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​ = 16N2​ = 30

A 0.75 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 16 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 30 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 0.75 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 16N2 = 30η = 97%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 16B = 36C = 45D = 60

An 11 kW motor at 2900 rpm drives gear A (16 teeth), which meshes with gear B (36 teeth). Gear C (45 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 11 kWnin = 2900 rpmA = 16B = 36C = 45D = 60ηmesh = 97%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 30 mmd2​ = 25 mmT = 200 N·mABC0.8 m0.5 m

A stepped solid steel shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 30 mm and length 0.8 m; segment BC has diameter 25 mm and length 0.5 m. A torque of 200 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md1 = 30 mm, L1 = 0.8 md2 = 25 mm, L2 = 0.5 mG = 80 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 500 N·mACBa = 3 mb = 0.8 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 500 N·m is applied at C, 3 m from A and 0.8 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 40 mmT0 = 500 N·ma = 3 mb = 0.8 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −70σy​ = −10τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 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 = −70 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 40°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −80σy​ = 70τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 60° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −80 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 60°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmAluminium0.5 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNd = 10 mmL = 0.5 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25110 GPaØ120/60500 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 80 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø120/Ø60 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 80 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 20 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 20 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 20 kN/mc = 690 N·s/mm = 150 kg

A 150 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 20 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 690 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 150 kgk = 20 kN/mc = 690 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 30m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 5 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 = 5 kgk1 = 5 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 4.974 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·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 750/150.8 = 4.974 N·m

Answer

T1 = 4.974 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 102.2 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.

Output speed

nout = 2900·(16/36)·(45/60) = 966.7 rpm
ωout = 2π·966.7/60 = 101.2 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 11000·0.97² = 10350 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 10350/101.2 = 102.2 N·m

Answer

Tout = 102.2 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 3.309 °

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 moments

J1 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴
J2 = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φAB = 200000·800/(80000·79522) = 0.02515 rad
φBC = 200000·500/(80000·38350) = 0.03259 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.02515 + 0.03259 = 0.05775 rad = 3.309°

Answer

φC = 3.309°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 105.3 N·m

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 = 500
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 500·0.8/3.8 = 105.3 N·m
TB = 500·3/3.8 = 394.7 N·m

Answer

TA = 105.3 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = −64.33 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′ = −40 − (−30)·0.1736 − 30·0.9848 = −64.33 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = −15.67 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = −80 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = −64.33 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 69.95 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 = −−75·0.866 + −10·−0.5 = 69.95 MPa

Answer

τθ = 69.95 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 18189 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 100·1000/78.54 = 1273 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1273/70000 = 0.01819 = 18189 µε

Answer

ε = 18189 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 750 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 60²)/4 = 8482 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 110·10³·8482 = 1.031 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0007273) = 0.0007273 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0007273·1.031 × 10⁹ = 749984 N = 750 kN

Answer

Pmax = 750 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 34.33 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·6000 = 4200 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/4200² = 34331 N = 34.33 kN

Answer

Pcr = 34.33 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 7.896 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 314.2 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(7854/314.2) = 5 mm
KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm
KL/r = 2500/5 = 500

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/500² = 7.896 MPa

Answer

σcr = 7.896 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1992

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·√(20000·150) = 3464 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 690/3464 = 0.1992

Answer

ζ = 0.1992

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.66 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 = 1/5 + 1/30 → keq = 5·30/(5 + 30) = 4.286 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(4286/5) = 29.28 rad/s
fn = 29.28/(2π) = 4.66 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.66 Hz

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