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
N1​ = 16N2​ = 25

A 15 kW motor running at 2900 rpm drives a pinion with 16 teeth, which meshes with a gear with 25 teeth. The gear pair has an efficiency of 98%. Find the torque T1 on the motor shaft.

P = 15 kWn1 = 2900 rpmN1 = 16N2 = 25η = 98%
T1 = N·m
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 30B = 36C = 15D = 24

In a compound gear train, gear A (30 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 1500 rpm drives gear B (36 teeth). Gear C (15 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (24 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 1500 rpmA = 30B = 36C = 15D = 24
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
d = 15 mmT = 75 N·m300 mmφ = 3.24°

In a torsion test, a solid specimen of diameter 15 mm is twisted by a torque of 75 N·m. The two ends of a gauge length of 300 mm rotate 3.24° relative to each other (the material is still elastic). Find the shear modulus G of the material.

T = 75 N·md = 15 mmL = 300 mmφ = 3.24°
G = GPa
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
d = 25 mmTB​ = 200 N·mTC​ = 250 N·mABC2.5 m1.2 m

A solid brass shaft of diameter 25 mm is fixed at A. A torque of 200 N·m acts at B, 2.5 m from A, and a torque of 250 N·m in the same direction acts at the free end C, a further 1.2 m along. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

d = 25 mmTB = 200 N·mTC = 250 N·mAB = 2.5 mBC = 1.2 m
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 120σy​ = 50τxy​ = 20MPa

A point has σₓ = 120 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = 20 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θs, between −90° and 90°, from the x-axis to the normal of the plane on which the shear stress has its maximum positive value +R (shear positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 120 MPaσy = 50 MPaτxy = 20 MPa
θs = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = −40σy​ = 110τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 110 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 40° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = −40 MPaσy = 110 MPaτxy = −10 MPaθ = 40°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
50 kNØ40120 GPaØ100/60600 mmδ = ?

A steel rod (diameter 40 mm, E = 200 GPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 100 mm, inner diameter 60 mm, E = 120 GPa). Both are 600 mm long and are compressed together between rigid plates by 50 kN. Find the shortening δ.

P = 50 kNrod: Ø40 mm, E = 200 GPatube: Ø100/Ø60 mm, E = 120 GPaL = 600 mm
δ = mm
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 35 mmCopper1 mØ 16 mmSteel2 mP = 50 kN

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

P = 50 kNsegment 1: Ø35 mm, 1 m, copper (E = 117 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 2 m, steel (E = 200 GPa)
δ = mm
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 5 md = 40 mmcross-section

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

L = 5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 40 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
PL = 6 md = 60 mmcross-section

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

L = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
σcr = MPa
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx25 mm4 cycles7.1 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 25 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 7.1 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 25 mmx4 = 7.1 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 40k2​ = 12k3​ = 20m = 20 kg

A 20 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 20 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 = 12 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 = 20 kgk1 = 40 kN/mk2 = 12 kN/mk3 = 20 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: T1 = 49.39 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·2900/60 = 303.7 rad/s
T1 = P/ω₁ = 15000/303.7 = 49.39 N·m

Answer

T1 = 49.39 N·m
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 781.3 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 = 1500·30/36 = 1250 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 1250·15/24 = 781.3 rpm

Answer

nout = 781.3 rpm

total ratio = 1.92 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: G = 80.06 GPa

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 moment and angle

J = π·15⁴/32 = 4970 mm⁴
φ = 3.24·π/180 = 0.05655 rad

Shear modulus

T = 75 N·m = 75000 N·mm
G = TL/(Jφ) = 75000·300/(4970·0.05655) = 80056 MPa
G = 80.06 GPa

Answer

G = 80.06 GPa

Compare: steel ≈ 80 GPa, brass ≈ 39 GPa, aluminium ≈ 26 GPa.

4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 146.7 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 = 250 N·m
TAB = TC + TB = 250 + 200 = 450 N·m

Maximum shear stress

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

|T|max = 450 N·m
τmax = 16·450000/(π·25³) = 146.7 MPa

Answer

τmax = 146.7 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θs = −30.13 °

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​

Angle on the circle

On Mohr’s circle the top point (+R) is 90° from the principal point σ₁; on the element that is 45°.

cos 2θs = 20/40.31 = 0.4961, sin 2θs = −35/40.31 = −0.8682
2θs = atan2(−35, 20) = −60.26°

Angle on the element

θs = −30.13°
check: θs − θp = −30.13 − 14.87 = −45°

Answer

θs = −30.13°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = 72.12 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

τθ = −−75·0.9848 + −10·0.1736 = 72.12 MPa

Answer

τθ = 72.12 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 0.03511 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·40²/4 = 1257 mm²
At = π(100² − 60²)/4 = 5027 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·1257 + 120·10³·5027 = 8.545 × 10⁸ N

Shortening

δ = 50000·600/8.545 × 10⁸ = 0.03511 mm

Answer

δ = 0.03511 mm
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: δ = 2.931 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·35²/4 = 962.1 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 51.97 MPa
σ2 = 248.7 MPa

Add the segment elongations

δ1 = σ1L1/E1 = 51.97·1000/117000 = 0.4442 mm
δ2 = σ2L2/E2 = 248.7·2000/200000 = 2.487 mm
δ = δ1 + δ2 = 2.931 mm

Answer

δ = 2.931 mm
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 9.922 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·40⁴/64 = 125664 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 1·5000 = 5000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·125664/5000² = 9922 N = 9.922 kN

Answer

Pcr = 9.922 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: σcr = 12.34 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 = 1·6000 = 6000 mm
KL/r = 6000/15 = 400

Critical stress

σcr = π²E/(KL/r)² = π²·200000/400² = 12.34 MPa

Answer

σcr = 12.34 MPa
11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.05002

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(25/7.1) = 0.3147

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.3147/√(39.48 + 0.09903) = 0.05002

Answer

ζ = 0.05002
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 4.277 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 + 12 = 52 kN/m
keq = 52·20/(52 + 20) = 14.44 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(14444/20) = 26.87 rad/s
fn = 26.87/(2π) = 4.277 Hz

Answer

fn = 4.277 Hz

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