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​ = 12N2​ = 16

A 5.5 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 12 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 16 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 5.5 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 12N2 = 16η = 98%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 72C = 48D = 60

A 4 kW motor at 1440 rpm drives gear A (15 teeth), which meshes with gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (48 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 95%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 4 kWnin = 1440 rpmA = 15B = 72C = 48D = 60ηmesh = 95%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 75, di​ = 38 mmT = 1000 N·mL = 2.5 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 75 mm, inner diameter 38 mm, length 2.5 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 1000 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 1000 N·mdo = 75 mmdi = 38 mmL = 2.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmT0​ = 200 N·mACBa = 0.8 mb = 3 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 200 N·m is applied at C, 0.8 m from A and 3 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 30 mmT0 = 200 N·ma = 0.8 mb = 3 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 90σy​ = 30τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 90 MPa, σᵧ = 30 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa, with σz = 0. Find the absolute maximum shear stress τabs at the point (considering all planes in three dimensions).

σx = 90 MPaσy = 30 MPaτxy = −60 MPaσz = 0
τabs = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 40 mm carries a bending moment of 300 N·m together with a torque of 500 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 40 mmM = 300 N·mT = 500 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmBrass2 mP = 50 kN

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

P = 50 kNd = 25 mmL = 2 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmCopper0.5 mØ 16 mmCopper2 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 12 kN/mζ = 0.7m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 12 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.7. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk = 12 kN/mζ = 0.7
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 60k3​ = 10m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 10 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 25 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 = 50 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/mk3 = 10 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 23.66 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·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 5500/303.7 = 18.11 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 18.11·16/12·0.98 = 23.66 N·m

Answer

T2 = 23.66 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 143.6 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.

Output speed

nout = 1440·(15/72)·(48/60) = 240 rpm
ωout = 2π·240/60 = 25.13 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 4000·0.95² = 3610 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 3610/25.13 = 143.6 N·m

Answer

Tout = 143.6 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.266 °

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(75⁴ − 38⁴)/32 = 2.902 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 2.5 m = 2500 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 1 × 10⁶·2500/(39000·2.902 × 10⁶) = 0.02209 rad
φ = 0.02209·180/π = 1.266°

Answer

φ = 1.266°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 29.78 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. 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 = 200
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 200·3/3.8 = 157.9 N·m
TB = 200·0.8/3.8 = 42.11 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·157895/(π·30³) = 29.78 MPa

Answer

τmax = 29.78 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τabs = 67.08 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. In three dimensions the absolute maximum shear stress is (σmax − σmin)/2 over all three principal stresses; in plane stress the third one is zero.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

In-plane principal stresses

C = 60 MPa, R = √(30² + (−60)²) = 67.08 MPa
σ1 = 127.1 MPa, σ2 = −7.082 MPa, σz = 0

Largest of the three circles

τ = max(|σ1 − σ2|, |σ1|, |σ2|)/2 = max(134.2, 127.1, 7.082)/2 = 67.08 MPa

Answer

τabs = 67.08 MPa

Here σ₁ and σ₂ have opposite signs, so the in-plane maximum R is also the absolute maximum.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 46.4 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) = 32·300000/(π·40³) = 47.75 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·500000/(π·40³) = 39.79 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 23.87 MPa
R = √(23.87² + 39.79²) = 46.4 MPa

Answer

τmax = 46.4 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.037 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 50·1000/490.9 = 101.9 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 101.9/100000 = 0.001019 = 1019 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.001019·2000 mm = 2.037 mm

Answer

δ = 2.037 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 9.372 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 = 203.7 MPa
σ2 = 497.4 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 203.7·500/117000 = 0.8706 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 497.4·2000/117000 = 8.502 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 9.372 mm

Answer

δ = 9.372 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 37.85 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 = 0.5·2000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/1000² = 37849 N = 37.85 kN

Answer

Pcr = 37.85 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 31.58 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 = 0.5·5000 = 2500 mm
KL/r = 2500/10 = 250

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/250² = 31.58 MPa

Answer

σcr = 31.58 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 5.568 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 = √(12000/5) = 48.99 rad/s
fn = 48.99/(2π) = 7.797 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 7.797·√(1 − 0.7²) = 5.568 Hz

Answer

fd = 5.568 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.129 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 = 25 + 60 = 85 kN/m
keq = 85·10/(85 + 10) = 8.947 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(8947/50) = 13.38 rad/s
fn = 13.38/(2π) = 2.129 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.129 Hz

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