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​ = 80 mmd2​ = 315 mm1440 rpmT1​ = 1500 NT2​ = 750 NP = ?

A belt runs on an 80 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm. The tension is 1500 N on the tight side and 750 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 80 mmn1 = 1440 rpmT1 = 1500 NT2 = 750 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 45C = 12D = 24

In a compound gear train, gear A (40 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (12 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (24 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 40B = 45C = 12D = 24
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 50 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid aluminium 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 = 100 N·md = 50 mmL = 1 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmTB​ = 500 N·mTC​ = 250 N·mABC2 m1.2 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 500 N·m acts at B, 2 m from A, and a torque of 250 N·m in the opposite direction acts at the free end C, a further 1.2 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 30 mmTB = 500 N·mTC = 250 N·mAB = 2 mBC = 1.2 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 10σy​ = 50τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

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

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 60 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 10 MPaθ = 15°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 35 kN

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

P = 35 kNd = 16 mmL = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmAluminium1 mØ 16 mmBrass1.5 mP = 15 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 = 15 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 130 kNL = 3 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 130 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 130 kNn = 2.5L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 8 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 2 kg

A 2 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 8 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.3. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 2 kgk = 8 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 15m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 25 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 = 25 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 4.524 kW

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 speed

v = 6.032 m/s

Power

P = (1500 − 750)·6.032 = 4524 W = 4.524 kW

Answer

P = 4.524 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 426.7 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 = 960·40/45 = 853.3 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 853.3·12/24 = 426.7 rpm

Answer

nout = 426.7 rpm

total ratio = 2.25 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.3591 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·1000/(26000·613592) = 0.006268 rad
φ = 0.006268·180/π = 0.3591°

Answer

φ = 0.3591°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 47.16 MPa

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.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 250 N·m
TAB = TC − TB = 250 − 500 = −250 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The segment with the largest internal torque has the largest stress (same diameter).

|T|max = 250 N·m
τmax = 16·250000/(π·30³) = 47.16 MPa

Answer

τmax = 47.16 MPa
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·−10, 10 − 50) = −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: τθ = −21.34 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 = −60·0.5 + 10·0.866 = −21.34 MPa

Answer

τθ = −21.34 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.73 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 35·1000/201.1 = 174.1 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 174.1/70000 = 0.002487 = 2487 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.002487·1500 mm = 3.73 mm

Answer

δ = 3.73 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 74.6 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 = 15.59 MPa
σ2 = 74.6 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 74.6 MPa

Answer

σmax = 74.6 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 56.25 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 = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·125664/2100² = 56247 N = 56.25 kN

Answer

Pcr = 56.25 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 74.12 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 = 2.5·130000 = 325000 N
KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·325000·3000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 74.12 mm

Answer

d = 74.12 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 161.9, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 9.602 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 = √(8000/2) = 63.25 rad/s
fn = 63.25/(2π) = 10.07 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 10.07·√(1 − 0.3²) = 9.602 Hz

Answer

fd = 9.602 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.437 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 = 1/25 + 1/15 → keq = 25·15/(25 + 15) = 9.375 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(9375/40) = 15.31 rad/s
fn = 15.31/(2π) = 2.437 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.437 Hz

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