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​ = 80 mmd2​ = 200 mm1450 rpmn2​ = ?

An 80 mm pulley at 1450 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 4 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1450 rpmd1 = 80 mmd2 = 200 mms = 4 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 125 mmd2​ = 250 mm720 rpmC = 1200 mmT1​ = 2000 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 125 mm driving pulley at 720 rpm to a 250 mm pulley; the centres are 1200 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 2000 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 125 mmn1 = 720 rpmd2 = 250 mmC = 1200 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 2000 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 40 mmL = 2.5 mφ = ?

A solid brass 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 = 750 N·md = 40 mmL = 2.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 60 mm, di​ = 36 mm

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

P = 75 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 60 mmdi = 36 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = 100MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 80 MPa and σᵧ = 100 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 110 MPa?

σx = 80 MPaσy = 100 MPaσ1 = 110 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 120σy​ = −30τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = −30 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 120 MPaσy = −30 MPaτxy = 60 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmBrass2.5 mP = 95 kN

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

P = 95 kNd = 16 mmL = 2.5 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass2 mØ 20 mmSteel1 mP = 20 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 = 20 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m25 × 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 = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 35 kNL = 1 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 35 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 35 kNn = 2.5L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 150 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 150 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk = 150 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 20m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 25 kN/m and k₂ = 20 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 556.8 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

1450·80/200 = 580 rpm

With slip

n2 = 580·0.96 = 556.8 rpm

Answer

n2 = 556.8 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 5.636 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 = 3.037 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.9112 = 2.487, T₂ = 2000/2.487 = 804.1 N

Power

P = (2000 − 804.1)·4.712 = 5.636 kW

Answer

P = 5.636 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 10.96 °

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) = 750·1000·2500/(39000·251327) = 0.1913 rad
φ = 0.1913·180/π = 10.96°

Answer

φ = 10.96°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 10.78 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(60⁴ − 36⁴)/32 = 1.107 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 397887·30/1.107 × 10⁶ = 10.78 MPa

Answer

τmax = 10.78 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 17.32 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 = (80 + 100)/2 = 90 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 110 − 90 = 20 MPa
σxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(20² − 10²) = 17.32 MPa

Answer

τxy = 17.32 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 30.54 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 = 45 + 75·0.5 + 60·−0.866 = 30.54 MPa

Answer

σθ = 30.54 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 11.81 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 95·1000/201.1 = 472.5 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 472.5/100000 = 0.004725 = 4725 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.004725·2500 mm = 11.81 mm

Answer

δ = 11.81 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 63.66 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 20.79 MPa
σ2 = 63.66 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 63.66 MPa

Answer

σmax = 63.66 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 26.23 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 = 80·25³/12 = 104167 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·104167/2800² = 26227 N = 26.23 kN

Answer

Pcr = 26.23 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 30.83 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 = 2.5·35000 = 87500 N
KL = 1·1000 = 1000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·87500·1000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 30.83 mm

Answer

d = 30.83 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 129.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 9.862 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 = √(150000/25) = 77.46 rad/s
fn = 77.46/(2π) = 12.33 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 12.33·√(1 − 0.6²) = 9.862 Hz

Answer

fd = 9.862 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 5.338 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

Springs side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 25 + 20 = 45 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(45000/40) = 33.54 rad/s
fn = 33.54/(2π) = 5.338 Hz

Answer

fn = 5.338 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design