Machine Design: cram pack

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

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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
N1​ = 45N2​ = 60

A 4 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 45 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 60 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 4 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 45N2 = 60η = 96%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 250 mm1500 rpmC = 500 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 160 mm pulley and a 250 mm pulley whose centres are 500 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 160 mmd2 = 250 mmC = 500 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 500 N·mL = 1 m

A solid brass shaft 1 m long carries a torque of 500 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 1.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 500 N·mL = 1 mG = 39 GPaφallow = 1.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 60 mm, di​ = 36 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 100 kW at 300 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 100 kWN = 300 rpmdo = 60 mmdi = 36 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 60σy​ = −10τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 60 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −30σy​ = 70τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −30 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −30 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = −20 MPaθ = 40°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmCopper1 mP = 50 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the copper bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 50 kNd = 25 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmBrass0.5 mØ 20 mmSteel2 mP = 50 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the total elongation δ.

P = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 60 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 55 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. It must carry 55 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 55 kNn = 2L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx20 mm1 cycle13.7 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 20 mm is followed one cycle later by a peak of 13.7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 20 mmx1 = 13.7 mmn = 1
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 15m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 40 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 15 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 26.34 N·m

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.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 4000/151.8 = 26.34 N·m

Answer

T1 = 26.34 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 169.7 °

Belt drives: without slip, both pulleys have the same rim speed v = π·d·n/60, so n₁·d₁ = n₂·d₂ and the speed ratio is d₂/d₁. Slip s makes the driven pulley a little slower: n₂ = n₁·(d₁/d₂)·(1 − s). The power transmitted is P = (T₁ − T₂)·v, with T₁ the tension on the tight side and T₂ on the slack side. Friction limits the ratio of the tensions: T₁/T₂ = eμθ, where θ is the angle of wrap in radians on the smaller pulley; for an open belt θ = π − 2·asin((d₂ − d₁)/(2C)) with centre distance C.

Belt angle

asin(0.09) = 5.164°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·5.164 = 169.7°

Answer

θ = 169.7°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 47.26 mm

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.

Required polar moment

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = 1.5·π/180 = 0.02618 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 500000·1000/(39000·0.02618) = 489708 mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 47.26 mm

Answer

d = 47.26 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 86.23 MPa

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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·300/60 = 31.42 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/31.42 = 3183 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(60⁴ − 36⁴)/32 = 1.107 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 3.183 × 10⁶·30/1.107 × 10⁶ = 86.23 MPa

Answer

τmax = 86.23 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 36.4 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((60 − −10)/2)² + 10²) = 36.4 MPa

Answer

τmax = 36.4 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −8.379 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

σθ = 20 + −50·0.1736 + −20·0.9848 = −8.379 MPa

Answer

σθ = −8.379 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 870.6 µε

Hooke’s law: within the elastic range σ = E·ε. Combining with σ = P/A and ε = δ/L gives δ = PL/(AE).

Stress

A = π·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 50·1000/490.9 = 101.9 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 101.9/117000 = 0.0008706 = 870.6 µε

Answer

ε = 870.6 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 1.945 mm

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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 70.74 MPa
σ2 = 159.2 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 70.74·500/100000 = 0.3537 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 159.2·2000/200000 = 1.592 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 1.945 mm

Answer

δ = 1.945 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 102.5 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·636173/3500² = 102511 N = 102.5 kN

Answer

Pcr = 102.5 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 67.1 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 = 2·55000 = 110000 N
KL = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·110000·2500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 67.1 mm

Answer

d = 67.1 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 149, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06011

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 = (1/1)·ln(20/13.7) = 0.3783

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3783/√(39.48 + 0.1431) = 0.06011

Answer

ζ = 0.06011
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.628 Hz

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 = 1/40 + 1/15 → keq = 40·15/(40 + 15) = 10.91 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(10909/40) = 16.51 rad/s
fn = 16.51/(2π) = 2.628 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.628 Hz

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