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
d1​ = 150 mmd2​ = 400 mm1450 rpmT1​ = 600 NT2​ = 180 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 150 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm. The tension is 600 N on the tight side and 180 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 1450 rpmT1 = 600 NT2 = 180 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 36C = 40D = 48

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 3000 rpm drives gear B (36 teeth). Gear C (40 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (48 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 3000 rpmA = 12B = 36C = 40D = 48
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 25 mmL = 2 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 = 100 N·md = 25 mmL = 2 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 20 kW at 300 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 20 kWN = 300 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 140σy​ = 80τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 140 MPa, σᵧ = 80 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 = 140 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −80σy​ = 90τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −80 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmCopper2.5 mP = 65 kN

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

P = 65 kNd = 12 mmL = 2.5 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
80 kN12400 mm200 mmØ25Ø60σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of brass (diameter 60 mm, length 200 mm, E = 100 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 80 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø25 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø60 mm, 200 mm, E = 100 GPaP = 80 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 50 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 = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx30 mm3 cycles11.7 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 30 mm is followed 3 cycles later by a peak of 11.7 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 30 mmx3 = 11.7 mmn = 3
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 25m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 80 kN/m and k₂ = 25 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 20 kgk1 = 80 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 4.783 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.

Belt speed

v = 11.39 m/s

Power

P = (600 − 180)·11.39 = 4783 W = 4.783 kW

Answer

P = 4.783 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 833.3 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 = 3000·12/36 = 1000 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1000·40/48 = 833.3 rpm

Answer

nout = 833.3 rpm

total ratio = 3.6 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 3.735 °

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) = 100·1000·2000/(80000·38350) = 0.06519 rad
φ = 0.06519·180/π = 3.735°

Answer

φ = 3.735°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 43.28 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·300/60 = 31.42 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/31.42 = 636.6 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·636620/(π·40)) = 43.28 mm

Answer

d = 43.28 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.

σxyCσ1​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, 140 − 80) = 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: σθ = −53.61 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 = 5 + −85·0.866 + 30·0.5 = −53.61 MPa

Answer

σθ = −53.61 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 12.28 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 65·1000/113.1 = 574.7 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 574.7/117000 = 0.004912 = 4912 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.004912·2500 mm = 12.28 mm

Answer

δ = 12.28 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 24.11 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 = 200000·490.9/400 = 245437 N/mm
k₂ = 100000·2827/200 = 1.414 × 10⁶ N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 80000·1.414 × 10⁶/1.659 × 10⁶ = 68166 N

Stress

σ2 = 68166/2827 = 24.11 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 24.11 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 8.478 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·5000 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·306796/5000² = 8478 N = 8.478 kN

Answer

Pcr = 8.478 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 197.4 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm
KL/r = 2000/20 = 100

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/100² = 197.4 MPa

Answer

σcr = 197.4 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.04989

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(30/11.7) = 0.3139

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3139/√(39.48 + 0.09851) = 0.04989

Answer

ζ = 0.04989
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 105 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 = 80 + 25 = 105 kN/m

Answer

keq = 105 kN/m

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design