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
Nw​ = 36z = 2, 960 rpm

A worm with 2 start(s) turns at 960 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 36 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 2Nw = 36n = 960 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 200 mmd2​ = 500 mm1450 rpmC = 1200 mmT1​ = 800 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 200 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm to a 500 mm pulley; the centres are 1200 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.35 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 800 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 1450 rpmd2 = 500 mmC = 1200 mmμ = 0.35T1 = 800 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 mφ = ?

A solid aluminium 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 = 100 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?100 kW, 1000 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 100 kW at 1000 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.8 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 40 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 100 kWN = 1000 rpmdi/do = 0.8τallow = 40 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 120σy​ = −60τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 120 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 60 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −50σy​ = −20τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −50 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 25° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −50 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = 60 MPaθ = 25°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmCopper1.5 mP = 80 kN

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

P = 80 kNd = 25 mmL = 1.5 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmCopper2 mØ 16 mmSteel2 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: Ø35 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m40 × 100 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 = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx10 mm2 cycles4.7 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 10 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 4.7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 10 mmx2 = 4.7 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 20k3​ = 15m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 15 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 20 kN/m; the bar stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs and bar. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/mk3 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 53.33 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 = 960·2/36 = 53.33 rpm

Answer

nw = 53.33 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 7.731 kW

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.

Angle of wrap

θ = 2.891 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e1.012 = 2.751, T₂ = 800/2.751 = 290.8 N

Power

P = (800 − 290.8)·15.18 = 7.731 kW

Answer

P = 7.731 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.873 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·500/(26000·38350) = 0.05015 rad
φ = 0.05015·180/π = 2.873°

Answer

φ = 2.873°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 59.05 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1000/60 = 104.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/104.7 = 954.9 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 954.9 N·m = 954930 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.8⁴ = 0.5904
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·954930/(π·40·0.5904)) = 59.05 mm
di = 0.8·59.05 = 47.24 mm

Answer

do = 59.05 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 49.54 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 16.85 °

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.

στxyCσ1​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(2·60, 120 − −60) = 33.69°

Angle on the element

θp = 16.85°

Answer

θp = 16.85°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 50.06 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

τθ = −−15·0.766 + 60·0.6428 = 50.06 MPa

Answer

τθ = 50.06 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1393 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 = 80·1000/490.9 = 163 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 163/117000 = 0.001393 = 1393 µε

Answer

ε = 1393 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 149.2 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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 31.18 MPa
σ2 = 149.2 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 149.2 MPa

Answer

σmax = 149.2 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 954.9 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 = 100·40³/12 = 533333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·533333/1050² = 954882 N = 954.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 954.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 38.86 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm
KL/r = 2000/15 = 133.3

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/133.3² = 38.86 MPa

Answer

σcr = 38.86 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05997

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 = (1/2)·ln(10/4.7) = 0.3775

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3775/√(39.48 + 0.1425) = 0.05997

Answer

ζ = 0.05997
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.293 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

Only k1 and k2 are in parallel. That pair is in series with k3, so combine them as reciprocals.

k12 = 15 + 20 = 35 kN/m
keq = 35·15/(35 + 15) = 10.5 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(10500/5) = 45.83 rad/s
fn = 45.83/(2π) = 7.293 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.293 Hz

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