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
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 250 mm1450 rpmn2​ = ?

An 80 mm pulley at 1450 rpm drives a 250 mm pulley by a belt with 4 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1450 rpmd1 = 80 mmd2 = 250 mms = 4 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 48C = 25D = 40

In a compound gear train, gear A (40 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (48 teeth). Gear C (25 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 = 1450 rpmA = 40B = 48C = 25D = 40
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 N·md = 50 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 = 50 mmL = 0.5 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 25 mmTB​ = 250 N·mTC​ = 500 N·mABC0.8 m2 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 25 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 250 N·m acts at B, 0.8 m from A, and a torque of 500 N·m in the same direction acts at the free end C, a further 2 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 25 mmTB = 250 N·mTC = 500 N·mAB = 0.8 mBC = 2 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = 100τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = 100 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = 80 MPaσy = 100 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 60σy​ = −50τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 60 MPa, σᵧ = −50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 60 MPaσy = −50 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 15°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmAluminium1.5 mP = 15 kN

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

P = 15 kNd = 10 mmL = 1.5 mE = 70 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmAluminium2 mØ 12 mmAluminium1 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, 2 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m20 × 100 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 100 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 15 kNL = 6 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 15 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 15 kNn = 2L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx12 mm1 cycle10.6 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 12 mm is followed one cycle later by a peak of 10.6 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 12 mmx1 = 10.6 mmn = 1
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 100k2​ = 40k3​ = 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 = 100 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 = 10 kgk1 = 100 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/mk3 = 100 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 445.4 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

1450·80/250 = 464 rpm

With slip

n2 = 464·0.96 = 445.4 rpm

Answer

n2 = 445.4 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 755.2 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 = 1450·40/48 = 1208 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1208·25/40 = 755.2 rpm

Answer

nout = 755.2 rpm

total ratio = 1.92 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.347 °

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·50⁴/32 = 613592 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 750·1000·500/(26000·613592) = 0.02351 rad
φ = 0.02351·180/π = 1.347°

Answer

φ = 1.347°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 244.5 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.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 500 N·m
TAB = TC + TB = 500 + 250 = 750 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The segment with the largest internal torque has the largest stress (same diameter).

|T|max = 750 N·m
τmax = 16·750000/(π·25³) = 244.5 MPa

Answer

τmax = 244.5 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 41.23 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((80 − 100)/2)² + 40²) = 41.23 MPa

Answer

τmax = 41.23 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −1.519 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

τθ = −55·0.5 + 30·0.866 = −1.519 MPa

Answer

τθ = −1.519 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 2728 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 = 15·1000/78.54 = 191 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for aluminium = 70 GPa = 70000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 191/70000 = 0.002728 = 2728 µε

Answer

ε = 2728 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 22.14 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 = 244.5·2000/70000 = 6.985 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 1061·1000/70000 = 15.16 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 22.14 mm

Answer

δ = 22.14 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.879 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 = 100·20³/12 = 66667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·4000 = 4000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·66667/4000² = 2879 N = 2.879 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.879 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 57.78 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 = 2·15000 = 30000 N
KL = 1·6000 = 6000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·30000·6000²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 57.78 mm

Answer

d = 57.78 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 415.4, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.01974

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 = (1/1)·ln(12/10.6) = 0.1241

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.1241/√(39.48 + 0.01539) = 0.01974

Answer

ζ = 0.01974
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 12.16 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 + 40 = 140 kN/m
keq = 140·100/(140 + 100) = 58.33 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(58333/10) = 76.38 rad/s
fn = 76.38/(2π) = 12.16 Hz

Answer

fn = 12.16 Hz

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