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​ = 18, m = 3 mm

A 4 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth and a module of 3 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 4 kWn = 1440 rpmN1 = 18m = 3 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 100 mmd2​ = 300 mm720 rpmC = 1000 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 100 mm pulley and a 300 mm pulley whose centres are 1000 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 100 mmd2 = 300 mmC = 1000 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 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 = 750 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?50 kW, 1000 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 50 kW at 1000 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.75 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 75 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 50 kWN = 1000 rpmdi/do = 0.75τallow = 75 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 110σy​ = 0τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 110 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 25 mm carries an axial compressive force of 110 kN together with a torque of 200 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 25 mmF = −110 kNT = 200 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmSteel1.5 mP = 10 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the steel bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 10 kNd = 20 mmL = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30110 GPaØ120/50500 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 70 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 70 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 30 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 35 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. It must carry 35 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 35 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mc = 110 N·s/mm = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 110 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 20 kgk = 15 kN/mc = 110 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 15m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 5 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 = 5 kgk1 = 5 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 982.4 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·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 4000/150.8 = 26.53 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 3·18 = 54 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·26.53/0.054 = 982.4 N

Answer

Ft = 982.4 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 168.5 °

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(0.1) = 5.739°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·5.739 = 168.5°

Answer

θ = 168.5°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 14.01 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·1000/(80000·38350) = 0.2445 rad
φ = 0.2445·180/π = 14.01°

Answer

φ = 14.01°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 36.2 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1000/60 = 104.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/104.7 = 477.5 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 477.5 N·m = 477465 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.75⁴ = 0.6836
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·477465/(π·75·0.6836)) = 36.2 mm
di = 0.75·36.2 = 27.15 mm

Answer

do = 36.2 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 31.89 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 62.65 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 = √(((110 − 0)/2)² + 30²) = 62.65 MPa

Answer

τmax = 62.65 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 17.58 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 = −110000/(π·25²/4) = −110000/490.9 = −224.1 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·200000/(π·25³) = 65.19 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = −112 MPa
R = √((−112)² + 65.19²) = 129.6 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 17.58 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −241.7 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 17.58 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 159.2 µε

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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 10·1000/314.2 = 31.83 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 31.83/200000 = 0.0001592 = 159.2 µε

Answer

ε = 159.2 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 744.2 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

Ar = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 110·10³·9346 = 1.169 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0006364) = 0.0006364 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0006364·1.169 × 10⁹ = 744200 N = 744.2 kN

Answer

Pmax = 744.2 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 34.88 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·39761/1500² = 34882 N = 34.88 kN

Answer

Pcr = 34.88 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 59.93 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 = 2·35000 = 70000 N
KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·70000·2500²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 59.93 mm

Answer

d = 59.93 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 166.9, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1004

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·√(15000·20) = 1095 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 110/1095 = 0.1004

Answer

ζ = 0.1004

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.359 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 = 1/5 + 1/15 → keq = 5·15/(5 + 15) = 3.75 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(3750/5) = 27.39 rad/s
fn = 27.39/(2π) = 4.359 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.359 Hz

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