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​ = 16, m = 3 mm

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 16 teeth and a module of 3 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 1.5 kWn = 1450 rpmN1 = 16m = 3 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 400 mm1440 rpmC = 500 mmT1​ = 1000 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects an 80 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm to a 400 mm pulley; the centres are 500 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1000 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 80 mmn1 = 1440 rpmd2 = 400 mmC = 500 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 1000 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 500 N·md = 50 mmL = 0.8 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 = 500 N·md = 50 mmL = 0.8 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?50 kW, 1450 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 50 kW at 1450 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa and the twist must not exceed 1° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 50 kWN = 1450 rpmτallow = 80 MPaθallow = 1°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = 20τxy​ = 50MPa

A point has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 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 = 40 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 50 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −30σy​ = 80τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −30 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −30 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 45°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12400 mm500 mmØ20Ø60δ = 0.3 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of copper (diameter 60 mm, length 500 mm, E = 120 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.3 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø60 mm, 500 mm, E = 120 GPaδ = 0.3 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmBrass0.5 mØ 16 mmBrass2 mP = 45 kN

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

P = 45 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 60 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)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 60 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and free at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx10 mm1 cycle3.9 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 10 mm is followed one cycle later by a peak of 3.9 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 10 mmx1 = 3.9 mmn = 1
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 10k2​ = 60k3​ = 12m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 12 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 10 kN/m and k₂ = 60 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 = 50 kgk1 = 10 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/mk3 = 12 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 411.6 N

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Torque on the pinion

ω = 2π·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 1500/151.8 = 9.879 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 3·16 = 48 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·9.879/0.048 = 411.6 N

Answer

Ft = 411.6 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 3.174 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 = 2.49 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.747 = 2.111, T₂ = 1000/2.111 = 473.8 N

Power

P = (1000 − 473.8)·6.032 = 3.174 kW

Answer

P = 3.174 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.437 °

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) = 500·1000·800/(26000·613592) = 0.02507 rad
φ = 0.02507·180/π = 1.437°

Answer

φ = 1.437°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 47.11 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/151.8 = 329.3 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 329.3 N·m = 329286 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·329286/(π·80)) = 27.57 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 1·π/180/1000 = 1.745 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·329286/(π·39000·1.745 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 47.11 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(27.57, 47.11) = 47.11 mm

Answer

d = 47.11 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −5.655 °

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 = 50/50.99 = 0.9806, sin 2θs = −10/50.99 = −0.1961
2θs = atan2(−10, 50) = −11.31°

Angle on the element

θs = −5.655°
check: θs − θp = −5.655 − 39.35 = −45°

Answer

θs = −5.655°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 55 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 = −−55·1 + −40·0 = 55 MPa

Answer

τθ = 55 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 38.27 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

A₁ = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 2827 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 400/(200000·314.2) = 6.366 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 500/(120000·2827) = 1.474 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.3/7.84 × 10⁻⁶ = 38266 N = 38.27 kN

Answer

P = 38.27 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.655 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 35.81 MPa
σ2 = 223.8 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 35.81·500/100000 = 0.179 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 223.8·2000/100000 = 4.476 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 4.655 mm

Answer

δ = 4.655 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 109.9 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 round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·636173/2000² = 109878 N = 109.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 109.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 6.218 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 = 2·2500 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/15 = 333.3

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/333.3² = 6.218 MPa

Answer

σcr = 6.218 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1482

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(10/3.9) = 0.9416

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.9416/√(39.48 + 0.8866) = 0.1482

Answer

ζ = 0.1482
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.278 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 = 10 + 60 = 70 kN/m
keq = 70·12/(70 + 12) = 10.24 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(10244/50) = 14.31 rad/s
fn = 14.31/(2π) = 2.278 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.278 Hz

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