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​ = 100 mmd2​ = 500 mm1440 rpmT1​ = 400 NT2​ = 120 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 100 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm. The tension is 400 N on the tight side and 120 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 100 mmn1 = 1440 rpmT1 = 400 NT2 = 120 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 20ring fixedNp​ = 24nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 20 teeth and each planet gear has 24 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 20Np = 24ns = 3000 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 2000 N·mL = 0.8 m

A solid aluminium shaft 0.8 m long carries a torque of 2000 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 0.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 2000 N·mL = 0.8 mG = 26 GPaφallow = 0.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?5 kW, 1500 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 5 kW at 1500 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.75° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 5 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 50 MPaθallow = 0.75°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 140σy​ = 90MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 140 MPa and σᵧ = 90 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 160 MPa?

σx = 140 MPaσy = 90 MPaσ1 = 160 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 60 mm carries an axial tensile force of 50 kN together with a torque of 2000 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 60 mmF = 50 kNT = 2000 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmCopper0.5 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 16 mmL = 0.5 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmSteel1 mØ 20 mmBrass0.5 mP = 30 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 = 30 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 20 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 4 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 80 kN/mc = 450 N·s/mm = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 80 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 450 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 10 kgk = 80 kN/mc = 450 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 40k3​ = 40m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 40 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 = 40 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 = 40 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/mk3 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 2.111 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 = 7.54 m/s

Power

P = (400 − 120)·7.54 = 2111 W = 2.111 kW

Answer

P = 2.111 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 681.8 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 20 + 2·24 = 68

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(3000 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −68/20
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 3000·20/88 = 681.8 rpm

Answer

nc = 681.8 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 92.06 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.

Required polar moment

T = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 0.8 m = 800 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = 0.5·π/180 = 0.008727 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 2 × 10⁶·800/(26000·0.008727) = 7.052 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 92.06 mm

Answer

d = 92.06 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 28.23 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 = 5000/157.1 = 31.83 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 31.83 N·m = 31831 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·31831/(π·50)) = 14.8 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.75·π/180/1000 = 1.309 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·31831/(π·39000·1.309 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 28.23 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(14.8, 28.23) = 28.23 mm

Answer

d = 28.23 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 37.42 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.

Required radius

C = (140 + 90)/2 = 115 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 160 − 115 = 45 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(45² − 25²) = 37.42 MPa

Answer

τxy = 37.42 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 47.98 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = F/A = 50000/(π·60²/4) = 50000/2827 = 17.68 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·2000000/(π·60³) = 47.16 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 8.842 MPa
R = √(8.842² + 47.16²) = 47.98 MPa

Answer

τmax = 47.98 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 4463 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/201.1 = 522.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 522.2/117000 = 0.004463 = 4463 µε

Answer

ε = 4463 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 95.49 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 61.12 MPa
σ2 = 95.49 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 95.49 MPa

Answer

σmax = 95.49 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 21.7 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 round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·1000 = 500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·7854/500² = 21704 N = 21.7 kN

Answer

Pcr = 21.7 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 49.35 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 0.5·4000 = 2000 mm
KL/r = 2000/10 = 200

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/200² = 49.35 MPa

Answer

σcr = 49.35 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.2516

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·√(80000·10) = 1789 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 450/1789 = 0.2516

Answer

ζ = 0.2516

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.599 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 + 40 = 80 kN/m
keq = 80·40/(80 + 40) = 26.67 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(26667/100) = 16.33 rad/s
fn = 16.33/(2π) = 2.599 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.599 Hz

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