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​ = 32N2​ = 40

A 3 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 32 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 40 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 3 kWn1 = 960 rpmN1 = 32N2 = 40η = 98%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 72C = 20D = 36

An 11 kW motor at 1440 rpm drives gear A (40 teeth), which meshes with gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (20 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (36 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 11 kWnin = 1440 rpmA = 40B = 72C = 20D = 36ηmesh = 97%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.5 mφ = ?

A solid steel 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 = 250 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 25 mmT0​ = 200 N·mACBa = 3 mb = 2 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 25 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 200 N·m is applied at C, 3 m from A and 2 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 25 mmT0 = 200 N·ma = 3 mb = 2 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −40τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −40 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 110σy​ = −80τxy​ = −30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 110 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −30 MPaθ = 40°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmBrass3 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 10 mmL = 3 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
20 kN12400 mm500 mmØ40Ø60σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of bronze (diameter 60 mm, length 500 mm, E = 110 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 20 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: bronze, Ø60 mm, 500 mm, E = 110 GPaP = 20 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 25 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)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1.5 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 8 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 8 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.3. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 15 kgk = 8 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 20k3​ = 30m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 30 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 80 kN/m and k₂ = 20 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 = 100 kgk1 = 80 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/mk3 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 29.84 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·960/60 = 100.5 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 3000/100.5 = 29.84 N·m

Answer

T1 = 29.84 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 222.4 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·(40/72)·(20/36) = 444.4 rpm
ωout = 2π·444.4/60 = 46.54 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 11000·0.97² = 10350 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 10350/46.54 = 222.4 N·m

Answer

Tout = 222.4 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.069 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·1500/(80000·251327) = 0.01865 rad
φ = 0.01865·180/π = 1.069°

Answer

φ = 1.069°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 80 N·m

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 = 200·2/5 = 80 N·m
TB = 200·3/5 = 120 N·m

Answer

TA = 80 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = 16.85 °

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.

στxyCτmax​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = 30/36.06 = 0.8321, sin 2θs = −(−20)/36.06 = 0.5547
2θs = atan2(20, 30) = 33.69°

Angle on the element

θs = 16.85°
check: θs − θp = 16.85 − 61.85 = −45°

Answer

θs = 16.85°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 1.952 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 = 15 + 95·0.1736 + −30·0.9848 = 1.952 MPa

Answer

σθ = 1.952 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 40.11 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/78.54 = 1337 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1337/100000 = 0.01337 = 13369 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.01337·3000 mm = 40.11 mm

Answer

δ = 40.11 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 3.519 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·1257/400 = 628319 N/mm
k₂ = 110000·2827/500 = 622035 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 20000·622035/1.25 × 10⁶ = 9950 N

Stress

σ2 = 9950/2827 = 3.519 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 3.519 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 3.312 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 = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·19175/2000² = 3312 N = 3.312 kN

Answer

Pcr = 3.312 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 47.98 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 0.5·1500 = 750 mm
KL/r = 750/6.25 = 120

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/120² = 47.98 MPa

Answer

σcr = 47.98 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 3.506 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 = √(8000/15) = 23.09 rad/s
fn = 23.09/(2π) = 3.676 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 3.676·√(1 − 0.3²) = 3.506 Hz

Answer

fd = 3.506 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.418 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 = 80 + 20 = 100 kN/m
keq = 100·30/(100 + 30) = 23.08 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(23077/100) = 15.19 rad/s
fn = 15.19/(2π) = 2.418 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.418 Hz

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