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
N1​ = 36N2​ = 60

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 36 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 60 teeth. Ignore losses. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 36N2 = 60η = 100%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 48C = 12D = 20

In a compound gear train, gear A (40 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (12 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (20 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1450 rpmA = 40B = 48C = 12D = 20
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 30 mmL = 3 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 = 250 N·md = 30 mmL = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?15 kW, 500 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 15 kW at 500 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.5° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 15 kWN = 500 rpmτallow = 80 MPaθallow = 0.5°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 90σy​ = 10τxy​ = −40MPa

A point has σₓ = 90 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 40° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 90 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 40°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 30σy​ = 20τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 350 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 30 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 20 MPaσY = 350 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12500 mm300 mmØ20Ø60δ = 0.3 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 500 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of aluminium (diameter 60 mm, length 300 mm, E = 70 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.3 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 500 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø60 mm, 300 mm, E = 70 GPaδ = 0.3 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmBrass0.5 mØ 20 mmSteel2 mP = 50 kN

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

P = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 m20 × 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 20 × 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 140 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 140 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 140 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx20 mm4 cycles4.4 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 20 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 4.4 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 20 mmx4 = 4.4 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 5m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 80 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 5 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 25 kgk1 = 80 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 9.549 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 1500/157.1 = 9.549 N·m

Answer

T1 = 9.549 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 725 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 = 1450·40/48 = 1208 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1208·12/20 = 725 rpm

Answer

nout = 725 rpm

total ratio = 2 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 6.755 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·3000/(80000·79522) = 0.1179 rad
φ = 0.1179·180/π = 6.755°

Answer

φ = 6.755°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 54.11 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·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/52.36 = 286.5 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 286.5 N·m = 286479 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·286479/(π·80)) = 26.32 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.5·π/180/1000 = 8.727 × 10⁻⁶ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·286479/(π·39000·8.727 × 10⁻⁶))1/4 = 54.11 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(26.32, 54.11) = 54.11 mm

Answer

d = 54.11 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 82.45 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 for the y′ face

σy′ = 50 − 40·0.1736 − (−40)·0.9848 = 82.45 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 17.55 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 100 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 82.45 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 8.03

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 = 25 MPa, R = 20.62 MPa
σ1 = 45.62 MPa, σ2 = 4.384 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(45.62² − 45.62·4.384 + 4.384²) = 43.59 MPa
n = 350/43.59 = 8.03

Answer

n = 8.03

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 31.67 kN

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

A₁ = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 2827 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 500/(200000·314.2) = 7.958 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(70000·2827) = 1.516 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.3/9.474 × 10⁻⁶ = 31667 N = 31.67 kN

Answer

P = 31.67 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 1.79 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 39.79 MPa
σ2 = 159.2 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 39.79·500/100000 = 0.1989 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 159.2·2000/200000 = 1.592 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 1.79 mm

Answer

δ = 1.79 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 8.773 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 = 60·20³/12 = 40000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·40000/3000² = 8773 N = 8.773 kN

Answer

Pcr = 8.773 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 92.19 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 = 2·140000 = 280000 N
KL = 2·2500 = 5000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·280000·5000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 92.19 mm

Answer

d = 92.19 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 216.9, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06014

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 = (1/4)·ln(20/4.4) = 0.3785

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3785/√(39.48 + 0.1433) = 0.06014

Answer

ζ = 0.06014
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 4.706 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/80 + 1/5 → keq = 80·5/(80 + 5) = 4.706 kN/m

Answer

keq = 4.706 kN/m

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design