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​ = 120 mmd2​ = 300 mm1500 rpmn2​ = ?

A 120 mm pulley at 1500 rpm drives a 300 mm pulley by a belt with 1 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1500 rpmd1 = 120 mmd2 = 300 mms = 1 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 18nr​ = ?Np​ = 30carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 18 teeth and each planet gear has 30 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 1500 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 18Np = 30ns = 1500 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 60, di​ = 42 mmT = 1000 N·mL = 2 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 60 mm, inner diameter 42 mm, length 2 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 1000 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 1000 N·mdo = 60 mmdi = 42 mmL = 2 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?75 kW, 1450 rpm

A solid aluminium shaft transmits 75 kW at 1450 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.5° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 75 kWN = 1450 rpmτallow = 50 MPaθallow = 0.5°/mG = 26 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −50σy​ = 0τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −50 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −50 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 150σy​ = 110τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 150 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = 50 MPaθ = -20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmAluminium2 mP = 50 kN

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

P = 50 kNd = 16 mmL = 2 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
30 kN12300 mm500 mmØ25Ø50σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of brass (diameter 50 mm, length 500 mm, E = 100 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 30 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø25 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø50 mm, 500 mm, E = 100 GPaP = 30 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 25 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1.5 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium 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 = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mζ = 0.35m = 80 kg

An 80 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.35. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 80 kgk = 15 kN/mζ = 0.35
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 50m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 100 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 50 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 40 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 594 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

1500·120/300 = 600 rpm

With slip

n2 = 600·0.99 = 594 rpm

Answer

n2 = 594 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 346.2 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 = 18 + 2·30 = 78

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 = −1500·18/78 = −346.2 rpm
|nr| = 346.2 rpm

Answer

nr = 346.2 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 3.039 °

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(60⁴ − 42⁴)/32 = 966855 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 2 m = 2000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 1 × 10⁶·2000/(39000·966855) = 0.05304 rad
φ = 0.05304·180/π = 3.039°

Answer

φ = 3.039°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 68.62 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/151.8 = 493.9 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 493.9 N·m = 493929 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·493929/(π·50)) = 36.92 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.5·π/180/1000 = 8.727 × 10⁻⁶ rad/mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
dφ = (32·493929/(π·26000·8.727 × 10⁻⁶))1/4 = 68.62 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(36.92, 68.62) = 68.62 mm

Answer

d = 68.62 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −70.67 °

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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·−20, −50 − 0) = −141.3°

Angle on the element

θp = −70.67°

Answer

θp = −70.67°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 113.2 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 = 130 + 20·0.766 + 50·−0.6428 = 113.2 MPa

Answer

σθ = 113.2 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 7.105 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 50·1000/201.1 = 248.7 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 248.7/70000 = 0.003553 = 3553 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.003553·2000 mm = 7.105 mm

Answer

δ = 7.105 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 8.334 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·490.9/300 = 327249 N/mm
k₂ = 100000·1963/500 = 392699 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 30000·392699/719948 = 16364 N

Stress

σ2 = 16364/1963 = 8.334 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 8.334 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 16.82 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/1500² = 16822 N = 16.82 kN

Answer

Pcr = 16.82 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 7.676 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 2·1500 = 3000 mm
KL/r = 3000/10 = 300

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/300² = 7.676 MPa

Answer

σcr = 7.676 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.041 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 = √(15000/80) = 13.69 rad/s
fn = 13.69/(2π) = 2.179 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.179·√(1 − 0.35²) = 2.041 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.041 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 33.33 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/100 + 1/50 → keq = 100·50/(100 + 50) = 33.33 kN/m

Answer

keq = 33.33 kN/m

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