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​ = ?N2​

Two parallel shafts are 60 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 1.5 mm and a speed reduction of 4 : 1. How many teeth N1 must the pinion have?

a = 60 mmm = 1.5 mmi = 4
N1 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 16C = 24D = 60

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (16 teeth). Gear C (24 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 = 960 rpmA = 15B = 16C = 24D = 60
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 12 mmT = 30 N·m400 mmφ = 12.99°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 12 mm is twisted by a torque of 30 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 400 mm rotate 12.99° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 30 N·md = 12 mmL = 400 mmφ = 12.99°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 15 kW at 1450 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 15 kWN = 1450 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 90σy​ = −70τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 90 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 90 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = 20 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
35°D = 1000 mm, t = 10 mm, p = 1.2 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 1000 mm and wall thickness 10 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 1.2 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 35° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the magnitude of the shear stress |τn| acting along the weld seam.

D = 1000 mmt = 10 mmp = 1.2 MPaα = 35°
|τn| = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 25 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the aluminium bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 25 kNd = 16 mmL = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
20 kN12500 mm200 mmØ40Ø30σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 500 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of brass (diameter 30 mm, length 200 mm, E = 100 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 20 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 500 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø30 mm, 200 mm, E = 100 GPaP = 20 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 60 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 40 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 = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm3 cycles23.5 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 3 cycles later by a peak of 23.5 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx3 = 23.5 mmn = 3
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 80k3​ = 5m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 5 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 80 kN/m; the bar stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs and bar. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/mk3 = 5 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N1 = 16

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 = 2·60/1.5 = 80

Split by the ratio

N1 = 80/(1 + 4) = 16

Answer

N1 = 16
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 360 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 = 960·15/16 = 900 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 900·24/60 = 360 rpm

Answer

nout = 360 rpm

total ratio = 2.667 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 26 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·12⁴/32 = 2036 mm⁴
φ = 12.99·π/180 = 0.2267 rad

Shear modulus

T = 30 N·m = 30000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 30000·400/(2036·0.2267) = 26000 MPa
G = 26 GPa

Answer

G = 26 GPa

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 23.26 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/151.8 = 98.79 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·98786/(π·40)) = 23.26 mm

Answer

d = 23.26 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 7.018 °

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(2·20, 90 − −70) = 14.04°

Angle on the element

θp = 7.018°

Answer

θp = 7.018°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: |τn| = 14.1 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 1000/2 = 500 mm
σh = pr/t = 1.2·500/10 = 60 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 30 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

|τn| = (60 − 30)·sin 35°·cos 35° = 14.1 MPa

Answer

|τn| = 14.1 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1776 µε

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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 25·1000/201.1 = 124.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 124.3/70000 = 0.001776 = 1776 µε

Answer

ε = 1776 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 11.68 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·1257/500 = 502655 N/mm
k₂ = 100000·706.9/200 = 353429 N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 20000·353429/856084 = 8257 N

Stress

σ2 = 8257/706.9 = 11.68 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 11.68 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 24.92 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·636173/4200² = 24916 N = 24.92 kN

Answer

Pcr = 24.92 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 15.67 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm
KL/r = 2100/10 = 210

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/210² = 15.67 MPa

Answer

σcr = 15.67 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.04002

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(50/23.5) = 0.2517

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.2517/√(39.48 + 0.06334) = 0.04002

Answer

ζ = 0.04002
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.939 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

Only k1 and k2 are in parallel. That pair is in series with k3, so combine them as reciprocals.

k12 = 50 + 80 = 130 kN/m
keq = 130·5/(130 + 5) = 4.815 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(4815/5) = 31.03 rad/s
fn = 31.03/(2π) = 4.939 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.939 Hz

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