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​N2​ = ?

Two parallel shafts are 120 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 2.5 mm and a speed reduction of 5 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 120 mmm = 2.5 mmi = 5
N2 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 16B = 40C = 18D = 30

In a compound gear train, gear A (16 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1450 rpm drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (18 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (30 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1450 rpmA = 16B = 40C = 18D = 30
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 500 N·md = 30 mmL = 2 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 = 500 N·md = 30 mmL = 2 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 25 mmT0​ = 500 N·mACBa = 0.5 mb = 2.5 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 25 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 500 N·m is applied at C, 0.5 m from A and 2.5 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 25 mmT0 = 500 N·ma = 0.5 mb = 2.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = −60τxy​ = 40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 40 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 80 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = 40 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 10σy​ = 60τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = 60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 30° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 10 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 10 mmBrass1.5 mP = 25 kN

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

P = 25 kNd = 10 mmL = 1.5 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
30 kN12300 mm200 mmØ30Ø50σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 300 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of copper (diameter 50 mm, length 200 mm, E = 120 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 30 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 300 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø50 mm, 200 mm, E = 120 GPaP = 30 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2.5 md = 40 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and free at the top. Find its slenderness and the critical buckling stress σcr from Euler’s formula.

L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 12 kN/mc = 200 N·s/mm = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 12 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 200 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 5 kgk = 12 kN/mc = 200 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 15k3​ = 15m = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 15 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 15 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 = 100 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 15 kN/mk3 = 15 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N2 = 80

Gear geometry: the module m sets the tooth size. A gear with N teeth has a pitch diameter d = m·N, two meshing gears have the same module, and their centre distance is a = (d₁ + d₂)/2 = m·(N₁ + N₂)/2. The pitch-line speed is v = π·d·n/60, and the tangential tooth force follows from the torque: Ft = 2T/d.

Total number of teeth

N1 + N2 = 2a/m = 2·120/2.5 = 96

Split by the ratio

N1 = 96/(1 + 5) = 16
N2 = 5·16 = 80

Answer

N2 = 80
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 348 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 = 1450·16/40 = 580 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 580·18/30 = 348 rpm

Answer

nout = 348 rpm

total ratio = 4.167 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 18.47 °

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) = 500·1000·2000/(39000·79522) = 0.3224 rad
φ = 0.3224·180/π = 18.47°

Answer

φ = 18.47°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 135.8 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 = 500
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 500·2.5/3 = 416.7 N·m
TB = 500·0.5/3 = 83.33 N·m

Maximum shear stress

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

τmax = 16·416667/(π·25³) = 135.8 MPa

Answer

τmax = 135.8 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 14.87 °

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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·40, 80 − −60) = 29.74°

Angle on the element

θp = 14.87°

Answer

θp = 14.87°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 48.48 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 = 35 + −25·0.5 + 30·0.866 = 48.48 MPa

Answer

σθ = 48.48 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 3183 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 = 25·1000/78.54 = 318.3 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 318.3/100000 = 0.003183 = 3183 µε

Answer

ε = 3183 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 10.91 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·706.9/300 = 471239 N/mm
k₂ = 120000·1963/200 = 1.178 × 10⁶ N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 30000·1.178 × 10⁶/1.649 × 10⁶ = 21429 N

Stress

σ2 = 21429/1963 = 10.91 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 10.91 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 441 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·80⁴/64 = 2.011 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1500 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·2.011 × 10⁶/3000² = 440978 N = 441 kN

Answer

Pcr = 441 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 7.896 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 1257 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(125664/1257) = 10 mm
KL = 2·2500 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/10 = 500

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/500² = 7.896 MPa

Answer

σcr = 7.896 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.4082

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·√(12000·5) = 489.9 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 200/489.9 = 0.4082

Answer

ζ = 0.4082

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 1.757 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 = 50 + 15 = 65 kN/m
keq = 65·15/(65 + 15) = 12.19 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(12188/100) = 11.04 rad/s
fn = 11.04/(2π) = 1.757 Hz

Answer

fn = 1.757 Hz

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