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​ = 18N2​ = 24

A 2.2 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 18 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 24 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 96%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 2.2 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 18N2 = 24η = 96%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 50B = 72C = 24D = ?

In a compound gear train, gear A (50 teeth) on the input shaft turns at 1500 rpm and drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D on the output shaft. The output must turn at 312.5 rpm. How many teeth ND must gear D have?

nin = 1500 rpmA = 50B = 72C = 24nout = 312.5 rpm
ND =
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mφ = ?

A solid steel 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 = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 40 mmT0​ = 500 N·mACBa = 1 mb = 2.5 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 40 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 = 40 mmT0 = 500 N·ma = 1 mb = 2.5 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 80σy​ = 120τxy​ = 50MPa

A point has σₓ = 80 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = 50 MPa (tension positive). The element is rotated 40° counter-clockwise. Find the normal stress σy′ on the faces of the rotated element that are perpendicular to the rotated y′-axis.

σx = 80 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = 50 MPaθ = 40°
σy′ = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 150σy​ = −10τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 150 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 150 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = −60 MPaθ = -45°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12400 mm200 mmØ40Ø40δ = 0.3 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 40 mm, length 200 mm, E = 100 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.3 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø40 mm, 200 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.3 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmSteel1.5 mØ 12 mmSteel1 mP = 105 kN

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

P = 105 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1.5 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 80 mmcross-section

A column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. Using Euler’s formula, find its critical buckling load Pcr.

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 80 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 80 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)d = 80 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm2 cycles14.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 2 cycles later by a peak of 14.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx2 = 14.1 mmn = 2
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 40m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 50 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 40 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 40 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 17.93 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 2200/157.1 = 14.01 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 14.01·24/18·0.96 = 17.93 N·m

Answer

T2 = 17.93 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: ND = 80

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.

Intermediate shaft speed

nB = nC = 1500·50/72 = 1042 rpm

Teeth on gear D

ND = C·nC/nout = 24·1042/312.5 = 80

Answer

ND = 80
3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 3.735 °

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·25⁴/32 = 38350 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 200·1000·1000/(80000·38350) = 0.06519 rad
φ = 0.06519·180/π = 3.735°

Answer

φ = 3.735°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 28.42 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·40³) = 28.42 MPa

Answer

τmax = 28.42 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σy′ = 54.23 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′ = 100 − (−20)·0.1736 − 50·0.9848 = 54.23 MPa

Check

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

σx′ = 145.8 MPa, σx′ + σy′ = 200 = σx + σy

Answer

σy′ = 54.23 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 130 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 = 70 + 80·0 + −60·−1 = 130 MPa

Answer

σθ = 130 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 94.25 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 = 1257 mm², A₂ = 1257 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 400/(200000·1257) = 1.592 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 200/(100000·1257) = 1.592 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.3/3.183 × 10⁻⁶ = 94248 N = 94.25 kN

Answer

P = 94.25 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 5.269 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 83.56 MPa
σ2 = 928.4 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 83.56·1500/200000 = 0.6267 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 928.4·1000/200000 = 4.642 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 5.269 mm

Answer

δ = 5.269 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 158.8 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 = 1·5000 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·2.011 × 10⁶/5000² = 158752 N = 158.8 kN

Answer

Pcr = 158.8 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 1.919 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 = 2·6000 = 12000 mm
KL/r = 12000/20 = 600

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·70000/600² = 1.919 MPa

Answer

σcr = 1.919 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.1002

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 = (1/2)·ln(50/14.1) = 0.6329

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.6329/√(39.48 + 0.4006) = 0.1002

Answer

ζ = 0.1002
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 22.22 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 = 1/50 + 1/40 → keq = 50·40/(50 + 40) = 22.22 kN/m

Answer

keq = 22.22 kN/m

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