Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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​ = 24, m = 4 mm

A 15 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 24 teeth and a module of 4 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 15 kWn = 960 rpmN1 = 24m = 4 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 18ring fixedNp​ = 24nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 18 teeth and each planet gear has 24 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 900 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 18Np = 24ns = 900 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 30 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 = 250 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?15 kW, 500 rpm

A solid steel shaft transmits 15 kW at 500 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa and the twist must not exceed 1° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 15 kWN = 500 rpmτallow = 60 MPaθallow = 1°/mG = 80 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = 100τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = 100 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 130 MPaσy = 100 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 30σy​ = −70τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 30 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = -45°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmBrass2 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 10 mmL = 2 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
80 kN12300 mm300 mmØ30Ø40σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of copper (diameter 40 mm, length 300 mm, E = 120 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 80 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø40 mm, 300 mm, E = 120 GPaP = 80 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 m40 × 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 40 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 5 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 5 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 = 15 kgk = 5 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 60k2​ = 25k3​ = 15m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 15 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 60 kN/m and k₂ = 25 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 = 40 kgk1 = 60 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/mk3 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 3108 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·960/60 = 100.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/100.5 = 149.2 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 4·24 = 96 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·149.2/0.096 = 3108 N

Answer

Ft = 3108 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 192.9 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 + 2·24 = 66

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(900 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −66/18
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 900·18/84 = 192.9 rpm

Answer

nc = 192.9 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.309 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·500/(39000·79522) = 0.04031 rad
φ = 0.04031·180/π = 2.309°

Answer

φ = 2.309°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 38.02 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·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/52.36 = 286.5 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 286.5 N·m = 286479 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·286479/(π·60)) = 28.97 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 1·π/180/1000 = 1.745 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
dφ = (32·286479/(π·80000·1.745 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 38.02 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(28.97, 38.02) = 38.02 mm

Answer

d = 38.02 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 33.54 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.

σxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((130 − 100)/2)² + 30²) = 33.54 MPa

Answer

τmax = 33.54 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 20 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 = −20 + 50·0 + −40·−1 = 20 MPa

Answer

σθ = 20 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 26.74 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/78.54 = 1337 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1337/100000 = 0.01337 = 13369 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.01337·2000 mm = 26.74 mm

Answer

δ = 26.74 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 32.86 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 = 200000·706.9/300 = 471239 N/mm
k₂ = 120000·1257/300 = 502655 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 80000·502655/973894 = 41290 N

Stress

σ2 = 41290/1257 = 32.86 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 32.86 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 32.75 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 = 80·40³/12 = 426667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·426667/3000² = 32752 N = 32.75 kN

Answer

Pcr = 32.75 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 44.76 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 = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm
KL/r = 2100/10 = 210

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/210² = 44.76 MPa

Answer

σcr = 44.76 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.663 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 = √(5000/15) = 18.26 rad/s
fn = 18.26/(2π) = 2.906 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.906·√(1 − 0.4²) = 2.663 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.663 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.841 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 = 60 + 25 = 85 kN/m
keq = 85·15/(85 + 15) = 12.75 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(12750/40) = 17.85 rad/s
fn = 17.85/(2π) = 2.841 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.841 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design