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​ = 12N2​ = 24

A 2.2 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 12 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 24 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 2.2 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 12N2 = 24η = 98%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 200 mmd2​ = 450 mm1450 rpmC = 800 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 200 mm pulley and a 450 mm pulley whose centres are 800 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 200 mmd2 = 450 mmC = 800 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 400 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.8 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 = 400 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.8 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?10 kW, 3000 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 10 kW at 3000 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.5 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 10 kWN = 3000 rpmdi/do = 0.5τallow = 80 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 20σy​ = 50τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 60σy​ = 20τxy​ = −30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 20 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 = 60 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = −30 MPaθ = 20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmCopper1 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNd = 10 mmL = 1 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmCopper1.5 mØ 16 mmAluminium0.5 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m25 × 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 110 kNL = 3 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 110 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 110 kNn = 2.5L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx12 mm3 cycles0.7 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 12 mm is followed 3 cycles later by a peak of 0.7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 12 mmx3 = 0.7 mmn = 3
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 10k2​ = 25m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 10 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 25 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 100 kgk1 = 10 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 14.01 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 2200/157.1 = 14.01 N·m

Answer

T1 = 14.01 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 162 °

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 angle

asin(0.1563) = 8.989°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·8.989 = 162°

Answer

θ = 162°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.882 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 400·1000·800/(80000·79522) = 0.0503 rad
φ = 0.0503·180/π = 2.882°

Answer

φ = 2.882°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 12.93 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 10000/314.2 = 31.83 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 31.83 N·m = 31831 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.5⁴ = 0.9375
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·31831/(π·80·0.9375)) = 12.93 mm
di = 0.5·12.93 = 6.465 mm

Answer

do = 12.93 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 12.65 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 33.54 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 = √(((20 − 50)/2)² + 30²) = 33.54 MPa

Answer

τmax = 33.54 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 36.04 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 = 40 + 20·0.766 + −30·0.6428 = 36.04 MPa

Answer

σθ = 36.04 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 10.88 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 = 100·1000/78.54 = 1273 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1273/117000 = 0.01088 = 10882 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.01088·1000 mm = 10.88 mm

Answer

δ = 10.88 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.573 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 79.58 MPa
σ2 = 497.4 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 79.58·1500/117000 = 1.02 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 497.4·500/70000 = 3.553 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 4.573 mm

Answer

δ = 4.573 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 32.13 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 = 50·25³/12 = 65104 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·65104/2000² = 32128 N = 32.13 kN

Answer

Pcr = 32.13 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 71.09 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 = 2.5·110000 = 275000 N
KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·275000·3000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 71.09 mm

Answer

d = 71.09 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 168.8, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1491

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 = (1/3)·ln(12/0.7) = 0.9472

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.9472/√(39.48 + 0.8972) = 0.1491

Answer

ζ = 0.1491
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 7.143 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/10 + 1/25 → keq = 10·25/(10 + 25) = 7.143 kN/m

Answer

keq = 7.143 kN/m

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