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​ = 315 mm1500 rpmn2​ = ?

An 80 mm pulley at 1500 rpm drives a 315 mm pulley by a belt with 1 % slip. Find the speed n2 of the driven pulley.

n1 = 1500 rpmd1 = 80 mmd2 = 315 mms = 1 %
n2 = rpm
2.Gears & gear trainsHard
A = 40B = 60C = 20D = 60

In a compound gear train, gear A (40 teeth) on the input shaft turning at 3000 rpm drives gear B (60 teeth). Gear C (20 teeth) is fixed to the same shaft as B and drives gear D (60 teeth) on the output shaft. Find the output speed nout.

nin = 3000 rpmA = 40B = 60C = 20D = 60
nout = rpm
3.Torsion of shaftsMedium
T = 500 N·md = 25 mmL = 1.2 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 = 25 mmL = 1.2 mG = 80 GPa
φ = °
4.Torsion of shaftsHard
Tdo​ = 75 mm, di​ = 56 mm

A hollow shaft transmits 30 kW at 1000 rpm. Find the maximum shear stress τmax in the shaft.

P = 30 kWN = 1000 rpmdo = 75 mmdi = 56 mm
τmax = MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationMedium
σx​ = 30σy​ = −10τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 30 MPa, σᵧ = −10 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the angle θp from the x-axis to the direction of the largest principal stress, between −90° and 90°.

σx = 30 MPaσy = −10 MPaτxy = −50 MPa
θp = °
6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformationHard
σx​ = 100σy​ = 120τxy​ = −50MPa

A point in a loaded part has σₓ = 100 MPa, σᵧ = 120 MPa and τₓᵧ = −50 MPa (tension positive). Find the shear stress τθ on a plane whose normal is rotated 35° counter-clockwise from the x-axis (positive in the same sense as τₓᵧ).

σx = 100 MPaσy = 120 MPaτxy = −50 MPaθ = 35°
τθ = MPa
7.Axial stress & strainMedium
Ø 20 mmBrass0.5 mP = 70 kN

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

P = 70 kNd = 20 mmL = 0.5 mE = 100 GPa
ε = µε
8.Axial stress & strainHard
P = ?Ø25120 GPaØ120/50300 mm

A steel rod (diameter 25 mm, E = 200 GPa, allowable stress 150 MPa) sits inside a tube made of copper (outer diameter 120 mm, inner diameter 50 mm, E = 120 GPa, allowable stress 80 MPa). They are compressed together between rigid plates. Find the largest load Pmax.

rod: Ø25 mm, E = 200 GPa, σallow = 150 MPatube: Ø120/Ø50 mm, E = 120 GPa, σallow = 80 MPa
Pmax = kN
9.Column bucklingMedium
PL = 3 m30 × 50 mmcross-section

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

L = 3 mE = 70 GPa (aluminium)b × h = 30 × 50 mm
Pcr = kN
10.Column bucklingHard
P = 80 kNL = 2.5 md = ?cross-section

A solid round column of length L made of steel is pinned at both ends. It must carry 80 kN with a factor of safety of 2 against buckling. Find the smallest diameter d.

P = 80 kNn = 2L = 2.5 mE = 200 GPa (steel)
d = mm
11.Mechanical vibrationsMedium
tx50 mm4 cycles30.2 mm

In a free-vibration test of a damped mass–spring system, a displacement peak of 50 mm is followed 4 cycles later by a peak of 30.2 mm. Find the damping ratio ζ.

x0 = 50 mmx4 = 30.2 mmn = 4
ζ =
12.Mechanical vibrationsHard
k1​ = 50k2​ = 80m = 10 kg

A 10 kg mass hangs from two springs side by side (in parallel), with stiffnesses k₁ = 50 kN/m and k₂ = 80 kN/m. The mass stays level. Ignore damping and the masses of the springs. Find the natural frequency fn of vertical vibration in Hz.

m = 10 kgk1 = 50 kN/mk2 = 80 kN/m
fn = Hz

3Solutions

1.Gears & gear trains

Answer: n2 = 377.1 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

1500·80/315 = 381 rpm

With slip

n2 = 381·0.99 = 377.1 rpm

Answer

n2 = 377.1 rpm
2.Gears & gear trains

Answer: nout = 666.7 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 = 3000·40/60 = 2000 rpm = nC

Second stage

nout = 2000·20/60 = 666.7 rpm

Answer

nout = 666.7 rpm

total ratio = 4.5 : 1

3.Torsion of shafts

Answer: φ = 11.21 °

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) = 500·1000·1200/(80000·38350) = 0.1956 rad
φ = 0.1956·180/π = 11.21°

Answer

φ = 11.21°
4.Torsion of shafts

Answer: τmax = 5.018 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 = 30000/104.7 = 286.5 N·m

Polar second moment of area

J = π(75⁴ − 56⁴)/32 = 2.141 × 10⁶ mm⁴

Maximum shear stress

τmax = T·(do/2)/J = 286479·37.5/2.141 × 10⁶ = 5.018 MPa

Answer

τmax = 5.018 MPa
5.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: θp = −34.1 °

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·−50, 30 − −10) = −68.2°

Angle on the element

θp = −34.1°

Answer

θp = −34.1°

Positive angles are counter-clockwise.

6.Mohr’s circle & stress transformation

Answer: τθ = −7.704 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 = −−10·0.9397 + −50·0.342 = −7.704 MPa

Answer

τθ = −7.704 MPa
7.Axial stress & strain

Answer: ε = 2228 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·20²/4 = 314.2 mm²
σ = P/A = 70·1000/314.2 = 222.8 MPa

Strain (Hooke’s law)

E for brass = 100 GPa = 100000 MPa.

ε = σ/E = 222.8/100000 = 0.002228 = 2228 µε

Answer

ε = 2228 µε
8.Axial stress & strain

Answer: Pmax = 813.1 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·25²/4 = 490.9 mm²
At = π(120² − 50²)/4 = 9346 mm²

Combined axial stiffness

ΣEA = 200·10³·490.9 + 120·10³·9346 = 1.22 × 10⁹ N

Governing strain

ε = min(0.00075, 0.0006667) = 0.0006667 (copper)

Largest load

Pmax = 0.0006667·1.22 × 10⁹ = 813149 N = 813.1 kN

Answer

Pmax = 813.1 kN
9.Column buckling

Answer: Pcr = 2.159 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 = 50·30³/12 = 112500 mm⁴

Effective length

KL = 2·3000 = 6000 mm

Critical load

Pcr = π²EI/(KL)² = π²·70000·112500/6000² = 2159 N = 2.159 kN

Answer

Pcr = 2.159 kN
10.Column buckling

Answer: d = 56.68 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 = 2·80000 = 160000 N
KL = 1·2500 = 2500 mm

Solve for the diameter

d = (64·n·P·(KL)²/(π³E))^(1/4) = (64·160000·2500²/(π³·200000))^(1/4) = 56.68 mm

Answer

d = 56.68 mm

Check: the slenderness KL/r is 176.4, so the column is slender and Euler applies.

11.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: ζ = 0.02006

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(50/30.2) = 0.126

Damping ratio

ζ = δ/√(4π² + δ²) = 0.126/√(39.48 + 0.01589) = 0.02006

Answer

ζ = 0.02006
12.Mechanical vibrations

Answer: fn = 18.15 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 side by side share the deflection and add their forces, so their stiffnesses simply add: k = k1 + k2.

keq = 50 + 80 = 130 kN/m

Natural frequency

ωn = √(130000/10) = 114 rad/s
fn = 114/(2π) = 18.15 Hz

Answer

fn = 18.15 Hz

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