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​ = 450 mm1500 rpmn2​ = ?

A 120 mm pulley at 1500 rpm drives a 450 mm pulley by a belt with 2.5 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1500 rpmd1 = 120 mmd2 = 450 mms = 2.5 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 60C = 32D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (40 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1440 rpm drives gear B (60 teeth). Gear C (32 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (80 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1440 rpmA = 40B = 60C = 32D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 2 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 = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 2 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 50 mmT0​ = 1000 N·mACBa = 1.2 mb = 2 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 50 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 1000 N·m is applied at C, 1.2 m from A and 2 m from B. Find the angle of rotation φC of section C, in degrees.

d = 50 mmT0 = 1000 N·ma = 1.2 mb = 2 mG = 26 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 10σy​ = −50τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = −50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 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 = 50 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 160σy​ = −20τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 160 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 50° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 160 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 50°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmCopper1 mP = 50 kN

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

P = 50 kNd = 12 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmCopper0.5 mØ 16 mmSteel1 mP = 95 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the total elongation δ.

P = 95 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 50 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 = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 2 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 2 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 = 10 kgk = 2 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 20k3​ = 80m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 80 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 20 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 = 50 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/mk3 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 390 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

1500·120/450 = 400 rpm

With slip

n2 = 400·0.975 = 390 rpm

Answer

n2 = 390 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 384 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 = 1440·40/60 = 960 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 960·32/80 = 384 rpm

Answer

nout = 384 rpm

total ratio = 3.75 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 22.99 °

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) = 200·1000·2000/(26000·38350) = 0.4012 rad
φ = 0.4012·180/π = 22.99°

Answer

φ = 22.99°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 2.694 °

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 = 1000
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 1000·2/3.2 = 625 N·m
TB = 1000·1.2/3.2 = 375 N·m

Rotation of C

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

J = π·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φC = TA·a/(GJ) = 625000·1200/(26000·613592) = 0.04701 rad = 2.694°

Answer

φC = 2.694°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 29.52 °

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(2·50, 10 − −50) = 59.04°

Angle on the element

θp = 29.52°

Answer

θp = 29.52°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −86.9 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 = −90·0.9848 + −10·−0.1736 = −86.9 MPa

Answer

τθ = −86.9 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.779 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 = 50·1000/113.1 = 442.1 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 442.1/117000 = 0.003779 = 3779 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.003779·1000 mm = 3.779 mm

Answer

δ = 3.779 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.19 mm

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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 193.5 MPa
σ2 = 472.5 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 193.5·500/117000 = 0.8271 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 472.5·1000/200000 = 2.362 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 3.19 mm

Answer

δ = 3.19 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 5.888 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·3000 = 6000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·306796/6000² = 5888 N = 5.888 kN

Answer

Pcr = 5.888 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 4.318 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 1·6000 = 6000 mm
KL/r = 6000/15 = 400

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/400² = 4.318 MPa

Answer

σcr = 4.318 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.147 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 = √(2000/10) = 14.14 rad/s
fn = 14.14/(2π) = 2.251 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.251·√(1 − 0.3²) = 2.147 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.147 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.349 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 = 50 + 20 = 70 kN/m
keq = 70·80/(70 + 80) = 37.33 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(37333/50) = 27.33 rad/s
fn = 27.33/(2π) = 4.349 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.349 Hz

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