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​ = 80z = 1, 1440 rpm

A worm with 1 start(s) turns at 1440 rpm and drives a worm wheel with 80 teeth. Find the speed nw of the wheel.

z = 1Nw = 80n = 1440 rpm
nw = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 20B = 24C = 24D = 48

In a compound gear train, gear A (20 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 3000 rpm drives gear B (24 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (48 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 3000 rpmA = 20B = 24C = 24D = 48
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 500 N·md = 30 mmL = 3 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 = 500 N·md = 30 mmL = 3 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
do​ = ?20 kW, 1500 rpm

A hollow shaft must transmit 20 kW at 1500 rpm. Its inner diameter is to be 0.75 times its outer diameter, and the shear stress must not exceed 60 MPa. Find the smallest outer diameter do.

P = 20 kWN = 1500 rpmdi/do = 0.75τallow = 60 MPa
do = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 70σy​ = 20MPaτxy​ = ?

A point has σₓ = 70 MPa and σᵧ = 20 MPa. How large can the shear stress τxy (magnitude) become before the largest principal stress reaches 120 MPa?

σx = 70 MPaσy = 20 MPaσ1 = 120 MPa
τxy = MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 0σy​ = 60τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 0 MPa, σᵧ = 60 MPa and τₓᵧ = −40 MPa (tension positive). Find the normal stress σθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 15° counter-clockwise from the x-axis.

σx = 0 MPaσy = 60 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 16 mmSteel0.5 mP = 45 kN

Find the axial strain ε in the steel bar, in microstrain (µε = 10⁻⁶).

P = 45 kNd = 16 mmL = 0.5 mE = 200 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
20 kN12600 mm300 mmØ30Ø60σ2​ = ?

A steel segment (diameter 30 mm, length 600 mm, E = 200 GPa) and a segment made of copper (diameter 60 mm, length 300 mm, E = 120 GPa) are joined end to end and fixed between two rigid walls. An axial load of 20 kN acts at the joint, towards segment 2. Find the magnitude of the stress σ2 in segment 2.

segment 1: steel, Ø30 mm, 600 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: copper, Ø60 mm, 300 mm, E = 120 GPaP = 20 kN
σ2 = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 2 md = 50 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 = 2 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 55 kNL = 3 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is pinned at both ends. It must carry 55 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 55 kNn = 2.5L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 25 kN/mζ = 0.45m = 25 kg

A 25 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 = 25 kgk = 25 kN/mζ = 0.45
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 5k2​ = 10k3​ = 25m = 25 kg

A 25 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 25 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 5 kN/m and k₂ = 10 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 = 5 kN/mk2 = 10 kN/mk3 = 25 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nw = 18 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 = 1440·1/80 = 18 rpm

Answer

nw = 18 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 1250 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 = 3000·20/24 = 2500 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 2500·24/48 = 1250 rpm

Answer

nout = 1250 rpm

total ratio = 2.4 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 13.51 °

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·30⁴/32 = 79522 mm⁴

Angle of twist

φ = TL/(GJ) = 500·1000·3000/(80000·79522) = 0.2358 rad
φ = 0.2358·180/π = 13.51°

Answer

φ = 13.51°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: do = 25.1 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·1500/60 = 157.1 rad/s
T = P/ω = 20000/157.1 = 127.3 N·m

Outer diameter from the allowable stress

T = 127.3 N·m = 127324 N·mm
1 − k⁴ = 1 − 0.75⁴ = 0.6836
do = ∛(16T/(π·τallow·(1 − k⁴))) = ∛(16·127324/(π·60·0.6836)) = 25.1 mm
di = 0.75·25.1 = 18.82 mm

Answer

do = 25.1 mm

A solid shaft would need d = 22.11 mm; the hollow one is a little larger but much lighter.

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τxy = 70.71 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.

Required radius

C = (70 + 20)/2 = 45 MPa
R = σ1 − C = 120 − 45 = 75 MPa
στxyCσ1​σ2​

Shear stress

τxy = √(R² − ((σₓ − σᵧ)/2)²) = √(75² − 25²) = 70.71 MPa

Answer

τxy = 70.71 MPa
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −15.98 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 + −30·0.866 + −40·0.5 = −15.98 MPa

Answer

σθ = −15.98 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 1119 µε

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·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ = P/A = 45·1000/201.1 = 223.8 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for steel = 200 GPa = 200000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 223.8/200000 = 0.001119 = 1119 µε

Answer

ε = 1119 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σ2 = 5.854 MPa

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.

Stiffnesses

k₁ = 200000·706.9/600 = 235619 N/mm
k₂ = 120000·2827/300 = 1.131 × 10⁶ N/mm

Share of segment 2

F2 = 20000·1.131 × 10⁶/1.367 × 10⁶ = 16552 N

Stress

σ2 = 16552/2827 = 5.854 MPa (compression)

Answer

σ2 = 5.854 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 37.85 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 = 2·2000 = 4000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·306796/4000² = 37849 N = 37.85 kN

Answer

Pcr = 37.85 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 77.72 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 = 2.5·55000 = 137500 N
KL = 1·3000 = 3000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·137500·3000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 77.72 mm

Answer

d = 77.72 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 154.4, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 4.495 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 = √(25000/25) = 31.62 rad/s
fn = 31.62/(2π) = 5.033 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 5.033·√(1 − 0.45²) = 4.495 Hz

Answer

fd = 4.495 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.082 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 = 5 + 10 = 15 kN/m
keq = 15·25/(15 + 25) = 9.375 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(9375/25) = 19.36 rad/s
fn = 19.36/(2π) = 3.082 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.082 Hz

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