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​ = ?N2​

Two parallel shafts are 56.25 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 2.5 mm and a speed reduction of 1.5 : 1. How many teeth N1 must the pinion have?

a = 56.25 mmm = 2.5 mmi = 1.5
N1 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 15C = 24D = 30

A 1.1 kW motor at 1440 rpm drives gear A (12 teeth), which meshes with gear B (15 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (30 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 1.1 kWnin = 1440 rpmA = 12B = 15C = 24D = 30ηmesh = 97%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 1000 N·md = 30 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 = 1000 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.8 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 100 mm, di​ = 80 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 75 kW at 1800 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 75 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 100 mmdi = 80 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 150σy​ = 40τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa, with σz = 0. Find the absolute maximum shear stress τabs at the point (considering all planes in three dimensions).

σx = 150 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = 30 MPaσz = 0
τabs = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 40σy​ = 80τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 50° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 40 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 40 MPaθ = 50°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
300 kNØ30100 GPaØ120/50800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 300 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 300 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass0.5 mØ 12 mmSteel2 mP = 75 kN

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

P = 75 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m40 × 80 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 = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 4 md = 80 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 = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 4 kN/mc = 70 N·s/mm = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 4 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 70 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 8 kgk = 4 kN/mc = 70 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 10k3​ = 10m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 10 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 40 kN/m and k₂ = 10 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 = 40 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/mk3 = 10 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N1 = 18

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.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·56.25/2.5 = 45

Split by the ratio

N1 = 45/(1 + 1.5) = 18

Answer

N1 = 18
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 10.72 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.

Output speed

nout = 1440·(12/15)·(24/30) = 921.6 rpm
ωout = 2π·921.6/60 = 96.51 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 1100·0.97² = 1035 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 1035/96.51 = 10.72 N·m

Answer

Tout = 10.72 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 22.17 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 1000·1000·800/(26000·79522) = 0.3869 rad
φ = 0.3869·180/π = 22.17°

Answer

φ = 22.17°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 3.432 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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/188.5 = 397.9 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(100⁴ − 80⁴)/32 = 5.796 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 397887·50/5.796 × 10⁶ = 3.432 MPa

Answer

τmax = 3.432 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τabs = 78.82 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. In three dimensions the absolute maximum shear stress is (σmax − σmin)/2 over all three principal stresses; in plane stress the third one is zero.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

In-plane principal stresses

C = 95 MPa, R = √(55² + 30²) = 62.65 MPa
σ1 = 157.6 MPa, σ2 = 32.35 MPa, σz = 0

Largest of the three circles

τ = max(|σ1 − σ2|, |σ1|, |σ2|)/2 = max(125.3, 157.6, 32.35)/2 = 78.82 MPa

Answer

τabs = 78.82 MPa

Here the out-of-plane circle governs: the absolute maximum is larger than the in-plane maximum R.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 102.9 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 = 60 + −20·−0.1736 + 40·0.9848 = 102.9 MPa

Answer

σθ = 102.9 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.223 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 100·10³·9346 = 1.076 × 10⁹ N

Shortening

δ = 300000·800/1.076 × 10⁹ = 0.223 mm

Answer

δ = 0.223 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 7.395 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 152.8 MPa
σ2 = 663.1 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 152.8·500/100000 = 0.7639 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 663.1·2000/200000 = 6.631 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 7.395 mm

Answer

δ = 7.395 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 429.7 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 = 80·40³/12 = 426667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·426667/1400² = 429697 N = 429.7 kN

Answer

Pcr = 429.7 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 17.27 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 1·4000 = 4000 mm
KL/r = 4000/20 = 200

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/200² = 17.27 MPa

Answer

σcr = 17.27 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1957

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(4000·8) = 357.8 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 70/357.8 = 0.1957

Answer

ζ = 0.1957

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.297 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 = 40 + 10 = 50 kN/m
keq = 50·10/(50 + 10) = 8.333 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(8333/40) = 14.43 rad/s
fn = 14.43/(2π) = 2.297 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.297 Hz

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