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​ = 36z = 1, 960 rpm

A worm with 1 start(s) turns at 960 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 36 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 1Nw = 36n = 960 rpm
nw = rpm
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 1200 rpm. Find the speed nr of the ring gear (magnitude).

Ns = 24Np = 18ns = 1200 rpm
nr = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 30 mmd2​ = 20 mmT = 200 N·mABC2 m1.2 m

A stepped solid steel shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 30 mm and length 2 m; segment BC has diameter 20 mm and length 1.2 m. A torque of 200 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the angle of twist φC of end C, in degrees.

T = 200 N·md1 = 30 mm, L1 = 2 md2 = 20 mm, L2 = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φC = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 100 N·mACBa = 1 mb = 0.8 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, 1 m from A and 0.8 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 40 mmT0 = 100 N·ma = 1 mb = 0.8 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 60σy​ = −50τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = −50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 60 MPaσy = −50 MPaτxy = −40 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = 90τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 20° clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −70 MPaσy = 90 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = -20°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12400 mm400 mmØ40Ø30δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of copper (diameter 30 mm, length 400 mm, E = 120 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.5 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø30 mm, 400 mm, E = 120 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmCopper0.5 mØ 16 mmAluminium0.5 mP = 65 kN

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

P = 65 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 md = 30 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 30 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 95 kNL = 2 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 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm4 cycles1.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 1.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx4 = 1.1 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 100k3​ = 40m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 40 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 5 kN/m and k₂ = 100 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 = 5 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/mk3 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 26.67 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 = 960·1/36 = 26.67 rpm

Answer

nw = 26.67 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nr = 480 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 = −1200·24/60 = −480 rpm
|nr| = 480 rpm

Answer

nr = 480 rpm

The ring turns opposite to the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φC = 14.55 °

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 moments

J1 = π·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴
J2 = π·20⁴/32 = 15708 mm⁴

Twist of each segment

T = 200 N·m = 200000 N·mm
G = 80 GPa = 80000 MPa
φAB = 200000·2000/(80000·79522) = 0.06288 rad
φBC = 200000·1200/(80000·15708) = 0.191 rad

Total twist

φC = 0.06288 + 0.191 = 0.2539 rad = 14.55°

Answer

φC = 14.55°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 44.44 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 = 100·0.8/1.8 = 44.44 N·m
TB = 100·1/1.8 = 55.56 N·m

Answer

TA = 44.44 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −18.01 °

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·−40, 60 − −50) = −36.03°

Angle on the element

θp = −18.01°

Answer

θp = −18.01°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −59.08 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 = −−80·−0.6428 + −10·0.766 = −59.08 MPa

Answer

τθ = −59.08 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 79.27 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 = 1257 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 400/(200000·1257) = 1.592 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 400/(120000·706.9) = 4.716 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/6.307 × 10⁻⁶ = 79274 N = 79.27 kN

Answer

P = 79.27 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.53 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 = 51.73 MPa
σ2 = 323.3 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 51.73·500/117000 = 0.221 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 323.3·500/70000 = 2.309 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 2.53 mm

Answer

δ = 2.53 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 17.8 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·30⁴/64 = 39761 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·39761/2100² = 17797 N = 17.8 kN

Answer

Pcr = 17.8 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 44.28 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 = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·190000·1400²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 44.28 mm

Answer

d = 44.28 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 126.5, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1501

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.

Logarithmic decrement

δ = (1/4)·ln(50/1.1) = 0.9542

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.9542/√(39.48 + 0.9105) = 0.1501

Answer

ζ = 0.1501
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.11 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 = 5 + 100 = 105 kN/m
keq = 105·40/(105 + 40) = 28.97 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(28966/5) = 76.11 rad/s
fn = 76.11/(2π) = 12.11 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.11 Hz

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