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​ = 18N2​ = 32

A 3 kW motor running at 1450 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 = 3 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 18N2 = 32η = 98%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 30nr​ = ?Np​ = 15carrier fixed

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 30 teeth and each planet gear has 15 teeth. The planet carrier is held fixed and the sun is driven at 600 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 30Np = 15ns = 600 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 1000 N·md = 30 mmL = 2.5 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 = 1000 N·md = 30 mmL = 2.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 60 mm, di​ = 48 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 5 kW at 500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 5 kWN = 500 rpmdo = 60 mmdi = 48 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 20σy​ = 120τxy​ = −10MPa

A point has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 50° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 20 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 50°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 60σy​ = 10τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 10 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 60 MPaσy = 10 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmCopper0.5 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 12 mmL = 0.5 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø20110 GPaØ100/50500 mm

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 150 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 50 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 150 MPatube: Ø100/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 50 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mc = 2190 N·s/mm = 150 kg

A 150 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 2190 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 150 kgk = 200 kN/mc = 2190 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 30k2​ = 60m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 30 kN/m and k₂ = 60 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 30 kN/mk2 = 60 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 19.76 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·1450/60 = 151.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 3000/151.8 = 19.76 N·m

Answer

T1 = 19.76 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 300 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 = 30 + 2·15 = 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 = −600·30/60 = −300 rpm
|nr| = 300 rpm

Answer

nr = 300 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 22.52 °

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) = 1000·1000·2500/(80000·79522) = 0.393 rad
φ = 0.393·180/π = 22.52°

Answer

φ = 22.52°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 3.814 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·500/60 = 52.36 rad/s
T = P/ω = 5000/52.36 = 95.49 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(60⁴ − 48⁴)/32 = 751193 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 95493·30/751193 = 3.814 MPa

Answer

τmax = 3.814 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 71.17 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′ = 70 − (−50)·(−0.1736) − (−10)·0.9848 = 71.17 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 68.83 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 140 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 71.17 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 76.16 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 = 35 MPa, R = 39.05 MPa
σ1 = 74.05 MPa, σ2 = −4.051 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(74.05² − 74.05·(−4.051) + (−4.051)²) = 76.16 MPa

Answer

σvM = 76.16 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 7935 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/113.1 = 928.4 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 928.4/117000 = 0.007935 = 7935 µε

Answer

ε = 7935 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 323.1 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
At = π(100² − 50²)/4 = 5890 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 110·10³·5890 = 7.108 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00075, 0.0004545) = 0.0004545 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0004545·7.108 × 10⁸ = 323084 N = 323.1 kN

Answer

Pmax = 323.1 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 70.32 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·636173/2500² = 70322 N = 70.32 kN

Answer

Pcr = 70.32 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 77.11 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 0.5·2000 = 1000 mm
KL/r = 1000/6.25 = 160

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/160² = 77.11 MPa

Answer

σcr = 77.11 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1999

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·√(200000·150) = 10954 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 2190/10954 = 0.1999

Answer

ζ = 0.1999

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 7.549 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 30 + 60 = 90 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(90000/40) = 47.43 rad/s
fn = 47.43/(2π) = 7.549 Hz

Answer

fn = 7.549 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design