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​ = 18, m = 3 mm

A 3 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth and a module of 3 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 3 kWn = 2900 rpmN1 = 18m = 3 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 18B = 30C = 12D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (18 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 1450 rpm and drives gear B (30 teeth). Gear C (12 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 261 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 1450 rpmA = 18B = 30C = 12nout = 261 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 30, di​ = 23 mmT = 200 N·mL = 0.5 m

A hollow steel shaft (outer diameter 30 mm, inner diameter 23 mm, length 0.5 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 200 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 200 N·mdo = 30 mmdi = 23 mmL = 0.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmT0​ = 1500 N·mACBa = 1.5 mb = 0.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 1500 N·m is applied at C, 1.5 m from A and 0.5 m from B. Find the angle of rotation φC of section C, in degrees.

d = 30 mmT0 = 1500 N·ma = 1.5 mb = 0.5 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = 20τxy​ = −30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 40 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = −30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 350 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = −50 MPaσY = 350 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmCopper3 mP = 55 kN

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

P = 55 kNd = 25 mmL = 3 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmCopper0.5 mØ 20 mmAluminium1 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: Ø30 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m25 × 100 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 25 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 150 kNL = 4 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 150 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 150 kNn = 3L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 80 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 150 kg

A 150 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 80 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.4. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 150 kgk = 80 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 20m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 30 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 20 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 365.9 N

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Torque on the pinion

ω = 2π·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 3000/303.7 = 9.879 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 3·18 = 54 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·9.879/0.054 = 365.9 N

Answer

Ft = 365.9 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 40

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.

Intermediate shaft speed

nB = nC = 1450·18/30 = 870 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 12·870/261 = 40

Answer

ND = 40
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.376 °

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(30⁴ − 23⁴)/32 = 52048 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
L = 0.5 m = 500 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 200000·500/(80000·52048) = 0.02402 rad
φ = 0.02402·180/π = 1.376°

Answer

φ = 1.376°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 10.39 °

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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 1500
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 1500·0.5/2 = 375 N·m
TB = 1500·1.5/2 = 1125 N·m

Rotation of C

Use segment AC: it is fixed at A and carries TA.

J = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φC = TA·a/(GJ) = 375000·1500/(39000·79522) = 0.1814 rad = 10.39°

Answer

φC = 10.39°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 31.62 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((40 − 20)/2)² + −30²) = 31.62 MPa

Answer

τmax = 31.62 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 3.938

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 = 10 MPa, R = 50.99 MPa
σ1 = 60.99 MPa, σ2 = −40.99 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(60.99² − 60.99·(−40.99) + (−40.99)²) = 88.88 MPa
n = 350/88.88 = 3.938

Answer

n = 3.938

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.873 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 55·1000/490.9 = 112 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 112/117000 = 0.0009577 = 957.7 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0009577·3000 mm = 2.873 mm

Answer

δ = 2.873 mm
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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 42.44 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 = 14.39 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 = 100·25³/12 = 130208 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·130208/2500² = 14393 N = 14.39 kN

Answer

Pcr = 14.39 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 92.84 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 = 3·150000 = 450000 N
KL = 1·4000 = 4000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·450000·4000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 92.84 mm

Answer

d = 92.84 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 172.3, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 3.369 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 = √(80000/150) = 23.09 rad/s
fn = 23.09/(2π) = 3.676 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 3.676·√(1 − 0.4²) = 3.369 Hz

Answer

fd = 3.369 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.797 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 = 1/30 + 1/20 → keq = 30·20/(30 + 20) = 12 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(12000/5) = 48.99 rad/s
fn = 48.99/(2π) = 7.797 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.797 Hz

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