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​ = 200 mmd2​ = 450 mm1450 rpmn2​ = ?

A 200 mm pulley at 1450 rpm drives a 450 mm pulley by a belt with 4 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1450 rpmd1 = 200 mmd2 = 450 mms = 4 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 36B = 48C = 32D = 40

In a compound gear train, gear A (36 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 3000 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (32 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (40 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 3000 rpmA = 36B = 48C = 32D = 40
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 250 N·mL = 1.2 m

A solid aluminium shaft 1.2 m long carries a torque of 250 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 0.5°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 250 N·mL = 1.2 mG = 26 GPaφallow = 0.5°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmTB​ = 100 N·mTC​ = 1500 N·mABC1.5 m2 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 100 N·m acts at B, 1.5 m from A, and a torque of 1500 N·m in the same direction acts at the free end C, a further 2 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 60 mmTB = 100 N·mTC = 1500 N·mAB = 1.5 mBC = 2 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 20σy​ = −50τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = −50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 20 MPaσy = −50 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −60σy​ = 0τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −60 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −60 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = 20 MPaθ = 30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12500 mm200 mmØ20Ø30δ = 0.25 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 500 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of bronze (diameter 30 mm, length 200 mm, E = 110 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, Ø20 mm, 500 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: bronze, Ø30 mm, 200 mm, E = 110 GPaδ = 0.25 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmBrass1.5 mØ 20 mmSteel2 mP = 65 kN

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

P = 65 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 50 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 = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 80 kNL = 1 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 80 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 80 kNn = 2L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx15 mm2 cycles7 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 15 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 15 mmx2 = 7 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 5m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 100 kN/m and k₂ = 5 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 25 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 618.7 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

1450·200/450 = 644.4 rpm

With slip

n2 = 644.4·0.96 = 618.7 rpm

Answer

n2 = 618.7 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 1800 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 = 3000·36/48 = 2250 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 2250·32/40 = 1800 rpm

Answer

nout = 1800 rpm

total ratio = 1.667 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 60.58 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 = 250 N·m = 250000 N·mm
L = 1.2 m = 1200 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = 0.5·π/180 = 0.008727 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 250000·1200/(26000·0.008727) = 1.322 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 60.58 mm

Answer

d = 60.58 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 37.73 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.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 1500 N·m
TAB = TC + TB = 1500 + 100 = 1600 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The segment with the largest internal torque has the largest stress (same diameter).

|T|max = 1600 N·m
τmax = 16·1.6 × 10⁶/(π·60³) = 37.73 MPa

Answer

τmax = 37.73 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 7.973 °

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(2·10, 20 − −50) = 15.95°

Angle on the element

θp = 7.973°

Answer

θp = 7.973°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −27.68 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 = −30 + −30·0.5 + 20·0.866 = −27.68 MPa

Answer

σθ = −27.68 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 23.74 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 = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 500/(200000·314.2) = 7.958 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(110000·706.9) = 2.572 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.25/1.053 × 10⁻⁵ = 23742 N = 23.74 kN

Answer

P = 23.74 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.055 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 132.4 MPa
σ2 = 206.9 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 132.4·1500/100000 = 1.986 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 206.9·2000/200000 = 2.069 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 4.055 mm

Answer

δ = 4.055 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 49.44 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 = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/3500² = 49436 N = 49.44 kN

Answer

Pcr = 49.44 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 50.7 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 = 2·80000 = 160000 N
KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·160000·2000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 50.7 mm

Answer

d = 50.7 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 157.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06054

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.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/2)·ln(15/7) = 0.3811

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3811/√(39.48 + 0.1452) = 0.06054

Answer

ζ = 0.06054
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 105 kN/m

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 = 100 + 5 = 105 kN/m

Answer

keq = 105 kN/m

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