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 20 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 25 kgk1 = 10 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 72 rpm

Gear trains: meshing gears have the same speed at the teeth, so n₁·N₁ = n₂·N₂: the gear with fewer teeth turns faster. Gears on one shaft turn at the same speed. Power is passed on (minus losses), so torque goes up when speed goes down: T₂ = T₁·(N₂/N₁)·η, and P = T·ω with ω = 2π·n/60.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 1440·2/40 = 72 rpm

Answer

nw = 72 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 216 rpm

Gear trains: meshing gears have the same speed at the teeth, so n₁·N₁ = n₂·N₂: the gear with fewer teeth turns faster. Gears on one shaft turn at the same speed. Power is passed on (minus losses), so torque goes up when speed goes down: T₂ = T₁·(N₂/N₁)·η, and P = T·ω with ω = 2π·n/60.

First stage

nB = 1440·12/40 = 432 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 432·15/30 = 216 rpm

Answer

nout = 216 rpm

total ratio = 6.667 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.169 °

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Polar second moment of area

J = π·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 400·1000·500/(39000·251327) = 0.0204 rad
φ = 0.0204·180/π = 1.169°

Answer

φ = 1.169°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 5.773 °

Torsion of circular shafts: shear stress grows linearly from zero at the centre to τmax = T·r/J at the surface, with J = πd⁴/32 for a solid shaft and J = π(do⁴ − di⁴)/32 for a hollow one. The angle of twist is φ = TL/(GJ) in radians. Power and torque are linked by P = T·ω.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 2000 N·m
TAB = TC − TB = 2000 − 1000 = 1000 N·m

Twist of each segment

J = π·60⁴/32 = 1.272 × 10⁶ mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φAB = 1 × 10⁶·2000/(39000·1.272 × 10⁶) = 0.04031 rad
φBC = 2 × 10⁶·1500/(39000·1.272 × 10⁶) = 0.06046 rad

Twist of end C

φC = 0.04031 + 0.06046 = 0.1008 rad → |φC| = 5.773°

Answer

φC = 5.773°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 75.98 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R.

Transformation equation for the y′ face

σy′ = 70 − (−40)·(−0.5) − (−30)·0.866 = 75.98 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 64.02 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 140 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 75.98 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 92.2 MPa

Plane stress transformation: on a plane rotated by θ, σ = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 + (σₓ − σᵧ)/2·cos 2θ + τₓᵧ·sin 2θ. Mohr’s circle shows all planes at once: its centre is at C = (σₓ + σᵧ)/2 and its radius is R = √(((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)² + τₓᵧ²). The principal stresses are C ± R, and the largest in-plane shear stress is R. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 35 MPa, R = 49.24 MPa
σ1 = 84.24 MPa, σ2 = −14.24 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(84.24² − 84.24·(−14.24) + (−14.24)²) = 92.2 MPa

Answer

σvM = 92.2 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.05395 mm

Two materials: in series (one after the other) every segment carries the same force and the elongations add: δ = P·Σ L/(E·A). In parallel (side by side between rigid plates) both parts shorten by the same amount, so their strains are equal: the stiffer part takes the larger share, Pi = P·EiAi/ΣEA, and σi = Ei·ε. A bar held between two rigid walls with a load at the junction is statically indeterminate: the two segments share the load in proportion to their stiffness k = EA/L.

Areas

Ar = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
At = π(100² − 70²)/4 = 4006 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 100·10³·4006 = 4.634 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·500/4.634 × 10⁸ = 0.05395 mm

Answer

δ = 0.05395 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 265.3 MPa

Axially loaded members: each prismatic segment obeys δ = PL/(AE). For members in series the elongations add.

Same force in both segments

The free end carries P, so every section of the bar carries the same axial force P. Only the areas and materials change.

A1 = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 42.44 MPa
σ2 = 265.3 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 265.3 MPa

Answer

σmax = 265.3 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 139.5 kN

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Smallest second moment of area

A round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·1500 = 750 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·39761/750² = 139528 N = 139.5 kN

Answer

Pcr = 139.5 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 52.75 mm

Euler buckling: a slender column becomes unstable at Pcr = π²EI/(KL)², where KL is the effective length: K = 1 for pinned–pinned, 2 for fixed–free, 0.7 for fixed–pinned and 0.5 for fixed–fixed. It buckles about the axis with the smallest I. The formula holds for slender columns, whose critical stress stays below the yield stress.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 2·60000 = 120000 N
KL = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·120000·2500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 52.75 mm

Answer

d = 52.75 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 189.6, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05975

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/5)·ln(40/6.1) = 0.3761

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3761/√(39.48 + 0.1415) = 0.05975

Answer

ζ = 0.05975
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 6.667 kN/m

Free vibration of a mass–spring system: the undamped natural frequency is ωn = √(k/m) in rad/s, and fn = ωn/(2π) in Hz. A viscous damper c gives the damping ratio ζ = c/cc, with critical damping cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·m·ωn. An underdamped system (ζ < 1) oscillates at ωd = ωn·√(1 − ζ²). Springs in parallel add, k = k₁ + k₂; springs in series add as reciprocals, 1/k = 1/k₁ + 1/k₂.

Equivalent stiffness

Springs in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/10 + 1/20 → keq = 10·20/(10 + 20) = 6.667 kN/m

Answer

keq = 6.667 kN/m

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design