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
Tw​ = ?z = 3, 960 rpm

A 0.75 kW motor at 960 rpm drives a worm with 3 start(s). The worm wheel has 30 teeth and the drive has an efficiency of 70%. Find the output torque Tw on the wheel shaft.

z = 3Nw = 30n = 960 rpmP = 0.75 kWη = 70%
Tw = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 72C = 18D = 25

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1500 rpm drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (25 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1500 rpmA = 15B = 72C = 18D = 25
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 25 mmL = 3 mφ = ?

A solid steel 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 = 250 N·md = 25 mmL = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 75 kW at 1500 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 75 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 110σy​ = 110τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 110 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 40σy​ = −70τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 40 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = −60 MPaθ = 45°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmSteel2 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNd = 25 mmL = 2 mE = 200 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25100 GPaØ120/70400 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 100 GPa, allowable stress 50 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø120/Ø70 mm, E = 100 GPa, σallow = 50 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m30 × 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 30 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 30 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 30 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 100 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 12 kg

A 12 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.4. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 12 kgk = 100 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 40m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 20 kN/m and k₂ = 40 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 25 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tw = 52.22 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.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 960·3/30 = 96 rpm

Output torque

ωw = 2π·96/60 = 10.05 rad/s
Tw = η·P/ωw = 0.7·750/10.05 = 52.22 N·m

Answer

Tw = 52.22 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 225 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 = 1500·15/72 = 312.5 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 312.5·18/25 = 225 rpm

Answer

nout = 225 rpm

total ratio = 6.667 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 14.01 °

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) = 250·1000·3000/(80000·38350) = 0.2445 rad
φ = 0.2445·180/π = 14.01°

Answer

φ = 14.01°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 36.5 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/157.1 = 477.5 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·477465/(π·50)) = 36.5 mm

Answer

d = 36.5 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 10 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.

σxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((110 − 110)/2)² + 10²) = 10 MPa

Answer

τmax = 10 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −75 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 = −15 + 55·0 + −60·1 = −75 MPa

Answer

σθ = −75 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.3056 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 15·1000/490.9 = 30.56 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 30.56/200000 = 0.0001528 = 152.8 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0001528·2000 mm = 0.3056 mm

Answer

δ = 0.3056 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 422.2 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 70²)/4 = 7461 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 100·10³·7461 = 8.443 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0005) = 0.0005 (brass)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0005·8.443 × 10⁸ = 422152 N = 422.2 kN

Answer

Pmax = 422.2 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 9.949 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 = 40·30³/12 = 90000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·90000/2500² = 9949 N = 9.949 kN

Answer

Pcr = 9.949 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 8.812 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 706.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(39761/706.9) = 7.5 mm
KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm
KL/r = 2100/7.5 = 280

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/280² = 8.812 MPa

Answer

σcr = 8.812 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 13.32 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 = √(100000/12) = 91.29 rad/s
fn = 91.29/(2π) = 14.53 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 14.53·√(1 − 0.4²) = 13.32 Hz

Answer

fd = 13.32 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 60 kN/m

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 = 20 + 40 = 60 kN/m

Answer

keq = 60 kN/m

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