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​ = 40N2​ = 80

A 15 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 40 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 80 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 15 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 40N2 = 80η = 96%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 50C = 30D = 32

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (50 teeth). Gear C (30 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (32 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1450 rpmA = 15B = 50C = 30D = 32
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = ?T = 200 N·m

A hollow shaft must carry a torque of 200 N·m. Its inner diameter is to be 0.75 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

T = 200 N·mdi/do = 0.75τallow = 80 MPa
do = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 5 kW at 750 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 80 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 5 kWN = 750 rpmτallow = 80 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 120σy​ = 80τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 120 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 50 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 30σy​ = 50τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 300 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = 30 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = 60 MPaσY = 300 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmBrass2 mP = 45 kN

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

P = 45 kNd = 16 mmL = 2 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30110 GPaØ120/70600 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 60 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø120/Ø70 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 60 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m30 × 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 30 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 80 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 = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 100 kN/mζ = 0.45m = 250 kg

A 250 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.45. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 250 kgk = 100 kN/mζ = 0.45
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 30m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 12 kN/m and k₂ = 30 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 49.39 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·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 15000/303.7 = 49.39 N·m

Answer

T1 = 49.39 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 407.8 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 = 1450·15/50 = 435 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 435·30/32 = 407.8 rpm

Answer

nout = 407.8 rpm

total ratio = 3.556 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 26.51 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.

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.75⁴ = 0.6836
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·200000/(π·80·0.6836)) = 26.51 mm
di = 0.75·26.51 = 19.88 mm

Answer

do = 26.51 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 23.35 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 15.94 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 5000/78.54 = 63.66 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·63662/(π·80)) = 15.94 mm

Answer

d = 15.94 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 34.1 °

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(2·50, 120 − 80) = 68.2°

Angle on the element

θp = 34.1°

Answer

θp = 34.1°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.466

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 40 MPa, R = 60.83 MPa
σ1 = 100.8 MPa, σ2 = −20.83 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 121.7 MPa
n = 300/121.7 = 2.466

Answer

n = 2.466

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.476 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 45·1000/201.1 = 223.8 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 223.8/100000 = 0.002238 = 2238 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.002238·2000 mm = 4.476 mm

Answer

δ = 4.476 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 524.8 kN

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(120² − 70²)/4 = 7461 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 110·10³·7461 = 9.621 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0005455) = 0.0005455 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0005455·9.621 × 10⁸ = 524789 N = 524.8 kN

Answer

Pmax = 524.8 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.776 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 = 40·30³/12 = 90000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·4000 = 8000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·90000/8000² = 2776 N = 2.776 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.776 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 64.45 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm
KL/r = 3500/20 = 175

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/175² = 64.45 MPa

Answer

σcr = 64.45 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.843 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 = √(100000/250) = 20 rad/s
fn = 20/(2π) = 3.183 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 3.183·√(1 − 0.45²) = 2.843 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.843 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 6.523 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 12 + 30 = 42 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(42000/25) = 40.99 rad/s
fn = 40.99/(2π) = 6.523 Hz

Answer

fn = 6.523 Hz

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