Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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​ = ?N2​

Two parallel shafts are 300 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 4 mm and a speed reduction of 4 : 1. How many teeth N1 must the pinion have?

a = 300 mmm = 4 mmi = 4
N1 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 24B = 36C = 48D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (24 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (36 teeth). Gear C (48 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (80 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 24B = 36C = 48D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 40 mmL = 3 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 = 750 N·md = 40 mmL = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 10 kW at 1800 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 60 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 10 kWN = 1800 rpmτallow = 60 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = −70τxy​ = −40MPa

A point has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 60° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 130 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 60°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −80σy​ = −40τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 35° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −80 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = −60 MPaθ = 35°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmSteel2.5 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 10 mmL = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø40110 GPaØ120/70300 mm

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 70 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 100 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø120/Ø70 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 100 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 40 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 = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 10 kNL = 2 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 10 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 10 kNn = 2.5L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mζ = 0.35m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.35. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk = 15 kN/mζ = 0.35
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 50m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 5 kN/m and k₂ = 50 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 20 kgk1 = 5 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N1 = 30

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·300/4 = 150

Split by the ratio

N1 = 150/(1 + 4) = 30

Answer

N1 = 30
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 384 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 = 960·24/36 = 640 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 640·48/80 = 384 rpm

Answer

nout = 384 rpm

total ratio = 2.5 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 6.412 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·3000/(80000·251327) = 0.1119 rad
φ = 0.1119·180/π = 6.412°

Answer

φ = 6.412°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 16.51 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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 10000/188.5 = 53.05 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·53052/(π·60)) = 16.51 mm

Answer

d = 16.51 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 114.6 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 − 100·(−0.5) − (−40)·0.866 = 114.6 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = −54.64 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 60 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 114.6 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −123.2 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 = −60 + −20·0.342 + −60·0.9397 = −123.2 MPa

Answer

σθ = −123.2 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 16.71 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 = 105·1000/78.54 = 1337 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1337/200000 = 0.006685 = 6685 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.006685·2500 mm = 16.71 mm

Answer

δ = 16.71 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 974.6 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

Ar = π·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(120² − 70²)/4 = 7461 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 110·10³·7461 = 1.072 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0009091) = 0.0009091 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0009091·1.072 × 10⁹ = 974608 N = 974.6 kN

Answer

Pmax = 974.6 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 225 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·125664/1050² = 224989 N = 225 kN

Answer

Pcr = 225 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 31.87 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 = 2.5·10000 = 25000 N
KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·25000·2000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 31.87 mm

Answer

d = 31.87 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 251, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.887 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 = √(15000/40) = 19.36 rad/s
fn = 19.36/(2π) = 3.082 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 3.082·√(1 − 0.35²) = 2.887 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.887 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 55 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 = 5 + 50 = 55 kN/m

Answer

keq = 55 kN/m

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design