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​ = 24, m = 2 mm

A 7.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 24 teeth and a module of 2 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 7.5 kWn = 1450 rpmN1 = 24m = 2 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 45C = 32D = 36

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (32 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (36 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 12B = 45C = 32D = 36
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 50 mmL = 2.5 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 = 100 N·md = 50 mmL = 2.5 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmT0​ = 400 N·mACBa = 0.5 mb = 1.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 400 N·m is applied at C, 0.5 m from A and 1.5 m from B. Find the angle of rotation φC of section C, in degrees.

d = 60 mmT0 = 400 N·ma = 0.5 mb = 1.5 mG = 39 GPa
φC = °
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −30MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = −30 MPa and σᵧ = 0 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 20 MPa?

σx = −30 MPaσy = 0 MPaσ1 = 20 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 40 mm carries a bending moment of 750 N·m together with a torque of 250 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 40 mmM = 750 N·mT = 250 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 25 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 115 kN

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

P = 115 kNd = 25 mmL = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 12 mmBrass2 mP = 75 kN

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

P = 75 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 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 = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 90 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 90 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 90 kNn = 3L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 10 kN/mc = 1000 N·s/mm = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 10 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 1000 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 100 kgk = 10 kN/mc = 1000 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 20k3​ = 40m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 40 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 = 20 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 = 25 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/mk3 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 2058 N

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.

Torque on the pinion

ω = 2π·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 7500/151.8 = 49.39 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 2·24 = 48 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·49.39/0.048 = 2058 N

Answer

Ft = 2058 N
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 = 960·12/45 = 256 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 256·32/36 = 227.6 rpm

Answer

nout = 227.6 rpm

total ratio = 4.219 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.5986 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·2500/(39000·613592) = 0.01045 rad
φ = 0.01045·180/π = 0.5986°

Answer

φ = 0.5986°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 0.1732 °

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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 400
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 400·1.5/2 = 300 N·m
TB = 400·0.5/2 = 100 N·m

Rotation of C

Use segment AC: it is fixed at A and carries TA.

J = π·60⁴/32 = 1.272 × 10⁶ mm⁴
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φC = TA·a/(GJ) = 300000·500/(39000·1.272 × 10⁶) = 0.003023 rad = 0.1732°

Answer

φC = 0.1732°
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 31.62 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 = (−30 + 0)/2 = −15 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 20 − (−15) = 35 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(35² − 15²) = 31.62 MPa

Answer

τxy = 31.62 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 122.6 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = 32M/(πd³) = 32·750000/(π·40³) = 119.4 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·250000/(π·40³) = 19.89 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 59.68 MPa
R = √(59.68² + 19.89²) = 62.91 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 122.6 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −3.228 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 122.6 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 3347 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 = 115·1000/490.9 = 234.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 234.3/70000 = 0.003347 = 3347 µε

Answer

ε = 3347 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 13.69 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 59.68 MPa
σ2 = 663.1 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 59.68·500/70000 = 0.4263 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 663.1·2000/100000 = 13.26 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 13.69 mm

Answer

δ = 13.69 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.412 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 = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·7854/1500² = 2412 N = 2.412 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.412 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 50.04 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 = 3·90000 = 270000 N
KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·270000·1500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 50.04 mm

Answer

d = 50.04 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 119.9, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.5

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·√(10000·100) = 2000 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 1000/2000 = 0.5

Answer

ζ = 0.5

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.502 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 + 20 = 40 kN/m
keq = 40·40/(40 + 40) = 20 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(20000/25) = 28.28 rad/s
fn = 28.28/(2π) = 4.502 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.502 Hz

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