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​ = 120 mmd2​ = 450 mm1450 rpmT1​ = 1000 NT2​ = 300 NP = ?

A belt runs on a 120 mm driving pulley at 1450 rpm. The tension is 1000 N on the tight side and 300 N on the slack side. Find the power P transmitted, in kW.

d1 = 120 mmn1 = 1450 rpmT1 = 1000 NT2 = 300 N
P = kW
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 40C = 15D = 18

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (15 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (18 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 12B = 40C = 15D = 18
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 250 N·md = 30 mmL = 1 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 = 1 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 40 mm, di​ = 20 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 30 kW at 1000 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 30 kWN = 1000 rpmdo = 40 mmdi = 20 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 10σy​ = −30τxy​ = −30MPa

A point has σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = −30 MPa and τₓᵧ = −30 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 = 10 MPaσy = −30 MPaτxy = −30 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −70σy​ = 80τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −70 MPa, σᵧ = 80 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 25° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −70 MPaσy = 80 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = 25°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 12 mmCopper0.5 mP = 35 kN

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

P = 35 kNd = 12 mmL = 0.5 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmAluminium1 mØ 16 mmBrass1 mP = 95 kN

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

P = 95 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 50 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 = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 5 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 40 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm3 cycles23.5 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 3 cycles later by a peak of 23.5 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx3 = 23.5 mmn = 3
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 50m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 20 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 50 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 6.377 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 = 9.111 m/s

Power

P = (1000 − 300)·9.111 = 6377 W = 6.377 kW

Answer

P = 6.377 kW
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 240 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 = 960·12/40 = 288 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 288·15/18 = 240 rpm

Answer

nout = 240 rpm

total ratio = 4 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 6.928 °

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) = 250·1000·1000/(26000·79522) = 0.1209 rad
φ = 0.1209·180/π = 6.928°

Answer

φ = 6.928°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 24.32 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1000/60 = 104.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 30000/104.7 = 286.5 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(40⁴ − 20⁴)/32 = 235619 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 286479·20/235619 = 24.32 MPa

Answer

τmax = 24.32 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −73.15 °

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 = −30/36.06 = −0.8321, sin 2θs = −20/36.06 = −0.5547
2θs = atan2(−20, −30) = −146.3°

Angle on the element

θs = −73.15°
check: θs − θp = −73.15 − (−28.15) = −45°

Answer

θs = −73.15°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 76.74 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 = −−75·0.766 + 30·0.6428 = 76.74 MPa

Answer

τθ = 76.74 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 2645 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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 35·1000/113.1 = 309.5 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 309.5/117000 = 0.002645 = 2645 µε

Answer

ε = 2645 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 7.49 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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 193.5 MPa
σ2 = 472.5 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 193.5·1000/70000 = 2.765 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 472.5·1000/100000 = 4.725 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 7.49 mm

Answer

δ = 7.49 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 67.29 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·50⁴/64 = 306796 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/3000² = 67288 N = 67.29 kN

Answer

Pcr = 67.29 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 2.763 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 = 1·5000 = 5000 mm
KL/r = 5000/10 = 500

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/500² = 2.763 MPa

Answer

σcr = 2.763 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.04002

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 = (1/3)·ln(50/23.5) = 0.2517

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.2517/√(39.48 + 0.06334) = 0.04002

Answer

ζ = 0.04002
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.805 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 in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/20 + 1/50 → keq = 20·50/(20 + 50) = 14.29 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(14286/25) = 23.9 rad/s
fn = 23.9/(2π) = 3.805 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.805 Hz

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