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​ = ?N2​

Two parallel shafts are 75 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 2.5 mm and a speed reduction of 1.5 : 1. How many teeth N1 must the pinion have?

a = 75 mmm = 2.5 mmi = 1.5
N1 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 250 mm1450 rpmC = 1200 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects an 80 mm pulley and a 250 mm pulley whose centres are 1200 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 80 mmd2 = 250 mmC = 1200 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 500 N·mL = 1 m

A solid brass shaft 1 m long carries a torque of 500 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 3°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 500 N·mL = 1 mG = 39 GPaφallow = 3°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 100 kW at 3000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 80 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 100 kWN = 3000 rpmτallow = 80 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −20σy​ = 10τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −20 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 50σy​ = 60τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = 60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 50 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = 10 MPaθ = 45°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm300 mmØ30Ø50δ = 0.25 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of copper (diameter 50 mm, length 300 mm, E = 120 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.25 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø50 mm, 300 mm, E = 120 GPaδ = 0.25 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmSteel1.5 mØ 12 mmCopper1.5 mP = 65 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 = 65 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m50 × 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 = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 50 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 4 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm2 cycles18.2 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 18.2 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx2 = 18.2 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 20k3​ = 12m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 12 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 = 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 = 40 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/mk3 = 12 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N1 = 24

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.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·75/2.5 = 60

Split by the ratio

N1 = 60/(1 + 1.5) = 24

Answer

N1 = 24
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 171.9 °

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(0.07083) = 4.062°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·4.062 = 171.9°

Answer

θ = 171.9°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 39.74 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.

Required polar moment

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = 3·π/180 = 0.05236 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 500000·1000/(39000·0.05236) = 244854 mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 39.74 mm

Answer

d = 39.74 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 27.26 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/314.2 = 318.3 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·318310/(π·80)) = 27.26 mm

Answer

d = 27.26 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 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 = √(((−20 − 10)/2)² + −20²) = 25 MPa

Answer

τmax = 25 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 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.

Transformation equation

σθ = 55 + −5·0 + 10·1 = 65 MPa

Answer

σθ = 65 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 45.31 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

A₁ = 706.9 mm², A₂ = 1963 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·706.9) = 4.244 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(120000·1963) = 1.273 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.25/5.517 × 10⁻⁶ = 45311 N = 45.31 kN

Answer

P = 45.31 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 574.7 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 67.56 MPa
σ2 = 574.7 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 574.7 MPa

Answer

σmax = 574.7 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 411.2 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 rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 80·50³/12 = 833333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·833333/2000² = 411234 N = 411.2 kN

Answer

Pcr = 411.2 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 4.819 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 = 1·4000 = 4000 mm
KL/r = 4000/6.25 = 640

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/640² = 4.819 MPa

Answer

σcr = 4.819 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(50/18.2) = 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 = 2.418 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 + 20 = 40 kN/m
keq = 40·12/(40 + 12) = 9.231 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(9231/40) = 15.19 rad/s
fn = 15.19/(2π) = 2.418 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.418 Hz

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