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​ = 25N2​ = 72

A 7.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 25 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 72 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 7.5 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 25N2 = 72η = 97%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 20nr​ = ?Np​ = 30carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 20 teeth and each planet gear has 30 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 1800 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 20Np = 30ns = 1800 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 50 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid aluminium 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 = 50 mmL = 1 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 50 kW at 1800 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 50 kWN = 1800 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = −60τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 130 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 150σy​ = 40τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 150 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = −50 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmBrass3 mP = 65 kN

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

P = 65 kNd = 10 mmL = 3 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25120 GPaØ100/50800 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 120 MPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 120 GPa, allowable stress 80 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 120 MPatube: Ø100/Ø50 mm, E = 120 GPa, σallow = 80 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 m20 × 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 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 20 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 80 kNL = 1 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 80 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 80 kNn = 2L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 40 kN/mζ = 0.7m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 40 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.7. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk = 40 kN/mζ = 0.7
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 60k3​ = 20m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 20 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 80 kN/m and k₂ = 60 kN/m; the bar stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs and bar. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 80 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/mk3 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 49.39 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 7500/151.8 = 49.39 N·m

Answer

T1 = 49.39 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 450 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 20 + 2·30 = 80

Willis equation with the carrier fixed

With nc = 0 the sun drives the ring through the planets, which act as idlers.

nr = −ns·Ns/Nr = −1800·20/80 = −450 rpm
|nr| = 450 rpm

Answer

nr = 450 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.694 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·1000/(26000·613592) = 0.04701 rad
φ = 0.04701·180/π = 2.694°

Answer

φ = 2.694°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 30.01 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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/188.5 = 265.3 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·265258/(π·50)) = 30.01 mm

Answer

d = 30.01 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 99.62 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 = √(((130 − −60)/2)² + 30²) = 99.62 MPa

Answer

τmax = 99.62 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 117.6 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 = 95 + 55·0.866 + −50·0.5 = 117.6 MPa

Answer

σθ = 117.6 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 8276 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 = 65·1000/78.54 = 827.6 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 827.6/100000 = 0.008276 = 8276 µε

Answer

ε = 8276 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 483 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 − 50²)/4 = 5890 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 120·10³·5890 = 8.05 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.0006, 0.0006667) = 0.0006 (steel)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0006·8.05 × 10⁸ = 483020 N = 483 kN

Answer

Pmax = 483 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 65.8 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 = 50·20³/12 = 33333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·1000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·33333/1000² = 65797 N = 65.8 kN

Answer

Pcr = 65.8 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 50.7 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 = 2·80000 = 160000 N
KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·160000·2000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 50.7 mm

Answer

d = 50.7 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 157.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 4.546 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 = √(40000/25) = 40 rad/s
fn = 40/(2π) = 6.366 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 6.366·√(1 − 0.7²) = 4.546 Hz

Answer

fd = 4.546 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 9.416 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

Only k1 and k2 are in parallel. That pair is in series with k3, so combine them as reciprocals.

k12 = 80 + 60 = 140 kN/m
keq = 140·20/(140 + 20) = 17.5 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(17500/5) = 59.16 rad/s
fn = 59.16/(2π) = 9.416 Hz

Answer

fn = 9.416 Hz

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