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​ = 200 mmd2​ = 500 mm960 rpmT1​ = 800 NT2​ = 200 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 200 mm driving pulley at 960 rpm. The tension is 800 N on the tight side and 200 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 200 mmn1 = 960 rpmT1 = 800 NT2 = 200 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 45C = 20D = 25

A 1.1 kW motor at 2900 rpm drives gear A (40 teeth), which meshes with gear B (45 teeth). Gear C (20 teeth) on the same shaft as B drives gear D (25 teeth) on the output shaft. Each gear mesh has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque Tout.

P = 1.1 kWnin = 2900 rpmA = 40B = 45C = 20D = 25ηmesh = 96%
Tout = N·m
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 40 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid brass 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 = 40 mmL = 1 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmT0​ = 2000 N·mACBa = 2.5 mb = 1 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 2000 N·m is applied at C, 2.5 m from A and 1 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 30 mmT0 = 2000 N·ma = 2.5 mb = 1 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −70σy​ = −30τxy​ = 60MPa

A point has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = −30 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −70 MPaσy = −30 MPaτxy = 60 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 80σy​ = 0τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 25° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 80 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = 10 MPaθ = 25°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm200 mmØ25Ø50δ = 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 copper (diameter 50 mm, length 200 mm, E = 120 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: copper, Ø50 mm, 200 mm, E = 120 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmSteel1.5 mØ 20 mmSteel0.5 mP = 25 kN

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

P = 25 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 0.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 m20 × 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 20 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mc = 1730 N·s/mm = 15 kg

A 15 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 1730 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 15 kgk = 200 kN/mc = 1730 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 10m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 12 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 10 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 25 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 6.032 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.

Belt speed

v = 10.05 m/s

Power

P = (800 − 200)·10.05 = 6032 W = 6.032 kW

Answer

P = 6.032 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Tout = 4.694 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.

Output speed

nout = 2900·(40/45)·(20/25) = 2062 rpm
ωout = 2π·2062/60 = 216 rad/s

Output power and torque

Pout = 1100·0.96² = 1014 W
Tout = Pout/ωout = 1014/216 = 4.694 N·m

Answer

Tout = 4.694 N·m
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.461 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 250·1000·1000/(39000·251327) = 0.02551 rad
φ = 0.02551·180/π = 1.461°

Answer

φ = 1.461°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 269.5 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. When both ends are fixed, statics alone gives only TA + TB = T₀; the second equation is compatibility (equal twist of both parts at the loaded section).

Equilibrium and compatibility

TA + TB = 2000
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 2000·1/3.5 = 571.4 N·m
TB = 2000·2.5/3.5 = 1429 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The larger of the two torques governs (same diameter).

τmax = 16·1.429 × 10⁶/(π·30³) = 269.5 MPa

Answer

τmax = 269.5 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = 9.217 °

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​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = 60/63.25 = 0.9487, sin 2θs = −(−20)/63.25 = 0.3162
2θs = atan2(20, 60) = 18.43°

Angle on the element

θs = 9.217°
check: θs − θp = 9.217 − 54.22 = −45°

Answer

θs = 9.217°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 73.37 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 + 40·0.6428 + 10·0.766 = 73.37 MPa

Answer

σθ = 73.37 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 71.84 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 = 1963 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·490.9) = 6.112 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(120000·1963) = 8.488 × 10⁻⁷ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/6.96 × 10⁻⁶ = 71835 N = 71.84 kN

Answer

P = 71.84 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.4642 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 35.37 MPa
σ2 = 79.58 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 35.37·1500/200000 = 0.2653 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 79.58·500/200000 = 0.1989 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.4642 mm

Answer

δ = 0.4642 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 5.757 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 = 50·20³/12 = 33333 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1000 = 2000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·33333/2000² = 5757 N = 5.757 kN

Answer

Pcr = 5.757 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 126.3 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 5027 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(2.011 × 10⁶/5027) = 20 mm
KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm
KL/r = 2500/20 = 125

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/125² = 126.3 MPa

Answer

σcr = 126.3 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.4994

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·√(200000·15) = 3464 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 1730/3464 = 0.4994

Answer

ζ = 0.4994

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 5.455 kN/m

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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/12 + 1/10 → keq = 12·10/(12 + 10) = 5.455 kN/m

Answer

keq = 5.455 kN/m

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