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​ = 125 mmd2​ = 200 mm1500 rpmn2​ = ?

A 125 mm pulley at 1500 rpm drives a 200 mm pulley by a belt with 2 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1500 rpmd1 = 125 mmd2 = 200 mms = 2 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 20nr​ = ?Np​ = 18carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 20 teeth and each planet gear has 18 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 20Np = 18ns = 3000 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 40, di​ = 24 mmT = 2000 N·mL = 1 m

A hollow steel shaft (outer diameter 40 mm, inner diameter 24 mm, length 1 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 2000 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 2000 N·mdo = 40 mmdi = 24 mmL = 1 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 50 mm, di​ = 35 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 30 kW at 1800 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 30 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 50 mmdi = 35 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 10σy​ = −40MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 10 MPa and σᵧ = −40 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 25 MPa?

σx = 10 MPaσy = −40 MPaσ1 = 25 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = −40τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −70 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 40°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmBrass1 mP = 20 kN

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

P = 20 kNd = 25 mmL = 1 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 16 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 95 kN

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

P = 95 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 20 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 105 kNL = 6 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 105 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 105 kNn = 2L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx15 mm5 cycles2.3 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 15 mm is followed 5 cycles later by a peak of 2.3 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 15 mmx5 = 2.3 mmn = 5
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 60k2​ = 100m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 60 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 100 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 20 kgk1 = 60 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 918.8 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

1500·125/200 = 937.5 rpm

With slip

n2 = 937.5·0.98 = 918.8 rpm

Answer

n2 = 918.8 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 1071 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 20 + 2·18 = 56

Willis equation with the carrier fixed

With nc = 0 the sun drives the ring through the planets, which act as idlers.

nr = −ns·Ns/Nr = −3000·20/56 = −1071 rpm
|nr| = 1071 rpm

Answer

nr = 1071 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 6.548 °

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 − 24⁴)/32 = 218755 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 2 × 10⁶·1000/(80000·218755) = 0.1143 rad
φ = 0.1143·180/π = 6.548°

Answer

φ = 6.548°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 8.533 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 = 30000/188.5 = 159.2 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(50⁴ − 35⁴)/32 = 466269 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 159155·25/466269 = 8.533 MPa

Answer

τmax = 8.533 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 31.22 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.

Required radius

C = (10 + (−40))/2 = −15 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 25 − (−15) = 40 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(40² − 25²) = 31.22 MPa

Answer

τxy = 31.22 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 13.04 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

τθ = −−15·0.9848 + −10·0.1736 = 13.04 MPa

Answer

τθ = 13.04 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 407.4 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 20·1000/490.9 = 40.74 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 40.74/100000 = 0.0004074 = 407.4 µε

Answer

ε = 407.4 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 11.51 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 193.5 MPa
σ2 = 472.5 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 193.5·500/70000 = 1.382 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 472.5·1500/70000 = 10.12 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 11.51 mm

Answer

δ = 11.51 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 = 1·1000 = 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: d = 102.2 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 = 2·105000 = 210000 N
KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·210000·4200²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 102.2 mm

Answer

d = 102.2 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 164.3, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05958

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 = (1/5)·ln(15/2.3) = 0.375

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.375/√(39.48 + 0.1406) = 0.05958

Answer

ζ = 0.05958
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 6.892 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

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

Natural frequency

ωn = √(37500/20) = 43.3 rad/s
fn = 43.3/(2π) = 6.892 Hz

Answer

fn = 6.892 Hz

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