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​ = 32N2​ = 60

A 4 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 32 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 60 teeth. Ignore losses. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 4 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 32N2 = 60η = 100%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 30B = 48C = 18D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (30 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (18 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 = 1450 rpmA = 30B = 48C = 18D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 500 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 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 = 500 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 250 N·mACBa = 1.5 mb = 1.2 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 250 N·m is applied at C, 1.5 m from A and 1.2 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 40 mmT0 = 250 N·ma = 1.5 mb = 1.2 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 100MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 100 MPa and σᵧ = 0 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 135 MPa?

σx = 100 MPaσy = 0 MPaσ1 = 135 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 30 mm carries a bending moment of 100 N·m together with a torque of 2000 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 30 mmM = 100 N·mT = 2000 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmSteel2.5 mP = 25 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the steel bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 25 kNd = 10 mmL = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25100 GPaØ100/70800 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 150 MPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 100 GPa, allowable stress 50 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 150 MPatube: Ø100/Ø70 mm, E = 100 GPa, σallow = 50 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 80 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 50 kNL = 2 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. It must carry 50 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 50 kNn = 2L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 150 kN/mc = 400 N·s/mm = 12 kg

A 12 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 150 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 400 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 12 kgk = 150 kN/mc = 400 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 15m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 15 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 40 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 47.75 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 4000/157.1 = 25.46 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 25.46·60/32·1 = 47.75 N·m

Answer

T2 = 47.75 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 203.9 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 = 1450·30/48 = 906.3 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 906.3·18/80 = 203.9 rpm

Answer

nout = 203.9 rpm

total ratio = 7.111 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 9.577 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 500·1000·500/(39000·38350) = 0.1672 rad
φ = 0.1672·180/π = 9.577°

Answer

φ = 9.577°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 11.05 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. 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 = 250
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 250·1.2/2.7 = 111.1 N·m
TB = 250·1.5/2.7 = 138.9 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·138889/(π·40³) = 11.05 MPa

Answer

τmax = 11.05 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 68.74 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 = (100 + 0)/2 = 50 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 135 − 50 = 85 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(85² − 50²) = 68.74 MPa

Answer

τxy = 68.74 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 377.7 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 = 32M/(πd³) = 32·100000/(π·30³) = 37.73 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·2000000/(π·30³) = 377.3 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 18.86 MPa
R = √(18.86² + 377.3²) = 377.7 MPa

Answer

τmax = 377.7 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1592 µε

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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 25·1000/78.54 = 318.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 318.3/200000 = 0.001592 = 1592 µε

Answer

ε = 1592 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 249.4 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

Ar = π·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(100² − 70²)/4 = 4006 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 100·10³·4006 = 4.987 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00075, 0.0005) = 0.0005 (brass)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0005·4.987 × 10⁸ = 249364 N = 249.4 kN

Answer

Pmax = 249.4 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 441 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·2.011 × 10⁶/3000² = 440978 N = 441 kN

Answer

Pcr = 441 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 58.6 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 = 2·50000 = 100000 N
KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·100000·2000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 58.6 mm

Answer

d = 58.6 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 136.5, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1491

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(150000·12) = 2683 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 400/2683 = 0.1491

Answer

ζ = 0.1491

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 65 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 = 50 + 15 = 65 kN/m

Answer

keq = 65 kN/m

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