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​N2​ = ?

Two parallel shafts are 42 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 1.5 mm and a speed reduction of 2.5 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 42 mmm = 1.5 mmi = 2.5
N2 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 100 mmd2​ = 315 mm1500 rpmC = 1000 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 100 mm pulley and a 315 mm pulley whose centres are 1000 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 100 mmd2 = 315 mmC = 1000 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 20 mmL = 1.5 mφ = ?

A solid steel 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 = 200 N·md = 20 mmL = 1.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 50 kW at 3000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 75 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 50 kWN = 3000 rpmτallow = 75 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = −20τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 40 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = −50 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −10σy​ = −70τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −10 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 35° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −10 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = 20 MPaθ = 35°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm200 mmØ20Ø30δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 600 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 0.5 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø30 mm, 200 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmSteel2 mØ 16 mmSteel1.5 mP = 50 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 = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 m30 × 40 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 = 30 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 145 kNL = 2 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 145 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 145 kNn = 3L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 150 kN/mc = 400 N·s/mm = 12 kg

A 12 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 150 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 400 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 12 kgk = 150 kN/mc = 400 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 50m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 40 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 50 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 50 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N2 = 40

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.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·42/1.5 = 56

Split by the ratio

N1 = 56/(1 + 2.5) = 16
N2 = 2.5·16 = 40

Answer

N2 = 40
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 167.7 °

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.

Belt angle

asin(0.1075) = 6.171°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·6.171 = 167.7°

Answer

θ = 167.7°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 13.68 °

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·20⁴/32 = 15708 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 200·1000·1500/(80000·15708) = 0.2387 rad
φ = 0.2387·180/π = 13.68°

Answer

φ = 13.68°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 22.11 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/314.2 = 159.2 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·159155/(π·75)) = 22.11 mm

Answer

d = 22.11 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −29.52 °

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·−50, 40 − −20) = −59.04°

Angle on the element

θp = −29.52°

Answer

θp = −29.52°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −21.35 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

τθ = −30·0.9397 + 20·0.342 = −21.35 MPa

Answer

τθ = −21.35 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 40.39 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 = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·314.2) = 9.549 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(100000·706.9) = 2.829 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/1.238 × 10⁻⁵ = 40392 N = 40.39 kN

Answer

P = 40.39 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 248.7 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 51.97 MPa
σ2 = 248.7 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 248.7 MPa

Answer

σmax = 248.7 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 6.909 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 = 40·30³/12 = 90000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·90000/3000² = 6909 N = 6.909 kN

Answer

Pcr = 6.909 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 54.46 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 = 3·145000 = 435000 N
KL = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·435000·1400²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 54.46 mm

Answer

d = 54.46 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 102.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1491

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(150000·12) = 2683 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 400/2683 = 0.1491

Answer

ζ = 0.1491

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.355 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/40 + 1/50 → keq = 40·50/(40 + 50) = 22.22 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(22222/50) = 21.08 rad/s
fn = 21.08/(2π) = 3.355 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.355 Hz

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