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​ = 125 mmd2​ = 315 mm1440 rpmn2​ = ?

A 125 mm pulley at 1440 rpm drives a 315 mm pulley by a belt with 2.5 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1440 rpmd1 = 125 mmd2 = 315 mms = 2.5 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 18B = 40C = 18D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (18 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 3000 rpm and drives gear B (40 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 1215 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 3000 rpmA = 18B = 40C = 18nout = 1215 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 100 N·mL = 3 m

A solid brass shaft 3 m long carries a torque of 100 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 0.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 100 N·mL = 3 mG = 39 GPaφallow = 0.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 15 kW at 3000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 60 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 15 kWN = 3000 rpmτallow = 60 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 150σy​ = −10τxy​ = −10MPa

A point has σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 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 = 150 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 110σy​ = 0τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 110 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = 20 MPaθ = -20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmSteel1.5 mP = 95 kN

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

P = 95 kNd = 12 mmL = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30110 GPaØ80/60500 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 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 70 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 120 MPatube: Ø80/Ø60 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 70 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m40 × 100 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 = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 40 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx12 mm4 cycles2.6 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 12 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 2.6 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 12 mmx4 = 2.6 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 30m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 40 kN/m and k₂ = 30 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 50 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 557.1 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

1440·125/315 = 571.4 rpm

With slip

n2 = 571.4·0.975 = 557.1 rpm

Answer

n2 = 557.1 rpm
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 = 3000·18/40 = 1350 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 18·1350/1215 = 20

Answer

ND = 20
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 54.74 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 = 100 N·m = 100000 N·mm
L = 3 m = 3000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = 0.5·π/180 = 0.008727 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 100000·3000/(39000·0.008727) = 881474 mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 54.74 mm

Answer

d = 54.74 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 15.94 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 = 15000/314.2 = 47.75 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·47746/(π·60)) = 15.94 mm

Answer

d = 15.94 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −48.56 °

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 = −10/80.62 = −0.124, sin 2θs = −80/80.62 = −0.9923
2θs = atan2(−80, −10) = −97.13°

Angle on the element

θs = −48.56°
check: θs − θp = −48.56 − (−3.563) = −45°

Answer

θs = −48.56°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 84.28 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 + 55·0.766 + 20·−0.6428 = 84.28 MPa

Answer

σθ = 84.28 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 4200 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 95·1000/113.1 = 840 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 840/200000 = 0.0042 = 4200 µε

Answer

ε = 4200 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 230 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(80² − 60²)/4 = 2199 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 110·10³·2199 = 3.833 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.0006, 0.0006364) = 0.0006 (steel)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0006·3.833 × 10⁸ = 229965 N = 230 kN

Answer

Pmax = 230 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 14.74 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 = 100·40³/12 = 533333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·2500 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·533333/5000² = 14739 N = 14.74 kN

Answer

Pcr = 14.74 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 2.142 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1963 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(306796/1963) = 12.5 mm
KL = 2·6000 = 12000 mm
KL/r = 12000/12.5 = 960

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/960² = 2.142 MPa

Answer

σcr = 2.142 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06074

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 = (1/4)·ln(12/2.6) = 0.3823

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3823/√(39.48 + 0.1462) = 0.06074

Answer

ζ = 0.06074
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 5.955 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

Springs side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 40 + 30 = 70 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(70000/50) = 37.42 rad/s
fn = 37.42/(2π) = 5.955 Hz

Answer

fn = 5.955 Hz

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