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
d1​ = 120 mmd2​ = 500 mm1450 rpmT1​ = 1000 NT2​ = 250 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 120 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm. The tension is 1000 N on the tight side and 250 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 120 mmn1 = 1450 rpmT1 = 1000 NT2 = 250 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 30B = 80C = 18D = 20

An 11 kW motor at 960 rpm drives gear A (30 teeth), which meshes with gear B (80 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (20 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 11 kWnin = 960 rpmA = 30B = 80C = 18D = 20ηmesh = 97%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 1500 N·mL = 1.2 m

A solid steel shaft 1.2 m long carries a torque of 1500 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 0.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 1500 N·mL = 1.2 mG = 80 GPaφallow = 0.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmT0​ = 400 N·mACBa = 1 mb = 1.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 400 N·m is applied at C, 1 m from A and 1.5 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 30 mmT0 = 400 N·ma = 1 mb = 1.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −10σy​ = 70τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −10 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −10 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 70σy​ = 40τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 70 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmAluminium2.5 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 20 mmL = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
50 kN12300 mm300 mmØ25Ø60σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of aluminium (diameter 60 mm, length 300 mm, E = 70 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 50 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø25 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø60 mm, 300 mm, E = 70 GPaP = 50 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 50 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 50 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium 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 = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 40 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 200 kg

A 200 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 40 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 = 200 kgk = 40 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 10k3​ = 80m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 80 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 10 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 = 50 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/mk3 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 6.833 kW

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 speed

v = 9.111 m/s

Power

P = (1000 − 250)·9.111 = 6833 W = 6.833 kW

Answer

P = 6.833 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 305 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 = 960·(30/80)·(18/20) = 324 rpm
ωout = 2π·324/60 = 33.93 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 11000·0.97² = 10350 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 10350/33.93 = 305 N·m

Answer

Tout = 305 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 71.59 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 = 1500 N·m = 1.5 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 1.2 m = 1200 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = 0.5·π/180 = 0.008727 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 1.5 × 10⁶·1200/(80000·0.008727) = 2.578 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 71.59 mm

Answer

d = 71.59 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 45.27 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. 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 = 400
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 400·1.5/2.5 = 240 N·m
TB = 400·1/2.5 = 160 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·240000/(π·30³) = 45.27 MPa

Answer

τmax = 45.27 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 41.23 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 = √(((−10 − 70)/2)² + −10²) = 41.23 MPa

Answer

τmax = 41.23 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 85.77 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 = 55 + 15·0.766 + 30·0.6428 = 85.77 MPa

Answer

σθ = 85.77 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 11.94 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/314.2 = 334.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 334.2/70000 = 0.004775 = 4775 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.004775·2500 mm = 11.94 mm

Answer

δ = 11.94 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 11.82 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 = 200000·490.9/300 = 327249 N/mm
k₂ = 70000·2827/300 = 659734 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 50000·659734/986984 = 33422 N

Stress

σ2 = 33422/2827 = 11.82 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 11.82 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 24.22 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·2500 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/5000² = 24224 N = 24.22 kN

Answer

Pcr = 24.22 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 8.812 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1963 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(306796/1963) = 12.5 mm
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm
KL/r = 3500/12.5 = 280

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/280² = 8.812 MPa

Answer

σcr = 8.812 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.147 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 = √(40000/200) = 14.14 rad/s
fn = 14.14/(2π) = 2.251 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.251·√(1 − 0.3²) = 2.147 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.147 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.168 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 = 50 + 10 = 60 kN/m
keq = 60·80/(60 + 80) = 34.29 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(34286/50) = 26.19 rad/s
fn = 26.19/(2π) = 4.168 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.168 Hz

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