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​ = 315 mm1450 rpmT1​ = 500 NT2​ = 100 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 125 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm. The tension is 500 N on the tight side and 100 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 125 mmn1 = 1450 rpmT1 = 500 NT2 = 100 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 20ring fixedNp​ = 20nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 20 teeth and each planet gear has 20 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 3000 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 20Np = 20ns = 3000 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 500 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 = 500 N·md = 20 mmL = 0.8 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 75 mm, di​ = 56 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 50 kW at 1800 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 50 kWN = 1800 rpmdo = 75 mmdi = 56 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 130σy​ = 80MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 130 MPa and σᵧ = 80 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 180 MPa?

σx = 130 MPaσy = 80 MPaσ1 = 180 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −50σy​ = 30τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −50 MPa, σᵧ = 30 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = −50 MPaσy = 30 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmBrass3 mP = 40 kN

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

P = 40 kNd = 10 mmL = 3 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmSteel2 mØ 12 mmSteel0.5 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 0.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 60 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 = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx12 mm4 cycles1.6 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 12 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 1.6 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 12 mmx4 = 1.6 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 25k3​ = 10m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 10 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 30 kN/m and k₂ = 25 kN/m; the bar stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs and bar. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 20 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/mk3 = 10 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 3.796 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 = (500 − 100)·9.49 = 3796 W = 3.796 kW

Answer

P = 3.796 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 750 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 20 + 2·20 = 60

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(3000 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −60/20
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 3000·20/80 = 750 rpm

Answer

nc = 750 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 18.24 °

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) = 500·1000·800/(80000·15708) = 0.3183 rad
φ = 0.3183·180/π = 18.24°

Answer

φ = 18.24°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 4.646 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 50000/188.5 = 265.3 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(75⁴ − 56⁴)/32 = 2.141 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 265258·37.5/2.141 × 10⁶ = 4.646 MPa

Answer

τmax = 4.646 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 70.71 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.

Required radius

C = (130 + 80)/2 = 105 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 180 − 105 = 75 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(75² − 25²) = 70.71 MPa

Answer

τxy = 70.71 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 87.18 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. 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 = −10 MPa, R = 50 MPa
σ1 = 40 MPa, σ2 = −60 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(40² − 40·(−60) + (−60)²) = 87.18 MPa

Answer

σvM = 87.18 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 15.28 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 40·1000/78.54 = 509.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 509.3/100000 = 0.005093 = 5093 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.005093·3000 mm = 15.28 mm

Answer

δ = 15.28 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.4509 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 11.94 MPa
σ2 = 132.6 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 11.94·2000/200000 = 0.1194 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 132.6·500/200000 = 0.3316 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.4509 mm

Answer

δ = 0.4509 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 387.6 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 = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/1250² = 387578 N = 387.6 kN

Answer

Pcr = 387.6 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 1.554 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 = 2·5000 = 10000 mm
KL/r = 10000/15 = 666.7

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/666.7² = 1.554 MPa

Answer

σcr = 1.554 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.07991

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(12/1.6) = 0.5037

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.5037/√(39.48 + 0.2537) = 0.07991

Answer

ζ = 0.07991
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.274 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

Only k1 and k2 are in parallel. That pair is in series with k3, so combine them as reciprocals.

k12 = 30 + 25 = 55 kN/m
keq = 55·10/(55 + 10) = 8.462 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(8462/20) = 20.57 rad/s
fn = 20.57/(2π) = 3.274 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.274 Hz

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