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​ = 16N2​ = 40

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 16 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 40 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 95%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 16N2 = 40η = 95%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 15nr​ = ?Np​ = 15carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 15 teeth and each planet gear has 15 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 900 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 15Np = 15ns = 900 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 2000 N·mL = 1.5 m

A solid brass shaft 1.5 m long carries a torque of 2000 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 0.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 2000 N·mL = 1.5 mG = 39 GPaφallow = 0.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 100 kW at 1000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 100 kWN = 1000 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −50σy​ = 50τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −50 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −50 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = −60 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 50σy​ = 10τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 50 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 40°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12400 mm200 mmØ40Ø30δ = 0.4 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 30 mm, length 200 mm, E = 100 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.4 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø30 mm, 200 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.4 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmBrass1.5 mØ 12 mmCopper1 mP = 30 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the total elongation δ.

P = 30 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 m40 × 100 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 105 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 105 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 105 kNn = 2.5L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx20 mm2 cycles3 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 20 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 3 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 20 mmx2 = 3 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 15k3​ = 25m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 25 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 40 kN/m and k₂ = 15 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 = 20 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/mk3 = 25 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 23.46 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 = 1500/151.8 = 9.879 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 9.879·40/16·0.95 = 23.46 N·m

Answer

T2 = 23.46 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 300 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 = 15 + 2·15 = 45

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 = −900·15/45 = −300 rpm
|nr| = 300 rpm

Answer

nr = 300 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 97.34 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 = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 1.5 m = 1500 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = 0.5·π/180 = 0.008727 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 2 × 10⁶·1500/(39000·0.008727) = 8.815 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 97.34 mm

Answer

d = 97.34 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 45.99 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·1000/60 = 104.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/104.7 = 954.9 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·954930/(π·50)) = 45.99 mm

Answer

d = 45.99 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 78.1 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 = √(((−50 − 50)/2)² + −60²) = 78.1 MPa

Answer

τmax = 78.1 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 23.62 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.

Transformation equation

σθ = 30 + 20·0.1736 + −10·0.9848 = 23.62 MPa

Answer

σθ = 23.62 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 90.48 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

A₁ = 1257 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 400/(200000·1257) = 1.592 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(100000·706.9) = 2.829 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.4/4.421 × 10⁻⁶ = 90478 N = 90.48 kN

Answer

P = 90.48 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.625 mm

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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 23.87 MPa
σ2 = 265.3 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 23.87·1500/100000 = 0.3581 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 265.3·1000/117000 = 2.267 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 2.625 mm

Answer

δ = 2.625 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 10.53 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 = 100·40³/12 = 533333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·5000 = 10000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·533333/10000² = 10528 N = 10.53 kN

Answer

Pcr = 10.53 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 98.68 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 = 2.5·105000 = 262500 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·262500·3500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 98.68 mm

Answer

d = 98.68 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 141.9, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1493

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 = (1/2)·ln(20/3) = 0.9486

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.9486/√(39.48 + 0.8998) = 0.1493

Answer

ζ = 0.1493
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.666 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 = 40 + 15 = 55 kN/m
keq = 55·25/(55 + 25) = 17.19 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(17188/20) = 29.32 rad/s
fn = 29.32/(2π) = 4.666 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.666 Hz

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