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
d1​ = 125 mmd2​ = 500 mm1450 rpmT1​ = 1000 NT2​ = 200 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 125 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm. The tension is 1000 N on the tight side and 200 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 125 mmn1 = 1450 rpmT1 = 1000 NT2 = 200 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 20B = 40C = 20D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (20 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 2880 rpm and drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (20 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 1152 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 2880 rpmA = 20B = 40C = 20nout = 1152 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 400 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.2 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 = 400 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?75 kW, 300 rpm

A solid steel shaft transmits 75 kW at 300 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 50 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.5° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 75 kWN = 300 rpmτallow = 50 MPaθallow = 0.5°/mG = 80 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 0σy​ = 90τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 0 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 0 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 140σy​ = 30τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 140 MPa, σᵧ = 30 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 25° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 140 MPaσy = 30 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 25°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmCopper3 mP = 110 kN

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

P = 110 kNd = 16 mmL = 3 mE = 117 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø40110 GPaØ100/60300 mm

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 50 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 50 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 20 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 8 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 8 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.4. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk = 8 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 5m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 20 kN/m and k₂ = 5 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 10 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 7.592 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 = 9.49 m/s

Power

P = (1000 − 200)·9.49 = 7592 W = 7.592 kW

Answer

P = 7.592 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 25

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.

Intermediate shaft speed

nB = nC = 2880·20/40 = 1440 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 20·1440/1152 = 25

Answer

ND = 25
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.368 °

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) = 400·1000·1200/(80000·251327) = 0.02387 rad
φ = 0.02387·180/π = 1.368°

Answer

φ = 1.368°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 76.82 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 = 75000/31.42 = 2387 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 2387 N·m = 2.387 × 10⁶ N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·2.387 × 10⁶/(π·50)) = 62.42 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.5·π/180/1000 = 8.727 × 10⁻⁶ rad/mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
dφ = (32·2.387 × 10⁶/(π·80000·8.727 × 10⁻⁶))1/4 = 76.82 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(62.42, 76.82) = 76.82 mm

Answer

d = 76.82 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 69.18 °

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.

στxyCσ1​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(2·40, 0 − 90) = 138.4°

Angle on the element

θp = 69.18°

Answer

θp = 69.18°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 89.71 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 = 85 + 55·0.6428 + −40·0.766 = 89.71 MPa

Answer

σθ = 89.71 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 14.03 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 110·1000/201.1 = 547.1 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 547.1/117000 = 0.004676 = 4676 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.004676·3000 mm = 14.03 mm

Answer

δ = 14.03 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 365.6 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

Ar = π·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(100² − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 110·10³·5027 = 8.042 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0004545) = 0.0004545 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0004545·8.042 × 10⁸ = 365567 N = 365.6 kN

Answer

Pmax = 365.6 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 3.473 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 = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·7854/1250² = 3473 N = 3.473 kN

Answer

Pcr = 3.473 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 12.34 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 = 1·6000 = 6000 mm
KL/r = 6000/15 = 400

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/400² = 12.34 MPa

Answer

σcr = 12.34 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.063 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 = √(8000/40) = 14.14 rad/s
fn = 14.14/(2π) = 2.251 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.251·√(1 − 0.4²) = 2.063 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.063 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.958 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 20 + 5 = 25 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(25000/10) = 50 rad/s
fn = 50/(2π) = 7.958 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.958 Hz

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