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
Nw​ = 45z = 3, 1440 rpm

A worm with 3 start(s) turns at 1440 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 45 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 3Nw = 45n = 1440 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
Ns​ = 18ring fixedNp​ = 20nc​ = ?

In a planetary gear set the sun gear has 18 teeth and each planet gear has 20 teeth. The ring gear is held fixed and the sun is driven at 1500 rpm. Find the speed nc of the planet carrier.

Ns = 18Np = 20ns = 1500 rpm
nc = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = ?T = 2000 N·mL = 0.5 m

A solid aluminium shaft 0.5 m long carries a torque of 2000 N·m. The angle of twist between its ends must not exceed 1°. Find the smallest diameter d that meets this limit.

T = 2000 N·mL = 0.5 mG = 26 GPaφallow = 1°
d = mm
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 50 mmTB​ = 750 N·mTC​ = 500 N·mABC3 m2 m

A solid steel shaft of diameter 50 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 750 N·m acts at B, 3 m from A, and a torque of 500 N·m in the opposite direction acts at the free end C, a further 2 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 50 mmTB = 750 N·mTC = 500 N·mAB = 3 mBC = 2 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 10σy​ = −10MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 10 MPa and σᵧ = −10 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 55 MPa?

σx = 10 MPaσy = −10 MPaσ1 = 55 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20σy​ = −80τxy​ = −60MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = −80 MPa and τₓᵧ = −60 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 25° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 20 MPaσy = −80 MPaτxy = −60 MPaθ = 25°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 30 mmBrass3 mP = 80 kN

Find the elongation δ of the brass bar under the axial load.

P = 80 kNd = 30 mmL = 3 mE = 100 GPa
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø4070 GPaØ120/50400 mm

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 250 MPa) sits inside a tube made of aluminium (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 70 GPa, allowable stress 70 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 250 MPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 70 GPa, σallow = 70 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 1.5 md = 20 mmcross-section

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

L = 1.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 20 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 4 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 4 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 25 kN/mζ = 0.45m = 150 kg

A 150 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 25 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.45. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 150 kgk = 25 kN/mζ = 0.45
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 12k2​ = 80m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from two springs connected end to end (in series): the upper spring has k₁ = 12 kN/m and the lower one k₂ = 80 kN/m. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 40 kgk1 = 12 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 96 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.

Wheel speed

nw = n·z/Nw = 1440·3/45 = 96 rpm

Answer

nw = 96 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nc = 355.3 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 = 18 + 2·20 = 58

Willis equation with the ring fixed

Set nr = 0 and solve for the carrier speed.

(1500 − nc)/(0 − nc) = −58/18
nc = ns·Ns/(Ns + Nr) = 1500·18/76 = 355.3 rpm

Answer

nc = 355.3 rpm

The carrier turns in the same direction as the sun.

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 68.83 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.

Required polar moment

T = 2000 N·m = 2 × 10⁶ N·mm
L = 0.5 m = 500 mm
G = 26 GPa = 26000 MPa
φ = 1·π/180 = 0.01745 rad
J = TL/(Gφ) = 2 × 10⁶·500/(26000·0.01745) = 2.204 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Diameter

d = (32J/π)1/4 = 68.83 mm

Answer

d = 68.83 mm

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

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 20.37 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 = 500 N·m
TAB = TC − TB = 500 − 750 = −250 N·m

Maximum shear stress

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

|T|max = 500 N·m
τmax = 16·500000/(π·50³) = 20.37 MPa

Answer

τmax = 20.37 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 54.08 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.

Required radius

C = (10 + (−10))/2 = 0 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 55 − 0 = 55 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(55² − 10²) = 54.08 MPa

Answer

τxy = 54.08 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −43.82 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 = −30 + 50·0.6428 + −60·0.766 = −43.82 MPa

Answer

σθ = −43.82 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 3.395 mm

Hooke’s law: within the elastic range σ = E·ε. Combining with σ = P/A and ε = δ/L gives δ = PL/(AE).

Stress

A = π·30²/4 = 706.9 mm²
σ = P/A = 80·1000/706.9 = 113.2 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 113.2/100000 = 0.001132 = 1132 µε

Elongation

δ = ε·L = 0.001132·3000 mm = 3.395 mm

Answer

δ = 3.395 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 905.6 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

Ar = π·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 70·10³·9346 = 9.056 × 10⁸ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00125, 0.001) = 0.001 (aluminium)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.001·9.056 × 10⁸ = 905564 N = 905.6 kN

Answer

Pmax = 905.6 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 27.56 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·20⁴/64 = 7854 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·1500 = 750 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·7854/750² = 27561 N = 27.56 kN

Answer

Pcr = 27.56 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 56.65 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Radius of gyration and slenderness

A = 2827 mm²
r = √(I/A) = √(636173/2827) = 15 mm
KL = 0.7·4000 = 2800 mm
KL/r = 2800/15 = 186.7

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/186.7² = 56.65 MPa

Answer

σcr = 56.65 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 1.835 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 = √(25000/150) = 12.91 rad/s
fn = 12.91/(2π) = 2.055 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 2.055·√(1 − 0.45²) = 1.835 Hz

Answer

fd = 1.835 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 2.571 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 = 1/12 + 1/80 → keq = 12·80/(12 + 80) = 10.43 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(10435/40) = 16.15 rad/s
fn = 16.15/(2π) = 2.571 Hz

Answer

fn = 2.571 Hz

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