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 112.5 mm apart. They must be connected by a pair of spur gears with a module of 5 mm and a speed reduction of 2 : 1. How many teeth N2 must the gear have?

a = 112.5 mmm = 5 mmi = 2
N2 =
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 125 mmd2​ = 200 mm1440 rpmC = 800 mmθ = ?

An open belt connects a 125 mm pulley and a 200 mm pulley whose centres are 800 mm apart. Find the angle of wrap θ on the smaller pulley, in degrees.

d1 = 125 mmd2 = 200 mmC = 800 mm
θ = °
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 50 mmL = 3 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 = 100 N·md = 50 mmL = 3 mG = 39 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 60 mmT0​ = 500 N·mACBa = 1 mb = 2.5 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 60 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 500 N·m is applied at C, 1 m from A and 2.5 m from B. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 60 mmT0 = 500 N·ma = 1 mb = 2.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 100σy​ = 60τxy​ = 30MPa

A point has σₓ = 100 MPa, σᵧ = 60 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 45° clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 100 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = 30 MPaθ = -45°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
40°D = 600 mm, t = 15 mm, p = 3 MPap

A thin-walled cylindrical tank of inner diameter 600 mm and wall thickness 15 mm holds gas at a gauge pressure of 3 MPa. It is made from plate welded along a helical seam at 40° to the axis of the cylinder. Find the normal stress σn acting across the weld seam.

D = 600 mmt = 15 mmp = 3 MPaα = 40°
σn = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmCopper0.5 mP = 25 kN

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

P = 25 kNd = 20 mmL = 0.5 mE = 117 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmCopper1.5 mØ 12 mmCopper1 mP = 110 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 110 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1.5 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 m40 × 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 = 3 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 40 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 1.5 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 12 kN/mc = 1100 N·s/mm = 100 kg

A 100 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 12 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 1100 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 100 kgk = 12 kN/mc = 1100 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 100m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 100 kN/m. The mass stays level. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 20 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 100 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: N2 = 30

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 = 2·112.5/5 = 45

Split by the ratio

N1 = 45/(1 + 2) = 15
N2 = 2·15 = 30

Answer

N2 = 30
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: θ = 174.6 °

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 angle

asin(0.04688) = 2.687°

Angle of wrap

θ = 180 − 2·2.687 = 174.6°

Answer

θ = 174.6°
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.7183 °

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) = 100·1000·3000/(39000·613592) = 0.01254 rad
φ = 0.01254·180/π = 0.7183°

Answer

φ = 0.7183°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 8.421 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 = 500·2.5/3.5 = 357.1 N·m
TB = 500·1/3.5 = 142.9 N·m

Maximum shear stress

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

τmax = 16·357143/(π·60³) = 8.421 MPa

Answer

τmax = 8.421 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 110 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 for the y′ face

σy′ = 80 − 20·0 − 30·(−1) = 110 MPa

Check

The sum of the normal stresses does not change with rotation.

σx′ = 50 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 160 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 110 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σn = 47.6 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. Thin-walled cylinder: hoop stress σh = pr/t and axial stress σa = pr/(2t); these are the principal stresses in the wall.

Wall stresses

r = 600/2 = 300 mm
σh = pr/t = 3·300/15 = 60 MPa
σa = pr/(2t) = 30 MPa

Transform to the seam

Take x along the axis (σa) and y around the hoop (σh). The seam’s normal makes 90° − α with the axis.

σn = 30·sin²40° + 60·cos²40° = 47.6 MPa

Answer

σn = 47.6 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 680.1 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 25·1000/314.2 = 79.58 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for copper = 117 GPa = 117000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 79.58/117000 = 0.0006801 = 680.1 µε

Answer

ε = 680.1 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 972.6 MPa

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·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 155.6 MPa
σ2 = 972.6 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 972.6 MPa

Answer

σmax = 972.6 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 233.9 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 = 50·40³/12 = 266667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·3000 = 1500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·266667/1500² = 233946 N = 233.9 kN

Answer

Pcr = 233.9 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 69.94 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 490.9 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(19175/490.9) = 6.25 mm
KL = 0.7·1500 = 1050 mm
KL/r = 1050/6.25 = 168

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/168² = 69.94 MPa

Answer

σcr = 69.94 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.5021

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·√(12000·100) = 2191 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 1100/2191 = 0.5021

Answer

ζ = 0.5021

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

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 150 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 50 + 100 = 150 kN/m

Answer

keq = 150 kN/m

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