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​ = 24N2​ = 36

A 1.1 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 24 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 36 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 1.1 kWn1 = 960 rpmN1 = 24N2 = 36η = 96%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 18ring fixedNp​ = 30nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 18 teeth and each planet gear has 30 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 600 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 18Np = 30ns = 600 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 50 mmL = 3 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 = 750 N·md = 50 mmL = 3 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 20 mmT0​ = 1000 N·mACBa = 2.5 mb = 0.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 20 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 1000 N·m is applied at C, 2.5 m from A and 0.5 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 20 mmT0 = 1000 N·ma = 2.5 mb = 0.5 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 30σy​ = −40τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 30 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −50σy​ = 70τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −50 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −50 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmBrass2.5 mP = 55 kN

Find the elongation δ of the brass bar under the axial load.

P = 55 kNd = 10 mmL = 2.5 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmSteel2 mØ 12 mmSteel2 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 m20 × 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 5 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 5 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 5 kNn = 2L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 4 kN/mζ = 0.45m = 12 kg

A 12 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 4 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.45. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 12 kgk = 4 kN/mζ = 0.45
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 80m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 80 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 100 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 15.76 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·960/60 = 100.5 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 1100/100.5 = 10.94 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 10.94·36/24·0.96 = 15.76 N·m

Answer

T2 = 15.76 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 112.5 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 18 + 2·30 = 78

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(600 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −78/18
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 600·18/96 = 112.5 rpm

Answer

nc = 112.5 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 5.387 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·3000/(39000·613592) = 0.09402 rad
φ = 0.09402·180/π = 5.387°

Answer

φ = 5.387°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 166.7 N·m

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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 1000
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 1000·0.5/3 = 166.7 N·m
TB = 1000·2.5/3 = 833.3 N·m

Answer

TA = 166.7 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 40.31 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 = √(((30 − −40)/2)² + −20²) = 40.31 MPa

Answer

τmax = 40.31 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −16.68 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 = 10 + −60·0.766 + 30·0.6428 = −16.68 MPa

Answer

σθ = −16.68 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 17.51 mm

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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 55·1000/78.54 = 700.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 700.3/100000 = 0.007003 = 7003 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.007003·2500 mm = 17.51 mm

Answer

δ = 17.51 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 10.26 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 141.5 MPa
σ2 = 884.2 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 141.5·2000/200000 = 1.415 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 884.2·2000/200000 = 8.842 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 10.26 mm

Answer

δ = 10.26 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 9.212 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 rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 80·20³/12 = 53333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·53333/2000² = 9212 N = 9.212 kN

Answer

Pcr = 9.212 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 18.37 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 = 2·5000 = 10000 N
KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·10000·1050²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 18.37 mm

Answer

d = 18.37 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 228.7, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.595 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.

Undamped natural frequency

ωn = √(4000/12) = 18.26 rad/s
fn = 18.26/(2π) = 2.906 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.906·√(1 − 0.45²) = 2.595 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.595 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.905 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 15 + 80 = 95 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(95000/100) = 30.82 rad/s
fn = 30.82/(2π) = 4.905 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.905 Hz

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