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​ = 80 mmd2​ = 450 mm1440 rpmn2​ = ?

An 80 mm pulley at 1440 rpm drives a 450 mm pulley by a belt with 3 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1440 rpmd1 = 80 mmd2 = 450 mms = 3 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 24ring fixedNp​ = 12nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 24 teeth and each planet gear has 12 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 24Np = 12ns = 3000 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 1500 N·mL = 1 m

A solid aluminium shaft 1 m long carries a torque of 1500 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 2°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 1500 N·mL = 1 mG = 26 GPaφallow = 2°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 40 mm, di​ = 24 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 10 kW at 500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 10 kWN = 500 rpmdo = 40 mmdi = 24 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 110σy​ = −10τxy​ = 10MPa

A point has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 110 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 150σy​ = 60τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = 60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 150 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
80 kNØ40120 GPaØ120/70300 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 300 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 80 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 80 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø70 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 300 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmAluminium1.5 mØ 12 mmAluminium2 mP = 70 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 = 70 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 20 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 = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx40 mm4 cycles8.8 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 40 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 8.8 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 40 mmx4 = 8.8 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 25m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 12 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 25 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 248.3 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

1440·80/450 = 256 rpm

With slip

n2 = 256·0.97 = 248.3 rpm

Answer

n2 = 248.3 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 1000 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 = 24 + 2·12 = 48

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(3000 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −48/24
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 3000·24/72 = 1000 rpm

Answer

nc = 1000 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 64.05 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 = 1500 N·m = 1.5 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = 2·π/180 = 0.03491 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 1.5 × 10⁶·1000/(26000·0.03491) = 1.653 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 64.05 mm

Answer

d = 64.05 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 17.46 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·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 10000/52.36 = 191 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(40⁴ − 24⁴)/32 = 218755 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 190986·20/218755 = 17.46 MPa

Answer

τmax = 17.46 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −40.27 °

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​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = 10/60.83 = 0.1644, sin 2θs = −60/60.83 = −0.9864
2θs = atan2(−60, 10) = −80.54°

Angle on the element

θs = −40.27°
check: θs − θp = −40.27 − 4.731 = −45°

Answer

θs = −40.27°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 101.5 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 = 105 + 45·0.5 + 30·−0.866 = 101.5 MPa

Answer

σθ = 101.5 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.02093 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(120² − 70²)/4 = 7461 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 120·10³·7461 = 1.147 × 10⁹ N

Shortening

δ = 80000·300/1.147 × 10⁹ = 0.02093 mm

Answer

δ = 0.02093 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 618.9 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 = 99.03 MPa
σ2 = 618.9 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 618.9 MPa

Answer

σmax = 618.9 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.481 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·7854/2500² = 2481 N = 2.481 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.481 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 5.483 MPa

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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 1·6000 = 6000 mm
KL/r = 6000/10 = 600

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/600² = 5.483 MPa

Answer

σcr = 5.483 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06014

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 = (1/4)·ln(40/8.8) = 0.3785

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3785/√(39.48 + 0.1433) = 0.06014

Answer

ζ = 0.06014
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.866 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 = 1/12 + 1/25 → keq = 12·25/(12 + 25) = 8.108 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(8108/25) = 18.01 rad/s
fn = 18.01/(2π) = 2.866 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.866 Hz

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