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​ = 160 mmd2​ = 200 mm960 rpmn2​ = ?

A 160 mm pulley at 960 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 2 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 960 rpmd1 = 160 mmd2 = 200 mms = 2 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 40C = 18D = 50

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 3000 rpm drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (50 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 3000 rpmA = 15B = 40C = 18D = 50
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 60 mmd2​ = 30 mmT = 250 N·mABC0.8 m0.5 m

A stepped solid brass shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 60 mm and length 0.8 m; segment BC has diameter 30 mm and length 0.5 m. A torque of 250 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 250 N·md1 = 60 mm, L1 = 0.8 md2 = 30 mm, L2 = 0.5 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 25 mmT0​ = 750 N·mACBa = 2 mb = 1 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 25 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 750 N·m is applied at C, 2 m from A and 1 m from B. Find the angle of rotation φC of section C, in degrees.

d = 25 mmT0 = 750 N·ma = 2 mb = 1 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = 110τxy​ = 20MPa

A point has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 40° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 130 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = 20 MPaθ = 40°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 60 mm carries an axial tensile force of 90 kN together with a torque of 1500 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 60 mmF = 90 kNT = 1500 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmCopper3 mP = 20 kN

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

P = 20 kNd = 12 mmL = 3 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmAluminium2 mØ 12 mmBrass1 mP = 80 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 = 80 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 2 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 145 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. It must carry 145 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 145 kNn = 2.5L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk = 200 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 15m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 50 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 15 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 752.6 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

960·160/200 = 768 rpm

With slip

n2 = 768·0.98 = 752.6 rpm

Answer

n2 = 752.6 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 405 rpm

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.

First stage

nB = 3000·15/40 = 1125 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1125·18/50 = 405 rpm

Answer

nout = 405 rpm

total ratio = 7.407 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 2.54 °

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 moments

J1 = π·60⁴/32 = 1.272 × 10⁶ mm⁴
J2 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 250 N·m = 250000 N·mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φAB = 250000·800/(39000·1.272 × 10⁶) = 0.004031 rad
φBC = 250000·500/(39000·79522) = 0.04031 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.004031 + 0.04031 = 0.04434 rad = 2.54°

Answer

φC = 2.54°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 19.15 °

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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 750
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 750·1/3 = 250 N·m
TB = 750·2/3 = 500 N·m

Rotation of C

Use segment AC: it is fixed at A and carries TA.

J = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φC = TA·a/(GJ) = 250000·2000/(39000·38350) = 0.3343 rad = 19.15°

Answer

φC = 19.15°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 98.57 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 for the y′ face

σy′ = 120 − 10·0.1736 − 20·0.9848 = 98.57 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 141.4 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 240 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 98.57 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 38.78 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = F/A = 90000/(π·60²/4) = 90000/2827 = 31.83 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·1500000/(π·60³) = 35.37 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 15.92 MPa
R = √(15.92² + 35.37²) = 38.78 MPa

Answer

τmax = 38.78 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.534 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 20·1000/113.1 = 176.8 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 176.8/117000 = 0.001511 = 1511 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.001511·3000 mm = 4.534 mm

Answer

δ = 4.534 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 707.4 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 113.2 MPa
σ2 = 707.4 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 707.4 MPa

Answer

σmax = 707.4 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 7.087 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·125664/3500² = 7087 N = 7.087 kN

Answer

Pcr = 7.087 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 69.54 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 = 2.5·145000 = 362500 N
KL = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·362500·2500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 69.54 mm

Answer

d = 69.54 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 143.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 25.46 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 = √(200000/5) = 200 rad/s
fn = 200/(2π) = 31.83 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 31.83·√(1 − 0.6²) = 25.46 Hz

Answer

fd = 25.46 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.703 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 = 1/50 + 1/15 → keq = 50·15/(50 + 15) = 11.54 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(11538/40) = 16.98 rad/s
fn = 16.98/(2π) = 2.703 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.703 Hz

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