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​ = 150 mmd2​ = 500 mm2880 rpmT1​ = 800 NT2​ = 240 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 150 mm driving pulley at 2880 rpm. The tension is 800 N on the tight side and 240 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 2880 rpmT1 = 800 NT2 = 240 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 30B = 48C = 18D = 60

In a compound gear train, gear A (30 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1440 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1440 rpmA = 30B = 48C = 18D = 60
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 15 mmT = 75 N·m300 mmφ = 6.65°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 15 mm is twisted by a torque of 75 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 300 mm rotate 6.65° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 75 N·md = 15 mmL = 300 mmφ = 6.65°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmTB​ = 1500 N·mTC​ = 200 N·mABC0.8 m1.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 1500 N·m acts at B, 0.8 m from A, and a torque of 200 N·m in the opposite direction acts at the free end C, a further 1.5 m along. Find the magnitude of the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

d = 40 mmTB = 1500 N·mTC = 200 N·mAB = 0.8 mBC = 1.5 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 20σy​ = −30MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 20 MPa and σᵧ = −30 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 75 MPa?

σx = 20 MPaσy = −30 MPaσ1 = 75 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 20 mm carries an axial compressive force of 100 kN together with a torque of 500 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 20 mmF = −100 kNT = 500 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12300 mm300 mmØ25Ø40δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 40 mm, length 300 mm, E = 100 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, Ø25 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø40 mm, 300 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmSteel1 mØ 12 mmAluminium1.5 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: Ø30 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 50 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 = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 4 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx25 mm2 cycles9.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 25 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 9.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 25 mmx2 = 9.1 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 80m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 80 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 = 15 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 12.67 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 = 22.62 m/s

Power

P = (800 − 240)·22.62 = 12667 W = 12.67 kW

Answer

P = 12.67 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 270 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 = 1440·30/48 = 900 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 900·18/60 = 270 rpm

Answer

nout = 270 rpm

total ratio = 5.333 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 39 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·15⁴/32 = 4970 mm⁴
φ = 6.65·π/180 = 0.1161 rad

Shear modulus

T = 75 N·m = 75000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 75000·300/(4970·0.1161) = 39005 MPa
G = 39 GPa

Answer

G = 39 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 4.326 °

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.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 200 N·m
TAB = TC − TB = 200 − 1500 = −1300 N·m

Twist of each segment

J = π·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φAB = −1.3 × 10⁶·800/(39000·251327) = −0.1061 rad
φBC = 200000·1500/(39000·251327) = 0.03061 rad

Twist of end C

φC = −0.1061 + 0.03061 = −0.0755 rad → |φC| = 4.326°

Answer

φC = 4.326°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 75.99 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 = (20 + (−30))/2 = −5 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 75 − (−5) = 80 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(80² − 25²) = 75.99 MPa

Answer

τxy = 75.99 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 196.7 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 = −100000/(π·20²/4) = −100000/314.2 = −318.3 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·500000/(π·20³) = 318.3 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = −159.2 MPa
R = √((−159.2)² + 318.3²) = 355.9 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 196.7 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −515 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 196.7 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 91.86 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 = 490.9 mm², A₂ = 1257 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 300/(200000·490.9) = 3.056 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(100000·1257) = 2.387 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/5.443 × 10⁻⁶ = 91859 N = 91.86 kN

Answer

P = 91.86 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 176.8 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 28.29 MPa
σ2 = 176.8 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 176.8 MPa

Answer

σmax = 176.8 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 387.6 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 = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/1250² = 387578 N = 387.6 kN

Answer

Pcr = 387.6 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 1·4000 = 4000 mm
KL/r = 4000/20 = 200

Critical stress

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

Answer

σcr = 49.35 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.08016

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 = (1/2)·ln(25/9.1) = 0.5053

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.5053/√(39.48 + 0.2553) = 0.08016

Answer

ζ = 0.08016
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.756 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 = 15 + 80 = 95 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(95000/40) = 48.73 rad/s
fn = 48.73/(2π) = 7.756 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.756 Hz

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