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​ = 150 mmd2​ = 400 mm1500 rpmn2​ = ?

A 150 mm pulley at 1500 rpm drives a 400 mm pulley by a belt with 2 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1500 rpmd1 = 150 mmd2 = 400 mms = 2 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 45B = 72C = 24D = 36

In a compound gear train, gear A (45 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 960 rpm drives gear B (72 teeth). Gear C (24 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (36 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 960 rpmA = 45B = 72C = 24D = 36
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 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 = 200 N·md = 25 mmL = 0.5 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Td = ?

A solid shaft must transmit 50 kW at 1500 rpm without the shear stress exceeding 50 MPa. Find the smallest diameter d that works.

P = 50 kWN = 1500 rpmτallow = 50 MPa
d = mm
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = −40σy​ = 50τxy​ = −10MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = −40 MPa, σᵧ = 50 MPa and τₓᵧ = −10 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 = 50 MPaτxy = −10 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 20σy​ = 0τxy​ = −40MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 20 MPa, σᵧ = 0 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 = 20 MPaσy = 0 MPaτxy = −40 MPaθ = 15°
σθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
P = ?12400 mm300 mmØ40Ø40δ = 0.4 mm

A bar is made of a steel segment (diameter 40 mm, length 400 mm, E = 200 GPa) joined end to end with a segment made of brass (diameter 40 mm, length 300 mm, E = 100 GPa). It is fixed at one end and pulled at the other. Find the axial load P that stretches it by 0.4 mm in total.

segment 1: steel, Ø40 mm, 400 mm, E = 200 GPasegment 2: brass, Ø40 mm, 300 mm, E = 100 GPaδ = 0.4 mm
P = kN
8.Axial stress & strainHard
Ø 40 mmAluminium1.5 mØ 16 mmBrass1 mP = 40 kN

The stepped bar is fixed at the wall and loaded at its free end. Find the largest normal stress σmax in the bar.

P = 40 kNsegment 1: Ø40 mm, 1.5 m, aluminium (E = 70 GPa)segment 2: Ø16 mm, 1 m, brass (E = 100 GPa)
σmax = MPa
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 6 md = 60 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 = 6 mE = 200 GPa (steel)d = 60 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 110 kNL = 4 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of aluminium is fixed at the base and free at the top. It must carry 110 kN with a factor of safety of 2.5 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 110 kNn = 2.5L = 4 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
k = 80 kN/mζ = 0.5m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass on a spring with a stiffness of 80 kN/m has a viscous damper giving a damping ratio of 0.5. Find the damped natural frequency fd of its free vibration in Hz.

m = 10 kgk = 80 kN/mζ = 0.5
fd = Hz
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 20k2​ = 50k3​ = 30m = 40 kg

A 40 kg mass hangs from spring k₃ = 30 kN/m. The top of k₃ is attached to a rigid bar that hangs from two springs side by side, k₁ = 20 kN/m and k₂ = 50 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 = 40 kgk1 = 20 kN/mk2 = 50 kN/mk3 = 30 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 551.3 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

1500·150/400 = 562.5 rpm

With slip

n2 = 562.5·0.98 = 551.3 rpm

Answer

n2 = 551.3 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 400 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 = 960·45/72 = 600 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 600·24/36 = 400 rpm

Answer

nout = 400 rpm

total ratio = 2.4 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 1.868 °

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) = 200·1000·500/(80000·38350) = 0.03259 rad
φ = 0.03259·180/π = 1.868°

Answer

φ = 1.868°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: d = 31.89 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 = 50000/157.1 = 318.3 N·m

Diameter from the allowable stress

d = ∛(16T/(π·τallow)) = ∛(16·318310/(π·50)) = 31.89 mm

Answer

d = 31.89 mm

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

5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −83.74 °

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·−10, −40 − 50) = −167.5°

Angle on the element

θp = −83.74°

Answer

θp = −83.74°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: σθ = −1.34 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 = 10 + 10·0.866 + −40·0.5 = −1.34 MPa

Answer

σθ = −1.34 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: P = 100.5 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

A₁ = 1257 mm², A₂ = 1257 mm²

Flexibilities

L₁/(E₁A₁) = 400/(200000·1257) = 1.592 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N
L₂/(E₂A₂) = 300/(100000·1257) = 2.387 × 10⁻⁶ mm/N

Load

P = 0.4/3.979 × 10⁻⁶ = 100531 N = 100.5 kN

Answer

P = 100.5 kN
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: σmax = 198.9 MPa

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·40²/4 = 1257 mm², A2 = π·16²/4 = 201.1 mm²
σ1 = 31.83 MPa
σ2 = 198.9 MPa

Largest stress

The thinner segment has the smaller area, so it carries the larger stress.

σmax = 198.9 MPa

Answer

σmax = 198.9 MPa
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 139.5 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·60⁴/64 = 636173 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 0.5·6000 = 3000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·200000·636173/3000² = 139528 N = 139.5 kN

Answer

Pcr = 139.5 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 150.9 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 = 2.5·110000 = 275000 N
KL = 2·4000 = 8000 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·275000·8000²/(π³·70000))^(1/4) = 150.9 mm

Answer

d = 150.9 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 212, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fd = 12.33 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 = √(80000/10) = 89.44 rad/s
fn = 89.44/(2π) = 14.24 Hz

Damped natural frequency

fd = fn·√(1 − ζ²) = 14.24·√(1 − 0.5²) = 12.33 Hz

Answer

fd = 12.33 Hz
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 3.647 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 = 20 + 50 = 70 kN/m
keq = 70·30/(70 + 30) = 21 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(21000/40) = 22.91 rad/s
fn = 22.91/(2π) = 3.647 Hz

Answer

fn = 3.647 Hz

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