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​ = 15N2​ = 25

A 15 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 15 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 25 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 15 kWn1 = 960 rpmN1 = 15N2 = 25η = 97%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 72C = 72D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (72 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (80 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 12B = 72C = 72D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 40 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid steel 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 = 1 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?20 kW, 300 rpm

A solid steel shaft transmits 20 kW at 300 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 40 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.5° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 20 kWN = 300 rpmτallow = 40 MPaθallow = 0.5°/mG = 80 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 140σy​ = −70τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = 140 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 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 = 140 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 35°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 10σy​ = 20τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 10 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = −60 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12400 mm200 mmØ20Ø50δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of copper (diameter 50 mm, length 200 mm, E = 120 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.5 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø50 mm, 200 mm, E = 120 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass0.5 mØ 20 mmBrass1 mP = 35 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 = 35 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 30 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1.5 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 80 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 80 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.3. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 15 kgk = 80 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 100m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 100 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 10 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 149.2 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·960/60 = 100.5 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 15000/100.5 = 149.2 N·m

Answer

T1 = 149.2 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 144 rpm

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.

First stage

nB = 960·12/72 = 160 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 160·72/80 = 144 rpm

Answer

nout = 144 rpm

total ratio = 6.667 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.137 °

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) = 750·1000·1000/(80000·251327) = 0.0373 rad
φ = 0.0373·180/π = 2.137°

Answer

φ = 2.137°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 55.21 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·300/60 = 31.42 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/31.42 = 636.6 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 636.6 N·m = 636620 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·636620/(π·40)) = 43.28 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.5·π/180/1000 = 8.727 × 10⁻⁶ rad/mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
dφ = (32·636620/(π·80000·8.727 × 10⁻⁶))1/4 = 55.21 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(43.28, 55.21) = 55.21 mm

Answer

d = 55.21 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = −29.1 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′ = 35 − 105·0.342 − 30·0.9397 = −29.1 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 99.1 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 70 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = −29.1 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 105.4 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 = 15 MPa, R = 60.21 MPa
σ1 = 75.21 MPa, σ2 = −45.21 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(75.21² − 75.21·(−45.21) + (−45.21)²) = 105.4 MPa

Answer

σvM = 105.4 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 69.3 kN

Two materials: in series (one after the other) every segment carries the same force and the elongations add: δ = P·Σ L/(E·A). In parallel (side by side between rigid plates) both parts shorten by the same amount, so their strains are equal: the stiffer part takes the larger share, Pi = P·EiAi/ΣEA, and σi = Ei·ε. A bar held between two rigid walls with a load at the junction is statically indeterminate: the two segments share the load in proportion to their stiffness k = EA/L.

Areas

A₁ = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 1963 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 400/(200000·314.2) = 6.366 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(120000·1963) = 8.488 × 10⁻⁷ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/7.215 × 10⁻⁶ = 69300 N = 69.3 kN

Answer

P = 69.3 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 111.4 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 = 71.3 MPa
σ2 = 111.4 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 111.4 MPa

Answer

σmax = 111.4 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 50.23 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 round section has the same I about every axis.

I = πd⁴/64 = π·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·39761/1250² = 50230 N = 50.23 kN

Answer

Pcr = 50.23 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 8.567 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 2·1500 = 3000 mm
KL/r = 3000/6.25 = 480

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/480² = 8.567 MPa

Answer

σcr = 8.567 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 11.09 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 = √(80000/15) = 73.03 rad/s
fn = 73.03/(2π) = 11.62 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 11.62·√(1 − 0.3²) = 11.09 Hz

Answer

fd = 11.09 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 115 kN/m

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 = 15 + 100 = 115 kN/m

Answer

keq = 115 kN/m

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