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
d1​ = 80 mmd2​ = 300 mm1440 rpmn2​ = ?

An 80 mm pulley at 1440 rpm drives a 300 mm pulley by a belt with 1 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1440 rpmd1 = 80 mmd2 = 300 mms = 1 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 16B = 40C = 24D = 80

In a compound gear train, gear A (16 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1500 rpm drives gear B (40 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (80 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1500 rpmA = 16B = 40C = 24D = 80
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 750 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 = 750 N·md = 25 mmL = 1 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 40 mm, di​ = 20 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 75 kW at 1000 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 75 kWN = 1000 rpmdo = 40 mmdi = 20 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −40σy​ = 110τxy​ = 20MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = −40 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = 20 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −20σy​ = 20τxy​ = 60MPa

A point in a thin plate is in plane stress: σₓ = −20 MPa, σᵧ = 20 MPa and τₓᵧ = 60 MPa (σz = 0). The material has a yield strength of 350 MPa. Find the factor of safety n against yielding by the Tresca (maximum shear stress) criterion.

σx = −20 MPaσy = 20 MPaτxy = 60 MPaσY = 350 MPa
n =
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
80 kNØ25120 GPaØ100/50800 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 800 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 80 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 80 kNrod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø50 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 800 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 30 mmBrass1 mØ 20 mmAluminium0.5 mP = 10 kN

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

P = 10 kNsegment 1: Ø30 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)segment 2: Ø20 mm, 0.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 m20 × 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)b × h = 20 × 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 90 kNL = 2 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 90 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 90 kNn = 2.5L = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 200 kN/mc = 2830 N·s/mm = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass is supported by a spring with a stiffness of 200 kN/m and a viscous damper with a damping coefficient of 2830 N·s/m. Find the damping ratio ζ.

m = 40 kgk = 200 kN/mc = 2830 N·s/m
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 15k2​ = 25m = 5 kg

A 5 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 15 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 25 kN/m. Find the equivalent stiffness keq of the spring system in kN/m.

m = 5 kgk1 = 15 kN/mk2 = 25 kN/m
keq = kN/m

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 380.2 rpm

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.

Speed without slip

1440·80/300 = 384 rpm

With slip

n2 = 384·0.99 = 380.2 rpm

Answer

n2 = 380.2 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 180 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 = 1500·16/40 = 600 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 600·24/80 = 180 rpm

Answer

nout = 180 rpm

total ratio = 8.333 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 14.01 °

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) = 750·1000·1000/(80000·38350) = 0.2445 rad
φ = 0.2445·180/π = 14.01°

Answer

φ = 14.01°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 60.79 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.

Torque

ω = 2πN/60 = 2π·1000/60 = 104.7 rad/s
T = P/ω = 75000/104.7 = 716.2 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(40⁴ − 20⁴)/32 = 235619 mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 716197·20/235619 = 60.79 MPa

Answer

τmax = 60.79 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = 82.53 °

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(2·20, −40 − 110) = 165.1°

Angle on the element

θp = 82.53°

Answer

θp = 82.53°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: n = 2.767

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. Yield criteria: von Mises predicts yield when σvM = √(σ₁² − σ₁σ₂ + σ₂²) reaches σY; Tresca when the absolute maximum shear stress reaches σY/2.

στxyCσ1​σ2​

Principal stresses

C = 0 MPa, R = 63.25 MPa
σ1 = 63.25 MPa, σ2 = −63.25 MPa, σ3 = 0

Tresca

σmax − σmin = 126.5 MPa
n = 350/126.5 = 2.767

Answer

n = 2.767

n > 1 means the point does not yield; Tresca is slightly more conservative than von Mises.

7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.0795 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(100² − 50²)/4 = 5890 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 120·10³·5890 = 8.05 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 80000·800/8.05 × 10⁸ = 0.0795 mm

Answer

δ = 0.0795 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.3688 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ1 = 14.15 MPa
σ2 = 31.83 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 14.15·1000/100000 = 0.1415 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 31.83·500/70000 = 0.2274 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 0.3688 mm

Answer

δ = 0.3688 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 5.849 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 = 40·20³/12 = 26667 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·1500 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·26667/3000² = 5849 N = 5.849 kN

Answer

Pcr = 5.849 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 46.19 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 = 0.7·2000 = 1400 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·225000·1400²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 46.19 mm

Answer

d = 46.19 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 121.2, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.5003

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.

Critical damping

cc = 2·√(k·m) = 2·√(200000·40) = 5657 N·s/m

Damping ratio

ζ = c/cc = 2830/5657 = 0.5003

Answer

ζ = 0.5003

ζ < 1, so the system is underdamped and oscillates as it decays.

12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: keq = 9.375 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 = 1/15 + 1/25 → keq = 15·25/(15 + 25) = 9.375 kN/m

Answer

keq = 9.375 kN/m

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