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​ = 24, m = 3 mm

A 15 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 24 teeth and a module of 3 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 15 kWn = 1450 rpmN1 = 24m = 3 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 60B = 72C = 18D = 36

A 3 kW motor at 1440 rpm drives gear A (60 teeth), which meshes with gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (36 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 3 kWnin = 1440 rpmA = 60B = 72C = 18D = 36ηmesh = 97%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 1000 N·mL = 3 m

A solid brass shaft 3 m long carries a torque of 1000 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 3°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 1000 N·mL = 3 mG = 39 GPaφallow = 3°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?75 kW, 750 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 75 kW at 750 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.8 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 75 kWN = 750 rpmdi/do = 0.8τallow = 50 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −50σy​ = 110τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −50 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 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 = 110 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 120σy​ = 80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 120 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = -20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
150 kNØ40100 GPaØ80/50400 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 400 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 150 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 150 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 400 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmAluminium1.5 mØ 20 mmBrass1.5 mP = 65 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 = 65 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m25 × 40 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 = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm4 cycles4 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 4 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx4 = 4 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 40m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 30 kN/m and k₂ = 40 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 2744 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/151.8 = 98.79 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 3·24 = 72 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·98.79/0.072 = 2744 N

Answer

Ft = 2744 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 44.92 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.

Output speed

nout = 1440·(60/72)·(18/36) = 600 rpm
ωout = 2π·600/60 = 62.83 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 3000·0.97² = 2823 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 2823/62.83 = 44.92 N·m

Answer

Tout = 44.92 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 62.2 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.

Required polar moment

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 3 m = 3000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = 3·π/180 = 0.05236 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 1 × 10⁶·3000/(39000·0.05236) = 1.469 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 62.2 mm

Answer

d = 62.2 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 54.82 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/78.54 = 954.9 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 954.9 N·m = 954930 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.8⁴ = 0.5904
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·954930/(π·50·0.5904)) = 54.82 mm
di = 0.8·54.82 = 43.86 mm

Answer

do = 54.82 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 45.99 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 76.72 °

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(2·40, −50 − 110) = 153.4°

Angle on the element

θp = 76.72°

Answer

θp = 76.72°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 96.04 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 = 100 + 20·0.766 + 30·−0.6428 = 96.04 MPa

Answer

σθ = 96.04 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.1076 mm

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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(80² − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 100·10³·3063 = 5.576 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 150000·400/5.576 × 10⁸ = 0.1076 mm

Answer

δ = 0.1076 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 206.9 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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 67.56 MPa
σ2 = 206.9 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 206.9 MPa

Answer

σmax = 206.9 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 45.69 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 = 40·25³/12 = 52083 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·52083/1500² = 45693 N = 45.69 kN

Answer

Pcr = 45.69 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 15.67 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm
KL/r = 4200/20 = 210

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/210² = 15.67 MPa

Answer

σcr = 15.67 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.09999

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.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/4)·ln(50/4) = 0.6314

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.6314/√(39.48 + 0.3987) = 0.09999

Answer

ζ = 0.09999
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 6.658 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 30 + 40 = 70 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(70000/40) = 41.83 rad/s
fn = 41.83/(2π) = 6.658 Hz

Answer

fn = 6.658 Hz

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