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​ = 45

A 0.75 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 32 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 45 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 0.75 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 32N2 = 45η = 98%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 40C = 16D = 24

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 2900 rpm drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (24 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 2900 rpmA = 12B = 40C = 16D = 24
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 40 mmL = 1 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 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 50 mm, di​ = 25 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 75 kW at 750 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 75 kWN = 750 rpmdo = 50 mmdi = 25 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −70σy​ = −80τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa, with σz = 0. Find the absolute maximum shear stress τabs at the point (considering all planes in three dimensions).

σx = −70 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −50 MPaσz = 0
τabs = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 140σy​ = 10τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 140 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 140 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 45°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12500 mm400 mmØ30Ø40δ = 0.25 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 500 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of aluminium (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 70 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.25 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 500 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 70 GPaδ = 0.25 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmSteel0.5 mØ 16 mmBrass1.5 mP = 25 kN

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

P = 25 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 0.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m40 × 100 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 25 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 25 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 25 kNn = 2.5L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 40 kN/mc = 30 N·s/mm = 2 kg

A 2 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 40 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 30 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 2 kgk = 40 kN/mc = 30 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 40m = 5 kg

A 5 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 = 40 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 6.807 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 750/151.8 = 4.939 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 4.939·45/32·0.98 = 6.807 N·m

Answer

T2 = 6.807 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 580 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 = 2900·12/40 = 870 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 870·16/24 = 580 rpm

Answer

nout = 580 rpm

total ratio = 5 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.7124 °

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) = 250·1000·1000/(80000·251327) = 0.01243 rad
φ = 0.01243·180/π = 0.7124°

Answer

φ = 0.7124°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 41.5 MPa

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 = 75000/78.54 = 954.9 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(50⁴ − 25⁴)/32 = 575243 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 954930·25/575243 = 41.5 MPa

Answer

τmax = 41.5 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τabs = 62.62 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. In three dimensions the absolute maximum shear stress is (σmax − σmin)/2 over all three principal stresses; in plane stress the third one is zero.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

In-plane principal stresses

C = −75 MPa, R = √(5² + (−50)²) = 50.25 MPa
σ1 = −24.75 MPa, σ2 = −125.2 MPa, σz = 0

Largest of the three circles

τ = max(|σ1 − σ2|, |σ1|, |σ2|)/2 = max(100.5, 24.75, 125.2)/2 = 62.62 MPa

Answer

τabs = 62.62 MPa

Here the out-of-plane circle governs: the absolute maximum is larger than the in-plane maximum R.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −65 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

τθ = −65·1 + −10·0 = −65 MPa

Answer

τθ = −65 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 30.93 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

A₁ = 706.9 mm², A₂ = 1257 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 500/(200000·706.9) = 3.537 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 400/(70000·1257) = 4.547 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.25/8.084 × 10⁻⁶ = 30925 N = 30.93 kN

Answer

P = 30.93 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 1.954 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 35.37 MPa
σ2 = 124.3 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 35.37·500/200000 = 0.08842 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 124.3·1500/100000 = 1.865 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 1.954 mm

Answer

δ = 1.954 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 954.9 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 = 100·40³/12 = 533333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·533333/1050² = 954882 N = 954.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 954.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 53.02 mm

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.

Required critical load

Pcr = n·P = 2.5·25000 = 62500 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·62500·3500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 53.02 mm

Answer

d = 53.02 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 264.1, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05303

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·√(40000·2) = 565.7 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 30/565.7 = 0.05303

Answer

ζ = 0.05303

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.03 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 + 1/40 → keq = 100·40/(100 + 40) = 28.57 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(28571/5) = 75.59 rad/s
fn = 75.59/(2π) = 12.03 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.03 Hz

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