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​ = 72N2​ = 80

A 5.5 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 72 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 80 teeth. Ignore losses. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 5.5 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 72N2 = 80η = 100%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 12B = 30C = 24D = 25

In a compound gear train, gear A (12 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (30 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (25 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 12B = 30C = 24D = 25
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
do​ = 75, di​ = 38 mmT = 500 N·mL = 2 m

A hollow aluminium shaft (outer diameter 75 mm, inner diameter 38 mm, length 2 m) is fixed at one end and twisted by a torque of 500 N·m at the other. Find the angle of twist φ in degrees.

T = 500 N·mdo = 75 mmdi = 38 mmL = 2 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 30 mmTB​ = 250 N·mTC​ = 1000 N·mABC3 m1 m

A solid aluminium shaft of diameter 30 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 250 N·m acts at B, 3 m from A, and a torque of 1000 N·m in the same direction acts at the free end C, a further 1 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 30 mmTB = 250 N·mTC = 1000 N·mAB = 3 mBC = 1 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −80σy​ = −70τxy​ = 30MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = −70 MPa and τₓᵧ = 30 MPa, with σz = 0. Find the absolute maximum shear stress τabs at the point (considering all planes in three dimensions).

σx = −80 MPaσy = −70 MPaτxy = 30 MPaσz = 0
τabs = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 50σy​ = 120τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 45° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 50 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = 60 MPaθ = 45°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
50 kNØ40120 GPaØ120/60800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø120/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 25 mmAluminium1 mØ 20 mmSteel1 mP = 30 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 = 30 kNsegment 1: Ø25 mm, 1 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1 m30 × 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 1 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 30 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 2 md = 20 mmcross-section

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

L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 20 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm4 cycles30.2 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 30.2 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx4 = 30.2 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 5k3​ = 40m = 50 kg

A 50 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 40 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 12 kN/m and k₂ = 5 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 = 50 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 5 kN/mk3 = 40 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 20.12 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·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 5500/303.7 = 18.11 N·m

Output torque

T2 = 18.11·80/72·1 = 20.12 N·m

Answer

T2 = 20.12 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 368.6 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 = 960·12/30 = 384 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 384·24/25 = 368.6 rpm

Answer

nout = 368.6 rpm

total ratio = 2.604 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 0.7595 °

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(75⁴ − 38⁴)/32 = 2.902 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Angle of twist

T = 500 N·m = 500000 N·mm
L = 2 m = 2000 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = TL/(GJ) = 500000·2000/(26000·2.902 × 10⁶) = 0.01326 rad
φ = 0.01326·180/π = 0.7595°

Answer

φ = 0.7595°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 235.8 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.

Internal torques

Sense of TC taken as positive.

TBC = TC = 1000 N·m
TAB = TC + TB = 1000 + 250 = 1250 N·m

Maximum shear stress

The segment with the largest internal torque has the largest stress (same diameter).

|T|max = 1250 N·m
τmax = 16·1.25 × 10⁶/(π·30³) = 235.8 MPa

Answer

τmax = 235.8 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τabs = 52.71 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. In three dimensions the absolute maximum shear stress is (σmax − σmin)/2 over all three principal stresses; in plane stress the third one is zero.

σxyCσ1​σ2​

In-plane principal stresses

C = −75 MPa, R = √((−5)² + 30²) = 30.41 MPa
σ1 = −44.59 MPa, σ2 = −105.4 MPa, σz = 0

Largest of the three circles

τ = max(|σ1 − σ2|, |σ1|, |σ2|)/2 = max(60.83, 44.59, 105.4)/2 = 52.71 MPa

Answer

τabs = 52.71 MPa

Here the out-of-plane circle governs: the absolute maximum is larger than the in-plane maximum R.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = 145 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 = 85 + −35·0 + 60·1 = 145 MPa

Answer

σθ = 145 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.03152 mm

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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(120² − 60²)/4 = 8482 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 120·10³·8482 = 1.269 × 10⁹ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·800/1.269 × 10⁹ = 0.03152 mm

Answer

δ = 0.03152 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 95.49 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm², A2 = π·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 61.12 MPa
σ2 = 95.49 MPa

Largest stress

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

σmax = 95.49 MPa

Answer

σmax = 95.49 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 77.72 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 = 50·30³/12 = 112500 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·1000 = 1000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·112500/1000² = 77723 N = 77.72 kN

Answer

Pcr = 77.72 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 12.34 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 314.2 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(7854/314.2) = 5 mm
KL = 1·2000 = 2000 mm
KL/r = 2000/5 = 400

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/400² = 12.34 MPa

Answer

σcr = 12.34 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.02006

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 = (1/4)·ln(50/30.2) = 0.126

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.126/√(39.48 + 0.01589) = 0.02006

Answer

ζ = 0.02006
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.458 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 = 12 + 5 = 17 kN/m
keq = 17·40/(17 + 40) = 11.93 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(11930/50) = 15.45 rad/s
fn = 15.45/(2π) = 2.458 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.458 Hz

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