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​ = 20N2​ = 72

A 1.5 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 20 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 72 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 95%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 1.5 kWn1 = 1440 rpmN1 = 20N2 = 72η = 95%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
d1​ = 125 mmd2​ = 400 mm2880 rpmC = 1200 mmT1​ = 1200 NT2​P = ?

An open belt connects a 125 mm driving pulley at 2880 rpm to a 400 mm pulley; the centres are 1200 mm apart. The coefficient of friction is 0.25 and the tight-side tension may not exceed 1200 N. Find the largest power P the belt can transmit without slipping, in kW (ignore centrifugal effects).

d1 = 125 mmn1 = 2880 rpmd2 = 400 mmC = 1200 mmμ = 0.25T1 = 1200 N
P = kW
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 75 mmd2​ = 30 mmT = 1000 N·mABC0.8 m1.2 m

A stepped solid aluminium shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 75 mm and length 0.8 m; segment BC has diameter 30 mm and length 1.2 m. A torque of 1000 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

T = 1000 N·md1 = 75 mm, L1 = 0.8 md2 = 30 mm, L2 = 1.2 m
τmax = MPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmT0​ = 200 N·mACBa = 1.5 mb = 1.2 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed to rigid walls at both ends A and B. A torque of 200 N·m is applied at C, 1.5 m from A and 1.2 m from B. Find the reaction torque TA at wall A.

d = 30 mmT0 = 200 N·ma = 1.5 mb = 1.2 m
TA = N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 70τxy​ = −20MPa

A point has σₓ = 70 MPa, σᵧ = 0 MPa and τₓᵧ = −20 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 50° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 70 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = −20 MPaθ = 50°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 10σy​ = 90τxy​ = 10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 10 MPa, σᵧ = 90 MPa and τₓᵧ = 10 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 = 90 MPaτxy = 10 MPaθ = 30°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmSteel0.5 mP = 15 kN

Find the elongation δ of the steel bar under the axial load.

P = 15 kNd = 20 mmL = 0.5 mE = 200 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø30110 GPaØ80/50800 mm

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of bronze (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 110 GPa, allowable stress 70 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø80/Ø50 mm, E = 110 GPa, σallow = 70 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 25 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 25 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 65 kNL = 5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 65 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 65 kNn = 2L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 15 kN/mζ = 0.3m = 150 kg

A 150 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 15 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.3. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 150 kgk = 15 kN/mζ = 0.3
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 80k2​ = 80m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 80 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 80 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 10 kgk1 = 80 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 34.02 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.

Motor torque

ω₁ = 2π·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 1500/150.8 = 9.947 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 9.947·72/20·0.95 = 34.02 N·m

Answer

T2 = 34.02 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: P = 11.7 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.

Angle of wrap

θ = 2.912 rad

Slack-side tension

eμθ = e0.728 = 2.071, T₂ = 1200/2.071 = 579.5 N

Power

P = (1200 − 579.5)·18.85 = 11.7 kW

Answer

P = 11.7 kW
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 188.6 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.

Stress in each segment

T = 1000 N·m = 1 × 10⁶ N·mm
τAB = 16·1 × 10⁶/(π·75³) = 12.07 MPa
τBC = 16·1 × 10⁶/(π·30³) = 188.6 MPa

Answer

τmax = 188.6 MPa
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: TA = 88.89 N·m

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 = 200
TA·a = TB·b
TA = 200·1.2/2.7 = 88.89 N·m
TB = 200·1.5/2.7 = 111.1 N·m

Answer

TA = 88.89 N·m
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 60.77 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′ = 35 − 35·(−0.1736) − (−20)·0.9848 = 60.77 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 9.226 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 70 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 60.77 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 38.66 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 = 50 + −40·0.5 + 10·0.866 = 38.66 MPa

Answer

σθ = 38.66 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.1194 mm

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 = 15·1000/314.2 = 47.75 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 47.75/200000 = 0.0002387 = 238.7 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.0002387·500 mm = 0.1194 mm

Answer

δ = 0.1194 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 304.4 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

Ar = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(80² − 50²)/4 = 3063 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 110·10³·3063 = 4.783 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.0006364) = 0.0006364 (bronze)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0006364·4.783 × 10⁸ = 304377 N = 304.4 kN

Answer

Pmax = 304.4 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 3.09 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·25⁴/64 = 19175 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·19175/3500² = 3090 N = 3.09 kN

Answer

Pcr = 3.09 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 63.67 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 = 2·65000 = 130000 N
KL = 0.7·5000 = 3500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·130000·3500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 63.67 mm

Answer

d = 63.67 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 219.9, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 1.518 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.

Undamped natural frequency

ωn = √(15000/150) = 10 rad/s
fn = 10/(2π) = 1.592 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 1.592·√(1 − 0.3²) = 1.518 Hz

Answer

fd = 1.518 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 40 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 = 1/80 + 1/80 → keq = 80·80/(80 + 80) = 40 kN/m

Answer

keq = 40 kN/m

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