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​ = 30z = 4, 960 rpm

A worm with 4 start(s) turns at 960 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 30 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 4Nw = 30n = 960 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 200 mmd2​ = 250 mm2880 rpmC = 800 mmT1​ = 800 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 200 mm driving pulley at 2880 rpm to a 250 mm pulley; the centres are 800 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.25 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 800 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 2880 rpmd2 = 250 mmC = 800 mmμ = 0.25T1 = 800 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 200 N·mL = 1 m

A solid aluminium shaft 1 m long carries a torque of 200 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 3°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 200 N·mL = 1 mG = 26 GPaφallow = 3°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 100 N·mACBa = 2.5 mb = 1.5 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 40 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 100 N·m is applied at C, 2.5 m from A and 1.5 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 40 mmT0 = 100 N·ma = 2.5 mb = 1.5 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 0σy​ = 10τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 0 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 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 = 10 MPaτxy = 60 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −40σy​ = 30τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 30 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = −40 MPaσy = 30 MPaτxy = 40 MPaθ = -20°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmSteel3 mP = 45 kN

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

P = 45 kNd = 20 mmL = 3 mE = 200 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmCopper1 mØ 16 mmBrass2 mP = 35 kN

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

P = 35 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 m20 × 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 95 kNL = 2.5 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 95 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 95 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mζ = 0.7m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.7. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 5 kgk = 200 kN/mζ = 0.7
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 10k2​ = 5k3​ = 60m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 60 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 10 kN/m and k₂ = 5 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 = 5 kgk1 = 10 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/mk3 = 60 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 128 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 = 960·4/30 = 128 rpm

Answer

nw = 128 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 12.95 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.

Angle of wrap

θ = 3.079 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.7698 = 2.159, T₂ = 800/2.159 = 370.5 N

Power

P = (800 − 370.5)·30.16 = 12.95 kW

Answer

P = 12.95 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 34.98 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.

Required polar moment

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = 3·π/180 = 0.05236 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 200000·1000/(26000·0.05236) = 146912 mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 34.98 mm

Answer

d = 34.98 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 37.5 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 = 100
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 100·1.5/4 = 37.5 N·m
TB = 100·2.5/4 = 62.5 N·m

Answer

TA = 37.5 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 47.38 °

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(2·60, 0 − 10) = 94.76°

Angle on the element

θp = 47.38°

Answer

θp = 47.38°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −57.52 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 = −5 + −35·0.766 + 40·−0.6428 = −57.52 MPa

Answer

σθ = −57.52 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.149 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 45·1000/314.2 = 143.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 143.2/200000 = 0.0007162 = 716.2 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0007162·3000 mm = 2.149 mm

Answer

δ = 2.149 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.72 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 = 27.85 MPa
σ2 = 174.1 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 27.85·1000/117000 = 0.2381 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 174.1·2000/100000 = 3.482 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 3.72 mm

Answer

δ = 3.72 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 5.757 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 = 50·20³/12 = 33333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·33333/2000² = 5757 N = 5.757 kN

Answer

Pcr = 5.757 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 49.5 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 = 2·95000 = 190000 N
KL = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·190000·1750²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 49.5 mm

Answer

d = 49.5 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 141.4, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 22.73 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 = √(200000/5) = 200 rad/s
fn = 200/(2π) = 31.83 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 31.83·√(1 − 0.7²) = 22.73 Hz

Answer

fd = 22.73 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.797 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 = 10 + 5 = 15 kN/m
keq = 15·60/(15 + 60) = 12 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(12000/5) = 48.99 rad/s
fn = 48.99/(2π) = 7.797 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.797 Hz

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