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​ = 150 mmd2​ = 450 mm1500 rpmT1​ = 800 NT2​ = 400 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 150 mm driving pulley at 1500 rpm. The tension is 800 N on the tight side and 400 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 1500 rpmT1 = 800 NT2 = 400 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 32B = 60C = 18D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (32 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 3000 rpm and drives gear B (60 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 1440 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 3000 rpmA = 32B = 60C = 18nout = 1440 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 60, di​ = 42 mmT = 200 N·mL = 2 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 60 mm, inner diameter 42 mm, length 2 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 200 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 200 N·mdo = 60 mmdi = 42 mmL = 2 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 50 mm, di​ = 40 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 50 kW at 3000 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 50 kWN = 3000 rpmdo = 50 mmdi = 40 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 100σy​ = −80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = 100 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 100 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = −40τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 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 = −70 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = −60 MPaθ = 15°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 30 mmCopper1 mP = 90 kN

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

P = 90 kNd = 30 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25110 GPaØ80/60600 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 120 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 60 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 120 MPatube: Ø80/Ø60 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 60 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 150 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 150 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 150 kNn = 2L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 25 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 25 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 = 15 kgk = 25 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 60k3​ = 30m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 30 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 20 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 = 40 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/mk3 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 4.712 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 = 11.78 m/s

Power

P = (800 − 400)·11.78 = 4712 W = 4.712 kW

Answer

P = 4.712 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 20

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.

Intermediate shaft speed

nB = nC = 3000·32/60 = 1600 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 18·1600/1440 = 20

Answer

ND = 20
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.6078 °

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(60⁴ − 42⁴)/32 = 966855 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
L = 2 m = 2000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 200000·2000/(39000·966855) = 0.01061 rad
φ = 0.01061·180/π = 0.6078°

Answer

φ = 0.6078°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 10.98 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/314.2 = 159.2 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(50⁴ − 40⁴)/32 = 362265 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 159155·25/362265 = 10.98 MPa

Answer

τmax = 10.98 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −35.78 °

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​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = 30/94.87 = 0.3162, sin 2θs = −90/94.87 = −0.9487
2θs = atan2(−90, 30) = −71.57°

Angle on the element

θs = −35.78°
check: θs − θp = −35.78 − 9.217 = −45°

Answer

θs = −35.78°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −44.46 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 = −−15·0.5 + −60·0.866 = −44.46 MPa

Answer

τθ = −44.46 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1088 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 90·1000/706.9 = 127.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 127.3/117000 = 0.001088 = 1088 µε

Answer

ε = 1088 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 185.5 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(80² − 60²)/4 = 2199 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 110·10³·2199 = 3.401 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.0006, 0.0005455) = 0.0005455 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0005455·3.401 × 10⁸ = 185497 N = 185.5 kN

Answer

Pmax = 185.5 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 3.312 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·19175/2000² = 3312 N = 3.312 kN

Answer

Pcr = 3.312 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 51.37 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 = 2·150000 = 300000 N
KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·300000·1500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 51.37 mm

Answer

d = 51.37 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 116.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 5.198 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 = √(25000/15) = 40.82 rad/s
fn = 40.82/(2π) = 6.497 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 6.497·√(1 − 0.6²) = 5.198 Hz

Answer

fd = 5.198 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.717 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 = 20 + 60 = 80 kN/m
keq = 80·30/(80 + 30) = 21.82 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(21818/40) = 23.35 rad/s
fn = 23.35/(2π) = 3.717 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.717 Hz

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