Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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​ = 200 mmd2​ = 450 mm1440 rpmT1​ = 1500 NT2​ = 750 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 200 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm. The tension is 1500 N on the tight side and 750 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 1440 rpmT1 = 1500 NT2 = 750 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 200 mmd2​ = 250 mm1450 rpmC = 1000 mmT1​ = 1500 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 200 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm to a 250 mm pulley; the centres are 1000 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.25 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1500 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 1450 rpmd2 = 250 mmC = 1000 mmμ = 0.25T1 = 1500 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.2 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 = 250 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.2 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 50 kW at 750 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 50 kWN = 750 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = −60τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 130 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 70σy​ = 20τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 460 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 70 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 40 MPaσY = 460 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmAluminium2 mP = 10 kN

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

P = 10 kNd = 10 mmL = 2 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmCopper2 mØ 16 mmBrass2 mP = 95 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 = 95 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 40 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 10 kNL = 2 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. It must carry 10 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 10 kNn = 2.5L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 50 kN/mc = 790 N·s/mm = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 50 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 790 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 50 kgk = 50 kN/mc = 790 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 100k3​ = 12m = 100 kg

A 100 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 = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 100 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 = 100 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/mk3 = 12 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 11.31 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.

Belt speed

v = 15.08 m/s

Power

P = (1500 − 750)·15.08 = 11310 W = 11.31 kW

Answer

P = 11.31 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 12.26 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 = 3.092 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.7729 = 2.166, T₂ = 1500/2.166 = 692.5 N

Power

P = (1500 − 692.5)·15.18 = 12.26 kW

Answer

P = 12.26 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.63 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·1200/(26000·251327) = 0.04591 rad
φ = 0.04591·180/π = 2.63°

Answer

φ = 2.63°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 40.18 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/78.54 = 636.6 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·636620/(π·50)) = 40.18 mm

Answer

d = 40.18 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 3.005 °

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(2·10, 130 − −60) = 6.009°

Angle on the element

θp = 3.005°

Answer

θp = 3.005°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 4.932

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 45 MPa, R = 47.17 MPa
σ1 = 92.17 MPa, σ2 = −2.17 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(92.17² − 92.17·(−2.17) + (−2.17)²) = 93.27 MPa
n = 460/93.27 = 4.932

Answer

n = 4.932

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1819 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 10·1000/78.54 = 127.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 127.3/70000 = 0.001819 = 1819 µε

Answer

ε = 1819 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 472.5 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 = 98.74 MPa
σ2 = 472.5 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 472.5 MPa

Answer

σmax = 472.5 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 81 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·125664/1750² = 80996 N = 81 kN

Answer

Pcr = 81 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 41.44 mm

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.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 2.5·10000 = 25000 N
KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·25000·2000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 41.44 mm

Answer

d = 41.44 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 193.1, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.2498

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·√(50000·50) = 3162 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 790/3162 = 0.2498

Answer

ζ = 0.2498

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 1.659 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 + 100 = 115 kN/m
keq = 115·12/(115 + 12) = 10.87 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(10866/100) = 10.42 rad/s
fn = 10.42/(2π) = 1.659 Hz

Answer

fn = 1.659 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design