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​ = 50z = 3, 1450 rpm

A worm with 3 start(s) turns at 1450 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 50 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 3Nw = 50n = 1450 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 24B = 45C = 24D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (24 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 1500 rpm and drives gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 320 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 1500 rpmA = 24B = 45C = 24nout = 320 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 1000 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.5 mφ = ?

A solid aluminium 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 = 1000 N·md = 40 mmL = 1.5 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 25 mmT0​ = 100 N·mACBa = 3 mb = 0.5 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 25 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 100 N·m is applied at C, 3 m from A and 0.5 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 25 mmT0 = 100 N·ma = 3 mb = 0.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 90σy​ = 30MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 90 MPa and σᵧ = 30 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 100 MPa?

σx = 90 MPaσy = 30 MPaσ1 = 100 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 150σy​ = −60τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 35° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 150 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 40 MPaθ = 35°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmSteel1.5 mP = 40 kN

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

P = 40 kNd = 16 mmL = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium2 mØ 16 mmSteel1.5 mP = 80 kN

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

P = 80 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 2 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 md = 25 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 = 1 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 70 kNL = 3 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 70 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 70 kNn = 3L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 100 kN/mζ = 0.6m = 150 kg

A 150 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.6. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 150 kgk = 100 kN/mζ = 0.6
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 100m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 30 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 100 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 87 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 = 1450·3/50 = 87 rpm

Answer

nw = 87 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 60

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 = 1500·24/45 = 800 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 24·800/320 = 60

Answer

ND = 60
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 13.15 °

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) = 1000·1000·1500/(26000·251327) = 0.2296 rad
φ = 0.2296·180/π = 13.15°

Answer

φ = 13.15°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 27.94 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. 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 = 100
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 100·0.5/3.5 = 14.29 N·m
TB = 100·3/3.5 = 85.71 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·85714/(π·25³) = 27.94 MPa

Answer

τmax = 27.94 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 26.46 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 = (90 + 30)/2 = 60 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 100 − 60 = 40 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(40² − 30²) = 26.46 MPa

Answer

τxy = 26.46 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −84.99 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

τθ = −105·0.9397 + 40·0.342 = −84.99 MPa

Answer

τθ = −84.99 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 1.492 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 = 40·1000/201.1 = 198.9 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 198.9/200000 = 0.0009947 = 994.7 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0009947·1500 mm = 1.492 mm

Answer

δ = 1.492 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.803 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 63.66 MPa
σ2 = 397.9 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 63.66·2000/70000 = 1.819 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 397.9·1500/200000 = 2.984 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 4.803 mm

Answer

δ = 4.803 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 9.462 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/2000² = 9462 N = 9.462 kN

Answer

Pcr = 9.462 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 55.6 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 = 3·70000 = 210000 N
KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·210000·2100²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 55.6 mm

Answer

d = 55.6 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 151.1, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 3.287 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 = √(100000/150) = 25.82 rad/s
fn = 25.82/(2π) = 4.109 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 4.109·√(1 − 0.6²) = 3.287 Hz

Answer

fd = 3.287 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 10.81 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 = 1/30 + 1/100 → keq = 30·100/(30 + 100) = 23.08 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(23077/5) = 67.94 rad/s
fn = 67.94/(2π) = 10.81 Hz

Answer

fn = 10.81 Hz

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