Machine Design: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 12 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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​ = 25, m = 4 mm

A 15 kW motor running at 1440 rpm drives a pinion with 25 teeth and a module of 4 mm. Find the tangential force Ft on the pinion teeth.

P = 15 kWn = 1440 rpmN1 = 25m = 4 mm
Ft = N
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 15B = 24C = 50D = 60

In a compound gear train, gear A (15 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 3000 rpm drives gear B (24 teeth). Gear C (50 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 3000 rpmA = 15B = 24C = 50D = 60
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 100 N·md = 40 mmL = 3 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 = 100 N·md = 40 mmL = 3 mG = 26 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 10 kW at 1800 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 10 kWN = 1800 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 140σy​ = −80τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 140 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 140 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −60 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​τxy​top surface of the shaft

A solid shaft of diameter 25 mm carries a bending moment of 750 N·m together with a torque of 100 N·m. At the top surface, where the bending stress is tensile and largest, find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

d = 25 mmM = 750 N·mT = 100 N·m
τmax = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12600 mm300 mmØ20Ø60δ = 0.5 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 20 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 60 mm, length 300 mm, E = 100 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.5 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø20 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø60 mm, 300 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.5 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium2 mØ 20 mmBrass1 mP = 65 kN

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

P = 65 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 2 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 md = 50 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 = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 90 kNL = 3 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and pinned at the top. It must carry 90 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 90 kNn = 2.5L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 2 kN/mζ = 0.35m = 8 kg

An 8 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 2 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.35. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 8 kgk = 2 kN/mζ = 0.35
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 40k3​ = 50m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 50 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 40 kN/m and k₂ = 40 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 = 25 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 40 kN/mk3 = 50 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: Ft = 1989 N

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.

Torque on the pinion

ω = 2π·1440/60 = 150.8 rad/s
T = P/ω = 15000/150.8 = 99.47 N·m

Pitch diameter

d = m·N = 4·25 = 100 mm

Tangential force

Ft = 2T/d = 2·99.47/0.1 = 1989 N

Answer

Ft = 1989 N
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 1563 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 = 3000·15/24 = 1875 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1875·50/60 = 1563 rpm

Answer

nout = 1563 rpm

total ratio = 1.92 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 2.63 °

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·40⁴/32 = 251327 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 100·1000·3000/(26000·251327) = 0.04591 rad
φ = 0.04591·180/π = 2.63°

Answer

φ = 2.63°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 17.55 mm

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·1800/60 = 188.5 rad/s
T = P/ω = 10000/188.5 = 53.05 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·53052/(π·50)) = 17.55 mm

Answer

d = 17.55 mm

In practice you would round up to the next standard size.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −14.31 °

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.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Angle on the circle

Point x sits at an angle 2θp from the σ-axis on Mohr’s circle; the quadrant follows from the signs of σₓ − σᵧ and τₓᵧ.

2θp = atan2(2·−60, 140 − −80) = −28.61°

Angle on the element

θp = −14.31°

Answer

θp = −14.31°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 246.6 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.

Stresses at the surface

σ = 32M/(πd³) = 32·750000/(π·25³) = 488.9 MPa
τ = 16T/(πd³) = 16·100000/(π·25³) = 32.59 MPa
στxyCτmax​

Mohr’s circle

C = σ/2 = 244.5 MPa
R = √(244.5² + 32.59²) = 246.6 MPa

Answer

τmax = 246.6 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 47.12 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 = 314.2 mm², A₂ = 2827 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 600/(200000·314.2) = 9.549 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(100000·2827) = 1.061 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.5/1.061 × 10⁻⁵ = 47124 N = 47.12 kN

Answer

P = 47.12 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.547 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 51.73 MPa
σ2 = 206.9 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 51.73·2000/70000 = 1.478 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 206.9·1000/100000 = 2.069 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 3.547 mm

Answer

δ = 3.547 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 77.24 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 = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/2800² = 77244 N = 77.24 kN

Answer

Pcr = 77.24 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 73.55 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 = 2.5·90000 = 225000 N
KL = 0.7·3000 = 2100 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·225000·2100²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 73.55 mm

Answer

d = 73.55 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 114.2, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 2.357 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 = √(2000/8) = 15.81 rad/s
fn = 15.81/(2π) = 2.516 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.516·√(1 − 0.35²) = 2.357 Hz

Answer

fd = 2.357 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 5.584 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 = 40 + 40 = 80 kN/m
keq = 80·50/(80 + 50) = 30.77 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(30769/25) = 35.08 rad/s
fn = 35.08/(2π) = 5.584 Hz

Answer

fn = 5.584 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design