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​ = 20N2​ = 24

A 7.5 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 20 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 24 teeth. Ignore losses. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 7.5 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 20N2 = 24η = 100%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 150 mmd2​ = 300 mm1500 rpmC = 500 mmT1​ = 1200 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 150 mm driving pulley at 1500 rpm to a 300 mm pulley; the centres are 500 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1200 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 1500 rpmd2 = 300 mmC = 500 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 1200 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 10 mmT = 40 N·m200 mmφ = 5.84°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 10 mm is twisted by a torque of 40 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 200 mm rotate 5.84° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 40 N·md = 10 mmL = 200 mmφ = 5.84°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 5 kW at 750 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 5 kWN = 750 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 50σy​ = −10τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = −10 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 = 50 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 60σy​ = 70τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 60 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmAluminium2.5 mP = 80 kN

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

P = 80 kNd = 10 mmL = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass1 mØ 12 mmSteel2 mP = 45 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 45 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 m40 × 100 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)b × h = 40 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 60 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 = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 8 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 8 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk = 8 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 60m = 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 = 60 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 5 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 57.3 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 = 7500/157.1 = 47.75 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 47.75·24/20·1 = 57.3 N·m

Answer

T2 = 57.3 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 8.108 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.

Angle of wrap

θ = 2.84 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.8521 = 2.345, T₂ = 1200/2.345 = 511.8 N

Power

P = (1200 − 511.8)·11.78 = 8.108 kW

Answer

P = 8.108 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 79.95 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·10⁴/32 = 981.7 mm⁴
φ = 5.84·π/180 = 0.1019 rad

Shear modulus

T = 40 N·m = 40000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 40000·200/(981.7·0.1019) = 79947 MPa
G = 79.95 GPa

Answer

G = 79.95 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 20.09 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 5000/78.54 = 63.66 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·63662/(π·40)) = 20.09 mm

Answer

d = 20.09 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 9.217 °

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, 50 − −10) = 18.43°

Angle on the element

θp = 9.217°

Answer

θp = 9.217°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 67.82 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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

σxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 65 MPa, R = 11.18 MPa
σ1 = 76.18 MPa, σ2 = 53.82 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(76.18² − 76.18·53.82 + 53.82²) = 67.82 MPa

Answer

σvM = 67.82 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 36.38 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 = 80·1000/78.54 = 1019 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1019/70000 = 0.01455 = 14551 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.01455·2500 mm = 36.38 mm

Answer

δ = 36.38 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 397.9 MPa

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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 46.77 MPa
σ2 = 397.9 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 397.9 MPa

Answer

σmax = 397.9 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 42.11 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 = 2·2500 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·533333/5000² = 42110 N = 42.11 kN

Answer

Pcr = 42.11 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm
KL/r = 4200/15 = 280

Critical stress

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

Answer

σcr = 8.812 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 5.093 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 = √(8000/5) = 40 rad/s
fn = 40/(2π) = 6.366 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 6.366·√(1 − 0.6²) = 5.093 Hz

Answer

fd = 5.093 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 37.5 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 = 1/100 + 1/60 → keq = 100·60/(100 + 60) = 37.5 kN/m

Answer

keq = 37.5 kN/m

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