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 90 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 2.5 mm and a speed reduction of 3.5 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 90 mmm = 2.5 mmi = 3.5
N2 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 25B = 36C = 12D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (25 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 2880 rpm and drives gear B (36 teeth). Gear C (12 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 480 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 2880 rpmA = 25B = 36C = 12nout = 480 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 400 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid brass 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 = 25 mmL = 1 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 50 kW at 1500 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 60 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 50 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 60 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 50σy​ = −40τxy​ = −40MPa

A point has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = −40 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 50 MPaσy = −40 MPaτxy = −40 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 80σy​ = −60τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 80 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 60 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
50 kNØ20110 GPaØ120/50400 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa). Both are 400 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPaL = 400 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmCopper1 mØ 12 mmAluminium1 mP = 85 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 = 85 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 30 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 = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 30 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1 md = 30 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 100 kN/mc = 800 N·s/mm = 250 kg

A 250 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 800 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 250 kgk = 100 kN/mc = 800 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 60m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 25 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 60 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N2 = 56

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 = 2·90/2.5 = 72

Split by the ratio

N1 = 72/(1 + 3.5) = 16
N2 = 3.5·16 = 56

Answer

N2 = 56
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 50

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.

Intermediate shaft speed

nB = nC = 2880·25/36 = 2000 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 12·2000/480 = 50

Answer

ND = 50
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 15.32 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 400·1000·1000/(39000·38350) = 0.2674 rad
φ = 0.2674·180/π = 15.32°

Answer

φ = 15.32°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 30.01 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/157.1 = 318.3 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·318310/(π·60)) = 30.01 mm

Answer

d = 30.01 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −65.82 °

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​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = −40/60.21 = −0.6644, sin 2θs = −45/60.21 = −0.7474
2θs = atan2(−45, −40) = −131.6°

Angle on the element

θs = −65.82°
check: θs − θp = −65.82 − (−20.82) = −45°

Answer

θs = −65.82°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 160 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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 10 MPa, R = 92.2 MPa
σ1 = 102.2 MPa, σ2 = −82.2 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(102.2² − 102.2·(−82.2) + (−82.2)²) = 160 MPa

Answer

σvM = 160 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.01833 mm

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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 110·10³·9346 = 1.091 × 10⁹ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·400/1.091 × 10⁹ = 0.01833 mm

Answer

δ = 0.01833 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 751.6 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 173.2 MPa
σ2 = 751.6 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 751.6 MPa

Answer

σmax = 751.6 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 3.052 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·39761/3000² = 3052 N = 3.052 kN

Answer

Pcr = 3.052 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 226.6 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 706.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(39761/706.9) = 7.5 mm
KL = 0.7·1000 = 700 mm
KL/r = 700/7.5 = 93.33

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/93.33² = 226.6 MPa

Answer

σcr = 226.6 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.08

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(100000·250) = 10000 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 800/10000 = 0.08

Answer

ζ = 0.08

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.343 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 = 1/25 + 1/60 → keq = 25·60/(25 + 60) = 17.65 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(17647/40) = 21 rad/s
fn = 21/(2π) = 3.343 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.343 Hz

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