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
Nw​ = 36z = 2, 1450 rpm

A worm with 2 start(s) turns at 1450 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 36 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 2Nw = 36n = 1450 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 18B = 48C = 20D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (18 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (20 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (80 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1450 rpmA = 18B = 48C = 20D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 20 mmL = 0.8 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 = 200 N·md = 20 mmL = 0.8 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?5 kW, 1450 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 5 kW at 1450 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.5 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 80 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 5 kWN = 1450 rpmdi/do = 0.5τallow = 80 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 120σy​ = 50τxy​ = −20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 120 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = −20 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 25 mm carries an axial tensile force of 30 kN together with a torque of 200 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 25 mmF = 30 kNT = 200 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm200 mmØ40Ø60δ = 0.3 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of aluminium (diameter 60 mm, length 200 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, Ø40 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø60 mm, 200 mm, E = 70 GPaδ = 0.3 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmBrass2 mØ 16 mmBrass1.5 mP = 10 kN

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

P = 10 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m30 × 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 30 × 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mζ = 0.35m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.35. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 100 kgk = 200 kN/mζ = 0.35
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 30m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 40 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 30 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 80.56 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.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 1450·2/36 = 80.56 rpm

Answer

nw = 80.56 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 135.9 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 = 1450·18/48 = 543.8 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 543.8·20/80 = 135.9 rpm

Answer

nout = 135.9 rpm

total ratio = 10.67 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 7.295 °

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·20⁴/32 = 15708 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 200·1000·800/(80000·15708) = 0.1273 rad
φ = 0.1273·180/π = 7.295°

Answer

φ = 7.295°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 13.08 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 5000/151.8 = 32.93 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 32.93 N·m = 32929 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.5⁴ = 0.9375
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·32929/(π·80·0.9375)) = 13.08 mm
di = 0.5·13.08 = 6.538 mm

Answer

do = 13.08 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 12.8 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 40.31 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((120 − 50)/2)² + −20²) = 40.31 MPa

Answer

τmax = 40.31 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 72 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 = F/A = 30000/(π·25²/4) = 30000/490.9 = 61.12 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·200000/(π·25³) = 65.19 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 30.56 MPa
R = √(30.56² + 65.19²) = 72 MPa

Answer

τmax = 72 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 88.29 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 = 1257 mm², A₂ = 2827 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·1257) = 2.387 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(70000·2827) = 1.011 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.3/3.398 × 10⁻⁶ = 88292 N = 88.29 kN

Answer

P = 88.29 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.9539 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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 10.39 MPa
σ2 = 49.74 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 10.39·2000/100000 = 0.2079 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 49.74·1500/100000 = 0.746 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.9539 mm

Answer

δ = 0.9539 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 5.552 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 = 80·30³/12 = 180000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·4000 = 8000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·180000/8000² = 5552 N = 5.552 kN

Answer

Pcr = 5.552 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 11.05 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 = 2·2500 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/20 = 250

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/250² = 11.05 MPa

Answer

σcr = 11.05 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 6.667 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.

Undamped natural frequency

ωn = √(200000/100) = 44.72 rad/s
fn = 44.72/(2π) = 7.118 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 7.118·√(1 − 0.35²) = 6.667 Hz

Answer

fd = 6.667 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.168 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 = 1/40 + 1/30 → keq = 40·30/(40 + 30) = 17.14 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(17143/25) = 26.19 rad/s
fn = 26.19/(2π) = 4.168 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.168 Hz

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