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​ = 24N2​ = 36

A 1.1 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 24 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 36 teeth. Ignore losses. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 1.1 kWn1 = 960 rpmN1 = 24N2 = 36η = 100%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 100 mmd2​ = 400 mm2880 rpmC = 1000 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 100 mm pulley and a 400 mm pulley whose centres are 1000 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 100 mmd2 = 400 mmC = 1000 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.5 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 = 100 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.5 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?100 kW, 1800 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 100 kW at 1800 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.6 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 100 kWN = 1800 rpmdi/do = 0.6τallow = 80 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 0σy​ = −80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 0 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 0 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 25 mm carries a bending moment of 500 N·m together with a torque of 100 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 25 mmM = 500 N·mT = 100 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmBrass1.5 mP = 45 kN

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

P = 45 kNd = 16 mmL = 1.5 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø20110 GPaØ80/50500 mm

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 100 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 100 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m50 × 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 50 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and free at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 25 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 25 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.4. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 20 kgk = 25 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 60m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 12 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 60 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 100 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 10.94 N·m

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.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·960/60 = 100.5 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 1100/100.5 = 10.94 N·m

Answer

T1 = 10.94 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 162.7 °

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(0.15) = 8.627°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·8.627 = 162.7°

Answer

θ = 162.7°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.315 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·1500/(26000·251327) = 0.02296 rad
φ = 0.02296·180/π = 1.315°

Answer

φ = 1.315°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 33.85 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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/188.5 = 530.5 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 530.5 N·m = 530516 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.6⁴ = 0.8704
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·530516/(π·80·0.8704)) = 33.85 mm
di = 0.6·33.85 = 20.31 mm

Answer

do = 33.85 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 32.32 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 18.43 °

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(2·30, 0 − −80) = 36.87°

Angle on the element

θp = 18.43°

Answer

θp = 18.43°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 166.2 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 = 32M/(πd³) = 32·500000/(π·25³) = 325.9 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·100000/(π·25³) = 32.59 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 163 MPa
R = √(163² + 32.59²) = 166.2 MPa

Answer

τmax = 166.2 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.357 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 45·1000/201.1 = 223.8 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 223.8/100000 = 0.002238 = 2238 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.002238·1500 mm = 3.357 mm

Answer

δ = 3.357 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 363.4 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
At = π(80² − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 110·10³·3063 = 3.998 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0009091) = 0.0009091 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0009091·3.998 × 10⁸ = 363425 N = 363.4 kN

Answer

Pmax = 363.4 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 143.9 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 = 0.5·4000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·833333/2000² = 143932 N = 143.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 143.9 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 2·2000 = 4000 mm
KL/r = 4000/10 = 400

Critical stress

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

Answer

σcr = 4.318 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 5.157 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 = √(25000/20) = 35.36 rad/s
fn = 35.36/(2π) = 5.627 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 5.627·√(1 − 0.4²) = 5.157 Hz

Answer

fd = 5.157 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 10 kN/m

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 = 1/12 + 1/60 → keq = 12·60/(12 + 60) = 10 kN/m

Answer

keq = 10 kN/m

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