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​ = 18N2​ = 32

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 32 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 18N2 = 32η = 98%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 72C = 15D = 60

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 2900 rpm drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (15 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 2900 rpmA = 15B = 72C = 15D = 60
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 50 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 = 750 N·md = 50 mmL = 0.8 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 50 mmT0​ = 2000 N·mACBa = 1.2 mb = 2.5 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 50 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 2000 N·m is applied at C, 1.2 m from A and 2.5 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 50 mmT0 = 2000 N·ma = 1.2 mb = 2.5 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 10σy​ = 20τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 10 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = −60 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
35°D = 600 mm, t = 8 mm, p = 2.5 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 600 mm and wall thickness 8 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 2.5 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 35° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the normal stress σn acting across the weld seam.

D = 600 mmt = 8 mmp = 2.5 MPaα = 35°
σn = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmBrass0.5 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 20 mmL = 0.5 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø40100 GPaØ80/50300 mm

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 160 MPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 100 GPa, allowable stress 70 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 160 MPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 100 GPa, σallow = 70 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 m30 × 40 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 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 30 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 80 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 2 kg

A 2 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.3. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 2 kgk = 15 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 50m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 5 kN/m and k₂ = 50 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 50 kgk1 = 5 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 9.947 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 = 1500/150.8 = 9.947 N·m

Answer

T1 = 9.947 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 151 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.

First stage

nB = 2900·15/72 = 604.2 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 604.2·15/60 = 151 rpm

Answer

nout = 151 rpm

total ratio = 19.2 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.7003 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·800/(80000·613592) = 0.01222 rad
φ = 0.01222·180/π = 0.7003°

Answer

φ = 0.7003°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 1351 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 = 2000
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 2000·2.5/3.7 = 1351 N·m
TB = 2000·1.2/3.7 = 648.6 N·m

Answer

TA = 1351 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 60.21 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((10 − 20)/2)² + −60²) = 60.21 MPa

Answer

τmax = 60.21 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σn = 78.33 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. 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 = 600/2 = 300 mm
σh = pr/t = 2.5·300/8 = 93.75 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 46.88 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 = 46.88·sin²35° + 93.75·cos²35° = 78.33 MPa

Answer

σn = 78.33 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 3342 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/314.2 = 334.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 334.2/100000 = 0.003342 = 3342 µε

Answer

ε = 3342 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 390.3 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(80² − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 100·10³·3063 = 5.576 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.0008, 0.0007) = 0.0007 (brass)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0007·5.576 × 10⁸ = 390343 N = 390.3 kN

Answer

Pmax = 390.3 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 177.7 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 rectangle buckles about its weak axis, using the smaller dimension cubed.

Imin = h·b³/12 = 40·30³/12 = 90000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·2000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·90000/1000² = 177653 N = 177.7 kN

Answer

Pcr = 177.7 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 49.35 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 2·2000 = 4000 mm
KL/r = 4000/20 = 200

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/200² = 49.35 MPa

Answer

σcr = 49.35 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 13.15 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 = √(15000/2) = 86.6 rad/s
fn = 86.6/(2π) = 13.78 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 13.78·√(1 − 0.3²) = 13.15 Hz

Answer

fd = 13.15 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 55 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 = 5 + 50 = 55 kN/m

Answer

keq = 55 kN/m

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