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​ = 120 mmd2​ = 200 mm1440 rpmn2​ = ?

A 120 mm pulley at 1440 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 1 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1440 rpmd1 = 120 mmd2 = 200 mms = 1 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 18nr​ = ?Np​ = 12carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 18 teeth and each planet gear has 12 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 18Np = 12ns = 3000 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = ?T = 2000 N·m

A hollow shaft must carry a torque of 2000 N·m. Its inner diameter is to be 0.7 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

T = 2000 N·mdi/do = 0.7τallow = 60 MPa
do = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 50 mm, di​ = 40 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 15 kW at 300 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 15 kWN = 300 rpmdo = 50 mmdi = 40 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 50σy​ = 90τxy​ = 40MPa

A point has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 40° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 50 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = 40 MPaθ = 40°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −20σy​ = 90τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 355 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = −20 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = −60 MPaσY = 355 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmCopper3 mP = 30 kN

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

P = 30 kNd = 25 mmL = 3 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmSteel1.5 mØ 12 mmBrass0.5 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 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 = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 25 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 40 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 80 kN/mc = 660 N·s/mm = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 80 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 660 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 15 kgk = 80 kN/mc = 660 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 40m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 15 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 40 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 100 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 855.4 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

1440·120/200 = 864 rpm

With slip

n2 = 864·0.99 = 855.4 rpm

Answer

n2 = 855.4 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 1286 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 18 + 2·12 = 42

Willis equation with the carrier fixed

With nc = 0 the sun drives the ring through the planets, which act as idlers.

nr = −ns·Ns/Nr = −3000·18/42 = −1286 rpm
|nr| = 1286 rpm

Answer

nr = 1286 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 60.68 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.

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.7⁴ = 0.7599
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·2 × 10⁶/(π·60·0.7599)) = 60.68 mm
di = 0.7·60.68 = 42.47 mm

Answer

do = 60.68 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 55.37 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 32.95 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·300/60 = 31.42 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/31.42 = 477.5 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(50⁴ − 40⁴)/32 = 362265 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 477465·25/362265 = 32.95 MPa

Answer

τmax = 32.95 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 34.08 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.

Transformation equation for the y′ face

σy′ = 70 − (−20)·0.1736 − 40·0.9848 = 34.08 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 105.9 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 140 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 34.08 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.181

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 35 MPa, R = 81.39 MPa
σ1 = 116.4 MPa, σ2 = −46.39 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 162.8 MPa
n = 355/162.8 = 2.181

Answer

n = 2.181

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 522.4 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 30·1000/490.9 = 61.12 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 61.12/117000 = 0.0005224 = 522.4 µε

Answer

ε = 522.4 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 6.246 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 213.9 MPa
σ2 = 928.4 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 213.9·1500/200000 = 1.604 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 928.4·500/100000 = 4.642 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 6.246 mm

Answer

δ = 6.246 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 17.99 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 = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·104167/2000² = 17991 N = 17.99 kN

Answer

Pcr = 17.99 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 = 1·2500 = 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: ζ = 0.3012

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(80000·15) = 2191 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 660/2191 = 0.3012

Answer

ζ = 0.3012

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 1.662 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/15 + 1/40 → keq = 15·40/(15 + 40) = 10.91 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(10909/100) = 10.44 rad/s
fn = 10.44/(2π) = 1.662 Hz

Answer

fn = 1.662 Hz

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