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​ = 30

A 7.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 30 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 95%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 7.5 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 18N2 = 30η = 95%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 160 mmd2​ = 500 mm1500 rpmC = 500 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 160 mm pulley and a 500 mm pulley whose centres are 500 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 160 mmd2 = 500 mmC = 500 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 75, di​ = 53 mmT = 500 N·mL = 1.2 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 75 mm, inner diameter 53 mm, length 1.2 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 500 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 500 N·mdo = 75 mmdi = 53 mmL = 1.2 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 60 mm, di​ = 48 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 15 kW at 500 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 15 kWN = 500 rpmdo = 60 mmdi = 48 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −40σy​ = 100τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 100 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −40 MPaσy = 100 MPaτxy = 30 MPa
θp = °
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 160 kN together with a torque of 1500 N·m. At the surface of the shaft, find the largest principal stress σ1.

d = 50 mmF = 160 kNT = 1500 N·m
σ1 = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm500 mmØ25Ø30δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 25 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of bronze (diameter 30 mm, length 500 mm, E = 110 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, Ø25 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: bronze, Ø30 mm, 500 mm, E = 110 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmSteel2 mØ 12 mmBrass0.5 mP = 90 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 = 90 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 135 kNL = 5 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 135 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 135 kNn = 2.5L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm2 cycles7.4 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 7.4 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx2 = 7.4 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 10m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 20 kN/m and k₂ = 10 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 = 20 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 78.21 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 = 7500/151.8 = 49.39 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 49.39·30/18·0.95 = 78.21 N·m

Answer

T2 = 78.21 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 140.2 °

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.

Belt angle

asin(0.34) = 19.88°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·19.88 = 140.2°

Answer

θ = 140.2°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.378 °

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(75⁴ − 53⁴)/32 = 2.332 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 1.2 m = 1200 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 500000·1200/(39000·2.332 × 10⁶) = 0.006598 rad
φ = 0.006598·180/π = 0.378°

Answer

φ = 0.378°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 11.44 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 = 15000/52.36 = 286.5 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(60⁴ − 48⁴)/32 = 751193 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 286479·30/751193 = 11.44 MPa

Answer

τmax = 11.44 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 78.4 °

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(2·30, −40 − 100) = 156.8°

Angle on the element

θp = 78.4°

Answer

θp = 78.4°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σ1 = 114.2 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 = 160000/(π·50²/4) = 160000/1963 = 81.49 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·1500000/(π·50³) = 61.12 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 40.74 MPa
R = √(40.74² + 61.12²) = 73.45 MPa
σ1 = C + R = 114.2 MPa
σ2 = C − R = −32.71 MPa

Answer

σ1 = 114.2 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 39.87 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 = 490.9 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·490.9) = 6.112 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 500/(110000·706.9) = 6.431 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/1.254 × 10⁻⁵ = 39866 N = 39.87 kN

Answer

P = 39.87 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 795.8 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 183.3 MPa
σ2 = 795.8 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 795.8 MPa

Answer

σmax = 795.8 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 109.9 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 = 0.5·4000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·636173/2000² = 109878 N = 109.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 109.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 80.82 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 = 2.5·135000 = 337500 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·337500·3500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 80.82 mm

Answer

d = 80.82 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 173.2, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1503

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 = (1/2)·ln(50/7.4) = 0.9553

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.9553/√(39.48 + 0.9125) = 0.1503

Answer

ζ = 0.1503
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.359 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 = 20 + 10 = 30 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(30000/40) = 27.39 rad/s
fn = 27.39/(2π) = 4.359 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.359 Hz

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