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​ = 12N2​ = 16

A 2.2 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 12 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 16 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 2.2 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 12N2 = 16η = 96%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 24B = 72C = 32D = 45

In a compound gear train, gear A (24 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (32 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (45 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 24B = 72C = 32D = 45
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 40 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 = 200 N·md = 40 mmL = 1 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 50 mm, di​ = 38 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 30 kW at 1450 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 30 kWN = 1450 rpmdo = 50 mmdi = 38 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = 80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 130 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 130 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
55°D = 1200 mm, t = 8 mm, p = 0.8 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 1200 mm and wall thickness 8 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 0.8 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 55° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the normal stress σn acting across the weld seam.

D = 1200 mmt = 8 mmp = 0.8 MPaα = 55°
σn = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
200 kNØ20120 GPaØ100/50600 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 600 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 200 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 200 kNrod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø50 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 600 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmCopper1.5 mØ 20 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 65 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 = 65 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m25 × 100 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 25 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 60 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 12 kN/mc = 150 N·s/mm = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 12 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 150 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 5 kgk = 12 kN/mc = 150 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 50k3​ = 10m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 10 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 20 kN/m and k₂ = 50 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 = 10 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/mk3 = 10 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 18.67 N·m

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.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 2200/150.8 = 14.59 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 14.59·16/12·0.96 = 18.67 N·m

Answer

T2 = 18.67 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 227.6 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 = 960·24/72 = 320 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 320·32/45 = 227.6 rpm

Answer

nout = 227.6 rpm

total ratio = 4.219 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.169 °

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) = 200·1000·1000/(39000·251327) = 0.0204 rad
φ = 0.0204·180/π = 1.169°

Answer

φ = 1.169°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 12.08 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 30000/151.8 = 197.6 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(50⁴ − 38⁴)/32 = 408885 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 197572·25/408885 = 12.08 MPa

Answer

τmax = 12.08 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 39.05 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.

σxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((130 − 80)/2)² + 30²) = 39.05 MPa

Answer

τmax = 39.05 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σn = 39.87 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 = 1200/2 = 600 mm
σh = pr/t = 0.8·600/8 = 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.

σn = 30·sin²55° + 60·cos²55° = 39.87 MPa

Answer

σn = 39.87 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.1559 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(100² − 50²)/4 = 5890 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 120·10³·5890 = 7.697 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 200000·600/7.697 × 10⁸ = 0.1559 mm

Answer

δ = 0.1559 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 206.9 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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 67.56 MPa
σ2 = 206.9 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 206.9 MPa

Answer

σmax = 206.9 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 9.995 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 rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 100·25³/12 = 130208 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1500 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·130208/3000² = 9995 N = 9.995 kN

Answer

Pcr = 9.995 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 69.09 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm
KL/r = 1500/15 = 100

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/100² = 69.09 MPa

Answer

σcr = 69.09 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.3062

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·√(12000·5) = 489.9 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 150/489.9 = 0.3062

Answer

ζ = 0.3062

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.708 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 = 20 + 50 = 70 kN/m
keq = 70·10/(70 + 10) = 8.75 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(8750/10) = 29.58 rad/s
fn = 29.58/(2π) = 4.708 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.708 Hz

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