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
d1​ = 120 mmd2​ = 200 mm1500 rpmn2​ = ?

A 120 mm pulley at 1500 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 2 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1500 rpmd1 = 120 mmd2 = 200 mms = 2 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 200 mmd2​ = 400 mm1500 rpmC = 1000 mmT1​ = 500 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 200 mm driving pulley at 1500 rpm to a 400 mm pulley; the centres are 1000 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 500 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 1500 rpmd2 = 400 mmC = 1000 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 500 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = ?T = 200 N·m

A hollow shaft must carry a torque of 200 N·m. Its inner diameter is to be 0.7 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 40 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

T = 200 N·mdi/do = 0.7τallow = 40 MPa
do = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?15 kW, 1450 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 15 kW at 1450 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.75 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 15 kWN = 1450 rpmdi/do = 0.75τallow = 50 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 20σy​ = 80τxy​ = 40MPa

A point has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 35° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 40 MPaθ = 35°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 130σy​ = 10τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 130 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 30 mmCopper1 mP = 110 kN

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

P = 110 kNd = 30 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass1.5 mØ 16 mmCopper1.5 mP = 45 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 = 45 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 50 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 65 kNL = 3 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. It must carry 65 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 65 kNn = 3L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mc = 130 N·s/mm = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 130 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 8 kgk = 200 kN/mc = 130 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 10k2​ = 60k3​ = 20m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 20 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 = 25 kgk1 = 10 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/mk3 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 882 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

1500·120/200 = 900 rpm

With slip

n2 = 900·0.98 = 882 rpm

Answer

n2 = 882 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 4.604 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 = 2.941 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.8824 = 2.417, T₂ = 500/2.417 = 206.9 N

Power

P = (500 − 206.9)·15.71 = 4.604 kW

Answer

P = 4.604 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 32.24 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.

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.7⁴ = 0.7599
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·200000/(π·40·0.7599)) = 32.24 mm
di = 0.7·32.24 = 22.57 mm

Answer

do = 32.24 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 29.42 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 24.51 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 = 15000/151.8 = 98.79 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 98.79 N·m = 98786 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.75⁴ = 0.6836
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·98786/(π·50·0.6836)) = 24.51 mm
di = 0.75·24.51 = 18.38 mm

Answer

do = 24.51 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 21.59 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 22.67 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 for the y′ face

σy′ = 50 − (−30)·0.342 − 40·0.9397 = 22.67 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 77.33 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 100 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 22.67 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 126.5 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. 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 = 70 MPa, R = 60.83 MPa
σ1 = 130.8 MPa, σ2 = 9.172 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(130.8² − 130.8·9.172 + 9.172²) = 126.5 MPa

Answer

σvM = 126.5 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1330 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 110·1000/706.9 = 155.6 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 155.6/117000 = 0.00133 = 1330 µε

Answer

ε = 1330 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 223.8 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 = 46.77 MPa
σ2 = 223.8 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 223.8 MPa

Answer

σmax = 223.8 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 137.3 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/2100² = 137322 N = 137.3 kN

Answer

Pcr = 137.3 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 59.97 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 = 3·65000 = 195000 N
KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·195000·1500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 59.97 mm

Answer

d = 59.97 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 100, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05139

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·√(200000·8) = 2530 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 130/2530 = 0.05139

Answer

ζ = 0.05139

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.97 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 = 70·20/(70 + 20) = 15.56 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(15556/25) = 24.94 rad/s
fn = 24.94/(2π) = 3.97 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.97 Hz

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