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​ = 16N2​ = 80

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1450 rpm drives a pinion with 16 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 80 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 1450 rpmN1 = 16N2 = 80η = 98%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 15C = 16D = 40

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1440 rpm drives gear B (15 teeth). Gear C (16 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (40 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1440 rpmA = 12B = 15C = 16D = 40
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 30 mmL = 2 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 = 250 N·md = 30 mmL = 2 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = ?15 kW, 750 rpm

A solid brass shaft transmits 15 kW at 750 rpm. The shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa and the twist must not exceed 0.75° per m of length. Find the smallest diameter d that satisfies both limits.

P = 15 kWN = 750 rpmτallow = 60 MPaθallow = 0.75°/mG = 39 GPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −20σy​ = 70τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = 70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa, with σz = 0. Find the absolute maximum shear stress τabs at the point (considering all planes in three dimensions).

σx = −20 MPaσy = 70 MPaτxy = 40 MPaσz = 0
τabs = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 30σy​ = 50τxy​ = 50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 50° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 30 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = 50 MPaθ = 50°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm300 mmØ20Ø30δ = 0.4 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 30 mm, length 300 mm, E = 100 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.4 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø30 mm, 300 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.4 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmCopper0.5 mØ 12 mmCopper2 mP = 120 kN

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

P = 120 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 0.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 2 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 3 md = 20 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at both ends. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 20 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx12 mm4 cycles7.3 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 12 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 7.3 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 12 mmx4 = 7.3 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 10k3​ = 5m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 5 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 100 kN/m and k₂ = 10 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 = 100 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/mk3 = 5 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 48.41 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 = 1500/151.8 = 9.879 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 9.879·80/16·0.98 = 48.41 N·m

Answer

T2 = 48.41 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 460.8 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.

First stage

nB = 1440·12/15 = 1152 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1152·16/40 = 460.8 rpm

Answer

nout = 460.8 rpm

total ratio = 3.125 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 13.86 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·2000/(26000·79522) = 0.2418 rad
φ = 0.2418·180/π = 13.86°

Answer

φ = 13.86°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 44.18 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·750/60 = 78.54 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/78.54 = 191 N·m

Diameter for strength

T = 191 N·m = 190986 N·mm
dτ = ∛(16·190986/(π·60)) = 25.31 mm

Diameter for stiffness

θ = 0.75·π/180/1000 = 1.309 × 10⁻⁵ rad/mm
G = 39 GPa = 39000 MPa
dφ = (32·190986/(π·39000·1.309 × 10⁻⁵))1/4 = 44.18 mm

Governing diameter

Both limits must hold, so the larger diameter governs.

d = max(25.31, 44.18) = 44.18 mm

Answer

d = 44.18 mm

Here stiffness governs.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τabs = 60.21 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. In three dimensions the absolute maximum shear stress is (σmax − σmin)/2 over all three principal stresses; in plane stress the third one is zero.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

In-plane principal stresses

C = 25 MPa, R = √((−45)² + 40²) = 60.21 MPa
σ1 = 85.21 MPa, σ2 = −35.21 MPa, σz = 0

Largest of the three circles

τ = max(|σ1 − σ2|, |σ1|, |σ2|)/2 = max(120.4, 85.21, 35.21)/2 = 60.21 MPa

Answer

τabs = 60.21 MPa

Here σ₁ and σ₂ have opposite signs, so the in-plane maximum R is also the absolute maximum.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 90.98 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

σθ = 40 + −10·−0.1736 + 50·0.9848 = 90.98 MPa

Answer

σθ = 90.98 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 29 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 = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 706.9 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·314.2) = 9.549 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(100000·706.9) = 4.244 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.4/1.379 × 10⁻⁵ = 28999 N = 29 kN

Answer

P = 29 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 19.18 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 244.5 MPa
σ2 = 1061 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 244.5·500/117000 = 1.045 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 1061·2000/117000 = 18.14 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 19.18 mm

Answer

δ = 19.18 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 37.85 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 = 0.5·2000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/1000² = 37849 N = 37.85 kN

Answer

Pcr = 37.85 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 7.676 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 314.2 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(7854/314.2) = 5 mm
KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm
KL/r = 1500/5 = 300

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/300² = 7.676 MPa

Answer

σcr = 7.676 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.01977

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(12/7.3) = 0.1243

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.1243/√(39.48 + 0.01544) = 0.01977

Answer

ζ = 0.01977
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.922 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 = 100 + 10 = 110 kN/m
keq = 110·5/(110 + 5) = 4.783 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(4783/5) = 30.93 rad/s
fn = 30.93/(2π) = 4.922 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.922 Hz

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