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​ = 160 mmd2​ = 250 mm960 rpmT1​ = 500 NT2​ = 250 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 160 mm driving pulley at 960 rpm. The tension is 500 N on the tight side and 250 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 160 mmn1 = 960 rpmT1 = 500 NT2 = 250 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 24B = 45C = 48D = 60

In a compound gear train, gear A (24 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 2900 rpm drives gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (48 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 2900 rpmA = 24B = 45C = 48D = 60
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 50, di​ = 38 mmT = 500 N·mL = 1.5 m

A hollow steel shaft (outer diameter 50 mm, inner diameter 38 mm, length 1.5 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 500 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 500 N·mdo = 50 mmdi = 38 mmL = 1.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 50 mm, di​ = 25 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 100 kW at 1800 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 100 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 50 mmdi = 25 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −60σy​ = 120τxy​ = 50MPa

A point has σₓ = −60 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 20° clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = −60 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = 50 MPaθ = -20°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20σy​ = 90τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = −50 MPaθ = 30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 25 kN

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

P = 25 kNd = 10 mmL = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium1 mØ 20 mmCopper2 mP = 70 kN

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

P = 70 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 md = 20 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 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 = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 5 kN/mc = 270 N·s/mm = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 5 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 270 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 15 kgk = 5 kN/mc = 270 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 40m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 5 kN/m and k₂ = 40 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 = 20 kgk1 = 5 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 2.011 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 = 8.042 m/s

Power

P = (500 − 250)·8.042 = 2011 W = 2.011 kW

Answer

P = 2.011 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 1237 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 = 2900·24/45 = 1547 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1547·48/60 = 1237 rpm

Answer

nout = 1237 rpm

total ratio = 2.344 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.314 °

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(50⁴ − 38⁴)/32 = 408885 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 1.5 m = 1500 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 500000·1500/(80000·408885) = 0.02293 rad
φ = 0.02293·180/π = 1.314°

Answer

φ = 1.314°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 23.06 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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/188.5 = 530.5 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(50⁴ − 25⁴)/32 = 575243 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 530516·25/575243 = 23.06 MPa

Answer

τmax = 23.06 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 131.1 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 for the y′ face

σy′ = 30 − (−90)·0.766 − 50·(−0.6428) = 131.1 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = −71.08 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 60 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 131.1 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −5.801 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 + −35·0.5 + −50·0.866 = −5.801 MPa

Answer

σθ = −5.801 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 6.821 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 25·1000/78.54 = 318.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 318.3/70000 = 0.004547 = 4547 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.004547·1500 mm = 6.821 mm

Answer

δ = 6.821 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.605 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 55.7 MPa
σ2 = 222.8 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 55.7·1000/70000 = 0.7958 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 222.8·2000/117000 = 3.809 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 4.605 mm

Answer

δ = 4.605 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 5.426 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·7854/1000² = 5426 N = 5.426 kN

Answer

Pcr = 5.426 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 44.76 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 = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm
KL/r = 4200/20 = 210

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/210² = 44.76 MPa

Answer

σcr = 44.76 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.493

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·√(5000·15) = 547.7 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 270/547.7 = 0.493

Answer

ζ = 0.493

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.549 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 = 5 + 40 = 45 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(45000/20) = 47.43 rad/s
fn = 47.43/(2π) = 7.549 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.549 Hz

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