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​ = 30z = 3, 2900 rpm

A worm with 3 start(s) turns at 2900 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 30 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 3Nw = 30n = 2900 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 150 mmd2​ = 450 mm1440 rpmC = 800 mmT1​ = 1500 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 150 mm driving pulley at 1440 rpm to a 450 mm pulley; the centres are 800 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.3 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1500 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 150 mmn1 = 1440 rpmd2 = 450 mmC = 800 mmμ = 0.3T1 = 1500 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 40, di​ = 30 mmT = 1000 N·mL = 1 m

A hollow brass shaft (outer diameter 40 mm, inner diameter 30 mm, length 1 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 1000 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 1000 N·mdo = 40 mmdi = 30 mmL = 1 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 75 kW at 3000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 75 kWN = 3000 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −20σy​ = 70MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = −20 MPa and σᵧ = 70 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 100 MPa?

σx = −20 MPaσy = 70 MPaσ1 = 100 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 110σy​ = −20τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = 110 MPa, σᵧ = −20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 350 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the von Mises (distortion energy) criterion.

σx = 110 MPaσy = −20 MPaτxy = 30 MPaσY = 350 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmCopper2 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNd = 16 mmL = 2 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmCopper2 mØ 16 mmCopper0.5 mP = 35 kN

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

P = 35 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2.5 md = 25 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 35 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 35 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 35 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 40 kN/mc = 570 N·s/mm = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 40 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 570 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 8 kgk = 40 kN/mc = 570 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 15m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 15 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 = 10 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 290 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 = 2900·3/30 = 290 rpm

Answer

nw = 290 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 9.562 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 = 2.764 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.8293 = 2.292, T₂ = 1500/2.292 = 654.5 N

Power

P = (1500 − 654.5)·11.31 = 9.562 kW

Answer

P = 9.562 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 8.551 °

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 − 30⁴)/32 = 171806 mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 1 m = 1000 mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 1 × 10⁶·1000/(39000·171806) = 0.1492 rad
φ = 0.1492·180/π = 8.551°

Answer

φ = 8.551°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 31.21 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 = 75000/314.2 = 238.7 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·238732/(π·40)) = 31.21 mm

Answer

d = 31.21 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 60 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 = (−20 + 70)/2 = 25 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 100 − 25 = 75 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(75² − 45²) = 60 MPa

Answer

τxy = 60 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.653

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 = 45 MPa, R = 71.59 MPa
σ1 = 116.6 MPa, σ2 = −26.59 MPa, σ3 = 0

Von Mises

σvM = √(116.6² − 116.6·(−26.59) + (−26.59)²) = 131.9 MPa
n = 350/131.9 = 2.653

Answer

n = 2.653

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 637.6 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 15·1000/201.1 = 74.6 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 74.6/117000 = 0.0006376 = 637.6 µε

Answer

ε = 637.6 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 1.22 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 = 27.85 MPa
σ2 = 174.1 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 27.85·2000/117000 = 0.4761 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 174.1·500/117000 = 0.7439 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 1.22 mm

Answer

δ = 1.22 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 4.326 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 = 0.7·2500 = 1750 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·19175/1750² = 4326 N = 4.326 kN

Answer

Pcr = 4.326 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 84.76 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 = 2·35000 = 70000 N
KL = 2·2500 = 5000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·70000·5000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 84.76 mm

Answer

d = 84.76 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 236, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.5038

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·√(40000·8) = 1131 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 570/1131 = 0.5038

Answer

ζ = 0.5038

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.83 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 = 50 + 15 = 65 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(65000/10) = 80.62 rad/s
fn = 80.62/(2π) = 12.83 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.83 Hz

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