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​ = 18N2​ = 24

A 0.75 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 24 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 0.75 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 18N2 = 24η = 96%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 30C = 16D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 960 rpm and drives gear B (30 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 96 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 960 rpmA = 15B = 30C = 16nout = 96 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 40, di​ = 30 mmT = 2000 N·mL = 1.2 m

A hollow steel shaft (outer diameter 40 mm, inner diameter 30 mm, length 1.2 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 2000 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 2000 N·mdo = 40 mmdi = 30 mmL = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 60 mm, di​ = 48 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 20 kW at 1800 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 20 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 60 mmdi = 48 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 60σy​ = 110τxy​ = 60MPa

A point has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 35° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 60 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = 60 MPaθ = 35°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
50°D = 1500 mm, t = 5 mm, p = 1.5 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 1500 mm and wall thickness 5 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 1.5 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 50° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the normal stress σn acting across the weld seam.

D = 1500 mmt = 5 mmp = 1.5 MPaα = 50°
σn = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
50 kNØ40110 GPaØ80/50800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium1.5 mØ 16 mmCopper2 mP = 20 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 20 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m40 × 50 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 135 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. It must carry 135 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 135 kNn = 2.5L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 40 kN/mc = 90 N·s/mm = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 40 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 90 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 8 kgk = 40 kN/mc = 90 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 30m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 80 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 30 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 50 kgk1 = 80 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 6.366 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·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 750/150.8 = 4.974 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 4.974·24/18·0.96 = 6.366 N·m

Answer

T2 = 6.366 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 80

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 = 960·15/30 = 480 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 16·480/96 = 80

Answer

ND = 80
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 10 °

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 − 30⁴)/32 = 171806 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 1.2 m = 1200 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 2 × 10⁶·1200/(80000·171806) = 0.1746 rad
φ = 0.1746·180/π = 10°

Answer

φ = 10°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 4.237 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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/188.5 = 106.1 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(60⁴ − 48⁴)/32 = 751193 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 106103·30/751193 = 4.237 MPa

Answer

τmax = 4.237 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 37.17 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′ = 85 − (−25)·0.342 − 60·0.9397 = 37.17 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 132.8 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 170 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 37.17 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σn = 159 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 1500/2 = 750 mm
σh = pr/t = 1.5·750/5 = 225 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 112.5 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

σn = 112.5·sin²50° + 225·cos²50° = 159 MPa

Answer

σn = 159 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.068 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(80² − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 110·10³·3063 = 5.883 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·800/5.883 × 10⁸ = 0.068 mm

Answer

δ = 0.068 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 99.47 MPa

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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 15.92 MPa
σ2 = 99.47 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 99.47 MPa

Answer

σmax = 99.47 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 268.6 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 = 50·40³/12 = 266667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·266667/1400² = 268561 N = 268.6 kN

Answer

Pcr = 268.6 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 48.3 mm

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.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 2.5·135000 = 337500 N
KL = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·337500·1250²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 48.3 mm

Answer

d = 48.3 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 103.5, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.07955

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·√(40000·8) = 1131 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 90/1131 = 0.07955

Answer

ζ = 0.07955

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 21.82 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 = 1/80 + 1/30 → keq = 80·30/(80 + 30) = 21.82 kN/m

Answer

keq = 21.82 kN/m

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