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​ = 32N2​ = 40

A 2.2 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 32 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 40 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 2.2 kWn1 = 960 rpmN1 = 32N2 = 40η = 96%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 150 mmd2​ = 400 mm1440 rpmC = 500 mmT1​ = 500 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 150 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm to a 400 mm pulley; the centres are 500 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.35 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 500 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 1440 rpmd2 = 400 mmC = 500 mmμ = 0.35T1 = 500 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 40 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 = 750 N·md = 40 mmL = 0.8 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?100 kW, 3000 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 100 kW at 3000 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.5 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 100 kWN = 3000 rpmdi/do = 0.5τallow = 60 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 160σy​ = 40τxy​ = 10MPa

A point has σₓ = 160 MPa, σᵧ = 40 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 30° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 160 MPaσy = 40 MPaτxy = 10 MPaθ = 30°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 120σy​ = 20τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 120 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = -30°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmAluminium2 mP = 100 kN

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

P = 100 kNd = 12 mmL = 2 mE = 70 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø20100 GPaØ100/60400 mm

A steel rod (diameter 20 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of brass (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 100 GPa, allowable stress 100 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø20 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 100 GPa, σallow = 100 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m30 × 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 30 × 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mc = 1130 N·s/mm = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 1130 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 40 kgk = 200 kN/mc = 1130 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 15k3​ = 60m = 50 kg

A 50 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 = 15 kN/m and k₂ = 15 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 = 50 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/mk3 = 60 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 21.88 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·960/60 = 100.5 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 2200/100.5 = 21.88 N·m

Answer

T1 = 21.88 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 3.407 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 = 2.636 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.9227 = 2.516, T₂ = 500/2.516 = 198.7 N

Power

P = (500 − 198.7)·11.31 = 3.407 kW

Answer

P = 3.407 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 5.261 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·800/(26000·251327) = 0.09182 rad
φ = 0.09182·180/π = 5.261°

Answer

φ = 5.261°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 30.66 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 100000/314.2 = 318.3 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 318.3 N·m = 318310 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.5⁴ = 0.9375
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·318310/(π·60·0.9375)) = 30.66 mm
di = 0.5·30.66 = 15.33 mm

Answer

do = 30.66 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 30.01 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 61.34 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′ = 100 − 60·0.5 − 10·0.866 = 61.34 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 138.7 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 200 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 61.34 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 58.3 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

τθ = −50·−0.866 + 30·0.5 = 58.3 MPa

Answer

τθ = 58.3 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 25.26 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 100·1000/113.1 = 884.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 884.2/70000 = 0.01263 = 12631 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.01263·2000 mm = 25.26 mm

Answer

δ = 25.26 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 565.5 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 − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·314.2 + 100·10³·5027 = 5.655 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.001) = 0.001 (brass)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.001·5.655 × 10⁸ = 565487 N = 565.5 kN

Answer

Pmax = 565.5 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 118.4 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 = 60·30³/12 = 135000 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·1500 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·135000/1500² = 118435 N = 118.4 kN

Answer

Pcr = 118.4 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1963 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(306796/1963) = 12.5 mm
KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm
KL/r = 2000/12.5 = 160

Critical stress

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

Answer

σcr = 77.11 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1998

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·√(200000·40) = 5657 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 1130/5657 = 0.1998

Answer

ζ = 0.1998

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.183 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 = 15 + 15 = 30 kN/m
keq = 30·60/(30 + 60) = 20 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(20000/50) = 20 rad/s
fn = 20/(2π) = 3.183 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.183 Hz

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