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​ = 120 mmd2​ = 315 mm1500 rpmT1​ = 800 NT2​ = 200 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 120 mm driving pulley at 1500 rpm. The tension is 800 N on the tight side and 200 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 120 mmn1 = 1500 rpmT1 = 800 NT2 = 200 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 50B = 72C = 30D = 36

In a compound gear train, gear A (50 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (30 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (36 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1450 rpmA = 50B = 72C = 30D = 36
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 20 mmT = 20 N·m300 mmφ = 0.84°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 20 mm is twisted by a torque of 20 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 300 mm rotate 0.84° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 20 N·md = 20 mmL = 300 mmφ = 0.84°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 80 mm, di​ = 60 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 75 kW at 500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 75 kWN = 500 rpmdo = 80 mmdi = 60 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = −80τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 40 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 50σy​ = 120τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 355 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = 50 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = 40 MPaσY = 355 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
300 kNØ30120 GPaØ80/60500 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 500 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 300 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 300 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø80/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 500 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass1 mØ 20 mmSteel2 mP = 90 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 = 90 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 25 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx25 mm2 cycles9.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 25 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 9.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 25 mmx2 = 9.1 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 60k3​ = 20m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 20 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 12 kN/m and k₂ = 60 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 = 10 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/mk3 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 5.655 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 = 9.425 m/s

Power

P = (800 − 200)·9.425 = 5655 W = 5.655 kW

Answer

P = 5.655 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 839.1 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 = 1450·50/72 = 1007 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1007·30/36 = 839.1 rpm

Answer

nout = 839.1 rpm

total ratio = 1.728 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 26.05 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·20⁴/32 = 15708 mm⁴
φ = 0.84·π/180 = 0.01466 rad

Shear modulus

T = 20 N·m = 20000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 20000·300/(15708·0.01466) = 26054 MPa
G = 26.05 GPa

Answer

G = 26.05 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 20.84 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/52.36 = 1432 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(80⁴ − 60⁴)/32 = 2.749 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 1.432 × 10⁶·40/2.749 × 10⁶ = 20.84 MPa

Answer

τmax = 20.84 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 63.25 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 = √(((40 − −80)/2)² + −20²) = 63.25 MPa

Answer

τmax = 63.25 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.57

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 85 MPa, R = 53.15 MPa
σ1 = 138.2 MPa, σ2 = 31.85 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 138.2 MPa
n = 355/138.2 = 2.57

Answer

n = 2.57

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.3701 mm

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(80² − 60²)/4 = 2199 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 120·10³·2199 = 4.053 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 300000·500/4.053 × 10⁸ = 0.3701 mm

Answer

δ = 0.3701 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 286.5 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 93.54 MPa
σ2 = 286.5 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 286.5 MPa

Answer

σmax = 286.5 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 110.2 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·6000 = 6000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·2.011 × 10⁶/6000² = 110245 N = 110.2 kN

Answer

Pcr = 110.2 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 8.567 MPa

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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm
KL/r = 3000/6.25 = 480

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/480² = 8.567 MPa

Answer

σcr = 8.567 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.08016

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(25/9.1) = 0.5053

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.5053/√(39.48 + 0.2553) = 0.08016

Answer

ζ = 0.08016
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 6.297 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 = 12 + 60 = 72 kN/m
keq = 72·20/(72 + 20) = 15.65 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(15652/10) = 39.56 rad/s
fn = 39.56/(2π) = 6.297 Hz

Answer

fn = 6.297 Hz

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