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
Nw​ = 72z = 1, 1450 rpm

A worm with 1 start(s) turns at 1450 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 72 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 1Nw = 72n = 1450 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 150 mmd2​ = 300 mm2880 rpmC = 1200 mmT1​ = 1200 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 150 mm driving pulley at 2880 rpm to a 300 mm pulley; the centres are 1200 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.35 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1200 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 2880 rpmd2 = 300 mmC = 1200 mmμ = 0.35T1 = 1200 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 2000 N·mL = 3 m

A solid steel shaft 3 m long carries a torque of 2000 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 0.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 2000 N·mL = 3 mG = 80 GPaφallow = 0.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 80 mm, di​ = 48 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 100 kW at 1500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 100 kWN = 1500 rpmdo = 80 mmdi = 48 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = 80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 130 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 70σy​ = 40τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 60° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 70 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = 60 MPaθ = 60°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
200 kNØ30100 GPaØ80/60400 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 400 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 200 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 200 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø80/Ø60 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 400 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass0.5 mØ 20 mmCopper0.5 mP = 50 kN

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

P = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m25 × 80 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 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 25 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 30 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx10 mm4 cycles2.2 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 10 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 2.2 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 10 mmx4 = 2.2 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 40m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 100 kN/m and k₂ = 40 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 100 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 20.14 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.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 1450·1/72 = 20.14 rpm

Answer

nw = 20.14 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 17.7 kW

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.

Angle of wrap

θ = 3.017 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e1.056 = 2.874, T₂ = 1200/2.874 = 417.5 N

Power

P = (1200 − 417.5)·22.62 = 17.7 kW

Answer

P = 17.7 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 96.73 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 = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 3 m = 3000 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = 0.5·π/180 = 0.008727 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 2 × 10⁶·3000/(80000·0.008727) = 8.594 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 96.73 mm

Answer

d = 96.73 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 7.275 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/157.1 = 636.6 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(80⁴ − 48⁴)/32 = 3.5 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 636620·40/3.5 × 10⁶ = 7.275 MPa

Answer

τmax = 7.275 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 39.05 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.

σxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((130 − 80)/2)² + 30²) = 39.05 MPa

Answer

τmax = 39.05 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −42.99 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 = −15·0.866 + 60·−0.5 = −42.99 MPa

Answer

τθ = −42.99 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.2214 mm

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 + 100·10³·2199 = 3.613 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 200000·400/3.613 × 10⁸ = 0.2214 mm

Answer

δ = 0.2214 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.94 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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 51.97 MPa
σ2 = 159.2 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 51.97·500/100000 = 0.2598 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 159.2·500/117000 = 0.6801 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.94 mm

Answer

δ = 0.94 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 4.498 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 = 80·25³/12 = 104167 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·2000 = 4000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·104167/4000² = 4498 N = 4.498 kN

Answer

Pcr = 4.498 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 6.294 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 706.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(39761/706.9) = 7.5 mm
KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm
KL/r = 4200/7.5 = 560

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/560² = 6.294 MPa

Answer

σcr = 6.294 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06014

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(10/2.2) = 0.3785

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3785/√(39.48 + 0.1433) = 0.06014

Answer

ζ = 0.06014
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 140 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 100 + 40 = 140 kN/m

Answer

keq = 140 kN/m

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