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
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 250 mm2880 rpmn2​ = ?

A 160 mm pulley at 2880 rpm drives a 250 mm pulley by a belt with 1.5 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 2880 rpmd1 = 160 mmd2 = 250 mms = 1.5 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 18B = 50C = 16D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (18 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 1500 rpm and drives gear B (50 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 240 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 1500 rpmA = 18B = 50C = 16nout = 240 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 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 = 25 mmL = 0.5 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 100 mm, di​ = 75 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 75 kW at 750 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 75 kWN = 750 rpmdo = 100 mmdi = 75 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 90σy​ = 100MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 90 MPa and σᵧ = 100 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 160 MPa?

σx = 90 MPaσy = 100 MPaσ1 = 160 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 50 mm carries an axial tensile force of 40 kN together with a torque of 2000 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 50 mmF = 40 kNT = 2000 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmSteel2 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNd = 10 mmL = 2 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium1 mØ 20 mmBrass0.5 mP = 50 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 = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 25 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 = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 100 kN/mζ = 0.7m = 80 kg

An 80 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.7. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 80 kgk = 100 kN/mζ = 0.7
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 25k2​ = 40k3​ = 20m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 20 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 25 kN/m and k₂ = 40 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 = 100 kgk1 = 25 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/mk3 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 1816 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

2880·160/250 = 1843 rpm

With slip

n2 = 1843·0.985 = 1816 rpm

Answer

n2 = 1816 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 36

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.

Intermediate shaft speed

nB = nC = 1500·18/50 = 540 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 16·540/240 = 36

Answer

ND = 36
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 21.55 °

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 second moment of area

J = π·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·500/(26000·38350) = 0.3761 rad
φ = 0.3761·180/π = 21.55°

Answer

φ = 21.55°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 7.114 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/78.54 = 954.9 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(100⁴ − 75⁴)/32 = 6.711 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 954930·50/6.711 × 10⁶ = 7.114 MPa

Answer

τmax = 7.114 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 64.81 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.

Required radius

C = (90 + 100)/2 = 95 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 160 − 95 = 65 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(65² − 5²) = 64.81 MPa

Answer

τxy = 64.81 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 92.31 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = F/A = 40000/(π·50²/4) = 40000/1963 = 20.37 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·2000000/(π·50³) = 81.49 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 10.19 MPa
R = √(10.19² + 81.49²) = 82.12 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 92.31 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −71.94 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 92.31 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 6685 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·10²/4 = 78.54 mm²
σ = P/A = 105·1000/78.54 = 1337 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 1337/200000 = 0.006685 = 6685 µε

Answer

ε = 6685 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 159.2 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 39.79 MPa
σ2 = 159.2 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 159.2 MPa

Answer

σmax = 159.2 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 34.33 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/1050² = 34331 N = 34.33 kN

Answer

Pcr = 34.33 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 100.7 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm
KL/r = 2100/15 = 140

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/140² = 100.7 MPa

Answer

σcr = 100.7 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 4.018 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 = √(100000/80) = 35.36 rad/s
fn = 35.36/(2π) = 5.627 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 5.627·√(1 − 0.7²) = 4.018 Hz

Answer

fd = 4.018 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 1.968 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 = 25 + 40 = 65 kN/m
keq = 65·20/(65 + 20) = 15.29 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(15294/100) = 12.37 rad/s
fn = 12.37/(2π) = 1.968 Hz

Answer

fn = 1.968 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design