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​ = 20N2​ = 36

A 1.5 kW motor running at 960 rpm drives a pinion with 20 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 36 teeth. Ignore losses. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 960 rpmN1 = 20N2 = 36η = 100%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 300 mm720 rpmC = 1000 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects an 80 mm pulley and a 300 mm pulley whose centres are 1000 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 80 mmd2 = 300 mmC = 1000 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 30 mmd2​ = 20 mmT = 100 N·mABC1.2 m0.8 m

A stepped solid brass shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 30 mm and length 1.2 m; segment BC has diameter 20 mm and length 0.8 m. A torque of 100 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

T = 100 N·md1 = 30 mm, L1 = 1.2 md2 = 20 mm, L2 = 0.8 m
τmax = MPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 75 mm, di​ = 60 mm

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

P = 15 kWN = 500 rpmdo = 75 mmdi = 60 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 50MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 50 MPa and σᵧ = 0 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 105 MPa?

σx = 50 MPaσy = 0 MPaσ1 = 105 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 60σy​ = 20τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (σz = 0). Find the von Mises equivalent stress σvM.

σx = 60 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = −40 MPa
σvM = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmBrass3 mP = 45 kN

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

P = 45 kNd = 20 mmL = 3 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmAluminium1.5 mØ 16 mmBrass2 mP = 80 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 = 80 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m25 × 40 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 = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 25 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 125 kNL = 3 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 125 kN with a factor of safety of 3 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 125 kNn = 3L = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 100 kN/mζ = 0.4m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 100 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.4. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk = 100 kN/mζ = 0.4
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 20k3​ = 100m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 100 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 = 20 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 = 10 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 20 kN/mk3 = 100 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 26.86 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 = 1500/100.5 = 14.92 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 14.92·36/20·1 = 26.86 N·m

Answer

T2 = 26.86 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 167.4 °

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(0.11) = 6.315°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·6.315 = 167.4°

Answer

θ = 167.4°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 63.66 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.

Stress in each segment

T = 100 N·m = 100000 N·mm
τAB = 16·100000/(π·30³) = 18.86 MPa
τBC = 16·100000/(π·20³) = 63.66 MPa

Answer

τmax = 63.66 MPa
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 5.858 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(75⁴ − 60⁴)/32 = 1.834 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 286479·37.5/1.834 × 10⁶ = 5.858 MPa

Answer

τmax = 5.858 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 75.99 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 = (50 + 0)/2 = 25 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 105 − 25 = 80 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(80² − 25²) = 75.99 MPa

Answer

τxy = 75.99 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σvM = 87.18 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 = 40 MPa, R = 44.72 MPa
σ1 = 84.72 MPa, σ2 = −4.721 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(84.72² − 84.72·(−4.721) + (−4.721)²) = 87.18 MPa

Answer

σvM = 87.18 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 4.297 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 45·1000/314.2 = 143.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 143.2/100000 = 0.001432 = 1432 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.001432·3000 mm = 4.297 mm

Answer

δ = 4.297 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 397.9 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 113.2 MPa
σ2 = 397.9 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 397.9 MPa

Answer

σmax = 397.9 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 13.11 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 = 40·25³/12 = 52083 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·52083/2800² = 13113 N = 13.11 kN

Answer

Pcr = 13.11 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 64.28 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 = 3·125000 = 375000 N
KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·375000·2100²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 64.28 mm

Answer

d = 64.28 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 130.7, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 7.293 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 = √(100000/40) = 50 rad/s
fn = 50/(2π) = 7.958 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 7.958·√(1 − 0.4²) = 7.293 Hz

Answer

fd = 7.293 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 8.104 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 + 20 = 35 kN/m
keq = 35·100/(35 + 100) = 25.93 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(25926/10) = 50.92 rad/s
fn = 50.92/(2π) = 8.104 Hz

Answer

fn = 8.104 Hz

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