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​ = 36N2​ = 72

A 2.2 kW motor running at 1500 rpm drives a pinion with 36 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 72 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 97%. Find the output torque T2 on the gear shaft.

P = 2.2 kWn1 = 1500 rpmN1 = 36N2 = 72η = 97%
T2 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 12ring fixedNp​ = 30nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 12 teeth and each planet gear has 30 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 600 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 12Np = 30ns = 600 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d1​ = 60 mmd2​ = 50 mmT = 2000 N·mABC0.8 m0.5 m

A stepped solid brass shaft is fixed at A. Segment AB has diameter 60 mm and length 0.8 m; segment BC has diameter 50 mm and length 0.5 m. A torque of 2000 N·m acts at the free end C. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

T = 2000 N·md1 = 60 mm, L1 = 0.8 md2 = 50 mm, L2 = 0.5 m
τmax = MPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 20 kW at 3000 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 40 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 20 kWN = 3000 rpmτallow = 40 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −80σy​ = −80τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −80 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the maximum in-plane shear stress τmax.

σx = −80 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −50 MPa
τmax = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 50σy​ = −60τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 50 MPa, σᵧ = −60 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 50 MPaσy = −60 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 40°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
300 kNØ3070 GPaØ80/60300 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 30 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of aluminium (outer diameter 80 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 70 GPa). Both are 300 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 300 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 300 kNrod: Ø30 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø80/Ø60 mm, E = 70 GPaL = 300 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmAluminium0.5 mØ 12 mmBrass0.5 mP = 55 kN

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

P = 55 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø12 mm, 0.5 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 4 m25 × 60 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)b × h = 25 × 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 70 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is fixed at both ends. It must carry 70 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 70 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx15 mm4 cycles3.3 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 15 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 3.3 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 15 mmx4 = 3.3 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 10m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 40 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 10 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 25 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T2 = 27.17 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 = 14.01·72/36·0.97 = 27.17 N·m

Answer

T2 = 27.17 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 85.71 rpm

Planetary gear sets: the speeds of sun, ring and carrier are linked by the Willis equation (ns − nc)/(nr − nc) = −Nr/Ns: seen from the carrier, the set is an ordinary train with the planets as idlers. Holding one member fixed turns the set into a single-ratio reducer.

Ring gear teeth

Nr = Ns + 2·Np = 12 + 2·30 = 72

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(600 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −72/12
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 600·12/84 = 85.71 rpm

Answer

nc = 85.71 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 81.49 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 = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
τAB = 16·2 × 10⁶/(π·60³) = 47.16 MPa
τBC = 16·2 × 10⁶/(π·50³) = 81.49 MPa

Answer

τmax = 81.49 MPa
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 20.09 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·3000/60 = 314.2 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/314.2 = 63.66 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·63662/(π·40)) = 20.09 mm

Answer

d = 20.09 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τmax = 50 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.

στxyCτmax​

Radius of Mohr’s circle

τmax = R = √(((−80 − −80)/2)² + −50²) = 50 MPa

Answer

τmax = 50 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −5.297 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 = −5 + 55·0.1736 + −10·0.9848 = −5.297 MPa

Answer

σθ = −5.297 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.3048 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
At = π(80² − 60²)/4 = 2199 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·706.9 + 70·10³·2199 = 2.953 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 300000·300/2.953 × 10⁸ = 0.3048 mm

Answer

δ = 0.3048 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.987 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·30²/4 = 706.9 mm², A2 = π·12²/4 = 113.1 mm²
σ1 = 77.81 MPa
σ2 = 486.3 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 77.81·500/70000 = 0.5558 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 486.3·500/100000 = 2.432 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 2.987 mm

Answer

δ = 2.987 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 19.67 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 = 60·25³/12 = 78125 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·78125/2800² = 19670 N = 19.67 kN

Answer

Pcr = 19.67 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 38.76 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 = 2·70000 = 140000 N
KL = 0.5·2500 = 1250 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·140000·1250²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 38.76 mm

Answer

d = 38.76 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 129, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.06014

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(15/3.3) = 0.3785

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3785/√(39.48 + 0.1433) = 0.06014

Answer

ζ = 0.06014
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.847 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

Springs in series share the same force and add their deflections, so they combine as reciprocals: 1/k = 1/k1 + 1/k2.

1/keq = 1/40 + 1/10 → keq = 40·10/(40 + 10) = 8 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(8000/25) = 17.89 rad/s
fn = 17.89/(2π) = 2.847 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.847 Hz

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/machine-design