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​ = 48

A 7.5 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 32 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 48 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 7.5 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 32N2 = 48η = 98%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 200 mm1440 rpmC = 600 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 160 mm pulley and a 200 mm pulley whose centres are 600 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 160 mmd2 = 200 mmC = 600 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 30 mmd2​ = 25 mmT = 200 N·mABC2.5 m3 m

A stepped solid steel shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 30 mm and length 2.5 m; segment BC has diameter 25 mm and length 3 m. A torque of 200 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md1 = 30 mm, L1 = 2.5 md2 = 25 mm, L2 = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?10 kW, 300 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 10 kW at 300 rpm. 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.

P = 10 kWN = 300 rpmdi/do = 0.7τallow = 60 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 160σy​ = 60τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 160 MPa, σᵧ = 60 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 = 160 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 50σy​ = −80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 50 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
150 kNØ25110 GPaØ120/50600 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa). Both are 600 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 150 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 150 kNrod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPaL = 600 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmBrass1 mØ 20 mmSteel1 mP = 55 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 = 55 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 30 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 30 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 12 kN/mc = 930 N·s/mm = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 12 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 930 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 50 kgk = 12 kN/mc = 930 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 100m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 25 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 100 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 73.11 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 = 7500/150.8 = 49.74 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 49.74·48/32·0.98 = 73.11 N·m

Answer

T2 = 73.11 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 176.2 °

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.

Belt angle

asin(0.03333) = 1.91°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·1.91 = 176.2°

Answer

θ = 176.2°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 15.71 °

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 moments

J1 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴
J2 = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φAB = 200000·2500/(80000·79522) = 0.0786 rad
φBC = 200000·3000/(80000·38350) = 0.1956 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.0786 + 0.1956 = 0.2742 rad = 15.71°

Answer

φC = 15.71°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 32.88 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·300/60 = 31.42 rad/s
T = P/ω = 10000/31.42 = 318.3 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 318.3 N·m = 318310 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.7⁴ = 0.7599
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·318310/(π·60·0.7599)) = 32.88 mm
di = 0.7·32.88 = 23.02 mm

Answer

do = 32.88 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 30.01 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 19.33 °

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, 160 − 60) = 38.66°

Angle on the element

θp = 19.33°

Answer

θp = 19.33°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 56.29 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 + 65·0.866 + 30·0.5 = 56.29 MPa

Answer

σθ = 56.29 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.07991 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 110·10³·9346 = 1.126 × 10⁹ N

Shortening

δ = 150000·600/1.126 × 10⁹ = 0.07991 mm

Answer

δ = 0.07991 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 175.1 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 43.77 MPa
σ2 = 175.1 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 175.1 MPa

Answer

σmax = 175.1 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 12.21 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·39761/1500² = 12209 N = 12.21 kN

Answer

Pcr = 12.21 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 39.34 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 = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm
KL/r = 1400/6.25 = 224

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/224² = 39.34 MPa

Answer

σcr = 39.34 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.6003

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·√(12000·50) = 1549 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 930/1549 = 0.6003

Answer

ζ = 0.6003

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 10.07 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 = 1/25 + 1/100 → keq = 25·100/(25 + 100) = 20 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(20000/5) = 63.25 rad/s
fn = 63.25/(2π) = 10.07 Hz

Answer

fn = 10.07 Hz

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