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​ = 20N2​ = 32

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 20 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 32 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 20N2 = 32η = 96%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 125 mmd2​ = 315 mm1450 rpmC = 600 mmT1​ = 800 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 125 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm to a 315 mm pulley; the centres are 600 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 800 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 125 mmn1 = 1450 rpmd2 = 315 mmC = 600 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 800 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 30 mmd2​ = 20 mmT = 200 N·mABC1 m1 m

A stepped solid steel shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 30 mm and length 1 m; segment BC has diameter 20 mm and length 1 m. A torque of 200 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md1 = 30 mm, L1 = 1 md2 = 20 mm, L2 = 1 mG = 80 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 40 mm, di​ = 20 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 100 kW at 750 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 100 kWN = 750 rpmdo = 40 mmdi = 20 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −20σy​ = 20τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −20 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 60σy​ = 100τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 100 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 60 MPaσy = 100 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmAluminium3 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNd = 12 mmL = 3 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 16 mmCopper0.5 mP = 70 kN

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

P = 70 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 35 kNL = 4 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 35 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 35 kNn = 2L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx12 mm4 cycles1.6 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 12 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 1.6 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 12 mmx4 = 1.6 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 40m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 20 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 40 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

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

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 15.28 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.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 1500/150.8 = 9.947 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 9.947·32/20·0.96 = 15.28 N·m

Answer

T2 = 15.28 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 4.338 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 = 2.824 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.8471 = 2.333, T₂ = 800/2.333 = 342.9 N

Power

P = (800 − 342.9)·9.49 = 4.338 kW

Answer

P = 4.338 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 10.92 °

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 moments

J1 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴
J2 = π·20⁴/32 = 15708 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φAB = 200000·1000/(80000·79522) = 0.03144 rad
φBC = 200000·1000/(80000·15708) = 0.1592 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.03144 + 0.1592 = 0.1906 rad = 10.92°

Answer

φC = 10.92°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 108.1 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/78.54 = 1273 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(40⁴ − 20⁴)/32 = 235619 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 1.273 × 10⁶·20/235619 = 108.1 MPa

Answer

τmax = 108.1 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 61.85 °

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(2·30, −20 − 20) = 123.7°

Angle on the element

θp = 61.85°

Answer

θp = 61.85°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 44.02 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 = 80 + −20·0.5 + 30·−0.866 = 44.02 MPa

Answer

σθ = 44.02 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 37.89 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 100·1000/113.1 = 884.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 884.2/70000 = 0.01263 = 12631 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.01263·3000 mm = 37.89 mm

Answer

δ = 37.89 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.506 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 142.6 MPa
σ2 = 348.2 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 142.6·500/70000 = 1.019 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 348.2·500/117000 = 1.488 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 2.506 mm

Answer

δ = 2.506 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 269.2 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 = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/1500² = 269152 N = 269.2 kN

Answer

Pcr = 269.2 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 48.78 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 = 2·35000 = 70000 N
KL = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·70000·2800²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 48.78 mm

Answer

d = 48.78 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 229.6, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.07991

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.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/4)·ln(12/1.6) = 0.5037

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.5037/√(39.48 + 0.2537) = 0.07991

Answer

ζ = 0.07991
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.906 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/20 + 1/40 → keq = 20·40/(20 + 40) = 13.33 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(13333/40) = 18.26 rad/s
fn = 18.26/(2π) = 2.906 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.906 Hz

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