Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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​N2​ = ?

Two parallel shafts are 112.5 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 3 mm and a speed reduction of 1.5 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 112.5 mmm = 3 mmi = 1.5
N2 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 24nr​ = ?Np​ = 18carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 24 teeth and each planet gear has 18 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 1440 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 24Np = 18ns = 1440 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.8 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 = 100 N·md = 30 mmL = 0.8 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?15 kW, 1000 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 15 kW at 1000 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 75 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.75° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 15 kWN = 1000 rpmτallow = 75 MPaθallow = 0.75°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 40σy​ = 80τxy​ = −20MPa

A point has σₓ = 40 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 20° clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 40 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = −20 MPaθ = -20°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
55°D = 500 mm, t = 5 mm, p = 0.8 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 500 mm and wall thickness 5 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 0.8 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 55° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the normal stress σn acting across the weld seam.

D = 500 mmt = 5 mmp = 0.8 MPaα = 55°
σn = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12300 mm500 mmØ30Ø30δ = 0.2 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of aluminium (diameter 30 mm, length 500 mm, E = 70 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.2 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: aluminium, Ø30 mm, 500 mm, E = 70 GPaδ = 0.2 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmAluminium1.5 mØ 16 mmSteel0.5 mP = 10 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 10 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 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 = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 80 kNL = 1.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 80 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 80 kNn = 3L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 5 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 5 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 = 5 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 30m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 20 kN/m and k₂ = 30 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 40 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 30 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N2 = 45

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·112.5/3 = 75

Split by the ratio

N1 = 75/(1 + 1.5) = 30
N2 = 1.5·30 = 45

Answer

N2 = 45
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 576 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 = 24 + 2·18 = 60

Willis equation with the carrier fixed

With nc = 0 the sun drives the ring through the planets, which act as idlers.

nr = −ns·Ns/Nr = −1440·24/60 = −576 rpm
|nr| = 576 rpm

Answer

nr = 576 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.217 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·800/(26000·79522) = 0.03869 rad
φ = 0.03869·180/π = 2.217°

Answer

φ = 2.217°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 41.12 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·1000/60 = 104.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/104.7 = 143.2 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 143.2 N·m = 143239 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·143239/(π·75)) = 21.35 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.75·π/180/1000 = 1.309 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·143239/(π·39000·1.309 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 41.12 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(21.35, 41.12) = 41.12 mm

Answer

d = 41.12 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 62.47 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′ = 60 − (−20)·0.766 − (−20)·(−0.6428) = 62.47 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 57.53 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 120 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 62.47 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σn = 26.58 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 500/2 = 250 mm
σh = pr/t = 0.8·250/5 = 40 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 20 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

σn = 20·sin²55° + 40·cos²55° = 26.58 MPa

Answer

σn = 26.58 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 16.36 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

A₁ = 706.9 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 300/(200000·706.9) = 2.122 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 500/(70000·706.9) = 1.011 × 10⁻⁵ mm/N

Load

P = 0.2/1.223 × 10⁻⁵ = 16357 N = 16.36 kN

Answer

P = 16.36 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 49.74 MPa

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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 10.39 MPa
σ2 = 49.74 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 49.74 MPa

Answer

σmax = 49.74 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 197.7 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 = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/1750² = 197744 N = 197.7 kN

Answer

Pcr = 197.7 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 48.59 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 = 3·80000 = 240000 N
KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·240000·1500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 48.59 mm

Answer

d = 48.59 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 123.5, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 1.631 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 = √(5000/40) = 11.18 rad/s
fn = 11.18/(2π) = 1.779 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 1.779·√(1 − 0.4²) = 1.631 Hz

Answer

fd = 1.631 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 50 kN/m

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 + 30 = 50 kN/m

Answer

keq = 50 kN/m

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design