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​ = 200 mmd2​ = 300 mm720 rpmn2​ = ?

A 200 mm pulley at 720 rpm drives a 300 mm pulley by a belt with 2 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 720 rpmd1 = 200 mmd2 = 300 mms = 2 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 20ring fixedNp​ = 24nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 20 teeth and each planet gear has 24 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 20Np = 24ns = 3000 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 25 mmL = 1.2 mφ = ?

A solid brass shaft is fixed at the wall and twisted by a torque T at its free end. Find the angle of twist φ of the free end, in degrees.

T = 100 N·md = 25 mmL = 1.2 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?75 kW, 1500 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 75 kW at 1500 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.8 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 75 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 75 kWN = 1500 rpmdi/do = 0.8τallow = 75 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −30σy​ = −30τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −30 MPa, σᵧ = −30 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −30 MPaσy = −30 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 110σy​ = 120τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 110 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmCopper1.5 mP = 80 kN

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

P = 80 kNd = 16 mmL = 1.5 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmBrass0.5 mØ 20 mmBrass1.5 mP = 80 kN

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

P = 80 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m20 × 40 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 20 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx25 mm2 cycles11.7 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 25 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 11.7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 25 mmx2 = 11.7 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 50k3​ = 100m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 100 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 50 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 = 10 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/mk3 = 100 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 470.4 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

720·200/300 = 480 rpm

With slip

n2 = 480·0.98 = 470.4 rpm

Answer

n2 = 470.4 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 681.8 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 = 20 + 2·24 = 68

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(3000 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −68/20
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 3000·20/88 = 681.8 rpm

Answer

nc = 681.8 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 4.597 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·1200/(39000·38350) = 0.08023 rad
φ = 0.08023·180/π = 4.597°

Answer

φ = 4.597°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 38.01 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/157.1 = 477.5 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 477.5 N·m = 477465 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.8⁴ = 0.5904
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·477465/(π·75·0.5904)) = 38.01 mm
di = 0.8·38.01 = 30.41 mm

Answer

do = 38.01 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 31.89 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 45 °

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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·40, −30 − −30) = 90°

Angle on the element

θp = 45°

Answer

θp = 45°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 147.1 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 = 115 + −5·0.5 + −40·−0.866 = 147.1 MPa

Answer

σθ = 147.1 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 3401 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 80·1000/201.1 = 397.9 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 397.9/117000 = 0.003401 = 3401 µε

Answer

ε = 3401 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.138 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 63.66 MPa
σ2 = 254.6 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 63.66·500/100000 = 0.3183 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 254.6·1500/100000 = 3.82 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 4.138 mm

Answer

δ = 4.138 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 33.69 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 = 40·20³/12 = 26667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·26667/1250² = 33688 N = 33.69 kN

Answer

Pcr = 33.69 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 24.48 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 = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm
KL/r = 2100/12.5 = 168

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/168² = 24.48 MPa

Answer

σcr = 24.48 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06031

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 = (1/2)·ln(25/11.7) = 0.3796

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3796/√(39.48 + 0.1441) = 0.06031

Answer

ζ = 0.06031
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 11.25 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 = 50 + 50 = 100 kN/m
keq = 100·100/(100 + 100) = 50 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(50000/10) = 70.71 rad/s
fn = 70.71/(2π) = 11.25 Hz

Answer

fn = 11.25 Hz

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