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
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 200 mm1450 rpmn2​ = ?

A 160 mm pulley at 1450 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 1.5 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1450 rpmd1 = 160 mmd2 = 200 mms = 1.5 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 24B = 50C = 16D = 50

In a compound gear train, gear A (24 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (50 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (50 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1450 rpmA = 24B = 50C = 16D = 50
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = ?T = 250 N·m

A hollow shaft must carry a torque of 250 N·m. Its inner diameter is to be 0.5 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 40 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

T = 250 N·mdi/do = 0.5τallow = 40 MPa
do = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 100 N·mACBa = 2.5 mb = 1 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 100 N·m is applied at C, 2.5 m from A and 1 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 40 mmT0 = 100 N·ma = 2.5 mb = 1 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 70σy​ = 70τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 70 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
35°D = 1000 mm, t = 15 mm, p = 1.2 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 1000 mm and wall thickness 15 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 1.2 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 35° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the magnitude of the shear stress |τn| acting along the weld seam.

D = 1000 mmt = 15 mmp = 1.2 MPaα = 35°
|τn| = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmSteel3 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNd = 12 mmL = 3 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30120 GPaØ120/50800 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 150 MPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 120 GPa, allowable stress 70 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 150 MPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 120 GPa, σallow = 70 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 70 kNL = 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 70 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 70 kNn = 2L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 25 kN/mζ = 0.7m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 25 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.7. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 10 kgk = 25 kN/mζ = 0.7
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 60k2​ = 5m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 60 kN/m and k₂ = 5 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 = 10 kgk1 = 60 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 1143 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

1450·160/200 = 1160 rpm

With slip

n2 = 1160·0.985 = 1143 rpm

Answer

n2 = 1143 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 222.7 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 = 1450·24/50 = 696 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 696·16/50 = 222.7 rpm

Answer

nout = 222.7 rpm

total ratio = 6.51 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 32.38 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.

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 250 N·m = 250000 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.5⁴ = 0.9375
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·250000/(π·40·0.9375)) = 32.38 mm
di = 0.5·32.38 = 16.19 mm

Answer

do = 32.38 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 31.69 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 5.684 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. 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 = 100
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 100·1/3.5 = 28.57 N·m
TB = 100·2.5/3.5 = 71.43 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·71429/(π·40³) = 5.684 MPa

Answer

τmax = 5.684 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −45 °

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.

σxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·−10, 70 − 70) = −90°

Angle on the element

θp = −45°

Answer

θp = −45°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: |τn| = 9.397 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 1000/2 = 500 mm
σh = pr/t = 1.2·500/15 = 40 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 20 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

|τn| = (40 − 20)·sin 35°·cos 35° = 9.397 MPa

Answer

|τn| = 9.397 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 663.1 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 15·1000/113.1 = 132.6 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 132.6/200000 = 0.0006631 = 663.1 µε

Answer

ε = 663.1 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 736.7 kN

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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 120·10³·9346 = 1.263 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00075, 0.0005833) = 0.0005833 (copper)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0005833·1.263 × 10⁹ = 736703 N = 736.7 kN

Answer

Pmax = 736.7 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 70.32 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 = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·636173/2500² = 70322 N = 70.32 kN

Answer

Pcr = 70.32 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 64.86 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 = 2·70000 = 140000 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·140000·3500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 64.86 mm

Answer

d = 64.86 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 215.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 5.683 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 = √(25000/10) = 50 rad/s
fn = 50/(2π) = 7.958 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 7.958·√(1 − 0.7²) = 5.683 Hz

Answer

fd = 5.683 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.83 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 = 60 + 5 = 65 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(65000/10) = 80.62 rad/s
fn = 80.62/(2π) = 12.83 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.83 Hz

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