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​ = 20, m = 4 mm

A 4 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 20 teeth and a module of 4 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 4 kWn = 2900 rpmN1 = 20m = 4 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 16B = 45C = 20D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (16 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (20 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (80 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 16B = 45C = 20D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 750 N·mL = 1.5 m

A solid steel shaft 1.5 m long carries a torque of 750 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 1.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 750 N·mL = 1.5 mG = 80 GPaφallow = 1.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 20 kW at 1500 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 20 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 30σy​ = −80τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 30 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −40 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −10σy​ = −80τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −10 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −10 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = 20 MPaθ = -30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
100 kNØ30100 GPaØ80/50600 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 100 GPa). Both are 600 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 100 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 100 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 100 GPaL = 600 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass2 mØ 16 mmAluminium0.5 mP = 95 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 = 95 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m50 × 100 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 50 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1.5 md = 30 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 = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 2 kN/mc = 30 N·s/mm = 2 kg

A 2 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 2 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 30 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 2 kgk = 2 kN/mc = 30 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 20m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 100 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 20 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 100 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 329.3 N

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Torque on the pinion

ω = 2π·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 4000/303.7 = 13.17 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 4·20 = 80 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·13.17/0.08 = 329.3 N

Answer

Ft = 329.3 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 85.33 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.

First stage

nB = 960·16/45 = 341.3 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 341.3·20/80 = 85.33 rpm

Answer

nout = 85.33 rpm

total ratio = 11.25 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 48.36 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 = 750 N·m = 750000 N·mm
L = 1.5 m = 1500 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = 1.5·π/180 = 0.02618 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 750000·1500/(80000·0.02618) = 537148 mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 48.36 mm

Answer

d = 48.36 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 23.49 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 = 20000/157.1 = 127.3 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·127324/(π·50)) = 23.49 mm

Answer

d = 23.49 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 68.01 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((30 − −80)/2)² + −40²) = 68.01 MPa

Answer

τmax = 68.01 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −44.82 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 = −45 + 35·0.5 + 20·−0.866 = −44.82 MPa

Answer

σθ = −44.82 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.134 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 − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 100·10³·3063 = 4.477 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 100000·600/4.477 × 10⁸ = 0.134 mm

Answer

δ = 0.134 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 472.5 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 193.5 MPa
σ2 = 472.5 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 472.5 MPa

Answer

σmax = 472.5 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 179.9 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 = 100·50³/12 = 1.042 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·4000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·1.042 × 10⁶/2000² = 179915 N = 179.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 179.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 49.35 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 = 1·1500 = 1500 mm
KL/r = 1500/7.5 = 200

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/200² = 49.35 MPa

Answer

σcr = 49.35 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.2372

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·√(2000·2) = 126.5 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 30/126.5 = 0.2372

Answer

ζ = 0.2372

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.055 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 = 1/100 + 1/20 → keq = 100·20/(100 + 20) = 16.67 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(16667/100) = 12.91 rad/s
fn = 12.91/(2π) = 2.055 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.055 Hz

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